Vol. 53
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Full Pelt Magazine
Tag: Album Review
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Maximo Park
Stream of Life
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MAXIMO PARK – STREAM OF LIFE – ALBUM REVIEW
Maximo Park always have stood apart from their contemporaries as indie for intellectuals and, at a time when indie rock is noteworthy once again, their new album, ‘Stream of Life’, serves as a timely reminder that there is more to the genre than Britpop and landfill-era big hitters.
Once you delve deeper into the genre you can find some quite sublime offerings from artists more concerned with integrity then popularity. That’s not to say that Maximo Park don’t have their own collection of bangers in their catalogue, but you know you’re in for a fuller experience than a cookie cutter record that many opt for.
‘Stream of Life’ is the first album the band have recorded together in person since 2016, after recording their pandemic-era album, ‘Nature Always Wins’ in isolation. They team up again with producer Ben Allen along with Burke Reid and you can hear the band pushing themselves further once more.
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They’ve always been musically ambitious, and they are audibly striving for something a little grander on this, their eighth studio album. Perhaps the great pitfall for a band respected for their willingness to experiment is staying true to your core sound, but somehow the group have always managed to get that balance right.
Again, with this album it’s more than familiar enough to engage their long-term fans. There are plenty of classic Maximo Park tracks on here, alongside a couple of bangers and some good fun like ‘Quiz Show Clue’.
It’s all very uplifting and enjoyable even when straying into more serious topics. When the world is heavy, it’s good to keep things light and again Maximo Park have summoned a collection of enjoyable indie rockers which go down as easily as that first Friday night pint!
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Light Grey
NIGHTM@RES
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LIGHT GREY – ‘NIGHTM@RES’ – ALBUM REVIEW
After forming Light Grey in 2017, Ciaran Nevin and Mikey Connolly have won over fans and luminaries alike with their take on the new wave of pop punk. Now they are finally read to unleash their full-length debut album, ‘NIGHTM@RES’, on the world.
The collection takes the energy of their early singles and turns it up to eleven with a highly engaging sound ready for the rumoured return of the Warped Tour!
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Thematically the album is an ambitious conceptualisation of the protagonist’s escalation of dreams which gradually develop into the titular nightmares. Pulling on some highly relatable topics across the eleven ebbing and flowing tracks makes this a very connectable catalogue of familiar pop-punk goodness.
A record rooted in that nostalgic pop punk sound but brought to life by modern rock sensibilities, ‘NIGHTM@RES’ is an enormous debut from a band capable of capturing your heart. Indeed, if you long for a catchy hook and some memorable lyrics then Light Grey certainly have you covered with this release.
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Watch Episode 73 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Light Grey
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Pale Waves
Smitten
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‘Smitten’ represents the fourth Pale Waves album in the past six years, which in this day and age is nothing short of prolific! Each album has benefited from its own identify with the band clearly willing to double down on a sound or concept when it arises.
The theme this time around comes from youthful romantic learnings and exploration as frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie reflects on her own experiences as she learnt more about herself and the pitfalls and positives of love.
Musically the band have left behind the pop-punk sound which dominated ‘Unwanted’ and embraced a dream pop ambience over the course of these delicate twelve new tracks. ‘Smitten’ is certainly another carefully curated sonic soundscape from the group.
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Whilst some may criticise the band for wearing their influences on their sleeves, the cohesion that they manage to achieve on each record is truly impressive. You can feel the love and passion that they put into each album and ‘Smitten’ is no different.
Pale Waves always appear in a constant state of evolution as they explore their creative abilities, taking elements from those influences and adding new layers with each new album. Again, for a band to hit this level of consistency out of the career gates is mightily impressive.
In many ways Pale Waves are something of a throwback, and again they’ve managed to create something which both old school indie pop fans and the new generation of music lover will be able to get behind.
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October Drift
Blame The Young
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OCTOBER DRIFT – BLAME THE YOUNG – ALBUM REVIEW
October Drift released their debut album in January 2020… which historically wasn’t a great time for such a milestone event. Not deterred by this momentum killer, the group crafted what is a classic pandemic album, ‘I Don’t Belong Anywhere’, which captured many of the feelings we all felt at this time.
Now though with their third album, ‘Blame The Young’, the band have another opportunity to capitalise on their ever enhancing live reputation without any lingering covid hangovers in place. Indeed, this album resolutely throws of the shackles of loneliness and fear and explores what comes next.
Focusing on the strength found in a caring support network, ‘Blame The Young’ takes the listener on a ride of discovery and growth with the likes of ‘Demons’ and ‘Everybody Breaks’ showing the band at their emotive best.
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Sonically the album feels like a trip into the depths of the band’s creative library. There are some familiar classic reads, but as you journey further into the collection, you’ll find some more intense and interesting offerings which go to make the whole record even more rewarding the longer you spend with it.
It’s refreshing to see a band growing with each release whilst remaining true to themselves. This album is a celebration of the journey of life and those that help us to survive. As ever, October Drift manage to get you thinking, get you feeling and ultimately get you dancing!
Having survived through what are tough times for young, self-reliant bands, it’s a testament to the imagination of this special group that you feel that somehow the best is yet to come.
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 52
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The Meffs
What A Life
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THE MEFFS – WHAT A LIFE – ALBUM REVIEw
The Meffs captured attention with their two ‘Broken Britain’ EP’s, which delivered a scathing indictment of modern life soundtracked by a blistering punk rock assault on the senses. Subsequently the duo has established their credentials with a constantly growing list of impressive live performances.
For their first full-length traditional album, ‘What A Life’, it probably shouldn’t be a surprise then that the duo are offering more of the same. Bad news for anybody hoping for a bloated prog-rock opera, but bliss for fans ready to double-down on their love of classic punk rock rowdiness!
Over the course of 33 fast paced minutes the band have managed to capture their raw live energy on record which is some achievement! Working again with Frank Turner on the album, together they’ve managed to give these songs a new shine which makes them sound ready for the larger audience that is sure to jump on board the good ship Meffs.
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From the cutting opener ‘Stamp It Out’ to the methodically heavy ‘What’, each track adds something important to the record, either through their crushing lyrical insights, their sonic exuberance or in most cases – both!
From the tongue in cheek to the brutally honest, the undertones of the record once again manage to perfectly capture the tone of the divided world whilst providing a call to arms to those who just want a fair crack at life.
That message of hope is of course the most important take away from this record… however recognition of the passion put into this album is also a significant note.
The final ringing out of the instruments at the end of ‘What’ is reminiscent of their riotous live shows and just as in that setting, leaves you wanting more of this musical shot of adrenaline!
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 51
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Snow Patrol
The Forest Is The Path
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SNOW PATROl – THE FOREST IS THE PATH – ALBUM REVIEW
When all is said and done, the story of Snow Patrol will certainly be one that music historians will examine in depth. From Britpop-era obscurity to Indie-landfill superstars, the band have endured ultimately due to their unparalleled ability to craft beautiful melodies that tug on your heartstrings.
New record ‘The Forest Is the Path’ is only their second collection of new material in the past thirteen years however! Greatest Hits and a reworked album have kept the band somewhat active in that time. But with previous admissions of writer’s block and the departure last year of longstanding members Paul Wilson and Jonny Quinn, fans may have been wondering whether the potential for a full-scale return to form was turning rather bleak.
With driving force Gary Lightbody still flanked by the incredibly talented Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid though, the group have now set about alleviating any of those fears.
Indeed, as you hit play and are greeted by the stunning ‘All’ and enormous ‘The Beginning’ and you instantly feel like you are curled up on the sofa with a warm blanket and cup of hot chocolate.
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Yes, these songs smell like home and as the album progresses you will feel increasingly comfortable in that familiar blanket. You might even sneak a cookie or two to accompany that drink as the rain lashes against your window and the open fire roars… you know the analogy I’m going for!
I suppose with this sense of familiarity you could argue that this is a safe return for the band, but then is anybody looking for Snow Patrol adopt electropop and release their version of ‘Brat’? No didn’t think so, and neither should they – this is simply Snow Patrol doing what they do best and it’s magnificent!
Their journey may not be the most glamourous or straightforward, you could say that the forest is their path! However it is that they’ve arrived at this point though they’ve found their way into British consciousness and on the evidence of this new release they aren’t going away just yet.
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Cassyette
This World Fucking Sucks
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Cassyette, born Cassy Brooking, has certainly made her mark on the rock scene since emerging amidst the chaos of the pandemic. Indeed, given how time generally flies by, it feels like Cassyette has been around for a lot longer than that!
The long wait for her debut album is finally over however with ‘This World Fucking Sucks’ now released into this very sucky world! Whilst 2022’s ‘Sad Girl Mixtape’ had given a good first taste of where Cassyette was going, this full record nails her colours to the mast.
Yes, Cassyette is here to deliver ferocity and melody in equal measure and does so with this statement of intent that runs to fifteen emboldened tracks; some seven of which had already made their way into the world before release.
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There within lies is perhaps the only gripes, that there isn’t much to surprise on this record and that perhaps it would benefit from dropping a track or two despite there not being an inherently bad track present.
Those are only minor observations however and in the main taking this journey with Cassyette will only solidify your appreciation for an artist clearly born to do this. Be that screaming at the top of lungs on the likes of ‘Ipecac’ or serenading us with her dulcet tones on the delicate ‘Dear Sister’.
This is an album which is well worth your time and ultimately sets up this unique artist for the rest of her career, which you’d imagine will be a long and successful one on this evidence!
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