People Like People Like You [CD]

People like people like you is an extremely accomplished debut from Spokes. This album suggests that the band is still finding the direction they want to travel in, and the early indications are very promising. A mix of violin, melodic guitars and sparingly used but poignant vocals may take you back to your first experience of early Broken Social Scene or Explosions in the Sky. "Young People! All Together" and "Precursor" with its melancholic optimism are stand-out tracks. There is no doubt this band is in its ascendancy, and you could do a lot worse than investing in this original and inspiring debut.

I love nothing more when a band proves me wrong and it took Manchester-based quintet Spokes just one and a half tracks to kick me into touch on this, their debut 6-track CD, "People Like People Like You". I really should make a point of reading press releases because after opening number "We like to Dance and Steal Things", a violin-led instrumental where the band race towards the finish line via a crescendo-laden backdrop, I was ready to write this group off. It's not a bad track as such, just a tad on the derivative side of things. So far so post-rock, or so I thought...

"Young People! All Together" followed soon after, kicking off with several minutes' worth of introspective instrumentation that seemed to confirm my earlier suspicions. It was the glorious male vocals that suddenly emerged from out of nowhere that Spokes grabbed my attention with, snatching victory form the jaws of defeat. Knocking the track sideways, memories of your first experience of Broken Social Scene or even Arcade Fire are sure to come flooding back, as the five-piece tap into the celebratory nature of both revered Canadian acts. The sudden melodic burst of energy is a joy to behold and a real eye opener and had me totally hooked. I already had my journalistic knives sharpened, only too ready to label Spokes `yet another instrumental act".

I was wrong of course; the instrumental numbers on this record are just one side to Spokes' multi-dimensional musicianship. Whereas fellow Brit-rockers iLiKETRAiNS seem to have dug themselves into a hole by continually playing the same trick over and over, Spokes have many strings to their bow. Their most apparent facet is the use of violin which adds much colour to a number of compositions. Both "Sometimes Words are Too Slow" and "End Credits/Love Letter" benefit from its distinctive, folky touch. It reminds of Belgian avant-rockers dEUS, who employed the very same instrument to startling effect, particularly during the 90's.

There is crossover appeal too. Given the right push Spokes have the potential to breach the mainstream. A tall order of course, many great bands have fallen there in the past, many of them missing out on the commercial success that should follow the critical acclaim. However, Spokes can learn from the recent examples of Hope of the States and Aereogramme, because the potential is there for all to see on this record. The only evidence I need is the magnificent "Precursor", a five-minute mini-epic that speaks volumes for Spokes' songwriting talent. It's an ambitious piece, slickly produced with a professional sheen. Underpinned by a swaying chorus, where forlorn violin mixes with melancholic guitar and over-powering vocals, that produce a tidal wave of emotion, Spokes begin their ascent towards the grandiose heights of Elbow.

There's a lot going on in this debut outing, almost too much to cram into its relatively short duration. Perhaps a little less of the instrumental stuff would have benefited Spokes, but then that is just personal preference. Spokes are definite `ones to watch', a trait that is becoming more of a common occurrence as far as UK bands are concerned. Long may it continue.