Reverend and the Makers - The State of Things

There has always been a select group of bands who attempt to make rock music you can dance to. Some might say The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays kicked it all off back in the 80's. Then you've got bands like The Music, Franz Ferdinand and more recently the Klaxons setting the standard nowadays. A new band that has emerged on to the scene in the last year that is doing the same sort of thing is Reverend and the Makers. Yes they still have the thumbing bass lines to fill the dance floors across the country. But as their debut album `State of things' shows, they also have the ingredients to make themselves standout. Most notably, along with the usual singer, guitarist, bassist and drummer; they have 2 keyboardists to add some more grooves and depth to their music.

First track `The state of things' sets the scene not only for the album but acts as a great introduction and insight into the whole bands ethos. It is clear from the outset lead singer John McClure is not shy about giving his opinion with lyrics like `While some sore heads will rue last night's endeavours, Make Sunday's vow that they won't get so leathered' from first track `State of things'. He says it as he sees it and meanwhile the five other members create a great tune to go along with it.

Hit single `Heavyweight Champion of the World' has become an indie classic. Telling the story of a guy who had great ambitions growing up but never fulfilled as reality hits. This is just one example of how McClure writes about topics a lot of people can relate to, but I could say the same for every song that he writes about topics a lot of people can relate to. I find it quite appropriate that the lead singer is shares a flat with the Alex Turner, the lead singer of Arctic Monkeys; because in my opinion these are the best 2, lyricists in the UK right now. Moreover McClure doesn't just write lyrics, but he delivers them with the conviction and passion which shows that he really does mean every word he says. He may not have the best voice in the world, but it fits the style of music which at the end of the day is the most important thing. A great song and one of these ones which will be a mainstay on their set list, probably for the rest of their career.

The only real gripe I have with this album is that the last 2 tracks; `Miss Brown' and `Armchair detective' sound like the same song, just with different lyrics. It's almost as if they wrote `Miss Brown' first then thought, hang on a minute, we can make an even better song with these lyrics. Although the backing tune sounds the same, the position of the vocals within the songs are different and ultimately make `Armchair detective' sound amazing and `Miss Brown' sound distinctly average.

Overall though this really is a cracking debut which although I don't rate quite as highly as The Music's and The Stone Roses debut efforts. It is still well and truly worth a purchase, especially if you are into the whole rock/dance scene or as I like to call it Ronce or Dack. Although if it was down to lyrics, this album wipes the floor with any band I have mentioned in this review, bar Arctic Monkeys.