Let's try out an album review...

This is dated quite far back, last year perhaps? But it's still a nice little album review I wrote on one of my favourite bands...

Maximo Park - Quicken the heart

Word on the indie playground is beaming with anticipation for Maximo Parks new album. After them having so much success with previous albums 'A Certain Trigger' and 'Our Earthly Pleasures', Maximo fans were nervous about the quality of this new album compared to the other two. For those who haven't quite heard of this band but still pop along the music scene, you would definitely recognise songs such as Apply Some Pressure and Our Velocity.

But as a call to all the Earth- I can proudly shout about this being one of the best albums of 2009.

Quicken the Heart is the name, and it certainly lives up to the title- with enchanting keyboard melodies and haunting guitar chord changes. The twelve track album starts with Wraithlike which already has captured many fan's hearts with its fast pace. Other songs that you must hear ASAP include A cloud of mystery; In another world; Roller disco dreams; Questing not coasting.

A cloud of mystery contains such a catching chorus that it could easily be a festival favourite this summer.

All of these songs have wonderful lyrics, and the writer/singer of them (Paul Smith) is truly a poet. He has took everyday sayings- for example "a bee in my bonnet" and "wipe that smile off your face" and embedded them within a catchy and heartfelt tune. Also some of these lyrics are so clever- it's easy to realise these lads from Newcastle are genius. "I don't know much about bravery but I'll raise you up with my bad jokes and loose promises"; "There's nothing worse then taking a chance on an outdated dance"; "Under fireworks in Brixton, two carousel hearts spinning" happen to be just some of my favourite lines off the album. But there are so many others on there which could quicken your heart. Sit down, close your eyes, relax and listen.

Congratulations to Maximo Park for coming back into the music world with what I can only begin to describe as a masterpiece. 'Mon the park'

Beth x