Published in Vive Le Rock Magazine June/July 2013 issue
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE
SECULO SECULORUM
(Vociferous Records)
Competent but formulaic second effort from Manc outfit.
5/10
Manchester’s Obsessive Compulsive have been doing the rounds for more than a decade and yet they have still not crossed paths with many people’s radar. They are now onto their sophomore effort, and if you were familiar with their 2010 debut, then there are no surprises here. Undeniably they play with grit and determination, just with far too simple an approach. It’s “no frills rock ‘n’ roll” with a slight metal tinge, and so, moments such as “Regurgitate” and “Nail In The Coffin” are fun enough for you not to be embarrassed to throw the horns once in a while. The majority of the record does however act more like a playlist at your local rock night. Musical wallpaper, some might say. But on a positive note, at least frontwoman “Kelii Compulsive” has a distinctive vocal style compared with similar cookie-cutter acts across the pond (Flyleaf, Halestorm etc).
Tom Willmott
