The TIMES

[uzair]

Just a year after their second album Nada Melankolik Malaya, The Times are back with Modern Minimalis Glamour. Rocking with a tough swagger reminiscent of their debut Soda Pop Rok ‘N’ Rol, only now do we find them exploring more and sometimes different facets of their Britpop/rock obsession. Parting ways with Clockwork Records, the band are now under the new Gizmo Records imprint. Perhaps rejuvenated by the change of label and environment, this is clearly The Times at their most determined, and the most commercial they have ever sounded in their career.

Opening with the New Order inspired title track ‘Modern Minimalis Glamour’, The Times clearly signal their intention to sound unlike any other Malay band without forgetting the need to have great, memorable melodies. And what a success it is as a statement of intent and as an album opener. We’re then rocked by the confident, tough and glamorous ‘Kerusi Elektrik’, written by bassist Mono. It’s not yet T-Rex, but definitely close to the swagger exhibited by Oasis on their debut Definitely Maybe.

‘Tunjuk Perasaan’ is another New Order-inspired track, except with a more live drum feel to it. As is now a trademark with The Times, what follows is ‘Primadona’, their customary, achingly lovely ballad in the vein of last album’s ‘Infra Merah’. ‘Khayal Khayalan’ then follows with some of the most infectious “woo hoo”s ever in the refrain. We’re then treated to ‘Sisa Sisa’, a brilliantly catchy song where everything in it is memorable, including the lead guitar lines.

The Times seem to follow up every track on the album with one melodic gem after another. Unlike their patchy debut and not-too-upbeat sophomore, this album sees them finally maturing and being confident enough to just let the songs do the talking–and let the awesome track sequencing speak for itself.
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