New Favourite band: Maccabees

Compared to the likes of The Smiths this Brighton/London quintet certainly have an amazing sound of youthful melodic indie, that is all about those difficult teenage romances we once all had. Orlando’s sweet nervy voice along with high pitch riffs and soulful lyrics give for an amazing two albums. This is the band I’ve been craving for since the Libertines split!

‘Colour it in’ the bands debut album in 2008 gives a rough yet sweet sound to your ears. This album is for any young teenage lovers, songs such as ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ is a fine example. The only acoustic song on the album displays Orlando’s sweet vocals to the max, a song that sounds like it could be on some French silent movie. Some lyrics will stick in your head through out the day and you’ll have to get another fix like ‘First Love’. It’s something about the spirit of which this album is produced, the memorable riffs and signified drums that makes it what it is. If it’s only love they preach I guest it’s just what all young lovers do (pretty cheesy). ‘Colour it in’ defines indie, an absolute gem!

Their second outing ‘Wall Of Arms” sees the Maccabees grow up a little, still with the quick witted intelligent lyrics and as bouncy as ever mind. The opening track ‘Love you Better’ speaks for what the rest of the album represents the complications of love and growing up. It’s not worlds apart from ‘Colour it in’ but a bit darker and to the mainstream. Riff heavy anthems like ‘Can You Give It?’ can lift you of your seat, whereas ‘Bag Of Bones’ a more sinister track that give comparisons to tracks on the new Arctic Monkeys album ‘Humbug’. The album certainly wavers between moods from the deep lyrics of ‘William Powers’- “I’ll see you when your older/ when we’re older” to the cherpy trumpets of ‘Dinosaurs’. A brilliant follow up album, may their third and fourth be even sweeter.

Seeing them at Rock City the other week has cemented my love for the band, they totally owned that NME line up.

However, saying that I was rather impressed by Bombay Bicycle Club, listening to their debut album ‘I Had the Blues and I Shook Them Off’ for weeks on end. Their sound is rather like Joy division which is a good thing I must say. The lead singer Jack Steadman’s trembling vocals and quick riff guitars give for an amazing show of young talent.