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New Musical Erection

added 26.03.07
John Elmes listens to Maxïmo Park’s latest offering...

the twang | (sigh) | remember, remember

The twang
‘Apply Some Pressure’ was the track that set the tone for Maxïmo Park’s status as one of the few modern all encompassing rock bands. With their second album, Our Earthly Pleasures, they are in a strong position to further enhance their reputation. Scintillatingly energetic music – guitars, bass, drums et al – playful and often deep felt lyrics, a touch of sensitivity and none of the limp ‘rock’ music that seems to be mushrooming nowadays. Paul Smith’s voice is confident and blossoms on this offering. The only wish from me is that in fully championing the North East – Durham and Newcastle exclusively – Paul Smith’s voice could adopt a Geordie twang to cement the smile that I already wear, when listening to the album, permanently to my face.

(sigh)
Long have I been exasperated by indie bands producing music that is flaccid and unappealing. Too many acts are sacrificing their vitality for sellable records. Vocals begin to dominate and the rock guitar becomes a memory for the average fan and the necessary life blood for an ardent follower. Where have all the Smashing Pumpkins, Holes, At–The–Drive–Ins, and Idlewilds gone? Emotions seem to dictate how a song pans out nowadays and pure instrumental vitriol is rolling on the river. Maxïmo Park subverts this with pulsating rock songs. This does not mean that Our Earthly Pleasures disregards all sensibility, as the unhappy ‘Karaoke Plays’ testifies – “If someone gets run down/Karaoke plays somewhere in the background/But there is no explanation/What makes a grown man cry/Karaoke plays/If someone gets run down” – and the playful ‘A Fortnight’s Time’ (a song about anticipatory love) confirms. In the same vein, ‘Your Urge’ also speaks of love but in a more zealous manner with blistering poetic lyrics. The emphasis of this album generally though is to produce modern day head–pumping tunes to appeal to the fans who believe rock to be about liveliness and mad enjoyment. The first two songs of the record appear to support my view, especially the charged ‘Our Velocity’, whereas ‘Girls Who Play Guitars’ is a nostalgic reminder of what alternative was about in the past; small bands in small pubs.

Throughout, Smith’s dulcet tones command the instrumentals perfectly, with the guitars and drums providing a wonderful interlude to his vocals. Stand out tracks for this are ‘Books From Boxes’, ‘Russian Literature’ and the supreme ‘By The Monument’ – a remarkable piece of poetry and music aptitude (guitars and a vivacious drum part balancing the Smith’s singing. Furthermore, for someone who has deep affection for Durham and Newcastle, this obvious reminder of the central landmark in the latter – Grey’s Monument of course – this song becomes one of the firm favourites of the album, along with ‘Karaoke Plays’, ‘The Unshockable’ and ‘A Fortnight’s Time’.

Remember, remember
Although my previous knowledge of Maxïmo Park has been limited before this, having never purchased their album, coming to this without any deep rooted preconceptions is an advantage. Unless I have completely missed the essence of the band, this is a talent bursting and original piece of work, which treads on no–one’s toes, and goes a long way to rekindling my entrenched but very much submerged passion for indie rock. Perhaps this will serve as a timely reminder of how to make music that ticks every box for the industry: sales potential, musical skill, enjoyment factor and the ability to draw people to their gigs when they tour. I can already envisage NME shuddering with sexual excitement at the prospect of this CD – heaven help us!

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