The Bus

Wow, this album hit me out of leftfield.

I know, I know, it's a band from Newcastle who makes post-punk and new wave music like The Smiths and XTC, and they write catchy riffs, and -- no, it's not the Futureheads. Their new album A Certain Trigger is amazing. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who likes the new breed of UK indie bands like Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Futureheads, etc.

The first track is misleading because the synth doesn't play a very big part in their songs. But look at "Apply Some Pressure" or "Kiss You Better" or "Graffiti" or (my favorite) "The Coast is Always Changing".



Maximo Park (or is it Maxïmo Park?)
A Certain Trigger
Warp Records

Tracklist:
1. Signal And Sign
2. Apply Some Pressure
3. Graffiti
4. Postcard Of A Painting
5. Going Missing
6. I Want You To Stay
7. Limassol
8. The Coast Is Always Changing
9. The Night I Lost My Head
10. Once, A Glimpse
11. Now I'm All Over The Shop
12. Acrobat
13. Kiss You Better

For the time being, it's my third favorite album this year (behind Bright Eyes and Andrew Bird). When I usually recommend good albums, I say "Listen to it a few times, then you'll like it." With this one, you will know whether or not you like it after two or three songs.

Have you guys heard it? What do you think>

fazeem

I've been listening to this CD for a few weeks now. They already played twice here in Toronto, but I missed them both times. I heard they did a ton of shows during for the SXSW fest. I like their CD better then Kaiser Cheifs and even Bloc Party's. The lyrics are excellent and every song is good. (although I am still making up my mind on the very different Acrobat).

They are getting a fair amount of buzz back in England. I've heard their festival appearences have been nuts.

The Bus

I like Acrobat, which actually reminds me of the U2 song by the sane name.

I think they are as good as Bloc Party (although I prefer MP, as they're a bit more fun) --- the Kaiser Chiefs won't have a career in two years, they haven't made a gret song yet, just a couple of decent ones.

Shuffle the tracks on this CD with some Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Bloc Party, and Kings of Leon and you have a great CD of very different-sounding songs which all share a similar sound. (Well maybe not KoL).

Frank TJ Mackey

I think Maximo Park blow everyone of the genre out of the water. All the songs are fast-paced and catchy.

Bloc Party kind of bores me in comparison.

BDB

This is great stuff, I can't believe I downloaded a track back in March and never followed up.

Just got the album on ITunes today, 9.99 is a great price point for cds.

Giles

Some copies of the album have a bonus "live" tracks:

it's tracklisting is:

Disc: 2
1. Signal And Sign
2. The Coast Is Always Changing
3. Graffiti
4. I Want You To Stay
5. Limassol
6. Once, A Glimpse
7. Kiss You Better

The Bus

Giles, curious as to your thoughts on this band.

Giles

well, with all this praise and this thread I just ordered a copy from Amazon. I've been meaning to buy this and you guys gave me the extra incentive to get it.

PBobcat

I saw these a couple of times last year in London and decided they had great potential despite the lead singer having a tendancy to overact on stage which looked a tad forced to me. The album is extremely good however although it works best, as The Bus mentioned, when shuffling with other bands - I've mixed em up with Sleater Kinney and Sons & Daughters - a thrilling combo!

Another band cut from the same cloth are the excellent Boyfriends who offer a little more in the way of variety - you can d/load a couple of demo recordings from their website (www.theboyfriends.com). They were the first band to perform at this years Glastonbury Festival on the new John Peel stage and I believe they are in the process of signing to a label. I reckon they'll be at least as popular as Maximo Park this time next year

Frank TJ Mackey

That's odd, when I'm listening to the CD, he usually comes off quite subtle.

{cheap excuse for a bump}

Poink

I've been considering getting this recently. It's gotten pretty positive response from just about everywhere. I've recently re-discovered how good of a label Warp* is and has been, so what's one more CD...

*(Maximo Park is completely different than what Warp is known for releasing, but I always take interest when a label who usually puts out a specific genre/style tries something 'new'.)

BDB

They are supporting the bravery in san francisco on 9-15 at the fillmore. so I'd guess they are at the other venues with the bravery

Sun 09/11/05 Vancouver, BC Richard's On Richards

Tue 09/13/05 Portland, OR Roseland Theater

Thu 09/15/05 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore

Wed 09/21/05 Tulsa, OK Cain's Ballroom

Thu 09/22/05 Fayetteville, AR Univ. Of Arkansas

Fri 09/23/05 Dallas, TX Trees

The Bus

Funny, their website doesn't even mention the U.S.

Hiro11

For me, the measure of a truly excellent album is how long is sticks around in my CD changer. This album has been in there since early this summer and I just listened to it again on the way in today. Great, great album and probably the best of this year's Britguitar releases and one of the best releases overall.

Favorite track (today) "The Coast is Always Changing".

jonnyrocks

They also have a stellar track on this year's War Child comp. Good stuff from these guys!

illennium

Great album. I prefer the simplicity of The Futureheads and the goofiness of Dogs Die in Hot Cars, but A Certain Trigger is right up there.