Albums

Tender Trap - Dansette Dansette

Tiffany Daniels 22/07/2010

Rating: 2/5

Not to be confused with Australian darlings The Temper Trap, London's Tender Trap are the remaining three members of a collection of trendsetting twee bands, including Talulah Gosh, Heavenly and Marine Research. Unlike their debut Film Molecules and follow up 6 Billion People, their new album Dansette Dansette reverts back to that same subtle blend of pop, rock and bop that their former projects revelled in, but removes itself from The Smiths adoration and C86 simplicity that once made them renowned.

The record launches itself upon the listener with its eponymous track as an opener - essentially a homage to Debbie Harry on laudanum; it does its best to represent the forlorn youth of the Summer of 2010, but at the end of the day fails to ignite in a blur of hormones, as it rightfully should. The remainder is a continuation of this theme: hot nights, romantic uncertainty but a definite lack of 'Fireworks'. 'Do You Want a Boyfriend?' picks up the pace with a mocking undertone last seen in The Long Blondes' material; 'Danger Overboard' actually rips off one of their riffs. It's a shame - frontwoman Amelia Fletcher undoubtedly influenced the Sheffield band; in an ironic role reversal, Tender Trap are mimicking those that they taught. Single 'Girls With Guns' reveals the band's full potential - if only they could explore their pop-punk influences (and peers) more thoroughly, this would be the perfect Friday night get-ready album.

Ultimately, Dansette Dansette is entirely inoffensive and at times tedious.
From any other band it would be an acceptable take on a scene past, but I was expecting a lot more from some of the legendary musicians who set the benchmark.

Release date: Out now