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Product Description
Review
Having already been tipped for success by several end-of-year industry polls, big things are almost a given for Manchester’s Delphic.
When also considering the excellence of their two previous singles (Counterpoint and This Monetary) and their auspicious live reputation, Acolyte would have been a disappointment if it wasn’t, at the very least, a solid indie-dance album.
The quality of Delphic’s debut, then, is not a surprise. What is unusual is the clearly audible focus and intent. With the help of talented producer Ewan Pearson they’ve realised their own vision with clarity and force.
As a centrepiece, the title-track takes some beating. A glacial intro, as sad as a lover packing to leave for good, is followed by bruising Berlin techno, which the boys no doubt checked out while recording in the German capital. The song also has a driving trance feel, seemingly stolen from Sander Kleinenberg’s 2000 classic, My Lexicon.
Of the two early singles, inaugural release Counterpoint is two parts The Beloved’s Sweet Harmony to one part Bloc Party’s So Here We Are. A tender, if non-specific, vocal from James Cook suggests a broken relationship; but he’s on the way to pragmatic acceptance rather than whining.
This Momentary is even better and sees Matt Cocksedge contribute skeletal guitar motifs reminiscent of The xx and Cook vocally evoke Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor. There are lush harmonies and Underworld-style synth and beat combos, too. Fans of Melbourne’s Cut Copy will be appreciative.
New Order are the Mancunian rave-rock elephant in the room and Delphic have obviously studied copies of Technique and Brotherhood in detail. But when third single Doubt is as affecting as a post-Klaxons Regret, that’s no bad thing.
On an album of great consistency, Red Lights is another winner. An iridescent, dilated-pupil anthem-in-waiting, it should attract a raft of remixers from across the dance music spectrum.
There was some pressure on Delphic to deliver and they have. From a palette of familiar reference points, they’ve created a fresh, vital sound that could prove to be the basis of an impressive career. Barney and Hooky will exchange knowing glances when they hear it, but Acolyte might just be the first great album of 2010. --Lou Thomas
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CD Description
Delphic are Rick Boardman, Matt Cocksedge and James Cook, young men from Manchester who combine guitar, bass and vocals with their laptops and drummer Dan Hadley. The four-piece straddle the indie and dance genres and count Chemical Brother Tom Rowlands as a fan. Includes the 2009 single "Counterpoint".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Crisp, Intriguing and Highly Enjoyable,
By
This review is from: Acolyte (Audio CD)
The recent resurgence of electronic music has been an interesting one to observe. It has manifested itself in a variety of forms. Initially a few years ago there were artists like Klaxons, Shiny Toy Guns and CSS who balanced the use of guitars, synths and various effects and samples. Then more recently Friendly Fires and Late of the Pier continued the trend before it was overtaken by a plethora of female vocalists to varrying degrees of success. Now though Delphic are taking it back for the bands.Their debut album, `Acolyte', has been heralded as "the first great album of the decade" and has been compared to early New Order. I am as of yet unconvinced by both of these statements, but it is none the less a good offering. The whole album does run on an almost constant high from start to finish with glittering synths and crisp vocal harmonies. But if you peel off this glossy pop film there is actually something quite interesting underneath. They haven't just confined themselves to making radio friendly chart fillers that could have been oh so simple. Instead there is more focus on the actual music that drives the whole the beast. `Red Lights' and the title track are both prime examples of this where the clicking and bouncing rhythms take centre stage for much of the track and the vocals are used more as an instrument. Obviously there are also moments of pure pop with tracks like `Doubt' but because of the quality of the music underneath these also stand up to scrutiny. Delphic then have produced an intriguing album with many very nice moments of both pop, and intelligent dance. It is well worth a listen as gems can be found within.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best i've heard for a while,
By
This review is from: Acolyte (Audio CD)
Honestly, Delphic are one of the greatest bands i've had the pleasure of listening to for a while now. I bought the album because of the single 'Doubt', which really is a cut above all the singles out there at the moment. But listening to their other tracks proves their not just a one hit wonder.The track 'Acolyte' is a superb piece of well crafted music. For nearly nine minutes long you would think it would be repetitive and somewhat boring to the ears, but with its mix of electronic beats and lack of lyrics, it is music in its raw and pure form. The tracks 'Counterpoint' and 'Submission' are also fantastic. If you're wondering whether or not to buy this album, think no more for it is really worth a listen and you will not regret it. Delphic are going to make 2010.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Focused Euphoria,
By
This review is from: Acolyte (Audio CD)
Too much has been made of Delphic's supposed debt to New Order . Sure their are echoes, but which British dance act of the past ten years hasn't been influenced by our most criminally under rated dance band? On 'Acolyte' Delphic show that they've got much more to offer than mere pastiche. Their debut rattles, shakes and pulsates to its own internal logic. Played loud it's a party on its own, played quiet it has the depth and subtely to keep bringing you back time and again. There's a real emotional pull to songs such as 'Submission' and the more upbeat songs like 'Acolyte' and 'This Momentary' get you on your feet.Get yourself a big PA system, flick on the lasers and lose yourself in the euphoria.
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