There Is Only You
Scottish outfit the Xcerts took their time putting together their third album -- a total of four years elapsed since their Mike Sapone-produced sophomore release Scatterbrain in 2010 -- and There Is Only You sees the trio bring together their pop sensibility with crushing alternative rock. Their prolonged absence wasn't spent twiddling their thumbs by any means, as the trio wrote the entire album while on tour with the likes of Brand New, Manchester Orchestra and Taking Back Sunday, and these groups have had a noticeable impact on the band's progression. There is, however, an audible desire to carve out their own identity on their third outing, and the frantic "Live Like This" is an instantly recognizable Xcerts song, with Murray Macleod's distinct accent flowing over a heavy guitar riff that explodes out of the pensive instrumental opener "2.12.12."