Product description NEW Combo BLUWAVS CD and FLAC FILE .com The second album from Newcastle's Maximo Park, Our Earthly Pleasures confirms its creators to be one of the UK's more idiosyncratic indie outfits--the sort of bookish, educated rockers for whom intelligence means something more than reading a book while you're having your photo taken. Not only does vocalist Paul Smith boast the sort of wit and wisdom to rhyme the words "hypothetical," "alphabetical," "theoretical," and "dialectical" ("A Fortnight's Time") without coming off as a pretentious try-hard, the songs Maximo pen zip along with a gleaming tunefulness and athletic agility that denies any obvious musical influence. Much here is concerned with collapsing relationships, although Smith takes a more circuitous route than most though the familiar territory of a love song: "Our Velocity" treats male-female communication as a cipher to be cracked, while the chiming "Books from Boxes" takes stock of a love affair of a relationship from its accumulated paper trail. Far from being introspective and self-absorbed, however, Our Earthly Pleasures is an energetic, vibrant affair, thanks in part to the work of Pixies producer Gil Norton, who thickens up Lukas Wooler's synth and hones the band dynamic to quiet/loud perfection. --Louis Pattison
B**S
British indie pop brilliance
I'ts hard to put your finger on Maximo Parks sound,it really grows on you the more you listen. The first cd was a little herky/jerky and lacked refined production value but Our Earthly Pleasures has a much smoother sound without detracting from it's origins. I would recommend to anyone who craves original sound along with intelligent and inspiring lyrics.
A**8
Great Follow-Up Effort
The second release from Maximo Park finds the band heading in a slightly different direction from their first disk. I say "slightly" because Paul Smith's vocals are still great (is this guy not one of the top five male vocalists around?)and the intelligent lyrics tell of broken love. However this disc is a bit more varied than the first. Oh, there are still catchy songs, but there are also tunes that sneak up on you after a few listens.My favorite tracks from this disc include "Books from Boxes", "Nosebleed", "Karoake Plays", and "Parisian Skies". I've yet to see Maximo Park live as they don't tour the US often. So I went to youtube and watched them perform these songs live; they hold up quite well.
K**E
Jaded and over fifty!
Maximo Park is the most entertaining group I have heard and seen in many years. Having worn out Who records as a teen ager and grown up with the Jam, Clash, Replacements, Roxy Music, now It takes a lot for me to even care what people say in these reviews. I bought Jimi Hendrix records as they came out for gods sake! I enjoy many of the UKs' new entries Bloc Party, Rakes, Kaiser Chiefs,Franz, Hard-Fi, this record will hold your attention long after you have retired the others to the been there done that pile.These guys are original and may require more than a cursory listen but as with all music, If you like it first time around it will probably be gathering dust in a forgotten pile soon. These songs grow on you and become part of your musical personality.The first 8 songs are the strongest lineup I have seen on any record.Our Velocity,Russian Literature,The Monument....Absolutely my Idea of what Rock is all about. Buy it Now! YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG! thanks Maximo Park!
C**8
Stick with A Certain Trigger
I was blown away by Maximo Park's first album, A Certain Trigger, when I bought it last year. It was the best BritPop I'd heard since What's the Story Morning Glory, so I bought the other 2 albums a few weeks ago. Each one was a little bit more disappointing than the last. Less energy, less distinctive. Bummer, because A Certain Trigger really rocks.
H**R
Exceptional Songs, but not many...
The 1st 4 songs I revisit quite often, but "Our Velocity" and "Girls Who Play Guitar" are the two big standouts. Our Velocity is their best video to date. Very high energy.
G**L
If you like the Who, the Jam ...
If you like the Who, the Jam ... or even the Smiths in some respects, you should try this music.I cannot stop listening to this CD, and I don't do that often. A stack of music comes and goes from my office every month. It's a big part of my job, but I cannot listen to much of it and do my work. Ironic, I know. The cover of this CD caught my attention ~ [side-note: it looks like the same photographer over the course of their previous releases]This is not simple pop. The songs are crafted and well-written ~ they build and turn unexpectedly. Strong tracks to sample: Your Urge; Books From Boxes and the lead track, Girls Who Play Guitar.
B**R
LISTEN
There will undoubtedly be people who loved the first album that will listen to this and feel lost in the sheet of sound that fills the middle of this one. I too wondered what happened to the brilliant changes of their first release. However, anyone who loves Maximo knows they deserve more than one good listen. And so that is my advice...LISTEN. Put on some good headphones, sit back, and listen to it unfold. After a few listens you'll hear it.
R**L
don't read this review. go listen to this.
i'm serious. this album is everything that is good about "current" british music. someone said in one of the other reviews that he can't stop listening to this album. it's true. it's that good.in the linear notes they wrote:"thanks for listening to this music-it's yours"not only an amazing record but an amazing band.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
2 weeks ago
