Cold Still [Import]

After seeing Boxer Rebellion twice and been captivated by the last two albums I was very excited to pre-order and receive this album this morning and play it start to finish straight away whilst looking through the gorgeous hard back booklet, it is lovely, glad Amazon put the photos up of it, does not do it justice but helps, I will post a video up just to show it off more. Lovely hand written lyrics and lots of love has clearly gone into this and it shows.

1. `No Harm' is a slow gorgeous builder of a song that envelopes you in its swirling beauty. Really incredible how its simplicity is so effective, though simple as it sounds, I'm sure it wasn't so simple to write and capture.

2.`Step out of the car' heard this a few times online and loved it, sounds like the boxer rebellion I am more familiar with, but no less in love with, builds and buzzes along. Brilliant.

3.`Locked in the basement' is a slower number, gorgeous vocals and effective stripped back guitars. I can hear tinges of the style of guitar work that leaves me reminiscing over the last Radiohead album `rainbows'. Fans of Radiohead will I am sure really love boxer rebellion. This track grows and grows; I think I will end up hooked on this one.

4.`Cause for alarm' another slow but no less captivating song. Feel myself getting lost in the swirly world of this song, its gorgeous beyond description.

5.`Caught by the light' beautiful song, sounds like a million twinkling stars musically. I can think of no other way of describing this. If Sigur Ros were an inspiration behind any of this new direction, I thank them, by no means any disrespect to boxer rebellion, every band has inspirations and create their own sound from bits and pieces of what they see hear and love and i love everything about boxer rebellion.

6.`Organ Song' nice song, after the last few this comes down a stage in intensity but no means in greatness.

7.`Memo' another captivating song with thoughtful lyrics and big chorus. They use space in the music so well, no overfilling for the sake of it and let the song build naturally which I really feel deeply about with music, it should never be forced. There is nothing greater than a band spending hours in a studio jamming until a song comes to fruition.

8.`Both sides are even' slow song that grows and grows to an explosive finish. Superb, Gorgeous simple but no less brilliant ending.

9.`The Runner' a lighter song, builds from that guitar sound I love with a massive chorus, awesome!!

10.`Doubt' starts with just his vocals, tinged with sadness, makes me think of `Jeff Buckley' a bit in his singing, again any comparisons are a massive compliment. I love this song, really sad sounding. Builds at the end...really gorgeous end to a gorgeous album. Not a weak song, leaves me going back to the start and starting again and again.

I am happy to have boxer rebellion in my life!!

Incredible album that will sit next to my other favourite albums that bring these feelings, if you love this you will love:

Radiohead In Rainbows
Damien Rice 9
Jeff Buckley Grace
Jonsi Go

The Boxer Rebellion still remain a underground band, just falling short of a hit which would lead to a deserved commercial breakthrough.
Even with Ethan Johns on production duty the "The Cold Still" will unfortunately still leave them searching for promotion into the premier league.That said it is an accomplished piece of work, fantastic vocals, which like their previous two albums "Exits" & "Union" all deserve to be heard by the masses.

If you looking to take a chance on purchasing an album, by a band not in the public eye. Look no further "The Boxer Rebellion" are that band, listen & fall in love with them....suggest you start with their outstanding debut "Exits", if only to see the progression through to "The Cold Still"

1. No Harm 10/10
2. Step Out Of The Car 8/10
3. Locked In The Basement 10/10
4. Cause For Alarm 8/10
5. Caught By The Light 8/10
6. Organ Song 8/10
7. Memo 8/10
8. Both Sides Are Even 8/10
9. Runner, The 8/10
10. Doubt 10/10

Buy now...you won't regret it!!

As my title says, The Cold Still is The Boxer Rebellion's third album and things are rumbling along perfectly for the four piece band from different corners of the world. You may wonder then why they haven't had the critical acclaim of Arcade Fire or the hype of The xx. In truth however the band will probably tell you that if you work hard and are good enough then the deserved critical acclaim will eventually follow (see The National or Elbow) and the hype? Well who really needs it? I'm sure if you're reading this then you'll no doubt know that over hyped bands either talk or are talked about too much before anyone really listens to their music (Glasvegas or The Vaccines spring to mind). Thankfully for The Boxer Rebellion and us they do their talking in the studio.

The Cold Still begins where the behemoth second record 'Union' left off. Hooking you with haunting melodic songs the record rolls on at a steady pace with no need to skip any 'filler' tracks. If any of this collection of songs had to be singled out for a special mention then No Harm, Locked In The Basement, Organ Song and Both Sides Are Even would be the first ones I would choose.

This is an album packed with soaring vocals, roaring guitars, hypnotic rhythm, rumbling bass with no lack of self assurance or temerity. A band right at the top of their game, lets hope that 'hype' and NME stay away from them for a while yet.