Track Listing

1. The Same Mistakes
2. Promises, Promises
3. New Toys
4. Talking To A Brick Wall
5. Into My Arms
6. Blind Pilots
7. A.I.M.
8. Music Box
9. In Your Prime
10. Written Apology

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97556 in Music
• Released on: 2003-09-08
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk review
The Cooper Temple Clause's Kick Up the Fire and Let the Flames Break Loose is a multi-layered, painstakingly produced return that thankfully sees vocalist Ben Gautrey shying away from young Gallagher-esque intonations in favour of a resonating richness. With the exception of "Into My Arms"--which shifts from a limp flirtation with the sweeping grandiose balladry perfected by Spiritualised to an industrial cacophony--this is a powerful return.

Kick Up the Fire... is as eclectic, vibrant and uncompromising as their acclaimed debut, See This Through and Leave. Epic, violently intense songs glow, growl and bristle while keeping just the right side of bombast. Driving bass, heaving guitar hooks and weaving atmospheric electronics blend to create moments of guitar-fuelled mayhem and spartan sonic reprieve. In keeping with the Mansun, Placebo and Radiohead school of intricate studio shenanigans, tracks such as "The Same Mistakes" and "Talking to a Brick Wall" make for a well polished, if occasionally imperfect, gem. --Christopher Barrett

CD Description
Second album from Reading electro-rockers, following 2002's'See This Through And Leave'. Recorded at the band's own studio on a farm in Berkshire, it shows an increased maturity and cohesion in their songwriting, whilst retaining the catchy melodies, raging guitars, pounding beats and bizarre electronic noises that make up their unique sound. Includes the single 'Promises Promises'.

Customer Reviews

Seriously Good Music
I stumbled upon this band and their sound immediatly intrigued me. On first listening to the album, the mix of class withdrawn rock and almost ambient work stunned me: just a few tracks in and i knew i was onto something. 'The Same Mistakes' is a great relaxed opener, never nearing dullness, and is followed by 'Promises Promises', a stunning rock piece backed up by some smart touches. The quality doesn't drop either; there are plenty of creative and musically interesting tracks including 'Talking to a Brick Wall', 'A.I.M' and 'Music Box'. The band aren't afraid to mix electronic licks with hard rock sections, and rolling vocals complement their unique sound perfectly. I was impressed and I thoroughly recommend you take a listen to this excellent album.

The Coopers are back
I decided to wait until I had been listening to this album for a week before I wrote a review. Because, as anybody who bought the Cooper Temple Clause's stunning 2001 debut "See This Through and Leave" will testify, it takes more than a few spins to really appreciate the music.

"Kick Up The Fire.." is a natural progression from "See This Through and Leave", with obvious improvements on the experiments tried in the debut. The electronic vibe is used at the forefront of many of the songs, which works well on "Music Box" and "The Same Mistakes", but is far to minimalist on the closing two tracks, making them rather throw-away. The vitriolic guitar assault of the likes of "A.I.M.", the singles "Promises Promises" and "Blind Pilots" and the superb "Talking to a Brick Wall" proves that the six Coopers have learned a lot of tricks since "Been Training Dogs" and "Devil Walks in the Sand". They are all brutal slabs of guitar rock, but always with excellent melodic vocals from the under-rated Ben Gautrey. The press never seem to give the Coopers credit the deserved for the sheer strength - and occasionally anthemic quality - of their choruses.

The real highlight of the album is "New Toys", a half-electronic, half-rock song with amazing melodies and a build-up to a brain shaking chorus. This track alone proves that the Cooper Temple Clause have honed their skills. The songs are on a whole better than those on "See This Through..", though as an album it is a little more hit-and-miss. This is no classic, but it is an excellent follow-up to an excellent debut. A worthwhile buy for both fans and curious outsiders.

This is solid evidence that the Cooper Temple Clause are a hot band that can only get better.

A band who will never fail to surprise!
Is it rock?, is it dance?, is it indie? who knows!! One good thing about The Cooper Temple Clause is they never fail to keep you guessing! Definately not a predictable album Kick up the fire and let the flames break loose has something for everyone; from the heavy bass riff of Promises, Promises to the more mellow and computer based New toys. For all those hardcore Coopers fans their second album will definately be no dissapointment and perhaps even better than their debut. The Coopers are definatley and band who will keep on growing artistically!