The Beat Surrender

Protokoll are a four piece based in Boston, USA described as post punk. They have had some great reviews, Zane Lowe thinks “There Great”, Steve Lamacq “My top tip for 2006” and the NME described them as “Future Stars”

This is a seven-track mini album, which includes two previous singles. Moving Forward was released in May 2006, a good track very much in the style of Bloc Party. DNR was released in October 2006, this was a little different to the first single, less Bloc Party, more synth that in my opinion made it sound like an 80’s pretend punk band. Punk but cleaned up in the hope of making a bit of money and getting a chart hit record. In The Fall is another Bloc Party sound a like, fast guitar, fast deep strong vocals.

Most of the other tracks were just more of the same with the exception of Sunken, which started with a disco beat, weird guitars, a really chaotic mix which even had what sounded like an old Nintendo playing in the background. Had to give up on this track after the third play through, I just didn’t get it. If you like Bloc Party (which I do) you may like at least some of this. I was going to say that if work ever dried up they could become a tribute band. However, I think they have enough talent to over come this, stick to what your good at and don’t try too hard to become some thing else. Really liked about 3 tracks, kind of liked 2 and hated 2 which isn’t bad going.