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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This, the debut album from rakish Northern English post-punks Maximo Park, is certainly not the sort of album you expect to find on acclaimed techno label Warp Records – but a sitting spent with A Certain Trigger should neatly demonstrate why they couldn't say no. A hyper-tuneful indie-rock outfit in the vein of XTC, Gang of Four, and particularly modern peers The Futureheads, Maximo turn out the sort of breathless, keyboard-drenched art-pop numbers that neither forsake their Englishness – frontman Paul Smith sings in his native accent, a broad Newcastle accent – nor bow excessively to the past. The immediate hit is "Apply Some Pressure", an instantly catchy mini-masterpiece of tension and relief that appears to be stitched out of the hooks from about five other songs – but hot on its heels come the likes of "Graffiti" and "Going Missing", which, while slow-burning, prove no less addictive in the long haul. And for all the smart assery on display, Maximo Park prove agreeably adept at pulling off the odd tender moment: see the sweet, chiming "The Coast Is Always Changing" – a tale of love, loss and long-distant train journeys. --Louis Pattison
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There are few bands that can take my heart upon first listen. The Libertines tried and failed for many months to garner my attention, only getting it over the bleak summer months with little else to do. Hell, even The Futureheads, the catchiest pop-punk quartet to come out of 2004 didn't manage to capture my full attention with 'A to B'. So what's so different about Maximo Park?
The main point that many will argue is that, simply, there isn't enough different about them to get them noticed. With this new invasion of suit wearing, guitar wielding bands, it's hard to go against that part. With The Futureheads, Franz Ferdinand and many others grabbing the covers of the NME and getting numerous column inches in tabloids, it's easy to see why many simply dismiss this Newcastle quintet as simply part of the rabble.
The people who are willing to look past the 'me too' exterior are likely to be rewarded with deep, revealing lyrics, catchy riffs and songs that simply won't leave you alone. From the quiet opening of Signal and Sign, the album simply grows and grows. Somehow, Maximo Park have managed to capture all that's good about indie music today and encapsulate it all into one album, adding lyrics much deeper than even the most lovelorn teenager in a suit could hope to pen.
From the albums opening words, you can tell that the band's singer, Paul Smith, is a man with charisma. His singing voice has more personality than nearly every other singer on the scene at the moment. Rather than covering up his Geordie accent with an American twang or inaudible mumblings, Smith seems to flaunt it, and many of the songs are much better for it - indeed, many of the lyrics were written by the man himself, and it's difficult to imagine anyone but him singing them with such a passion.
Much of the album's personality comes from the unique combination of Smith's voice, the catchy riffs and hooks and the surprisingly well worked keyboarding. Although it may not be as fashionable as playing guitar, or as cool as strumming bass, keyboard is the album's main reason for feeling so Epic despite being of a rather short length. It may have cost them a few gigs and a few pages in the NME, but the keyboard has definitely paid off.
The most difficult part of reviewing 'A certain trigger' is picking out a stand-out track. Every song on the album could be called a classic, none showing any signs of weakness, even against the tests of time. However, the one that is probably most rewarding long term is 'The coast is always changing'. 6 months after first hearing this little gem for the first time, it's still going strong.
The weak point of the album is probably 'Acrobat'. Despite being almost a spoken word track, Smith and the boys still manage to make it work exceedingly well. For most other bands, this would be a strong album track. On an album such as A Certain Trigger, though, it is a slight dip in performance, but still an exceedingly enjoyable one.
If you're looking for the next big thing, then look no further. Other bands may have more style, have more pages in the NME each week or have celebrity girlfriends earning them thousands of column inches, but Maximo Park have the tunes, lyrics and personality to keep you listening until 2006. A must have for any indie fan's collection.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album first came to my notice in October 2005,when it had in fact been released earlier in May. I had seen Maximo Park on Jools Holland's "Later" and enjoyed their performance.They seemed to stand alone amongst other pop rock/art rock bands.I thought I would like to buy their debut CD"A Certain Trigger" and I finally did so in the early autumn,not knowing what to expect. I was even unsure whether I would like the tracks.
How wrong was I?? From the moment the CD hit my player I was instantly hooked by the opening drum and guitar bars of the first track "Signal and Sign."This anthem to changing life direction and getting motivated awoke my interest and lit the blue touchpaper for the rest of the album. Definite and direct,it sets the tone for the other twelve songs on the album.
From then on I never looked back. There isn't a dull,dud or depressing track on this album. It speeds along with the urgency of a train heading to its destination. It has a message for everyone.
Frontman Paul Smith has a distinctive rock voice. It is one that HAS to be listened to. At times it can just border on the light operatic,and there is plenty of melody there. Emotion runs high throughout his vocal delivery and as for his Geordie accent,it adds masses of charm and at times lends a dangerous edge to the words and music.
Tracks such as"Apply Some Pressure",which urge the listener to rethink,if things in life go wrong.The keyboards chorus is a very catchy one,with jangly piano chords,backing organ and a driving guitar and drum rhythm.
Other standout songs include "Graffiti",which concentrate on the recurring theme of provincial boredom and personal daring(intriguing stuff)-"Going Missing" which is a wonderful song.
Ringing guitarwork accompany the chorus in this one,and we feel the sadness and personal loss experienced by the singer.
One to bring tears to the eyes,but the upside is that the chorus is immensely singable.
Further notable tracks include "I Want You To Stay" which strikes a resounding chord. It's bittersweet,anguished and sad. But there's not a jot of depression in this track. In fact the lines of this song send shivers down the spine.
And then there's my personal favourite "Once,A Glimpse". Dramatic,desperate,highly-charged,intensely emotional,it contains the album's title line. Paul's vocals are as powerful as ever,not quite understanding why it has all gone wrong again emotionally. If high drama is your bag,this song will do it for you.
I could go on, but let's just say that,if you haven't already added ACT to your Millennium album collection, then it's not too late to do so. Its songs will steal their way into your heart and leave your ears wanting to hear more music from this remarkably talented band.
I recently learned that album sales for ACT went past Silver in 2005.
In my opinion,they are Pure Gold.
How wrong was I?? From the moment the CD hit my player I was instantly hooked by the opening drum and guitar bars of the first track "Signal and Sign."This anthem to changing life direction and getting motivated awoke my interest and lit the blue touchpaper for the rest of the album. Definite and direct,it sets the tone for the other twelve songs on the album.
From then on I never looked back. There isn't a dull,dud or depressing track on this album. It speeds along with the urgency of a train heading to its destination. It has a message for everyone.
Frontman Paul Smith has a distinctive rock voice. It is one that HAS to be listened to. At times it can just border on the light operatic,and there is plenty of melody there. Emotion runs high throughout his vocal delivery and as for his Geordie accent,it adds masses of charm and at times lends a dangerous edge to the words and music.
Tracks such as"Apply Some Pressure",which urge the listener to rethink,if things in life go wrong.The keyboards chorus is a very catchy one,with jangly piano chords,backing organ and a driving guitar and drum rhythm.
Other standout songs include "Graffiti",which concentrate on the recurring theme of provincial boredom and personal daring(intriguing stuff)-"Going Missing" which is a wonderful song.
Ringing guitarwork accompany the chorus in this one,and we feel the sadness and personal loss experienced by the singer.
One to bring tears to the eyes,but the upside is that the chorus is immensely singable.
Further notable tracks include "I Want You To Stay" which strikes a resounding chord. It's bittersweet,anguished and sad. But there's not a jot of depression in this track. In fact the lines of this song send shivers down the spine.
And then there's my personal favourite "Once,A Glimpse". Dramatic,desperate,highly-charged,intensely emotional,it contains the album's title line. Paul's vocals are as powerful as ever,not quite understanding why it has all gone wrong again emotionally. If high drama is your bag,this song will do it for you.
I could go on, but let's just say that,if you haven't already added ACT to your Millennium album collection, then it's not too late to do so. Its songs will steal their way into your heart and leave your ears wanting to hear more music from this remarkably talented band.
I recently learned that album sales for ACT went past Silver in 2005.
In my opinion,they are Pure Gold.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A rollercoaster ride from start to finish with barely time to catch your breath as A Certain Trigger piles it on with track after track of classic pop music. Reminiscent here and there of the big sound and lyrical flourishes of the Teardrop Explodes and others, but altogether more muscular and energetic. Pure exhilaration all the way, this is going to be a mighty hard act to follow. Surely the best of the lot in 2005 in a memorable year for guitar-based music.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A little like The Knack - a good thing
Got this CD in the post and have played it all morning. Catchy songs, riffs and serious topics - stick love in a vase with some tulips - make it a great album.
Published 26 days ago by D. Smith
Brilliant album!!!!!!!!!!!
I know this album is old and I had it a few years back, but it went missing as great albums sometimes do. Forgot just how good it was until i got it again.
Published 15 months ago by Daniel Gilroy
Good
I had this album on cd perviously, however it got damaged and decided to download it instead. This is a really well written indie/pop album. Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2009 by L. Ramage
The Soundtrack of 2005!
I remember the day when I bought this album, is was a warm May day, I had a bad day at work, had an argument with the boyf, and wanted to listen to "Going Missing" on loop. Read more
Published on 2 May 2009 by Natalie Hansen
Captivating
"Write a review. Well how objective can I be?" To be honest, anyone that can make a Newcastle accent sound as sexy as vocalist Paul Smith does is always at an unfair advantage over... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2007 by cheryl marren
great
teesside's brightest hope, Maximo Park, finally release their debut album `A Certain Trigger', following two smash hit singles and an insurmountable heap of press adoration. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2007 by poodlepants
One of the albums that has saved my life!!
Out of a host of bands that came out in 2006, Maximo Park stand out above the others for their live performances but also the power, energy and emotion conveyed in their songs. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2007 by Ms. R. J. Williams
Don't believe the hype
I'm loathe to praise bands that have been praised by NME but on this occassion i feel it is necessary. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2007 by Euan Wallace
all applied pressure dealt with fine
A brilliant album. The best album of 2006 and one of the best debuts ever. My favurite songs are "Apply Some Pressure" and the amazing "Limassol". Read more
Published on 27 July 2006 by Hegarty
brillant
this is the best album i have bought since muse, absoltion maximo park are one of the best indie rock bands round at the moment as they all seem to sound the same, this album is... Read more
Published on 16 April 2006 by jess the cat
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