Electronic dance music dominates the pop airwaves. Soft glamour music eats up a chunk of the pop music industry. However, this is not the case for The Script. This indie-pop-rock band is unique in its own way, successfully pioneering a new field in the music industry. It lures in many listeners around the world by embracing the dynamic sounds and poetic lyrics.
The Script is an Irish alternative rock band based on Dublin. The band has three members; Danny O'Donoghue (the lead vocals and keyboard), Mark Sheehan (guitar) and Glen Power (drums). O'Donoghue formed the band with his old school friend Sheehan in 2001, and Power joined later on. Success took a while to come; but when it did, after seven years, The Script’s debut album made the band to go straight to number one.
The Script released their debut album The Script in August 2008, renowned for its hit songs “The Man Who Can't Be Moved” and “Breakeven.” The following album, Science&Faith, was released in September 2010, containing the hit songs like “Nothing.” The band’s third album #3 was recently released in September 2012, most famous for “Hall of Fame” featuring by Will.i.am. All three albums were highly successful, sold millions of copies, and topped the charts worldwide. The catchy, bittersweet hits have been featured in popular television programs and also in a Victoria’s Secret fashion show for the opening segment.
The Script has a unique sound that defines the band. It has both rock and hip-hop. It is not often for a rock band to take two different, even foreign sounds and make them sound fresh and creative. O'Donoghue and Sheehan were intrigued by the sounds of hip- hop coming out of the U.S in the 90’s, a sound that was far from typical in Ireland where it was very much a rock climate, due to bands like U2. That is why they define themselves as “the salmon going against a river.” Also the guitar parts are reminiscent of U2, so that the band is adored for Ireland’s biggest band since U2.
As a matter of fact, the band’s music is not really just a hip-hop mentality. Rather, it is more like a mixture of a bunch of different musical styles that may seem to be unorganized; the songs have slow pianos over fast drum beats, talking and singing the lyrics. The band’s musical style is well depicted in their song, “Breakeven.” Danny’s vocals are desperate, soft, and purely entrancing, harmonizing with the lyrics. The guitars are melodic, and the drums are powerful, at points resembling marching. This style is very consistent in that it has not changed much at all from their “freshman” to their “junior” album. The only problem is that there are a few interesting intros, but most of the albums sound quite similar. Although there may not be a huge variety in sound on the albums, the band’s sound is undoubtedly original and it is a good one.
The members of the band write the songs together and each is as warm, and even garrulous with original lyrics. The lyrics vary from honest tales of break-ups to questioning love songs. The Script has an amazing ability to put lyrics to music that they always go perfectly together and throughout the songs. The band puts and depicts the raw emotion of break-ups like melancholy, anger, despair, false hope and then, finally, admittance into the songs.
Unfortunately, if the idea of a rock band turning into hip-hop sounds uncomfortable, then the band’s music is not going to be for the listeners. Still, the listeners can tell that the band puts their hearts, souls, and personal stories into their music. It is not easy to define The Script in one word. At the same time, it is amazing that The Script’s music is a mixed bag which harmonizes the blend of different sounds of music; hip- hop and rock. This is what The Script truly is: difficult to categorize, but easy to enjoy.
The Script is currently having the world tour for their third studio album, and will be visiting Korea as well. The concert will take place on March 27, at AX Hall, Seoul.