#3 Sony Music **

Three albums in, and The Script's ascent to international stardom is now well and truly complete. Perhaps that's what makes this record a disappointment; the Dubliners have found complacency in success. Nothing on #3 captures the zing of their earlier material, where memorable pop hooks came thick and fast. Instead, these songs are largely formulaic creations, more concerned with adapting to Americanised spoken rhymes and bland anthemic choruses, as heard on the mundane Hall of Fame (with guest will.i.am). Such musical banality also lessens the emotional impact of songs such as If You Could See Me Now, dedicated to Danny O'Donoghue and Mark Sheehan's departed parents. Give the Love Around is one of a handful to make reparation, with its 1970s soul swing, but overall it sounds like The Script are simply going through the motions. thescriptmusic.com

Download tracks:Give the Love Around, No Words