I’ve followed this quirky alt quartet since their debut album release landed on my doorstep back in 2009 and I straight away saw they had something special about them. It’s been good to see them progress through an EP and now a second full-length, especially as they have managed to retain a highly distinctive trademark sound without growing stale. Feast Of Hammers does show a level of progression and maturity for the band in a very subtle way which comes across most prominently on the fabulous title-track which sends a shiver down the spine. I would say the band have put a lot of effort into this album, from the lush packaging down to the production and most importantly the music itself.
Following a brief intro we breeze into ‘Love Will Bring You Nothing’ which frolics along with a spring in its step and a clickity clack rhythm over a dark, brooding bassline. With its dramatic, overblown chorus this soon is imprinted firmly in my head and it isn’t long before I’m shouting along and giving it the old knees-up in the cabaret-esque spirit of things. ‘Anchor’ is more reflective and subdued after all the brashness that foreran it, rolling forth at a steady pace building in power and volume as it progresses. Vocalist Mishkin is not what you might call a technically brilliant singer but she makes up for it with her fiery angst and tempestuous vocal style which quite honestly is more important than being note-perfect and I rather like the rawness of her voice. At times she broaches a softer tone, namely on ‘The Sailor’s Wife’ which rows ashore with a subtle, minimalist keyboard and hushed vocal, carrying a wistful oceanic sway. There’s definitely a nautical theme on this album with recurrent mentions of water, anchors, sailors etc. ‘What The Water Gave Me’ plunges in with a playful piano melody while Mishkin emits a tone of bitterness and angst; it’s a quirky little number and I love the warbles and the dramatic shrieks on the violin.
Marching in with a powerful and heavy drumbeat, ‘Incitatus’ has an incredibly infectious stomp as it rattles and rolls along with a dark undertone and boisterousness. There’s a sense of urgency in the hurried vocals and way the music pounds away, and the chorus is as subtle as a smack around the face. This is easily one of my favourite tracks on the album, insanely catchy and full of passion and aggression. It’s easy to see why this number was released as a single along with ‘Feast Of Hammers’ which also has an excellent video accompanying it. This one is rich with dark, moody textures while there’s something incredibly haunting about the melody especially when it’s in its more mellow moments that contrast the screeching, bludgeoning chorus that breaks loose in a Bjork ‘Oh So Quiet’ manner. The vocals are warm and rich at times yet the singer really shows off her powerful lungs when she wants to.
This is a fantastic album filled with seriously catchy songs, each one as good as the last. If I’m nitpicking then I don’t think ‘Double Nine’ and ‘Through Ten Walls’ quite match up to some of the stronger tracks on the album. Here is a band that are going from strength to strength and are genuinely one of the most interesting bands in the UK right now.
(8/10 Luci Herbert)
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