“Itch You Can’t Scratch” is the 3rd release from the UK’s MIDNITE CITY. I was a huge fan of the 2017 debut as the songs reminded me of the best parts of DANGER DANGER. THE DEFIANTS, NELSON and even the more recent output of RICK SPRINGFIELD. The songs were infectious and memorable, and I still go back to that album today and never seem to tire of it.
When the sophomore release “There Goes The Neighbourhood” came along a year later, to say I was looking forward to it would be an understatement but for some reason it never attained the status of the debut in my mind. I always felt that album had a bit more of an aggressive attitude and overall wasn’t as (wonderfully) melodic as the debut. Maybe I need to give it another chance…
When “Itch You Can’t Scratch” was announced I wasn’t sure what to expect; was the band going to continue the more aggressive style of the “There Goes The Neighbourhood” or return to the sound of the debut? Well, I can say without hesitation the MIDNITE CITY is back with another firecracker of an album as here’s why.
The lead track “Crawlin’ In The Dirt” is rather aggressive on first listen and I wasn’t so sure at that point but the more I listen to the track it grows into an anthem of sorts and the melodic sensibilities creep through with repeated listens. The next track “Atomic” is not all that great to me. The lyrics are rather callow and silly to me. The song does nothing for me and I must admit I skip it more times than not when listening to the album. After “Atomic” though is where the album really shines and is some of the best songs from the band since the debut and maybe to date. “Fire Inside” is pure melodic bliss and really made me take notice of what was to come with the rest of the record. “Darkest Before The Dawn” has a bit of “THE DEFIANTS” vibe to me and has a chorus that will have you singing along. “I Don’t Need Another Heartache” could have been lifted off the debut album and its NELSON meets THE DEFIANTS vibe is excellent. “Blame It on Your Lovin’” and “They Only Come Out At Night” are a tad more aggressive yet retain the melodic side, especially the later tune. “Chance Of A Lifetime” is one of the stronger tracks on the album as sounds of the debut comes back around. Rob Wylde and company seem to have a knack for the melodic side, and I think it’s where the band is at their strongest. They wear their influences on their sleeve and I love that they do when they come up with songs like “Chance Of A Lifetime”. “If It’s Over” is the bands big ballad on “Itch You Can’t Scratch” and NELSON would be proud while “Fall To Pieces” cranks things back up with another marvelously melodic rocker with killer chorus that leaves you just not getting enough.
The Japanese version of “Itch” features the bonus track “Girls Of Tokyo” and is well worth the price of tracking down the Japanese import as the song is one of the best on the record.
MIDNITE CITY was already high on my list with the 2017 debut but “Itch You Can’t Scratch” is almost as equally impressive and well worth a listen if you love melodic vocals and infectious songs that will leave you singing along and wanting more. Fans of DANGER DANGER, THE DEFIANTS and NELSON will find plenty to like about MIDNITE CITY. Now I’m going to go back and see if I missed something with “There Goes The Neighbourhood”. LOL.
