Mcfly - Above The Noise

Ok, so I'm trying to find the best way to describe the latest release from British pop-rock band Mcfly, a band who I have been a fan of since their debut back in 2003. Upon first listen, its instantly notable just how much the four piece have changed, not just in sound, but in attitude also since Room On The Third Floor's youthful spirit.
Mcfly's early years were standard in the current music industry, in the sense that despite showing obvious signs of free thinking and musicality, (for example in Wonderland's skillfully crafted orchestral ballad 'She Falls Asleep parts 1 and 2'), the more popular and 'radio friendly' tracks were often chosen to push the band forward as pop icons. Arguably, this was beneficial, providing the group with a string of strong top ten singles, and a huge fan following, of all ages. Yet, naturally the band longed to grow out of the record label ties and become more independent. This chance finally came with 2008's Radio:Active; an album completely self funded and promoted by the band, which enabled them to create the sound and attitude that they had always wanted Mcfly to be. Typically, Radio:Active sat separate from the previous Beach Boys/ Beatlesesque vibe that surrounded Mcfly, and subsequently found the band exploring a more raw and pop-punk-rock direction. Despite this brave and mature manoeuvre, many long time fans disapproved, and the album failed to reach the height of success that the band's third album Motion In The Ocean had grasped. Which altogether led Mcfly to their current position; a completely independent, free thinking act, without the deserved popularity. There was only one thing they could do.
Above The Noise bursts into life in a flurry of heavy guitars, pounding drums, and shimmering synthesisers. Already this album marks new territory for Mcfly, and with it, a fresher image. However, it comes at a time when this image seems a bit stale, having the likes of Tinie Tempah, The Saturdays, Usher and Mcfly's new best friend, and producer, Taio Cruz clogging up the Top 40 chart with the now common synth pop sound. Therefore, Above The Noise fails to re-launch Mcfly as a definitive pop band, simply because they no longer sound like themselves. Even though they now hold creative control over their music, they have lost the signature sound cleverly crafted by their governing record label. And in many ways this was more beneficial for them.
Aside from this, the album itself isn't that bad. Typical Mcfly songwriting traits are scattered throughout the 11 tracks, and the band still manage to deliver stand out pop gems, such as the infectiously dancy 'Party Girl', the soulful 'I Need A Woman', the charmingly cheesy 'End Of The World', and the highly anthemic 'Shine A Light'. There are also examples of where are more brash and confident attitude are evident. For example the risque lyrical content to 'This Song', where Tom Fletcher swoons "Somewhere in the world, someones making love to this song, right now", and the cheeky play on words, and letters, in the album's third track, 'iF U C Kate'. Incidentally, 'iF U C Kate' is the best song on Above The Noise, with it's off centre lilt, and melodic building chorus fused with wafting electronica. It appears to be the most trademark, and at the same time, the most adverse Mcfly track on the album; and this makes it a great song! Another interesting quality is that subtle hints to Above The Noise being a concept album creep through now and again, for example in the frequent reference to 'Kate', who is mentioned in a number of tracks. Perhaps this is another example of how Mcfly are attempting to mature in their songwriting?
As a Mcfly fan, I really appreciate the effort and tenacious attitude taken by the band when compiling Above The Noise, but it is merely a sideways step in terms of their creativity and growth. If anything, the band have failed to soar, as they once did, to the height that this album suggests, somewhere 'above the noise'. Hopefully, Mcfly will learn from this offering that catering for the mainstream worked previously, but they now have the opportunity to operate, and develop a fresh signature sound to re-launch them, and this time away from the current generic pop mentality.
If Radio: Active symbolised Mcfly at a creative crossroads, Above The Noise represents their subsequent journey down the wrong road. Here's hoping they turn back soon!