Uh oh. The dreaded sophomore album. Which way will it go for Hundred Reasons Have they followed up their amazing 2002 debut Ideas Above Their Station with a like-minded record, or did they use up all their songwriting magic on the debut? The verdict: Shatterproof Is Not A Challenge finds the Surrey quintet moving on from the purely buzzsaw hookiness of the debut to expand their sound and broaden their sonic base, while still retaining their inherent sing-along quality. Initial single ìThe Great Test,î works in ways that past Hundred Reason singles have, pairing chugging guitars with frontman Colin Dorans urgently emotive vocals. Standout tracks are not in short supply, however, as quality abounds in numbers like ìStories With Unhappy Endings,î the aptly-named ìPopî (with guitarist Paul Townsend on lead vocals) and album opener ìSavanna.î While the entire album is a force to be reckoned with (theyíve even thrown in a ballad in album closer ìMakeshiftî) Shatterproof is best summed up by ìHarmonyî: employing time changes and dual harmonies, along with the everpresent double guitar attack, the track effortlessly wedges itself in your brain. ìSing this with me now, try and harmonize this,î Doran implores. Listen to this track more than once and you will indeed ìstart singing.î

Hundred Reasons
Columbia UK

1. I’ll Find You
2. Jack White + Brendan Benson = The Raconteurs
3. Live – Hundred Reasons Blast Away At Rescheduled Show In London
4. The Great Test
5. The Great Test