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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It quickens my heart.., 10 Aug 2009
Not having been a large fan of the park up until early this year I couldn't believe just what I had missed. Fantastic lyrics, a gorgeous voice singing, stunning sounds. And a keyboard player. A tiny detail to some but as a keyboard player myself I'm finding there are less bands including said players anymore.
I was eangerly awaiting this album, having pre-ordered as soon as I heard it was out. I steered clear of any reviews until I'd heard it myself. Wraithlike and The Kids Are Sick Again had already been blasted through my speakers from youtube, giving me a fairly good idea of what to expect.
Unfortunately I have to say I wasn't grabbed when hearing it first. I put it on repeat and soon found, to my surprise, I was singing the words. As he says, If it's a grower, why can't we take things slower? Well, Mr Smith, I was prepared to take Quicken The Heart slowly, and found it really was a grower.
Delving further I fell quietly in love.
Calm.
One of their best songs yet? I think so. Those beautiful melodies, the sweet lyrics and that tiny keyboard pattern that totally makes the song. That, and Questing, Not Coasting (thank god it's a single!) are the two highlights for me. Something else I've recently discovered: That Beating Heart - B side to Questing. Such a shame it wasn't included on the album, as soon as the piano began I was hooked. Also if not buying from iTunes I thoroughly recommend Lost Property: a quiet song, but lovely in its own right.
Weak points: Wraithlike, The Kids Are Sick Again and Overland. On their own they're superb, but next to the other songs? Not quite.
So, their best album? Better than their second, and probably on a par with their first.
A simply beautiful album.
Oh, and the dvd. It's a shame it didn't have live footage of the new album, but when you watch it, that doesn't seem to matter anymore. They create such an atmosphere, performing almost better live than on record. It's nice to see footage from two completely different gigs intertwined. Again, highlights: I Want You To Stay and Acrobat.
It's brilliant to not only have them on record, but also see them live. Really there isn't much difference.
Such an underated band, but maybe it's better like that. No radio stations playing them to death like they do to so many other songs.
Go buy this album now, you won't regret it and the songs will stay with you long after you heard them.
Next stop: seeing them live for myself!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Fog On The Tyne here, 2 May 2009
After what seems like an eternity, Maximo return with their 3rd long-player. Whilst their feet have hardly touched the ground taking the Maximo sound around the world, the boys have still created an album bristling with boundless energy, and at times unbridled emotion, with of course an obligatory nod to their hometown.
I have been fortunate enough to have heard the whole album, and Maximo have definitely carved their own sound from the tree of music history, at times sounding like an early Japan, with post-punk energy and infusion of early 80s electro, with intelligent lyrics floating effortlessly like the Shields ferry.
It is unique that an album can not only be instantly enjoyed, but continue to improve with each listen - and it's a grower, why can't we take things slower!
If you do get to see them live this year it will probably be the gig of the year for you. I think I caught them 5 times promoting the last record, and the last one being shared on the additional DVD with this release, I hope I see myself jumping around like a box of frogs to Limassol!
Anyhoo.. buy it, enjoy it, you will still be playing it in 6 months.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A grower!, 1 Jun 2009
Like all Maximo albums, this one is a grower. Perhaps even more so than the previous 2, as there are no 'instant classics' on here. But after 2 or 3 listens, this a quality album with real depth and some fantastic lyrics, music and choruses. Recommended
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