Klaxons' Second Album Shelved, Band Forced to Re-Record It

March 13, 2009 1:22 p.m. by Andrew Winistorfer

It's hard to believe that it has only been two years since Klaxons unleashed their debut LP, Myths of the Near Future, onto the world (in Internet years it seems like 742). The band has been working on album number two, ostensibly, since then, and now comes word that not only is the album finished, but their label, Universal, told them they weren't going to release it and demanded they make something else. Ouch.

"We made a really heavy record and it isn't the right thing for us, I understand that," said Jamie Reynolds, explaining that being sent back to the drawing board has forced him to remember that Klaxons are "first and foremost a pop band".

Whoa, wait--aren't artists supposed to determine what the "right thing" for them is? Come on Klaxons, fight the powers at be. You could be like the fey British version of Clipse--fighting to put out a dark record that freaks your label out (Hell Hath No Fury). It also seems like Universal is giving a big who gives a shit to the fact that their profits are dwindling, forcing the band back into the studio to spend more money to make an album that will probably have less, not more, impact on America than Myths of the Near Future.

Klaxons are really showing their lack of backbone here--instead of fighting they were like, "Yes boss, on the double," instead of throwing a fit and demanding the master copies like Wilco did (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). There's a lot of questionable reactions an all sides here. [Idolator]

Posted in: KLAXONS

9 Responses

March 13, 2009 at 1:34 p.m.

BrandonRoss

I don't know that Klaxons have the kind of clout Wilco did when they demanded Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Unfortunately stomping your foot and yelling "Gimme!!!" just isn't enough.

March 13, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.

nick

I suspect this kind of thing happens more often than we realize. I know Blur's Modern Life is Rubbish was rejected by their record company at first. They told Albarn and co. to go back and write a few hit singles (which they did).

March 13, 2009 at 1:37 p.m.

andross

Yeah BrandonRoss, but they could show a little pride in the work they did before the label told them to re-record it. He was just like, "oh well, guess what we made stinks and we should listen to the label."

March 13, 2009 at 5:28 p.m.

gerald

further proof that "corporate rock still sucks"

grow some balls.

March 13, 2009 at 5:37 p.m.

mfiander

Also, I don't think Wilco had that much clout around there Pre-YHF, so I don't think that comes in to play here.

March 13, 2009 at 6:52 p.m.

andross

Yeah good call. They weren't really as huge as they are now until after YHF came out.

March 14, 2009 at 11:39 a.m.

Johnmel

This is embarrassing? Isn't the whole "collapse of the record industry" thing supposed to have ended this sort of stupidity? Quit the label and join an indie, you'll sell just as many records... (Of course, it ain't that easy, since once you're in the big record label's pocket you can end up owing them lots of money...not to sound all Steve Albini-y).

March 14, 2009 at 8:31 p.m.

B/}NGER

What a bunch of pussies.

March 27, 2009 at 12:12 p.m.

displayname

At the end of the day money is money. The record lable may have bigger plans in mind. Send them back, have a few tracks taken off, add a few new ones in. It's not like thier creativity has run dry. They could come back with some hits, end up with a bigger following, and then have more of a market to sell a "lost tracks" or b-sides album while not needed to do any more work. As much as we love the music, it is an industry, and they are trying to maximize profit for everyone, but as a result, we the fans get more music. The upside of doing it this way is that the music will be recorded and produced while they are still in thier prime.