Album Review: Two Door Cinema Club – “Gameshow”

Two Door Cinema Club has gone through ups and downs recently, only releasing an EP after they shot to stardom with their albums Tourist History and Beacon. Otherwise, they’ve been absent for the last three years or so, so long that people almost forgot about them. But boy did they deliver, by making up for this absence with Gameshow.

Disappointed was my first reaction when listening to the album. I felt betrayed by the new sound the band had taken, but this album must be invested in. My attachment to their previous music was unconcealed and I felt like a bandage had been abruptly ripped off without warning, because nobody warned me about this sudden evolution of the group. Unfortunately, I hope no dedicated fans are turned off because TDCC and these songs are worth the listen. Without attention, the songs feel grazed and skimmed over, and it doesn’t do it justice.

“Are We Ready? (Wreck)” starts it all off and eases us gently into it–it is a tad similar to their old stuff, as is “Good Morning,” in regards to it being less ostentatious and subdued but rocking it. Right on the same pattern of easy and simple entrances, we move to “Bad Decisions,” which I can see becoming a quintessential song of theirs in the future. Clean, strong rhythms help to emphasize the steady beat that accompanies it all. You can dance along and it doesn’t get old, which is a major plus.

The song that the album derives its title from, “Gameshow,” includes so many different elements without overloading, what this album tends to teeter around. The lyrics are strong and prominent and they battle with the guitar, almost vying for the spotlight. Luckily it works out, and you can tell why it was released as a single.

Now when I say that they are neo-disco, I mean it. “Je Viens De La” is a major throwback to the 1970s. All I need are my boogie shoes and I’m good to go at this point. The falsetto executed by Alex Trimble interspersed throughout is new, and although it’s pretty flawless, I like his more sultry and desperate tone portrayed in songs such as “Surgery.” Their hipster side was brought out in a major way with “Fever,” a slower song with more feeling and emotion behind it than I’ve seen out of them so far. Laid back is an accurate description, and it is the perfect festival song.

Despite my early bitterness towards their change in sound, I can’t deny how solid this album is. Gameshow was conceived elegantly and is more balanced than most alternative albums in consideration to variation in song length, tempo and lyric topics. It could hook old fans and new fans alike, although not necessarily ones adverse to indie already. Overall, it’s worth giving a serious listen to.

Rating: 8/10