Children Collide are a band extremely close to my heart. I don’t know if I’m just struggling to grow along with this band, but in my eyes their new sophomore effort falls a little short. Sounding like a collection of B-sides left over from debut The Long Now, Children Collide’s new album, Theory of Everything sounds like a step backwards into the territory of poorly thought-out lyrics about nothing in particular, songs for the sake of songs rather than anything of importance; nothing much really stands out.

Opener "Future Monks" is hardly appropriate; the lethargic track doing nothing to entice listeners, while debut single "Jelly Legs" leaves the songs surrounding it with no justice. This song shines far brighter than any other track on the release; Johnny Mackay’s desperate delivery matches his words perfectly, an abrasive longing ringing out with every word. Most recent single "My Eagle" is the albums amusing anthem; despite being that little bit kitsch, it’s got the simple lyrics to sing along with and a beat you can jump up and down to. "Fashion Fits" suffers the same fate as the album opener; that little but too slow to really show what the band is capable of. "Complacency No Vacancy" slowly brings out the distorted guitar but takes too long to become a song of any excitement. 

The songs lack anything that makes them special both as individual tracks and as a whole album. It can be played through with no recognition given to the playing of each song as they all sound similar, slightly boring even. Children Collide are not a boring band in any sense of the word; their live shows are electric but Theory of Everything does not show this band’s capabilities.

Review Score: 6/10