For the first couple of tracks we thought Busted were trying to reinvent themselves as a British Blink 182 — the opener has echoes of songs such as Blink’s I Miss You, and Busted sing over the riff in the same way as Blink. But this cutting edge doesn’t last long and it soon calms down to more easy going pop-punk; perhaps harder than Busted of old but still recognisable. It’s more New Found Glory than any premier league acts.
The lyrics clearly define the age of the band and the fans they’ve grown up with: memories that could apply to Busted themselves or anyone else, school reunions, staying true to your friends and so on, all the things you think about as you grow older.
The title is from a line about being halfway between youth and obscurity (though they said in an interview that it’s a Year 3000 reference, being halfway to the seventh album — the Review Corner suspects “cos we’re halfway through our three score and ten and old age and inability to perform awaits” will go down less well in interviews).
Gil Norton produces: he’s worked with Pixies, Echo and the Bunnymen and Foo Fighters, particularly the latter’s The Colour and the Shape, but also Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace so it’s possible he’s added the rockier sound.
It’s all done well and there’s plenty for fans to enjoy, and nothing that children can’t hear if it’s played in the car. Drummer Cobus Potgieter does a particularly fine job, and on a couple of tracks Norton brings the drums to the fore.
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