Razorlight is firing on all cylinders once more, revving up the engines for their eagerly anticipated 20th anniversary tour. The British indie rock stalwarts are set to take fans on a wild ride as they revisit the chart-topping album that catapulted them into mainstream stardom back in 2006.
The self-titled masterpiece, released on July 17th of that fateful year, was a game-changer for the band. It stormed the UK charts, topping it off with the anthemic 'America', and spawned a string of other massive hits like 'In The Morning' and 'Before I Fall To Pieces'. Johnny Borrell's razor-sharp wit and charisma had already caught the attention of the nation, but this album cemented his status as a household name. He became an unlikely pin-up boy for the fashion crowd, gracing the cover of Vogue in 2006.
Fast-forward to today, and it's clear that Borrell's unapologetic approach still has a loyal following. Speaking to NME recently, he reflected on those dizzying days with characteristic candour: "The mainstream was the weirdest for me because I'm just not really that guy." The gruelling touring schedule that followed left him reeling – "complete insanity" is how he described it – but even now, he shrugs off any notion of conformity.
The album's critical reception was nothing short of phenomenal. NME hailed it an 8/10 masterpiece, praising Borrell's bid for Bono-esque status and declaring it a confident leap over the dreaded "difficult second album" hurdle. Yet, in a bizarre twist, 'Razorlight' also found itself nominated for Worst Album at the NME Awards in 2007 – a nod that Robbie Williams' polarising 'Rudebox' would ultimately claim.
Borrell's memories of creating this iconic record are as vivid as ever. He recalls writing some of these tracks on tour, and even shared a few anecdotes about playing them for icons like Liam Gallagher and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). Looking back, however, he admits to being caught off guard by the tabloid frenzy that surrounded him at the height of his fame – "the press destroyed my relationship with my fans," he laments.
Now, as Razorlight embark on their 20th anniversary tour, the opportunity for a new generation of fans to experience this unforgettable album live is a tantalising prospect. Details on specific venues and dates are pending, but rest assured – it's going to be a wild ride, fuelled by the same fire that propelled Razorlight to stardom two decades ago.