After two long years we've finally came round to reviewing this, no it's not a 2010 album it's Morning Parade's début! The Essex boys are really pleased with what they've created, and so they should be, we have a track-by-track review on the whole album!
Blue Winter
So here it is Morning Parade’s first album, one of many I hope! They burst straight out of the block with this belter of a track. Blue Winter is a track that gets you pumped for the album straight from the off, a track that’s also becoming a live favourite among fans it has everything a great track needs, a immense build-up and breakdown . This song was actually written to be an album opener, and it’s paid off!
Out of 10: 8.5/10
Headlights
A track that I fell in love with from the first play, not on the record but when I saw them play live for the very first time. This track really stood out for me and I’m really pleased that after all this time they’ve decided to recorded it and pop it in the album. This is what I’d call ‘old’ Morning Parade, it’s got a great charisma and has lyrics that you can see everyone at a gig singing!
Out of 10: 9/10
Carousel
At the beginning of the album sessions this was a five minute acoustic disco epic, but after they went into the studio with David Kosten he tinkered with it and this is the outcome. A three minute radio friendly anthem with everything you need in a chart-topping track. The track has an evocative feel to it with slick synths playing a big part in bringing that to the track.
Out of 10: 9/10
Running Down The Aisle
Fans from the beginning would remember Steve playing a bit of piano on some old tracks, and it’s nice to hear Steve once again behind the set of the piano. They’ve really pushed the boundaries on this song; with more of an experimental feel to it it’s once again a unforgettable track!
Out of 10: 10/10
Us & Ourselves
The lyrics are sung with such heart and soul, Andy (the drummer) has his work cut out here as he doesn't have one second to breathe, a song filled with great drumming accompanied with the riffs (down to Steve and Chad) and synths (Ben) that have gotten them the fan-base. With added backing vocals (Phil and Ben) the song gets more depth, more in depth as I've ever heard from this band before.
Out of 10: 9/10
Under The Stars
Not much has changed since the original recording of this track, but why fix something that isn’t broken! The track starts off with a lovely guitar rhythm, then Steve's vocals kick in and your ears are treated to brilliant singing. The synths played in the background just give this such an atmospheric sound, and it is an excellent addition to what is a brilliant intro. Bass kicks in for a bit then it all faded away to more majestic synths. "I'm gonna set my sight, I'm gonna set you soul alight" I can only assume this is Steve (and indeed the band) giving us a glimmer of what is to come. This track is everything I want Morning Parade to be, just mesmerising!
Out of 10: 10/10
Close To Your Heart
But one thing is for sure that this track is amazing. You can hear the whole band enjoy playing this, even though this is recorded in a studio they still have such chemistry. This was one of the earliest songs to be given away from the new album so I wouldn't say it's bored me, but lets say I've over played it a bit! Still, I won't take anything away from the lads, a great track!
Out of 10: 8/10
Half Litre Bottle
After hearing this song for the first time at their hometown show in 2010 I knew it was going to be on the album, when it was first played it was on an acoustic guitar and that alone. It’s amazing to see what they’ve done to what was originally a stunning track. There isn’t much to the song but that’s what makes it great, just listening to the track you can’t help but fall in love with it!
Out of 10: 10/10
Monday Morning
Once again this track has had a complete makeover from its initial incarnation, but I know why. They’ve said multiple times in interviews that they felt that this song could be a whole lot more, even if it meant being a b-side in a future single, but they pushed the boundaries even more and it got onto the album, another slow song this is a track that is about laying in bed on a Monday just before the alarm goes off. One that the fans love as every Monday morning they quote lyrics from the song, this IS one that’ll stay in the set-list for years to come!
Out of 10: 9/10
Speechless
This song nearly didn’t make the album, crazy right? It was up against ‘Close To Your Heart’, but after Ben fought hard for this and making himself really passionate about the track ultimately got this track onto the record. I for one am glad that this made it onto the album as ever since I heard the acoustic version on the Absolute session it’s steadily grown to be my favourite up there with ‘Youth’.
Out of 10: 10/10
Born Alone
The first time I heard this was when they were playing XOYO in London, they closed the set on this and ever since then they’ve played this in 99% of their sets! One of the tracks that haven’t been recorded in any format was this track, and I can see why. They’ve kept the epic closing to the album all themselves; as every band knows you need to end strong on any album, and you can’t end any stronger than ‘Born Alone’. The longest track on the album and to be frank with you, the best. “I was born alone, but I won’t die alone”
Out of 10: 10/10
Morning Parade - Morning Parade
Out of 10: 9.3/10
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[OFFICIAL SITE]
Blue Winter
So here it is Morning Parade’s first album, one of many I hope! They burst straight out of the block with this belter of a track. Blue Winter is a track that gets you pumped for the album straight from the off, a track that’s also becoming a live favourite among fans it has everything a great track needs, a immense build-up and breakdown . This song was actually written to be an album opener, and it’s paid off!
Out of 10: 8.5/10
Headlights
A track that I fell in love with from the first play, not on the record but when I saw them play live for the very first time. This track really stood out for me and I’m really pleased that after all this time they’ve decided to recorded it and pop it in the album. This is what I’d call ‘old’ Morning Parade, it’s got a great charisma and has lyrics that you can see everyone at a gig singing!
Out of 10: 9/10
Carousel
At the beginning of the album sessions this was a five minute acoustic disco epic, but after they went into the studio with David Kosten he tinkered with it and this is the outcome. A three minute radio friendly anthem with everything you need in a chart-topping track. The track has an evocative feel to it with slick synths playing a big part in bringing that to the track.
Out of 10: 9/10
Running Down The Aisle
Fans from the beginning would remember Steve playing a bit of piano on some old tracks, and it’s nice to hear Steve once again behind the set of the piano. They’ve really pushed the boundaries on this song; with more of an experimental feel to it it’s once again a unforgettable track!
Out of 10: 10/10
Us & Ourselves
The lyrics are sung with such heart and soul, Andy (the drummer) has his work cut out here as he doesn't have one second to breathe, a song filled with great drumming accompanied with the riffs (down to Steve and Chad) and synths (Ben) that have gotten them the fan-base. With added backing vocals (Phil and Ben) the song gets more depth, more in depth as I've ever heard from this band before.
Out of 10: 9/10
Under The Stars
Not much has changed since the original recording of this track, but why fix something that isn’t broken! The track starts off with a lovely guitar rhythm, then Steve's vocals kick in and your ears are treated to brilliant singing. The synths played in the background just give this such an atmospheric sound, and it is an excellent addition to what is a brilliant intro. Bass kicks in for a bit then it all faded away to more majestic synths. "I'm gonna set my sight, I'm gonna set you soul alight" I can only assume this is Steve (and indeed the band) giving us a glimmer of what is to come. This track is everything I want Morning Parade to be, just mesmerising!
Out of 10: 10/10
Close To Your Heart
But one thing is for sure that this track is amazing. You can hear the whole band enjoy playing this, even though this is recorded in a studio they still have such chemistry. This was one of the earliest songs to be given away from the new album so I wouldn't say it's bored me, but lets say I've over played it a bit! Still, I won't take anything away from the lads, a great track!
Out of 10: 8/10
Half Litre Bottle
After hearing this song for the first time at their hometown show in 2010 I knew it was going to be on the album, when it was first played it was on an acoustic guitar and that alone. It’s amazing to see what they’ve done to what was originally a stunning track. There isn’t much to the song but that’s what makes it great, just listening to the track you can’t help but fall in love with it!
Out of 10: 10/10
Monday Morning
Once again this track has had a complete makeover from its initial incarnation, but I know why. They’ve said multiple times in interviews that they felt that this song could be a whole lot more, even if it meant being a b-side in a future single, but they pushed the boundaries even more and it got onto the album, another slow song this is a track that is about laying in bed on a Monday just before the alarm goes off. One that the fans love as every Monday morning they quote lyrics from the song, this IS one that’ll stay in the set-list for years to come!
Out of 10: 9/10
Speechless
This song nearly didn’t make the album, crazy right? It was up against ‘Close To Your Heart’, but after Ben fought hard for this and making himself really passionate about the track ultimately got this track onto the record. I for one am glad that this made it onto the album as ever since I heard the acoustic version on the Absolute session it’s steadily grown to be my favourite up there with ‘Youth’.
Out of 10: 10/10
Born Alone
The first time I heard this was when they were playing XOYO in London, they closed the set on this and ever since then they’ve played this in 99% of their sets! One of the tracks that haven’t been recorded in any format was this track, and I can see why. They’ve kept the epic closing to the album all themselves; as every band knows you need to end strong on any album, and you can’t end any stronger than ‘Born Alone’. The longest track on the album and to be frank with you, the best. “I was born alone, but I won’t die alone”
Out of 10: 10/10
Morning Parade - Morning Parade
Out of 10: 9.3/10
[FACEBOOK]
[OFFICIAL SITE]