Well, it's certainly topical. "2nd Amendment" concerns the relevant amendment in the US constitution concerning the rule about 'protect your family, get a gun', which on the basis of recent (ongoing?) American foreign policy and the horrors in Iraq makes a few eloquent points about the Bush administration (sample lyric: "all your heroes went down fighting, so you get in every fight you can, and it makes you feel much closer to the man") en route to that memorable kiss off line: "will you pick up your Daddy's gun?" Food for thought and no mistake.
Musically, EASYWORLD aren't doing themselves any harm, either, as "2nd Amendment" is delivered with no-nonsense, radio-friendly anthemic qualities forcefully intact, catchy swells of electric piano, blaring harmonica and a plaintive vocal from Dav Ford. Now that the conflict's supposedly over it probably won't find Radio 1 et al too squeamish to play it, too. It comes with a superbly parodic video as well, though how the band will fare when they play it in the American midwest remains to be seen. This writer still remembers reports of the violent outbursts that accompanied XTC's attempts to play "Melt The Guns" over there years back. Have things changed in the meantime? Debatable.
Aesthetically, meanwhile, the other tracks strewn across the single's three formats suggest Easyworld enjoy a challenge. There are three demos, of which "Young In Love" itself could also be a regret-fuelled single, while "Where Happy Is" tugs remorselessly at the heartstrings and "Dave, Where Have You Gone?" is less effective, apparently the result of half an hour's spontaneous experimentation in the studio and, well, it shows after the initial build of atmosphere.
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The other two tracks up the schizophrenia ante even further. "A Lot Like A..." is plain bizarre, with the spoken lyrics muttered in the background allegedly involving The Guardian, a bottle of ketchup and a disused notebook. I'm led to believe Honeydew melons were also in the frame, but I think let's not even think of going down that road. Instead, head for "Other Man", which sounds like Nirvana serenading mud wrestlers and lyrically concerns "the story of an unapologetic gigolo who just wanted to be loved." So now you know.
Value for money package, then, with social comment, satire, some cool tunes and the requisite bout of farting around included. Nice work everyone.
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