Bombay Bicycle Club are having the time of their lives at the moment, with them still riding on the waves of the success of their 'Side Project' album the next instalment from these early 20 something is quite an achievement.
How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep:
... is a re-recorded version of the song that appeared on the Twilight Soundtrack, this version is a vast improvement on the initial recording and is a great way to open the record. Thus sets the template for the finer tracks here – a lilting repetition slowly builds, all bouncy sensitivity and earnest determination paves the way for this track.
Out of 10: 8/10
Bad Timing:
Here the band seem to be wanting to be like North American Indie heavyweightsArcade Fire and The National; hugely emotive, yet catchy and stunning. Gentle riffs and dark synths comine for a tense chorus and a wonderful ending.
Out of 10: 8/10
Your Eyes:
Maybe the closest you can get to a track off their début record, it's a more typical cut, marking out a relaxed, groove-heavy sound that’s no longer intent on wringing as much tension as possible before the chorus hits.
Out of 10: 8/10
Lights Out, Words Gone:
Another long track on this record and this airy number is a one for the playlists - with a great funk driving the song forwards and vocals (Lucy Rose) whispering all over it, it seems to be a great track to be played on a night while being stoned. This track seems to be a lot warmer to Foals - which was my initial thought when I first heard this song. But like a Foals song, it's very strong.
Out of 10: 9/10
Take The Right One:
All reverb and a lot of rushing by the guitars, this is a pure anthem aimed at the drivers out there. With steering wheel banging assured and throttle stamping, you wouldn't want to be with me in the car when this comes on.
Out of 10: 8/10
Shuffle:
I love the jumpy piano at the beginning, it adds such a nice feel to the song. The boppy nature of the song did get on my nerves a bit, but then Jack's vocals come in and calms me down, then at the 25second mark it becomes so much more. More layers, more noise, more funky grooves in the background, oh yes BBC, you have hit the nail on the head! The track calms down, for a bit but then the piano bops find a way back in, and it develops into such a tune, this can easily be one of my favourite tracks of the year, and that is something!
Out of 10: 10/10
Beggars:
With yet another track Lucy Rose features on, yet this time the song seems to be taken from their last album (Flaws). A nice diversion away from all of the electronics, but then they kick in to action. Hand claps, haunting vocals and catchy riffs, Jack really does seem to be in the driving seat here as he commands your attention when it all calms down.
Out of 10: 9/10
Leave It:
A radio friendly track, and from what I can hear, a certain chart winner. With big soaring choruses, crunching bass and Jacks vocals dominating the proceedings again you are lucky to be hearing everything on this track, the producers have done them well. A great track!
Out of 10: 8/10
Fracture:
A fragile guitar chimes away with Jacks vocals giving a chilling presence, this is indeed a slow track and they pull this off with 100% accuracy. The song does not drop below pure perfection and I am sure you will agree. Lucy's vocals are once again a nice addition to the track and with the simple structure of the song I have to give this a top mark.
Out of 10: 9/10
What You Want:
This track just seals the deal for me, they have really grown up from the rough demos I have, reminiscent of 'The Hill' here with rolling beats, chunky bass, and fast pulsating riffs. This is arguably one of the more Rock orientated numbers, I can in imagine this being a real set winner when they play Reading and Leeds this weekend.
Out of 10: 9/10
Favourite Day:
Not my most favourite song off the album but this qwerky track is a real change of events. With a big presence of chimes, tambourines, wooden sticks and pianos this is a odd track, but none the less this does fit into the album very well. It picks up body towards the end and ebbs out into the foggy distance.
Out of 10: 7/10
Still:
This long and spicily melancholic album closer keeps reminding us (or just screams) of late-period Radiohead, but without the publicity stunts and boring bits. Jacks vocals have seriously improved as the record goes on and as this is the last track of the standard version it's a great way to end their record on.
Out of 10: 8/10
Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix
Out of 10: 8.4/10
Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle by Bombay Bicycle Club
[FACEBOOK]
[OFFICIAL SITE]
Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This (POWERMODE Remix)
How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep:
... is a re-recorded version of the song that appeared on the Twilight Soundtrack, this version is a vast improvement on the initial recording and is a great way to open the record. Thus sets the template for the finer tracks here – a lilting repetition slowly builds, all bouncy sensitivity and earnest determination paves the way for this track.
Out of 10: 8/10
Bad Timing:
Here the band seem to be wanting to be like North American Indie heavyweightsArcade Fire and The National; hugely emotive, yet catchy and stunning. Gentle riffs and dark synths comine for a tense chorus and a wonderful ending.
Out of 10: 8/10
Your Eyes:
Maybe the closest you can get to a track off their début record, it's a more typical cut, marking out a relaxed, groove-heavy sound that’s no longer intent on wringing as much tension as possible before the chorus hits.
Out of 10: 8/10
Lights Out, Words Gone:
Another long track on this record and this airy number is a one for the playlists - with a great funk driving the song forwards and vocals (Lucy Rose) whispering all over it, it seems to be a great track to be played on a night while being stoned. This track seems to be a lot warmer to Foals - which was my initial thought when I first heard this song. But like a Foals song, it's very strong.
Out of 10: 9/10
Take The Right One:
All reverb and a lot of rushing by the guitars, this is a pure anthem aimed at the drivers out there. With steering wheel banging assured and throttle stamping, you wouldn't want to be with me in the car when this comes on.
Out of 10: 8/10
Shuffle:
I love the jumpy piano at the beginning, it adds such a nice feel to the song. The boppy nature of the song did get on my nerves a bit, but then Jack's vocals come in and calms me down, then at the 25second mark it becomes so much more. More layers, more noise, more funky grooves in the background, oh yes BBC, you have hit the nail on the head! The track calms down, for a bit but then the piano bops find a way back in, and it develops into such a tune, this can easily be one of my favourite tracks of the year, and that is something!
Out of 10: 10/10
Beggars:
With yet another track Lucy Rose features on, yet this time the song seems to be taken from their last album (Flaws). A nice diversion away from all of the electronics, but then they kick in to action. Hand claps, haunting vocals and catchy riffs, Jack really does seem to be in the driving seat here as he commands your attention when it all calms down.
Out of 10: 9/10
Leave It:
A radio friendly track, and from what I can hear, a certain chart winner. With big soaring choruses, crunching bass and Jacks vocals dominating the proceedings again you are lucky to be hearing everything on this track, the producers have done them well. A great track!
Out of 10: 8/10
Fracture:
A fragile guitar chimes away with Jacks vocals giving a chilling presence, this is indeed a slow track and they pull this off with 100% accuracy. The song does not drop below pure perfection and I am sure you will agree. Lucy's vocals are once again a nice addition to the track and with the simple structure of the song I have to give this a top mark.
Out of 10: 9/10
What You Want:
This track just seals the deal for me, they have really grown up from the rough demos I have, reminiscent of 'The Hill' here with rolling beats, chunky bass, and fast pulsating riffs. This is arguably one of the more Rock orientated numbers, I can in imagine this being a real set winner when they play Reading and Leeds this weekend.
Out of 10: 9/10
Favourite Day:
Not my most favourite song off the album but this qwerky track is a real change of events. With a big presence of chimes, tambourines, wooden sticks and pianos this is a odd track, but none the less this does fit into the album very well. It picks up body towards the end and ebbs out into the foggy distance.
Out of 10: 7/10
Still:
This long and spicily melancholic album closer keeps reminding us (or just screams) of late-period Radiohead, but without the publicity stunts and boring bits. Jacks vocals have seriously improved as the record goes on and as this is the last track of the standard version it's a great way to end their record on.
Out of 10: 8/10
Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix
Out of 10: 8.4/10
Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle by Bombay Bicycle Club
[FACEBOOK]
[OFFICIAL SITE]
Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This (POWERMODE Remix)