∆ (Alt-J) - An Awesome Wave

Album: ∆ (Alt-J) - An Awesome Wave
Released: May 2012
Rating: 8/10
Best Track(s): Breezeblocks, Estocada, Fitzpleasure

This is another album I really do enjoy, although before deciding to write a review I did not know it as well as I knew Simple Math, so this is a more of a "first impressions" style review.

I was first introduced to the band through a friend, who played "Breezeblocks" to me only a few months ago. This was not long after my return from T in the Park, and shortly after buying this album, I kicked myself for not hearing about them earlier and missing the opportunity to see them before their mercury prize helped them sell their 100,000th copy.

I remember my first thoughts on the album as a whole being fairly mixed, although I loved the sound, I did find many of the songs rather repetitive. But after further analysis of the album: the songs and lyrics, I do now believe they do in fact all have their own little perks, and it is this minor variation that makes the album flow exceptionally well, which is quite surprising for a debut.

Being the track that initially caught my attention, it would be no surprise to anybody that 'Breezeblocks' was my first favourite track on the album, which is accompanied with a rather smart music video, and with me being a sucker for good music videos, this also swayed the song into my top tracks playlist. Being one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, the usual Alt-J drone is almost lost, yet the multiple vocal "aaahs" and the final chorus really help submerge the song into the rest of the album.

It was the vocal lines within Estocada which immediately caught my attention, yet, while i sit writing this explanation to my favourite tracks, with the song on repeat, I still cant put my finger on the what those few lines do to make me smile. So off I went to do a little research on the band, and this song in particular, for, as far as my knowledge goes, I do not believe I have crossed the word "estocada". As it turns out, this is the definition:

"Estocada: the thrust of the matador's sword used in the final stage of a bullfight and aimed to pass through the neck and kill by striking the aorta"

So initially, that was a little bit of a kill-joy I guess. But still, a brilliant song that I can now use as an ice breaker with another [hopefully naive] Alt-J fan.

The intro to Fitzpleasure can be only described as "exceptionally awesome", no other combination of words come to mind [without using profanities] that can justify how brilliant it really is. I do try to avoid sounding overly simple, but... I really love Joe Newman's voice, especially in this song. It really brings something else to the band, and it really stands out in this song above the rest of the album. This is accompanied brilliantly with the backing vocals throughout the album.

So, from what i had first viewed as "a slightly repetitive album with 'Breezeblocks' on" I now listen to the album and pick out a chorus from here, and a verse from there and think to myself "this... is genius". The album as a whole works exceptionally well, even if it takes a few listens to get used to it, a lot of effort and thought has gone into this and it is nearly admirable when you know it's a debut. So if you haven't got this album yet: go buy it.

Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math

Album: Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
Released: May 2011
Rating: 9/10
Best Track(s): Virgin, Simple Math, April Fool.

For my first review, I have chosen to play it safe with an album I am quite fond of, as well as being an album that I believe I do know quite well. I have been a fan of Manchester Orchestra for several years now. I was immediately hooked after being introduced to them through a family member: a young singer and guitarist who performed a rendition of 'I Can Feel a Hot One'.

Their previous album 'Mean Everything to Nothing' (2009) was for quite a long time my favourite album, although I was just as fond of the band's previous studio album 'I'm Like a Virgin Loosing a Child' (2006) as well as Andy Hull's live and/or acoustic versions of the band's songs.

Prior to the release of 'Simple Math' I was constantly searching the web for any of their new material, and I was a very happy man when I finally had the album for my own. The expression of emotion within the band's albums is what I believe has kept me listening and anticipating new material for so long. Hull's lyrics are thought provoking and meaningful, and the dynamics of the band compliment this exceptionally throughout 'Simple Math' just as they have in the past.

The opening track, 'Deer' is a song that I have for a long time personally titled "The best opening to an album, ever." but my favourite tracks of the album were the three tracks that stood out most above the rest on my first listening of the album in its entirety: 'Simple Math', 'Virgin' and 'April Fool'. My fondness of the tracks 'Simple Math' and 'Virgin' could quite possibly be due to my near-obsession with the powerful music videos, but with or without visuals, they are great tracks, and somehow work exceptionally well one after the other on the album. I feel that Andy Hull's powerful vocals throughout "April Fool" give the song a 'Shake it Out'-kind-of-feel. Which I just love.

This album is a great listen from beginning to end, each track is in itself something independent but they all work in coalition to make this album work. 'Simple Math' seems to have been welcomed by a lot of Manchester Orchestra fans as well as those just discovering the band. The deviation from the guilt and sadness expressed in 'Deer' to the dynamically powerful 'Mighty' is almost shocking, but the curve is so sudden, the listener takes it, and just goes with this surprising and unsteady flow. In first two tracks, Manchester Orchestra could have already "wowed" critics, fans and newbies with their variation of musical ability, well-structured lyrics and variant style.