Ahhh another year and yet another Kids In Glass Houses album release. With a work ethic that will do their parents proud, Kids In Glass Houses come kicking and screaming in with the album's title track and a healthy dose of 80's inspired thunder (the weather condition, not the band) wrapped up in sunny melodies and a sound that most bands would be selling their testicles/nipples for.  Thus proving that not only have they learnt a thing or two from playing with the big boys, but that they are beating them at their own stadium rock game.

'Teenage Wonderland' is next up, and one of the first things that hits me is just how far the boys have come as songwriters since their 2008 debut 'Smart Casual' and also in fact from last year's 'Dirt', which shows how confident they have become and almost fearless in their approach to trying new things. The UK needs bands like Kids In Glass Houses bands who will stop pussyfooting around their American cousins and stand up and be counted for the daredevils they really are!

One of the best songs on 'In Gold Blood' is 'Diamond Days' which given time is full of glorious addictive treats. Aled Phillips' vocals really coming to the fore here. I have always considered him to be the ace in this particular pack so to speak, but that was on previous albums - on this latest one - each of the band have a chance to shine thanks to a seemingly effortless production care of A's Jason Perry.  Man this guy is fast turning into the UK's answer to Butch Walker, everything he touches these days turns to musical gold, and even with great songs, like the ones here he seems to conjure up the perfect sound to compliment them.

Of course all the band's trademarks are here, awesome synths breaks hit the spot regardless of fashion. Glorious melodies weave luscious tapestries, and on songs as good as 'Not In This World' and 'Only The Brave Die' the band have taken the leap from snot nosed kids to fully blown adulthood, albeit retaining that streak of ruthlessness and mischief!

Next single 'Animals' will hopefully give the charts a powerpop kick up the brown eye. And if there is any justice this band will be on the cover of all the rock mags and on all of the rock music channels with this beauty. Seriously Kids In Glass Houses really are the torch bearings for the NRO. (That's New Rock Order just in case you're wondering)

Like so many before them Kids In Glass Houses have taken the best bits of the their talent and woven them together with the genius mind of Jason Perry to come up with a modern rock masterpiece. The band may come under a bit of flack for the evolution present, but KIGH have clearly so much more to give than their peers.  The band are almost chomping at the bit to get these songs out and in the glorious summer rain/sun, they sound AMAZING!

'In Gold Blood' is the album that Kids In Glass Houses needed to make to prove not only to themselves but to the world, that they have paid their dues and deserve a crack at the world championship belt. And on this showing, the lads can do it without breaking a sweat...

http://www.kidsinglasshouses.com/