Album review: THE LAFONTAINES – Common Problem

October 5th, 2017 by jason

Wolf At Your Door Records [Release date 27.10.17]

The average Get Ready To ROCK! reader may recoil in horror at the words ‘rap’, however fear not dear reader as the LaFontaines may well use rap a lot but they have the rock and melody to back it up. Musically they are a hybrid of rock, hip-hop, punk and pop – a lot of styles granted, however they mix them up to great effect.

Their debut album ‘Class’ made the Scottish top 10 and this past summer they have performed at Reading & Leeds, Download Festival, TRNSMT and at London’s KOKO.

Kerr Okan sings/raps his way through plenty of topical social commentary contained on the album, be it the title track’s take on the world’s problems or ‘Explosion’, where the rap is delivered in rapid fire backed by electronics and splashes of guitar. They pen damn fine melodies that you can’t help but enjoy, reminding me of Hard-Fi and fellow Scots Biffy Clyro.

‘Release The Hounds’ takes a more indie rock direction, where the guitar riff leads the song although the electronics/keys are used to good effect again. You can almost feel the energy coming out of the speakers on this one. At the other end of spectrum ‘Too Late’ musical lead is electronic and one massive chorus, driven by keys/synths.

The LaFontaines use many musical ideas and styles to get their message across and although aging rockers like me may not be their target audience, you can’t deny they have the tunes and the energy to make an enjoyable album. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)