McFly have always been considered a stereotypical “boy band”. They all auditioned to be in the band and were put together by a record label; they’ve had a lot of success in the charts, girls all over the UK scream at the thought of their name. These elements to McFly lead to many people turning their noses and voicing their opposition or indifference to the band due to their background in pop music. I myself, as a 13 year old Panic! At The Disco fan, distanced myself from the band for a few years due to their pop stigma.

A few years later, I rediscovered my love for McFly and I realised that those who oppose the band for their image and background aren’t giving the music a chance. Whilst most popular music in the past ten years has been manufactured, McFly write and play their own music and most of the time their songs are rock songs, or at least pop-rock (with the exception of fifth album Above The Noise). In the present, as a fan of pop-punk bands such as All Time Low and Fall Out Boy, I find similarities between songs by pop-punk bands and McFly songs. This perhaps is not so strange considering Dougie Poynter’s self confessed love for bands such as Blink-182.

Let’s face it, we all know that McFly are capable of writing amazing guitar riffs (note Five Colours In Her Hair and Lies) and their influences from rock greats such as Queen and The Who are evident in past covers they have done.

Their songs aren’t all cheesy and clichéd either. Whilst debut Room On The Third Floor admittedly is mostly full of cheese (that is, enjoyable cheese which is understandable with the heavy influence of Busted’s James Bourne), even this album had some incredible examples of how talented McFly are as musicians and songwriters – Not Alone showing another side to the band, honest and serious.

This theme continues through the band’s other albums. If you don’t believe me; try listening to songs such as She Falls Asleep from McFly’s second album, Wonderland or Home Is Where The Heart Is and Bubblewrap from Motion In The Ocean. Still not convinced? Corrupted from Radio:Active shows why as a fan of rock and pop-punk music it seems ridiculous that I ever stopped listening to McFly as in another life some of their songs would see them sitting quite comfortably in the circles of bands on the British rock scene.

So to those of you who’ve never really listened to McFly because they’re too lame, too mainstream or too poppy – think again! When you delve into their discography it’s clear that McFly can adapt to many genres and their diversity means you cannot deny you will love at least one of their songs or albums (except maybe Above The Noise). Would you rather listen to some quality music or uphold your music snob reputation?