The Maccabees @ Coventry Kasbah 22/03/09

The phrase ‘mature second’ album has often proved one of music’s biggest clichés. Usually such an album will feature:

a) Exactly the same style as the band’s debut album

b) Strings

At the Kasbah last night though, The Maccabees made clear that their forthcoming sophomore LP ‘Wall of Arms’ won’t be following such a contrived formula.

Opening with free-to-download single ‘No Kind Words’, the South London collective showcased a more refined sound. Building on the quiet/loud dynamic and scattershot guitar work that made their debut such a thrill, The Maccabees Mk II seem to have taken the mantra of ‘Precious Time’ to heart, with a ‘turn to this darkness’ producing magnificent results.

As is typical with such pre-release jaunts across UK, the set list proved a mix between old favourites and fresh cuts. However, it seemed as though the more morose material from ‘Colour It In’ had been chosen to fit in amongst those tracks which had recently been let loose from the studio. ‘About Your Dress’ and ‘Good Old Bill’ were eschewed in favour of the somber tones of ‘Lego’ and ‘X-Ray’. Both of which were rapturously received by a frenzied swathe of plaid shirts and polka dot dresses.

Cutting a lean figure in the midst of his energetic five piece, lead singer Orlando Weeks seemed content to keep inter song banter to a minimum and instead to concentrate delivering his (hopelessly) romantic narrative over a mesh of pinpoint riffs. Such a formula worked to particularly noticeable effect on upcoming single ‘Love You Better’. A document of a relationship on the brink, in which Orlando pleads to kiss and make up lest the two parties ‘pull it apart in time’ and discover what’s been lost. Other newbees ‘Young Lions’ and ‘Kisses and Liaisons’, continued this theme of fragility all the while twisting on bed of pounding drums and rumbling bass.

What struck me as particularly reassuring though, was what appeared to be a conscious refusal by the band to reach for big red button marked ‘Radio 1 A List’. If ‘Colour It In’ had one flaw, it was that many of its tracks seemed to tarnish on repeat plays. With the market place somewhat swamped with two-a-penny indie-pop tunes, it was refreshing to hear a collection of songs that I looked forward to listening to again. On this showing, I’m expecting big things from The Maccabees across the remainder of 2009.

‘Wall Of Arms’ the second album from The Maccabees is released on May 4

Their debut ‘Colour It In’ can be purchased for £8.99 (inc. free delivery) from hmv.co.uk