Maps & Atlases - The Garage, London - 17th April 2012 (Live Review)
Monday, 23 April 2012
Written by Ben Bland
It’s encouraging that mathy types Maps & Atlases can draw a decent crowd to the Garage on a Tuesday for their oddball mixture of experimentalism and naturally addictive songwriting. With excellent second album 'Beware and Be Grateful' having just dropped, it’s a great time for the UK to have Maps & Atlases on its stages and, judging by the excitable turnout here, their British fans hold the band in as special a place as the band holds them.
Perhaps unfortunately for Maps & Atlases though is the fact that they have taken out Falmouth trio Tall Ships as support again. The youngsters may have eased off on the instrument swapping that made their early shows so distinctly memorable but there is no doubting the fact that they are one of the best young bands in the country right now, even without a full-length yet having been released. Their mix of modern Biffy-esque punchy alt-rock with loop heavy math rock is a delight to the ears and, if there is any justice, their debut album later this year, should see them headlining venues this size. Live they are a force to be reckoned with even when as cramped on stage as they are this evening with the jaunty shipwreck tune of 'Vessels' being as fresh and enticing as it was when it was first included on their debut EP a couple of years back.
After the exuberant nature of Tall Ships’ set, Maps & Atlases seem a little slow off the mark. They seem hesitant to air their new material, despite the fact that it is, for the most part, noticeable stronger than a lot of their back catalogue. Songs from debut album 'Perch Patchwork' get the best reception, with 'Solid Ground' and 'Pigeon' getting particularly rapturous welcomes. The abilities of the band are beyond question but at times things are rather static early on in the set, with band and audience seemingly intent on focus more than enjoyment.
Thankfully things perk up a bit and 'Winter' and 'Vampire' from the new album get the sort of reaction they deserve. There is no doubt that Maps & Atlases know how to please their devoted fanbase but more neutral observers may be wishing the band spent more time rocking and popping on stage and a bit less time fiddling about with time signatures.
'Beware and Be Grateful' is out now via FatCat.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
Perhaps unfortunately for Maps & Atlases though is the fact that they have taken out Falmouth trio Tall Ships as support again. The youngsters may have eased off on the instrument swapping that made their early shows so distinctly memorable but there is no doubting the fact that they are one of the best young bands in the country right now, even without a full-length yet having been released. Their mix of modern Biffy-esque punchy alt-rock with loop heavy math rock is a delight to the ears and, if there is any justice, their debut album later this year, should see them headlining venues this size. Live they are a force to be reckoned with even when as cramped on stage as they are this evening with the jaunty shipwreck tune of 'Vessels' being as fresh and enticing as it was when it was first included on their debut EP a couple of years back.
