After what seems like an age; The Music are back with a statement to make. The Leeds quartets last outing; `Welcome to the North' was unfairly missed by the press. However you get the feeling the main reason was that the band themselves didn't really believe in the album themselves. This is a complete contrast to `Strength', as you get the sense this is a band on the ascendency, brimming with confidence (Just take a read at Rob's blogs on his my space!). The album title is symbolic of the bands aim: to spread the word that they are back and to build on a fan base who have been waiting eagerly for this album, the minute the `Welcome to the North' tour finished.
Singles `Strength in Numbers', `The Spike' and `Drugs' are your floor filling anthems and have slotted in nicely into their explosive live sets. `Strength in Numbers' comes out all guns blazing, with, `The emptiness it burns inside, see how they run see how they hide, all the animals come out at night'. To me this highlights Britain's binge drink culture and saying that nightlife in cities around Britain can turn ugly with fighting and drug abuse. All three singles for that matter are infectious, catchy dance rock songs to get even the most rigid person moving.
As you get further in to the album, it's as if you are delving deeper into the mind of lead singer Rob Harvey, as he puts into words his personal battles over the last few years. The honesty, passion and energy puts into his vocals transforms the album and makes it one many people can relate to. In tracks such as `Fire', `No weapon sharper than a will' and `The Price', you can feel the anger and frustration Rob was going through with lyrics like `Politics are getting in the way, people trying to tell me what I should say', from Fire. But also shows his sheer determination and that he will never give up through lyrics; `I'm gonna keep stamping down, till I until I know I've got myself' from my favourite track on the album ` No weapon sharper than a will'. The Price furthers the sentiments of `Fire' with lyrics like `you all better run and hide' as he once again echoes his frustrations. These tracks are the types of songs that got their fan base so excited about them in the first place with banging baselines, topped off with great riffs and fast drumming.
For the first time, The Music have gone for a more stripped down approach to some of the songs which are normally left for B-sides. The two tracks in question are `Idle' and `Inconceivable Odds'. The first, `Idle' has a hypnotic like feel to it, capturing the loneliness and emptiness, Harvey went through, `I want to be like everybody else.' The loop really works well, in creating that feeling that you're going round in circles, getting nowhere fast. `Inconsiderable Odds' is the natural ending to the album indicating hope and a more positive outlook. With just the acoustic guitar and vocals it creates a very intimate atmosphere.
This was clearly a difficult album to make for the band. But in laying everything out on the table and turning what happened to them into music. This in turn has allowed them to create an absolute belter of an album and one which can propel them further in the future. Although the lyrics tell a very deep and real story at times; the guitars, base and drums turn the songs on their heads with that feel good, uplifting vibe.
Singles `Strength in Numbers', `The Spike' and `Drugs' are your floor filling anthems and have slotted in nicely into their explosive live sets. `Strength in Numbers' comes out all guns blazing, with, `The emptiness it burns inside, see how they run see how they hide, all the animals come out at night'. To me this highlights Britain's binge drink culture and saying that nightlife in cities around Britain can turn ugly with fighting and drug abuse. All three singles for that matter are infectious, catchy dance rock songs to get even the most rigid person moving.
As you get further in to the album, it's as if you are delving deeper into the mind of lead singer Rob Harvey, as he puts into words his personal battles over the last few years. The honesty, passion and energy puts into his vocals transforms the album and makes it one many people can relate to. In tracks such as `Fire', `No weapon sharper than a will' and `The Price', you can feel the anger and frustration Rob was going through with lyrics like `Politics are getting in the way, people trying to tell me what I should say', from Fire. But also shows his sheer determination and that he will never give up through lyrics; `I'm gonna keep stamping down, till I until I know I've got myself' from my favourite track on the album ` No weapon sharper than a will'. The Price furthers the sentiments of `Fire' with lyrics like `you all better run and hide' as he once again echoes his frustrations. These tracks are the types of songs that got their fan base so excited about them in the first place with banging baselines, topped off with great riffs and fast drumming.
For the first time, The Music have gone for a more stripped down approach to some of the songs which are normally left for B-sides. The two tracks in question are `Idle' and `Inconceivable Odds'. The first, `Idle' has a hypnotic like feel to it, capturing the loneliness and emptiness, Harvey went through, `I want to be like everybody else.' The loop really works well, in creating that feeling that you're going round in circles, getting nowhere fast. `Inconsiderable Odds' is the natural ending to the album indicating hope and a more positive outlook. With just the acoustic guitar and vocals it creates a very intimate atmosphere.
This was clearly a difficult album to make for the band. But in laying everything out on the table and turning what happened to them into music. This in turn has allowed them to create an absolute belter of an album and one which can propel them further in the future. Although the lyrics tell a very deep and real story at times; the guitars, base and drums turn the songs on their heads with that feel good, uplifting vibe.
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