Maps & Atlases - Beware And Be Grateful (Album Review)
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Written by Ben Bland
There are plenty of bands that have managed to fuse the craft of fusing pop music with peculiarly jittery math rock but there are few who have managed to do it absolutely seamlessly. On this, their second full-length album, Maps & Atlases have proved that it is possible to meld math and melody to the point at which it almost does not matter that the underpinning to these tunes is essentially the sound of angularly weird guitars. In fact 'Beware and Be Grateful' might be that very rare thing…a largely experimental rock record with the potential to transcend the boundaries and cross over on to your radio any day now.
Opener 'Old & Grey' sets out the stall for this album immediately, a stunningly captivating tune that flashes by in what seems closer to a minute and a half rather than its true five and a half minutes. This track opens the album with chirping, outside the box guitar over a variety of curious keys and what sounds like a sea of vocal samples. It is quite simply a glorious piece of composition and, despite aspects of its musicality being completely at odds with the norm, it just feels so…right. The focus is never on the unusual make-up of the track but always on the fact that it is a genuinely amazing song. Then this trend continues through 'Fever' and 'Winter'…and 'Remote & Dark Years'…and the six and a half minute 'Silver Self'.
In fact the trend continues across the album. If there is filler on this album it has been very cleverly described as something utterly essential because it really is a struggle to spot. 'Beware and Be Grateful' is full to the brim of superlative worthy songwriting and, despite the fact that it is largely focused around restlessly edgy rhythms, never once is it anything less than a joyous, and ridiculously catchy, listen. By the second or third listen all the tracks here are ready to be welcomed like old friends. That this is the same band that produced the, excellent but occasionally lulling, 'Perch Patchwork' only two years ago is astonishing. This is the sound of a band with complete confidence in their abilities to pen outstanding pop music.
The lyrics should not go without a mention either. From the aforementioned 'Old & Grey' and its protestations of affection beyond words to the delightful “the sounds you put your faith in will always let you down” refrain of 'Vampire', Maps & Atlases have songs that you want to sing along to not just because of the way they effortlessly worm their way into your head but also because they quickly take on genuine meaning. The words are like the icing on a cake that was already completely delicious. 'Beware and Be Grateful' is definitely going to go down as one of the very best records of the year.
'Beware and Be Grateful' is out on Monday via FatCat.
Maps & Atlases tour the UK next week, starting in Bristol on Monday and finishing in Leeds on Friday. The insanely awesome Tall Ships are supporting so you would be well advised to get yourself down to your nearest show. Click Here to Compare & Buy Maps & Atlases Tickets.
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Opener 'Old & Grey' sets out the stall for this album immediately, a stunningly captivating tune that flashes by in what seems closer to a minute and a half rather than its true five and a half minutes. This track opens the album with chirping, outside the box guitar over a variety of curious keys and what sounds like a sea of vocal samples. It is quite simply a glorious piece of composition and, despite aspects of its musicality being completely at odds with the norm, it just feels so…right. The focus is never on the unusual make-up of the track but always on the fact that it is a genuinely amazing song. Then this trend continues through 'Fever' and 'Winter'…and 'Remote & Dark Years'…and the six and a half minute 'Silver Self'. 
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