The Automatic are kind of like the AC/DC of catchy post-punk. There's not a whole lot of thematic or melodic difference between tracks, they have the uncanny ability to grab a hook and ride that sucker right up to the point where it begins to get stale and quit, and they sing lyrics of the Tyrannosaurus-dumb school for easy rock. And also like AC/DC, most of the time, they make it work. Inexplicably, against all odds, almost-embarassed sort of way.

Not quite a guilty kind of pleasure, the album is simply strung together by a collection of manageable and bite-sized nuggets of ultra-contagious and blistering pop. There's nothing at all groundbreaking or even note-worthy going on here: it's the Coca Cola of their genre. But then again, do their peers (Kaiser Chiefs, Futureheads, etc.) really do it so much better? Of course not. And those who enjoyed the singles should find plenty to enjoy here (even if the singles are mostly the best songs).

Best cuts: "Recover," "Monster," "On the Campaign Trail," "That's What She Said," "Raoul," "You Shout You Shout You Shout You Shout," "By My Side," "Keep Your Eyes Peeled"

This album, not yet released in the USA for some stupid and unknown reason, is one of the best albums of 2006. These Welsh youngsters from Cardiff (home of some of the best rugby in the world) have a unique sound with some catchy and sensible lyrics. The two singles (so far) are "Monster" and "Raoul" but there is much more to this album. For those interested in alternative rock, it's a must have album.

I got The Automatic's debut, `Not accepted anywhere', after watching the hilarious monster/UFO filled video accompanying their brilliant UK top 5 hit single `Monster'.

The Automatic are a Welsh foursome with an energetic punk sound, and the album has already made the UK top 10.

`Monster' is a driving rock song with call and scream/yelp back response, building to a hook laden anthemic chorus. A fun sound, much akin to fellow Brits Kaiser Chiefs.

This sets the template for the rest of the CD: The kooky `That's what she said', `Raoul', `You shout you shout you shout you shout' (`so much trash on the radio today' they sing, how true), `Recover' (with a disco feel in the verses), the more mellow `Lost at home', `On the campaign trail', and the swirling sound of `By my side'.

And therein lies the problem, all the songs, though catchy, sound alike. There isn't much variety. It takes repeated play before one can tell the songs apart. Still, a decent album, and worth it just for `Monster' alone.

...I'll start by saying this...some of these songs were reissued from a slightly less sucessful album (e.g. Raul) but now on with the sound of this album...

...the welsh quartet that are the automatic play punky poppy anthems with an attempt to mainstream sucess (from the sound of it)...and of course the hit monster was a large success in the UK to the point of irritation in my opinion...because it would seem that saying the chorus of monster amused to many people and it irritated me along with a billion other people...I just didn't see what was so great about it (plus the keyboardist has an annoying backing voice)...

...then there was the second single recover which was the exact same in song structure only with a slightly more "oh I was hungover and now I need to recover" manner to it...still had the annoying keyboardist in the background...please go away...

...and finally...raul...which was a reissue from an older album...which I still found very annoying from the last time that I heard it...they are reliant on a huge chorus which really isn't there...keyboardist needs to be neutered...

...so here is the formula to the automatic:

1. Get some chords. (about three or four).

2. Singer sings...it all sounds the same.

3. Get a chorus and make it stand out more then the other stuff but keep in the bland flavour.

4. The Keyboardist sings high and monotoneously in the background.

...every song on the album is like that...so enjoy...

They hit the ground running with this HOOK filled album.

The Welshie lads have it.....