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Help She Can't Swim - Hospital Drama EP

Reviewed by Dave on 27th March 2007

March 2006 saw the release of Help She Can’t Swim’s ‘Midnight Garden EP’ and there was meant to be a full album called ‘Death of the Nightlife’ sometime in August of that year, but it never appeared, I was crushed. For me ‘Fashionista Super Dance Troupe’ was THE album of 2004 and the thought of a second album really excited me.

‘Hospital Drama’ is the first single from the long-awaited, eagerly anticipated ‘Death of the Nightlife’ and the 4 track EP does not disappoint, it does in fact only increase the anticipation for the new album.

With their typically hardcore guitar riffs and pop keyboards HSCS announce their new single with the title track ‘Hospital Drama’ and immediately you are taken back to the days of ‘Fashionista…’

There is a return to the contrasting vocals of Tom D and Leesy, with Leesy providing the more melodic sounds and Tom providing the throat shredding sounds, the contrast works brilliantly.

‘Wretched’ is the second track and is comparable to ‘Apples’ from ‘Fashionista…’ or ‘Twilight Mountain’. It is slow, melodic and sorrowful and Leesy’s vocals are simply brilliant throughout and they have mellowed a lot since ‘Fashionista…’ where she sounded a lot deeper and much more forceful she now sounds more feminine, and it’s an interesting development and adds a new depth to the HSCS sound.

‘Wake Up’ is a faster paced affair with more of a pop flare with a great little guitar riff, it sounds a little like ‘My Own Private Disco’ but a little slower, Leesy’s vocals are similar and the tone of the whole song is very similar.

Finally there is a rather good acoustic demo of ‘Hospital Drama’ obviously slower and focused more on the melodic side of the music rather than the hardcore sound, it reveals a side of HSCS that has yet, not been seen, a gentle slow sound, and it’s not exactly unpleasant.

‘Hospital Drama’ is a good quick fix for those of you who are craving ‘Death of the Nightlife’ and it is well worth buying. It will also help you forget the sack of shit that was ‘Midnight Garden’.

Rating: 9/10
Website: www.myspace.com/helpshecantswim
Buy It Now: amazon.co.uk

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