The Maccabees
Colour It In

THE REVIEW

Active since 2005, the Maccabees released their debut album "Colour It In" in May 2007. The album's name corresponds to the title of one of their b-sides, included in the single "First Love."

Originating from Brighton, but originally from South London, the Maccabees are composed of five members: Orlando Weeks (singer/frontman), Hugo White, Felix White, Rupert Jarvis, and Robert Dylan Thomas. The band's name was chosen by randomly opening the Bible; the five have been quick to clarify, however, that none of them are religious.

Currently signed to Fiction Records (the first historic label of the Cure, which currently also has in its roster among others Ian Brown, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kate Nash, and Elbow) they boast, despite their still brief career, an American tour supporting the more renowned Bloc Party and a sold-out show at the Roundhouse in London. At home, they are appreciated for the distinctiveness of their lyrics, entirely written by all band members and described by the British press as "very poetic and metaphorical."

Regarding the purely musical aspect, the Maccabees play indie rock with roots in a nervous and frenetic sound (similar to early Maxïmo Park), enriched by evident new wave influences. The band plays well and shows a clear stylistic and sound identity, which allows them to stand out (though not entirely yet) from the vast array of similar bands that have emerged in the UK.

On a purely technical level, their rhythm section's incisiveness (especially the bass) in the group's sound patchwork is surprising compared to other bands of similar extraction; the accelerated and intricate "All In Your Rows" is an excellent example. The tracks never exceed three and a half minutes, making the listening experience pleasant and smooth.

The guys, however, are particularly surprising when they mix things up a bit and vary the menu, see the excellent opener "Good Old Bill", or the languid folk-oriented closing of the stellar "Toothpaste Kisses" (used as the soundtrack for a commercial of a well-known mobile phone brand). Sporadically, unfortunately, they lack personality: at times it sounds like listening to early/late Kings of Leon ("About Your Dress", "Happy Faces"), other times the same Maxïmo Park is much more than a looming shadow over Weeks and company ("X-Ray").

"Colour It In" is a good debut, perhaps vaguely raw and undefined, but definitely genuine and valid.

Therefore, confirmations or denials are expected from the Maccabees camp, considering their new album is already in the works. It's worth noting that Felix White (the guitarist) has teamed up with British singer-songwriter Jack Peñate (who had considerable success in the UK with a strong debut "Matinée") to form another band, Jack's Basement.

Key tracks: Old Good Bill, First Love, Toothpaste Kisses