So, The Maccabees FINALLY achieved their spot at number one in the UK album charts and by God, do they deserve it – probably more so than many modern ‘indie’ bands. The foursome have truly evolved in the eight years since Colour It In, transitioning from the ‘sixth form pop band’ they were, to a band capable of musical masterpieces. You get a real sense of development between each album, which is what separates The Maccabees from others alike. Marks To Prove It is a huge step from their debut album; the album as a whole feels more put together, and, although with similar sounds to their third album Given To The Wild this just feels, for sake of a better word – better.
The album begins with the title track, which is as powerful as a first track could be. It somehow combines the playfulness and youthful edge of their earlier material, with the more complicated, haunting riffs found in their more recent records. This is by far the best track on the album, which isn’t to say the others aren’t great – it’s simply that you can’t get a grasp of how beautifully crafted the album is, when listening to each song individually. The Maccabees have quickly become an ‘album band’, meaning they are far superior at creating a remarkable full album, over an album with a handful of amazing singles – something which takes far more dedication and a lot of talent, which is what the foursome have proven they have with this album.
The energy within this album, felt through the rawness of Orlando’s voice, makes you wonder if it was created with more passion than the others. This may be because it was recorded in their hometown of Elephant and Castle and is full of tales of the people of South London; or maybe the band have finally found their sound – a gentle mix of striking vocals, thought-provoking lyrics and charming melodies.
Words by Hayley Lynne