Humanity Hallows Issue 6 Out Now
Pick up your copy on campus or read online
By Sam Gosling
Maximo Park are undoubtedly indie royalty. Formed in 2000 in Newcastle, the band consists of Paul Smith (vocals), Duncan Lloyd (guitar), Lukas Wooller (keyboard) and Tom English (drums). The band have released six studio albums: A Certain Trigger (2005), Our Earthly Pleasures (2007), Quicken The Heart (2009), The National Health (2012), Too Much Information (2014) and now Risk to Exist (2017). The first two albums went gold in the UK and their debut was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Three years after their last album release, Maximo Park are back with a new album, Risk to Exist, and a huge UK tour. They are also set for a support slot for The Libertines gig at Times Square, Newcastle.
The album opens with What did we do to deserve this? and sets the tone from the first lyric. This is an attempt at a protest album by the Newcastle band but the question remains: what are they actually trying to say?
The music sounds fresh, which is rare in a band that has been around for seventeen years. Do you wanna get high (no I don’t) is a particular highlight and is backed up by a funky sound that wouldn’t be lost on a Prince album. Equally What equals love is a fantastic pop song that shows that Maximo Park can still make a tune.
The album is a return to form by the band and listeners can feel the sincerity in what Smith is singing even if it does lack subtlety and feel a little bit preachy at times. One thing is certain, Maximo Park aren’t quite done with the indie scene yet. Risk To Exist is a great post-debate disco record but it’s not quite there when it comes to being a great album overall.
Featured image and gallery: Truck Festival For almost thirty years, set within the rolling fields of Hill Farm in Steventon, Oxfordshire, Truck Festival has been a cornerstone of the British festival calendar. Dubbed the ‘godfather of the UK’s small festival scene’, the festival continues to live up to that title, with a line-up packed with…
Featured image: American Football – American Football album artwork The debut album has long been treated as a baptism of fire for artists – the deciding factor that determines whether a band will ‘make it’ or not. Some debuts set the tone for what follows: Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra come to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to celebrate the release of their new album, Night Blooms. Liverpool-based Brooke Combe opens the evening with a stripped-back set alongside her guitarist, her soulful vocals instantly captivating the crowd. Blending heartfelt performances with quick-witted…
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch Three decades after they first emerged in Manchester, Take That return home to the Etihad Stadium and deliver an unforgettable show, combining circus theatrics and crowd-pleasing hits from across their catalogue. Formed in 1990, the group have released multiple chart-topping albums and embarked on numerous world tours, including 2009’s…
Leave a reply