For the next few weeks, Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody has taken fingers to keyboard to write about the bands that are rocking his world at the moment. Here is Gary's first despatch .... and you can also see a gallery of behind-the-scenes shots from the band's tour here.
Gary Lightbody's Band of The Week - Week 1: The Maccabees
Well, what to pick from all the great stuff this week? As I saw them not two nights ago at the Camden Electric Ballroom - and have been listening to their new record Wall of Arms on heavy rotation - I shall go with The Maccabees. Their 2007 debut Colour It In was a beguiling thing of innocent beauty. Wonderful songs like Toothpaste Kisses, Lego, X-Ray and Latchmere held childhood memories gently in their hands and spoke in a way no other record I came across did. It was wonky, melodic, funny and tender. It earned them a legion of diehard fans that would take bullets for them, as those who turned out in Camden the other night showed. The whole place sung every word of every song, not only from their familiar debut but also, remarkably, from the new record which had at that time been out for one day. I’ve rarely seen new songs greeted with such rabid joy.
For good reason too. The new album is a thing of wonder. Gone may be the ragged dizziness of Colour It In, replaced by a laser determination and, dare I say, a darker hue. Very sexy it is too. Opener Love You Better sets the tone for the new direction. It pulses and vibrates with tension and wild, magical words (“I thought that you might feel the same in your insect skin and the lions mane”) from one of the great young writers in music right now. Orlando Weeks writes the way I dream I could. On the first record, his words breathed a new life into the every day; on this, his words have followed the music into a strange, strange place I’m utterly fascinated by. I can well imagine thousands upon thousands at festivals singing the refrain “and I’ll see you when you’re older, when you’re older” from William Powers so loud their eyes may fly out of the sockets. Weeks is a master of the mantra and each time the phrase is repeated the emphasis seems to shift. Especially when played in front of a thousand people singing it like their lives depend on it.
You’ll also have to try hard to find a better bassline this year than the one tearing trough Can You Give It. It makes me want to be 16 again and rattling around in a mosh pit. Yes, when I saw them the other night I was very jealous of those losing it in the pit. Not only am I now in my thirties, but I’m six-foot four; so it’s not like I could sneak in for a quick pogo.
A great record that grows, twists and blooms the more I’ve listened. Of the many splendid things out in the last few weeks it’s the record I’m holding tightest too.
Big love to you all and have a marvellous week. g. x
(Snow Patrol's new single The Planets Bend Between Us is out on May 25 - see the video here
[Watch the video to Maccabees Love You Better]
1:00 PM | 08/05/2009
More Photos Of:
Latest News
-
Dave Grohl writing a sitcom, Noel Gallagher compares Chelsea boss to David Brent, Bon Iver & Alicia Keys collaborate, Black Sabbath reunion hitch, Damon Albarn to take Dr Dee to festival... Daily Hot List
A round-up of all the news, views, interviews and cool music things online today (3 Feb)
-
New To Q With Chris Catchpole - Q308 A$AP Rocky, We Are Augustines & Ren Hervieu
Plus our new music man takes stock of last week's Q Now: The Sessions shows
-
La Roux in the studio: 'Nile Rodgers' influence is making my second album sexy' - Q308 preview
Elly Jackson reveals the inspiration behind her new direction in our new issue
-
Gig Ticket Alert - Garbage, New Order, Tribes, Happy Mondays & more
Your weekly round-up of the tours and shows about to go on sale
-
R. Kelly shares new single, Kanye West plans Middle East movie, Justin Bieber goes skateboarding with Lil Wayne, Amy Winehouse inquest could be reopened, OK Go reveal Sesame Street video, St. Vincent to appear on Gossip Girl and more - Daily Hot List
A round-up of all the news, views, interviews and cool music things online today (2 Feb)
-
Q308 - Q Quiz win a trip to the Snow Bombing Festival in Austria
Just 21 questions stand between you and a music festival in the Alps...
Advertisement
User Comments
Post A Comment
A breathtaking commentary. Makes me want to run out and buy a Maccabee CD. Oh where have all the record stores gone? Gary, you write the way I can only dream I could.
Posted by Suko at 5:36 PM | 11/05/2009 | Report Abuse
Got it. Love it.
Posted by Suko at 1:16 PM | 15/05/2009 | Report Abuse
I would take a bullet for you Gary! ;P Great band pick. Theyre great!
Posted by Lynn at 6:08 PM | 18/05/2009 | Report Abuse
I would take a bullet for you Gary! ;P Great band pick. Theyre great!
Posted by Lynn at 6:09 PM | 18/05/2009 | Report Abuse
Post A Comment