Algiers - You're The Captain (Xtra Mile Recordings)
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| Algiers - You're The Captain |
Release Date: 27th January 2014
Right, I need to declare a
conflict of interests before I start
here. I spent three glorious years in Sheffield gorging myself on a burgeoning
music scene that erupted in between Pulp and Arctic Monkeys. As a result, every
time I hear of a new band coming along from Sheffield I get all nostalgic and
misty eyed before even hearing a note. Algiers are, indeed, a duo from the
Steel City but, fortunately for my reputation, they right fantastic, sweeping
indie nuggets that entirely justifies their recent deal with Xtra Mile. Putting
me in mind of the much missed Bennett, 'Mother' opens up this debut long player
with pounding drums and chiming guitars that it's hard to ignore (why would you
even bother trying?). The wonderfully entitled 'Miles and Miles of Rosary
Beads' has a touch of the Young Knives about it which I am entirely in favour
of and 'Indian Sweets' is more of the same with quick-fire snare work vocals
akin to Frank Turner on a tuneful day or an American skate-pop band (let's say
Fall Out Boy for the sake of argument). The understated intro to 'The Glue'
suggests a band with a connection to the Highlands and perhaps a fair amount of
Del Amitri or Deacon Blue in their CD collection but in a really good way. Does
that make sense? Who cares.
One thing that sets this duo
apart from the many others on the scene at the moment is their use of the drums
as another instrument rather than just a beat keeper. This is particularly
apparent on the Biffy Clyro meets Crazy Arm stomp of 'Lighthouse' where the tub
thumping could be equally at home on a Viking long ship as it is on this song
which seemingly extols the virtues of a tall girl with a bright face. The
interplay between lyrical guitars and harmonious vocals of 'Flowers' makes it
the perfect song for a sunrise over British wilderness scenes with startled
wildlife and misty moors until that sunlight bursts through and the guitars
thunder in with a life affirming energy. That Young Knives reference point is
apparent again on 'Two Currents Of Sea Drifts' whilst album title track,
'You're The Captain' has a more epic, Snow Patrol-ish feel to it. The album
finishes with an intriguingly titled duo of tracks; 'To The Beat Of A Marching
Drum - Part 1 - Mechanics' and 'To The Beat Of A Marching Drum - Part 2 - On
Resistance and Appeal: Our Wandered Finds Refuge Instigating Lament'. 'Part 1'
is a bluesy, guitar lead twang in the vein of Mr J Cash or LWM favourites C.R.
Thorn. 'Part 2', however, picks up the same melody and turns it in to a stadium
filling piece of anthemic indie sumptuousness with that marching drum at the
forefront. What Algiers seem to have achieved on this album is the ability to
switch between the intimate and the enormous, the mainstream and the left-field
and the sparse and the wall of sound effect. Well played Sheffield, as usual.
More information: www.facebook.com/wearealgiers
Live Dates:
31st January - Fallow, Manchester
1st February - The Harley, Sheffield
5th February - The Monarch, London
7th February - Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough