Boy Band Update! Auryn and a cast of thousands...

There was a time when I would struggle to do a comprehensive boy band update because it was really only Westlife and maybe some classical men-band acts like Blake and Il Divo. Now the marketplace is heaving with buff fellas harmonising with other buff fellas and doing homo-erotic dance routines. And I for one ain't complaining. Here is a review of my current fave boy band, along with a run down of what everyone else of note is up too...

Auryn ~ Endless Road 7058:

5 piece Spanish boy band Auryn are perhaps one of the most charming propositions for a boy band I've come across in a while. I'm not sure whether it's the Spanish accents and mediterranean good looks that does it, or whether it is the contemporary yet classic musical sound they have opted for. Or perhaps it is a mixture of all these things and more. Regardless, their debut album stands out in a crowded schedule of boy pop album releases this winter and is packed with potential singles, dreamy ballads and one interpretive cover version. It all kicks off with the driving force of Elevate - a song saturated in stirring strings, a driving percussive beat and an aura of classic Take That about it (it's a vocal Mark Owen would be jealous of). A thrilling chorus gives you an idea of the quality of song that Auryn have opted for and it remains with you long after the album has finished. Not one to rest on their laurels, the next track Favourite Guy, is a completely different - a perky finger clicking ditty with a nod of the head to acts like The Overtones, yet keeping a distinct aura of Auryn about it. It details the loss of love and is possibly the most catchy song on the album - definite contender for single number 3? I've already written copious amounts about singles 1 (Breathe Into The Light) and 2 (Last Night on Earth) - so needless to say, they are still standouts and excellent pieces of pop. Their more down tempo tracks, such as chugging ballad Still (which features some truly glorious harmonies and a soaring, inspirational chorus) and dreamy Spanish language tracks Cartas Entralazardas (with some heavenly piano playing) & Volver show a more tender side to the fellas. I Don't Think So is a rollicking power pop anthem that is enhanced by fuzzy guitar riffs and a enticing vocal performance in the choruses; this is echoed again on a cover of Adele's Rolling In The Deep which acts as a perfect showcase for their seamless harmonic style while adding a more aggressive touch with the guitar in the middle 8. Overall, an impressive debut from 5 lads who surely have a career waiting for them far beyond the shores of Spain...
Potential singles: Breathe Into The Light, Last Night on Earth; Your Favourite Guy; I Don't Think So; Still

Catching up with everyone else...

• Lawson ~ Standing In The Dark (acoustic): I do enjoy an upcoming boy band. Lawson, in prep for their 2012 tour, have uploaded a dreamy acoustic version of their swoon-worthy song, Dancing In The Dark. It not only showcases their ability to produce some lovely, naturally flowing guitar melodies that truly give the song a propulsive narrative, but is also an opportunity for their emotive, pure vocals to cast a spell with their musical alchemy. I shall certainly be checking out their UK Tour in Jan... (Check out my review of their Marry The Night cover here. What, no headless acrouements?!)
• JLS ~ Jukebox: It may be cookie cutter pop of the most common denominator variety, but I become increasingly smitten with the X-Factor's most successful act's latest single, Take A Chance On Me, with each consecutive listen. Their third (!) album is pretty much what you'd expect - rave o'clock anthems, some dreamy ballad, some self penned stuff that's not at all bad and quite personal - and my personal new favourite, a non-festive take on Do You Hear What I Hear, entitled Do You Feel What I Feel. It's Rodgers & Hammerstein Club Is Alive madness to a new level of bonkers! Please be single number 3...
• The Wanted ~ Battleground: Everything seems to be such a rush for The Wanted that it seems there is no time to pause and enjoy exactly what is happening. barely 2 weeks after Lightning made number 2, they were already touting the video for morose ballad, single number 3, Warzone. And whipping out a special edition of Battlezone, minutes after the standard version was released! Grife! Anyway, the album is pleasant enough - if you like the mix of singles (either trancey rave pop or Ryan Tedder-esque ballads), you'll be pleased by what you find here...
• Big Time Rush ~ Elevate: I have a huge soft spot for Big Time Rush. Not only do they manage to be hugely entertaining on their daft as anything epononymously titled tv show, but they continue to grow as boy band artists. If new single Music Sounds Better With You is anything to go by, their new album (out next week) is sure to be a doozy. Plus they look proper handsome and dapper on the cover. As if this wasn't enough, a Beatles-esque movie is due early next year with some contemporary yet vintage covers of the fab four tracks! YAY!
• Take That ~ 8 Letters: probably released to promote their Progress Live Tour DVD, granddaddy boy band Take That mine their progress/progressed album one more time for perhaps the most traditional single they have chosen from it far. Still a fave of mine, it's a gorgeous ballad that fits in with their most recent work as well as their more classic material. Sigh...