Baby

what an album, for a while the world has waited for something good to come out since the Stone Roses, etc, in my opinion, the X X, the Horrors and now TRIBES all are part of WHAT THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR.... going to see them in concert soon as they are just so damn good, what an album !!!!!

3.5 stars

What is the greatest debut album ever? Cases can be made for The Stone Roses debut, The Band's "Music from the Big Pink", Television's "Marquee Moon", Jeff Buckley's "Grace", REM's "Murmur" and obviously "The Velvet Underground and Nico". Others that have been placed in this heady company have faired less well with the passage of time. The Arctic Monkeys debut doesn't look quite as seminal as it did upon release, Oasis's "Definitely Maybe" rarely escapes the CD rack nowadays and if Radiohead's "Pablo Honey" tends to get worn out its solely from the repeat playing of "Creep" (although much better was to follow).

This discussion is interesting because some of the hype around this debut by Camden four piece Tribes has seen it lauded in certain quarters as a potential entrée to the exclusive list above. The obvious point to make is while "Baby" is good it's not that good. Tribes USP is to take some of the grunge influences of bands like Nirvana and the Pixies and fuse them with the glam rock of Suede or T Rex. When the combination works it's a dynamic and impressive mix. "We were children" for example is a powerful crunchy rock song which starts with a Black Francis "Where is my mind" style riff and a huge chorus refrain of "Oh no stranger you're just like me/These things happen we were children in the mid 90's"(although the decision of the band to record the video for this on a London high street rooftop??). Equally "Sappho" is laden with energy and massive power chords that suggests the homework on Nirvana has been properly done. Ironically when the band slow it down a little they are at their best with "A corner of a English field" one of the strongest songs on the album and dedicated to the very sad recent rock casualty Charlie Haddon. On the other hand the single "When my day comes" is formula rock of the Shed Seven variety and exposes the weakness of Johnny Lloyd's vocals, while "Alone or with friends" sounds like a tired old piece of Brit pop. Compensation arrives in the form of the dramatic stadium rock anthem "Himalaya" where all the band dynamics come fully formed.

Great "white hope" guitar bands come and go and the battlefield is littered with casualties (remember Mona and Viva Brother?), indeed last years hype around the Vaccines does bear similarity to the "noise" on Tribes. Equally the furrow this band is plough is not unique, anyone who listens to acts like Surfer Blood or Wales's Joy Formidable will recognise recurring formulas. Yet to their credit Tribes have a bit more libertine swagger about them and its good to see ripped jeans, battered guitars and lots of attitude at the forefront of new music. Overall "Baby" is an album to place firmly in the glass half full bracket. True its is very derivative and you can play spot the influences for hours. But it is a confident and ebullient debut with a number of songs that are of premier division status. The trick now will be to the give the band some space and hopefully watch them grow into a more rounded and intriguing outfit. "Baby" has faults but it could also be the start of something good.

I bought this album last week ,knowing absolutely nothing about the band or their music.I have to say its the best punt i have made in many a day. I am of eclectic tastes in music and of a certain age. Ok I saw the Undertones live as a young boy! Yep that old. But to get back to the album. This is the best album i have heard in many a year ,with songs that just wont get out of your head. Of recent bands Muse are by far the best I have come across (Wembley Sept 2010)this group may very well have the talent to go all the way. Yes there's bit of Jarvis and Marc in the mix ,but what a mix (oh yes and Suede )! Going to see if i can get tickets to see them in Norwich in February. Hope that they dont go the same way as JJ72 . Another group that should still be up there with Muse and the rest.

Have just sent my 18 year old to listen to the album .Let's see what he thinks of it. Finding it difficult to chose a favourite track at the moment.

Great stuff , Thank you Tribes for making the musical blood run once more through my veins .