Album: Maxïmo Park, Quicken the Heart, (Warp Records)

Reviewed
Sunday 10 May 2009 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Paul Smith's erudite vocab (you don't get words such as "circumnavigation" with the Kooks) is a minor joy itself, but his way with a subtly perceptive couplet ("She's dressed up/It's her duty to the town") is far more precious.

However, fist-punching choruses are absent, and awkward, lurching time signatures abound. It often sounds strangely half-formed, like a clutch of demos rather than a band at the height of their powers. Glass-half-full assessment: an album that'll grow, rather than a band that's shrinking.

Pick of the album: Doctors and nurses: 'Let's Get Clinical'

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in