As a 54-year-old music lover who grew up on a diet of The Beatles, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and Van Der Graaf Generator, it has to be said that the current crop of pop groups don’t really generate the same sort of interest. When you look down the ranks of the album download charts most of the groups I either don’t really get or I don’t really enjoy listening to. This could be a sign of my age but I like to think that I still have a fairly broad taste in music. One group that has stood out for me in 2009 though is The Maccabees.
Wall of Arms, the Maccabees second album, is one that definitely improves with repeated listenings. The sound is darker but richer than their first offering Colour It In which was released in 2007. In the interim they have concentrated on their writing as they did not want to become just another indie guitar band. That’s not to say that they are not an excellently tight guitars and drums unit but there is now so much more.
Apparently, the five members of the London based group are all into different types of music and it shows. Rather than making the listening experience a problem though, the flying off on routes that you wouldn’t necessarily expect make this band stand out from the crowd.
Their producer for the second album Markus Dravs, who has worked previously with Coldplay, Arcade Fire and Bjork has done such a good job adding depth. This is evident right from the first track, Love You Better, where the addition of a brass section two-thirds the way through sets the scene. This is quickly followed by the indie-disco of One Hand Holding and semi-anthem of Can You Give It. The latter had an excellent video of the Gloucestershire cheese rolling to promote it.
When it came to videos though the prize had to go to the disturbing but highly poignant No Kind Words. This is such a simple idea of two guys facing one another with speech and thought patterns coming out of their heads. The story of a relationship where there has been deception, words said and silence needed has never been so cleverly portrayed in a 3-minute production.
Variety then in the tracks but what’s consistent throughout are the vocals and lyrics. Lead singer Orlando Weeks sounds stressed but it’s a distinctive voice and style which adds intensity to the songs. The words touch on relationships and the problems people have. The mood set seemed well suited to a year of such uncertainties but this is not dirge music and the band’s drive and energy will stop you from feeling suicidal.
From 4th February the Maccabees will be headlining the NME Shockwaves Awards Tour. They have got a reputation for being one of the best live bands after their highly acclaimed appearances at the Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2009. Who knows, there may be even bigger times ahead?
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