Jen's Music Review

Jenness Mitchell • Published 11 Jan 2012 08:00 0 Comments

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The Maccabees: Given to the Wild

I've been a fan of Brighton-based indie-rockers The Maccabees since 2007's Colour It In. Their alterative love songs (First Love, About Your Dress, Toothpaste Kisses, Love You Better, etc) will have shaped a grateful generation amongst those wishing to escape the dominating commercial sounds bellowing from the Charts. I regard the English quintet's quality alongside that of The Joy Formidable, Bombay Bicycle Club, WWPJ and Twin Atlantic. Despite producing two top 30 albums they have continued to remain somewhat anonymous, however with this third studio record as with Arcade Fire and Kings of Leon, Given to the Wild is The Maccabees' The Suburbs and Only by the Night. This is the first time that the boys have gone their separate way and returned with their own contribution for each piece. Assured in their ability, the album is epically more ambitious than what they have ever created before. Although lead single Pelican is reminiscent of their earlier output - poppy and melodic with a catchy hook - the rest of the album is broader and more explosive. Orlando Weeks' vocals echo vulnerably throughout each track whilst the instrumentals gently build into huge arrangements. Highlights include Child, Feel to Follow, Ayla, Went Away and Go. If Given to the Wild is an indicator of things to come, the future of British music is safe. The Maccabees have come of age.

Band to check out: Hero and Leander

I absolutely adore the way Hero and Leander describe themselves. 'Ingredients: five boys, one girl, three voices, one set of drums, two guitars, one violin, one piano and one bass. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Soak the boys and girl in Essex for ten minutes, then shake dry. Place in a rehearsal room, add the other ingredients and mix until forming a smooth paste. Season with peppery melodies, harmonies and words of the melancholy order. Pour the mixture into a tart shell and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. When cooled, slice into songs.' I don't know about you, but I'm completely sold. The combined effort of Gary Cansell (vocals, guitar), Marc Sephton (guitar), James Halls (bass), Scott Lewis (drums), Andy Jones (piano, vocals) and Emily Sills (vocals) will win over any admirer of The Kabeedies and The Indelicates. Their EP Collider is a confident introduction - from the tenderness of One Three Four to the more vibrant 'Bombay Bicycle Club/Lucy Rose' sounding The Thought Of Your Mind In Motion Puts Me To Sleep. For more information on the band, check out www.facebook.com/heroandleanderuk or www.myspace.com/heroandleanderuk.

Extra Info:

If you have a Spotify playlist recommendation, email me on jmitchell@alloaadvertiser.co.uk or send music my way via open.spotify.com/user/jenster13.

Videos to check out:

Lucy Rose, Scar: www.youtube.com/user/LUCYROSEMUSIC

Rachel Sermanni, The Fog: www.youtube.com/user/RachelSermanni

Lana Del Rey, Born to Die: www.youtube.com/user/LanaDelReyVEVO

First Aid Kit, Emmylou: www.youtube.com/user/FirstAidKitVEVO

Azealia Banks, 212 ft. Lazy Jay: www.youtube.com/user/AzealiaBanks

Dot Rotten, Are You Not Entertained: www.youtube.com/user/DotRottenVEVO

Friends, I'm His Girl: www.youtube.com/user/friendszone

End of Neil, Day in the Park: www.youtube.com/endofneilmusic

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