The Maccabees – Wall of Arms (2009)
April 28, 2009 at 10:29 pm 3 comments
Those who keep me company, they are wall of arms around me. It is they who are my army.
Well ladies and gentlemen, The Maccabees have honestly managed to create an album nothing short of incredible.
From the energetic guitar sounds that open the album to the heartwarming, closing proclamation that our love is “so much more besides” a bag of bones, the boys have managed to produce much more than Colour It In: Part Two. Which, after all, is precisely what they had set out to do. Not because their debut effort was in any way subpar, but to prove to fans, critics, and partly to themselves, that the band hadn’t yet reached the peak of their creative potential.
The Maccabees have no doubt grown as songwriters and musicians since that first time we heard early versions of “X-Ray” and “About Your Dress “almost four years ago. They’ve toured relentlessly, managing to build a passionate and supportive fan base all before even releasing a debut album. While the recording of Colour It In gave The Maccabees a chance to perfect the songs that had introduced the band to millions (“First Love” and “Latchmere” becoming crowd-pleasing-anthems at their live shows), Wall of Arms serves as the perfect showcase of the band’s growth and willingness to experiment with sounds—title-track “Wall of Arms” and “Dinosaurs” feature horns, piano sounds grace “One Hand Holding”, while the rhythm section shines throughout the album. But, through it all, The Maccabees have managed to keep that inherent, impossible-to-pinpoint quality that makes them the same band we fell in love with all those moons ago. And although Wall of Arms is as perfect as an album can be, something tells me The Maccabees aren’t quite done showing us what they’ve got to offer.
PRE-ORDER “WALL OF ARMS” NOW
or buy a copy at your local record store May 4th. Support bands, buy music. It’s fun.
Another leg of their UK tour starts Thursday in Northamton (support coming from the one and only Mumford & Sons) taking them straight through the big summer festivals. Go see them live in my honor: http://www.myspace.com/themaccabees
Entry filed under: Music: Reviews, Music: UK Tour 2009. Tags: album review, music, The Maccabees, Tour: 2009.
1.
Patrice | April 29, 2009 at 5:17 pm
CATALINAAAA!!
Okay, seriously, when did you get a blog? I love it!! You are such a good writer. I thoroughly enjoy this.
Looks like I have to some catching up to do on here.
2.
catalina | April 29, 2009 at 10:22 pm
YO GIRL!!!!
Whoa, thanks
I’ve only had it for a couple months, but I don’t think I’ve posted about it anywhere yet because I’m still trying to make it not suck.
I try to post regularly, but it’s tough when I’ve got the attention span of a goldfish. Def too many half-written posts in the “drafts” queue.
3.
Patrice | April 29, 2009 at 5:19 pm
“Looks like I have to some catching up to do on here.”
wow, what a sentence. but you know what I mean.