Common Dreads

In late September 2008, the group uploaded themselves performing "Antwerpen". They said the track would be recorded for the next album, which was planned for release in early 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2008/09/new_enter_shikari_track.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227034915/http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/09/new_enter_shikari_track.html|title=New Enter Shikari track!|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Katie|date=26 September 2008|archivedate=27 February 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} Between late September and early November, the group went a club tour in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2008/05/enter_shikari_announce_uk_mega.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703052516/http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/05/enter_shikari_announce_uk_mega.html|title=Enter Shikari announce UK mega tour!|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=14 May 2008|archivedate=3 July 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} Towards the end of the tour, the group released a new track, "We Can Breathe in Space, They Just Don't Want Us to Escape", which had been produced by Andy Gray.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2008/09/enter_shikari_announce_new_sin.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614003245/http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/09/enter_shikari_announce_new_sin.html|title=Enter Shikari announce UK mega tour!|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=17 September 2008|archivedate=14 June 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}}

Enter Shikari began work on their second album towards the end of 2008 and started demoing songs in "The 'Low" (episodes released on YouTube by Enter Shikari showing their progress.)[https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=BF1752A65B469E82 Video Diaries] The new album was recorded in Arreton Manor situated on the Isle of Wight. Recording finished in late February 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/02/enter_shikari_new_track.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430192210/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/02/enter_shikari_new_track.html|title=Enter Shikari new track!|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=25 February 2009|archivedate=30 April 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}}

The album has a political motive behind it and references to the current economic climate is a topic that is covered. The album has a distinct stylistic change to Take to the Skies, most notably, more use of clean vocals and a mixture of more electronic music genres, including drum and bass, electro house and dubstep, as well as the trance and electronic hardcore which was explored on their debut album.

There is a drastic lyrical change in the new album. The band formerly wrote lyrics concerning various different subjects and made frequent use of metaphors. In Common Dreads, the band's lyrical subjects concern socio-political topics, like in "Step Up", a song that critiques free world trade. The song "No Sleep Tonight" speaks about the ecological situation of today. The song "Fanfare for the Conscious Man" contains lyrical connotations to the injustice of the various wars the government were engaging in whilst Enter Shikari were writing the album, the line, "Our gracious queen should grasp her crown, and take a good fucking swing at Blair and Brown" confirms the anti-war views of this song. The band expresses further political ideas in the song "Juggernauts" where the closing line is; "The idea of community will be something displayed in a museum", when coupled with the anti-capitalist and hopeless tone of previous lyrics, can be interpreted as a Pro-Collectivist stance. Rou Reynolds told Kerrang! that the song was inspired by the book Tescopoly by Andrew Simms.[http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=15631 Juggernauts Songfacts]

On 25 February 2009, "Antwerpen" was released as a free download.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_6112|title=Enter Shikari premiere "Antwerpen"|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|date=25 February 2009|accessdate=4 August 2017}} In late March, the group performed at a Kerrang!-hosted event at South by Southwest in the US.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/03/win_guitar_hero_metallica_as_k_1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427052335/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/03/win_guitar_hero_metallica_as_k_1.html|title=Win Guitar Hero: Metallica as K! goes to SXSW!|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=18 March 2009|archivedate=27 April 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} In late April, the group performed at Give it a Name festival,{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/02/give_it_a_name_2009_lineup_in.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412190426/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/02/give_it_a_name_2009_lineup_in.html|title=Give It A Name 2009 line-up in full|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=5 February 2009|archivedate=12 April 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} followed by an appearance at The Bamboozle festival in the US in early May.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_5918|title=Bamboozle set single-day lineups|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|date=8 February 2009|accessdate=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801044453/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_5918|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=dead}} On 29 April, a music video was released for "Juggernauts". The track was released as a single on 1 June.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/04/watch_enter_shikaris_new_video.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502172106/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/04/watch_enter_shikaris_new_video.html|title=Watch Enter Shikari's new video!|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=29 April 2009|archivedate=2 May 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} On 8 June, the album was made available to stream to the public from the NME website for free. On 12 June, the group performed a secret set at Download Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/06/and_the_secret_bands_are.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612033755/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/06/and_the_secret_bands_are.html|title=And the 'secret bands' are...|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=9 June 2009|archivedate=12 June 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} Common Dreads was released on 15 June through Ambush Reality. Shortly after this, the band performed at Glastonbury Festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/33706/glastonbury-to-include-fcked-up-brand-new-specials-bloc-party-bruce-springsteen-nick-cave-blu|title=Glastonbury to include F*cked Up, Brand New, Specials, Bloc Party, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Cave, Blu|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=27 May 2009|access-date=8 October 2022}} In July, the band went on a tour of the US with August Burns Red and Blessthefall.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_6864|title=August Burns Red Summer Tour|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|date=14 May 2009|accessdate=9 August 2017}} In August 2009, the band performed at Summer Sonic Festival in Japan, FM4 Frequency Festival in Austria and the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/34727/fm4-frequency-with-afi-rise-against-rival-schools-thursday-radiohead|title=FM4 Frequency with AFI, Rise Against, Rival Schools, Thursday, Radiohead|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=6 August 2009|access-date=10 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/34024/anti-flag-faith-no-more-rise-against-to-play-reading-and-leeds-festival-2009|title=Anti-Flag, Faith No More, Rise Against to play Reading and Leeds Festival 2009|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=17 June 2009|access-date=10 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/33167/my-chemical-romance-nin-paramore-mogwai-the-enemy-girl-talk-at-summer-sonic|title=My Chemical Romance, NIN, Paramore, Mogwai, The Enemy, Girl Talk at Summer Sonic|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=20 April 2009|access-date=6 October 2022}} It was announced via the Enter Shikari website that the second single from the album would be "No Sleep Tonight", to be released on 17 August 2009.

In September 2009, the band went on a US tour with the Bled, Asking Alexandria, Broadway.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/34271/tours-alesana-the-bled-asking-alexandria-broadway|title=Alesana / The Bled / Asking Alexandria / Broadway|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=July 7, 2009|access-date=October 10, 2022}} Enter Shikari's song "Wall" premièred on Zane Lowe's show on 29 September 2009, but is not scheduled for release as an official single. In late September, the band posted a video on their YouTube channel of "Antwerpen" filmed live in "The 'Low".{{YouTube|4-D6Y65wzcg|Antwerpen Live From The Low}} This track was to become the first track released, made available as a free download, linked from the band's MySpace page.{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=2687807&blogId=473099136 |title=Antwerpen |access-date=2009-05-07 }}{{dead link|date=October 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The next official single was "Zzzonked", with the video being released on Ambush Reality/Enter Shikari's official YouTube Channel on 7 October 2009. This was recorded at Norwich on the first leg of their European tour in 2009, The video can be seen here.{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrDse_2lEDA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/rrDse_2lEDA |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=ENTER SHIKARI - ZZZONKED - official promo video |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2012-02-10}}{{cbignore}} In October, the group went on a UK tour.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/06/enter_shikari_add_more_dates_t.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625023639/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/06/enter_shikari_add_more_dates_t.html|title=Enter Shikari add more dates to October tour|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=23 June 2009|archivedate=25 June 2009|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} In February 2010, went on a brief UK tour,{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/10/enter_shikari_add_more_februar.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223011917/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/10/enter_shikari_add_more_februar.html|title=And the 'secret bands' are...|work=Kerrang!|publisher=Bauer Media Group|author=Dan|date=12 October 2009|archivedate=23 February 2010|accessdate=21 February 2018|url-status=dead}} before performing at Soundwave festival in Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com:80/2009/10/my_chem_you_me_at_six_paramore.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016054920/http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/10/my_chem_you_me_at_six_paramore.html|title=My Chem, You Me At Six, Paramore, and Gallows for Soundwave|work=Kerrang!|author=Dan|date=13 October 2009|archivedate=16 October 2009|accessdate=4 June 2017|url-status=dead}} In June and July 2010, the band performed on Warped Tour, and then appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-dillinger-escape-plan-every-time-i-die-suicide-silence-confirmed-for-vans-warped-tour/|title=The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, Suicide Silence Confirmed For Vans Warped Tour |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=19 December 2009|accessdate=13 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/37698/guns-n-roses-blink-182-arcade-fire-to-headline-reading-and-leeds-festival|title=Guns N' Roses, Blink-182, Arcade Fire to headline Reading & Leeds Festival|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Yancey, Bryne|date=30 March 2010|access-date=17 October 2022}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AbsolutePunk

| rev1Score = (78%) [http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1089972 link]

| rev2 = AllMusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}} [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1596479|pure_url=yes}} link]

| rev3 = Digital Spy

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}} [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a159655/enter-shikari-common-dreads.html link]

| rev4 = Entertainment.ie

| rev4Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}} [http://entertainment.ie/album-review/Enter-Shikari---Common-Dreads/6397.htm link]

| rev5 = NME

| rev5Score = {{Rating|5|10}} [https://www.nme.com/reviews/enter-shikari/10554 link]

| rev6 = The Observer

| rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}} {{cite web |title=CD: Rock review: Enter Shikari: Common Dreads |date=2009-06-13 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426152822/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/14/enter-shikari-common-dreads |archive-date=2023-04-26 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/14/enter-shikari-common-dreads}}

| rev7 = Planet Sound

| rev7Score = {{Rating|5|10}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/5f123b57996062d20d7bce746dbc6bd1/Enter+ShikariCommon+Dreads.aspx |title=link |access-date=2009-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615031209/http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/album-live-reviews/5f123b57996062d20d7bce746dbc6bd1/Enter+ShikariCommon+Dreads.aspx |archive-date=2009-06-15 |url-status=dead }}

| rev8 = Rock Sound

| rev8Score = {{Rating|9|10}} [http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/enter-shikari-common-dreads link]

| rev9 = The Times

| rev9Score = {{rating|2|5}} [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6464092.ece link]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

}}

Common Dreads has polarised critics. Ultimate-Guitar rated the album with an overall rating of 9.3/10.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/enter_shikari/common_dreads/index.html |title=Common Dreads Review | Enter Shikari | Compact Discs | Reviews @ |publisher=Ultimate-guitar.com |date= |accessdate=2012-02-10}} Similarly, music magazines Kerrang! and Metal Hammer gave very positive reviews, Kerrang! rating the album 5/5. The album also has its critics. Digital Spy gave the album 3/5 calling it 'hit and miss'. Pete Paphides of The Times gave the album 2 stars out of 5, describing it as "a titanically inadvisable mash-up between Gallows and John Craven's Newsround."{{cite web|author=Jenny Booth Last updated February 10, 2012 2:15PM |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6464092.ece |title=The Times |publisher=The Times |date=2012-01-25 |access-date=2012-02-10}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Similarly, Lauren Murphy of entertainment.ie described it as "an overkill of brawn, insufficient brain."{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.ie/album-review/Enter-Shikari---Common-Dreads/6397.htm |title=Enter Shikari - Common Dreads. Review by Lauren Murphy | Entertainment.ie - Ireland | Music, CD Reviews |publisher=Entertainment.ie |date= 17 June 2009|accessdate=2012-02-10}}

Common Dreads entered the album charts at number 16 selling 15,000 copies in its first week.

{{track listing

| all_lyrics = Roughton "Rou" Reynolds

| all_music = Enter Shikari

| total_length = 50:27

| title1 = Common Dreads

| length1 = 2:08

| title2 = Solidarity

| length2 = 3:16

| title3 = Step Up

| length3 = 4:40

| title4 = Juggernauts

| length4 = 4:44

| title5 = Wall

| length5 = 4:29

| title6 = Zzzonked

| length6 = 3:27

| title7 = Havoc A

| length7 = 1:40

| title8 = No Sleep Tonight

| length8 = 4:16

| title9 = Gap in the Fence

| length9 = 4:07

| title10 = Havoc B

| length10 = 2:52

| title11 = Antwerpen

| length11 = 3:15

| title12 = The Jester

| length12 = 3:55

| title13 = Halcyon

| length13 = 0:42

| title14 = Hectic

| length14 = 3:17

| title15 = Fanfare for the Conscious Man

| length15 = 3:45

}}

{{track listing

| total_length = 1:03:02

| headline = iTunes Bonus Tracks

| title16 = Enter Shikari

| note16 = Live Track

| length16 = 4:00

| title17 = Labyrinth

| note17 = Live Track

| length17 = 3:29

| title18 = Return to Energiser

| note18 = Live Track

| length18 = 5:46

}}

{{track listing

| total_length = 1:01:34

| all_writing =

| headline = Japanese bonus tracks[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/samples/B00276HO4K Japanese Bonus Tracks]

| title16 = We Can Breathe in Space, They Just Don't Want Us to Escape (radio edit)

| length16 = 4:04

| title17 = All Eyes on the Saint

| length17 = 5:53

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

; Enter Shikari

• Roughton "Rou" Reynolds – lead vocals, additional guitars, lap steel guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, programming, samples, electronics, trumpet, trombone, bongos, piano, church organ, percussion, lyrics
• Chris Batten – bass, backing vocals, co-lead vocals on "Step Up", "Juggernauts", "No Sleep Tonight" and "Hectic"
• Liam "Rory" Clewlow – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing bongos, backing vocals, co-lead vocals on "Juggernauts" and "Wall"
• Rob Rolfe – drums, percussion

{{col-2}}

; Additional personnel

• Andy Gray – additional vocals on "Hectic"
• Dan Weller – additional guitars

; Production

• Enter Shikari – production
• Andy Gray – production, recording engineer, mixing engineer
• Dan Weller – production
• Tim Young – mastering

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIbGEDlo7h-m-4lpP1SICsr5QXsbi5fWw Common Dreads] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)

{{Enter Shikari}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2009 albums

Category:Enter Shikari albums

Category:Ambush Reality albums

Category:Alternative metal albums by English artists

Category:Electronic albums by English artists

Category:Albums produced by Dan Weller