The Maccabees’ track history of album releases is a pretty impressive one. 2007’s ‘Colour It In’ was the word-of-mouth success story of that year whilst “difficult” second album ‘Wall Of Arms’ proved not to be so difficult, catapulting The Maccabees to further deserved success in 2009 with a fantastic follow up. Jump forward to 2012 and the band are back with their long awaited third album, ‘Given To The Wild’. A lot of bands have a habit of declining in quality as their career progresses, but can The Maccabees do the exact opposite and improve with time?
Recorded at Rockfield studios, ‘Given To The Wild’ has been The Maccabees’ baby since late 2010, the band themselves saying they took inspiration from “disparate musical peers” such as The Stone Roses, Kate Bush and David Bowie. The album shows a definite maturity from first listen. Perhaps not as full as the sounds we’re used to, but Orlando Weekes’ distinctive vocal ensures their established sound remains.
The intro makes way for first full track, ‘Child’, with its soothing almost sing-song vocals and layered chorus, before ‘Feel To Follow’, a track the band have already showcased on their website with accompanying video. This is the first track that stuck in my head after the first listen which perhaps indicates the mainstream appeal of the song. The build up and huge crescendo just over 2 minutes into the song makes it one I can already tell will be a huge live favourite.
‘Ayla’ and ‘Glimmer’ follow suit with more addictive choruses, this time showing off the talents of not only Orlando, but the rest of the band too. Musical treats full of marching drum beats, liquid guitars, and deliciously flowing vocals, they manage to sound fresh and new, but so very Maccabees. ‘Forever I’ve Known’ shows a slightly moodier, darker side to the album. Yet as the music builds, you know something special is around the corner, and with a hint of those stadium classics we’ve come to know from bands such as Coldplay and Kings Of Leon, the song erupts into a furious, frenzied riff of absolute pleasure. ‘Heave’ is an instant favourite, slowly drawing you into its beautiful intro, before giving way to a soft rolling ending.
As is tradition with The Maccabees, the first single release from ‘Given To The Wild’ is an absolute stormer. Following its predecessors, ‘X-Ray’ and ‘Love You Better’, ‘Pelican’ drags you right back into the world of The Maccabees and makes you remember how much you love them, forgiving them for being away so long. A real statement song, the chanting style intro and thumping drums almost scream “we’re back!” For me, it’s the out and out best track on the album. Perhaps because it sounds like what I know and love from the band? Perhaps because it doesn’t have the obvious new mature sound that is evident throughout ‘Given To The Wild’? Whatever the reason, ‘Pelican’ is awesome. It makes me want to dance, makes me excited at the thought of seeing it performed live, and even on a packed train or in a crowded street, makes me want to sing along. Loudly.
‘Went Away’ is another track that sounds like what you’d expect from the band, a song that could’ve easily been left over from the ‘Wall Of Arms’ sessions, whilst ‘Go’, ‘Unknow’ and ‘Slowly One’ follow the trend of the new ‘Given To The Wild’ sound. The Maccabees have clearly used this album to experiment, and the songs show the input that each band member has made in layering their sounds to create something pretty special. ‘We Grew Up At Midnight’ is a perfect closer, wrapping things up neatly with another valedictory chorus and more of that anthemic sound.
Although a much subtler album than ‘Wall Of Arms’, ‘Given To The Wild’ is still The Maccabees doing what they do best; making music to leave the listener happy. On first listen, I have to admit I was almost disappointed. Where were the understated, twitchy guitar anthems like ‘Latchmere’, ‘About Your Dress’ and ‘Can You Give It’? Why was there no ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ or ‘Kiss And Resolve’ to stroke my hair, cradle my head and nibble at my ears until I fell in love? But you know what? I take it all back, I was wrong. ‘Given To The Wild’ may be a grower, but for me it only took a couple of listens to grow on me. Orlando’s coy and vulnerable vocals are as endearing as ever, and the album is full of songs that are just sheer delight - exactly what I expected from a band as underrated, unassuming and ridiculously talented as The Maccabees. A very welcome return to a superb band - I’ve fallen in love all over again!
'Given To The Wild' is available to buy and download now.
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Recorded at Rockfield studios, ‘Given To The Wild’ has been The Maccabees’ baby since late 2010, the band themselves saying they took inspiration from “disparate musical peers” such as The Stone Roses, Kate Bush and David Bowie. The album shows a definite maturity from first listen. Perhaps not as full as the sounds we’re used to, but Orlando Weekes’ distinctive vocal ensures their established sound remains..jpg)
