AOTW: Catfish and the Bottlemen.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015 |
| Picture Courtesy of Jon Stone and The Independent (x) |
This is the second instalment of Artist Of The (two) Weeks (AOTW). AOTW is a biweekly series of posts that highlight upcoming/lesser known artistes in the hope that people who would like to expand their music tastes find an artiste or band they like and support. If you have any artiste/band/person you'd like me to review, please leave a comment below or in the cbox on the right.
This week, I will be giving the spotlight to the lovely Welsh lads of Catfish and the Bottlemen. [For the hardcore fans out there, I would like to apologise in advance because my details might be off.]
Catfish and the Bottlemen are made up of Van McCann (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Johnny Bond (lead guitar), Benji Blakeway (bass guitar) and Bob Hall (drums). The band was formed in 2007 but only started gaining a large following in 2014. Currently, they have one studio album out and have completed their second album. While fans wait for this next album to drop, let's focus on their current studio album, The Balcony.
This week, I will be giving the spotlight to the lovely Welsh lads of Catfish and the Bottlemen. [For the hardcore fans out there, I would like to apologise in advance because my details might be off.]
Catfish and the Bottlemen are made up of Van McCann (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Johnny Bond (lead guitar), Benji Blakeway (bass guitar) and Bob Hall (drums). The band was formed in 2007 but only started gaining a large following in 2014. Currently, they have one studio album out and have completed their second album. While fans wait for this next album to drop, let's focus on their current studio album, The Balcony.
Overall, the album was reminiscent of late 90's/early 00's alternative rock music, which may explain why I fully enjoyed the album. It has everything I loved then; the low energy/minimalistic starts, the build ups, choruses bursting with energy and the easy-to-follow lyrics which make them possible stadium anthems.
"Homesick", the first single as well as my favourite track off the album is the best example of such in just 2.5 minutes. Considering the subject of the song, I'd have to say that the contrasts does help emphasise this tug-of-war blame game in the relationship. This similar approach in accompaniment is rather evident in the next two singles, particularly in "Kathleen". With it's very catchy chorus, it is no wonder this song was pushed as the first single by the band in the US.
Now, I have to mention the other single, the expletive-ridden "Cocoon". This aggressive track is the perfect outlet for all that pent up frustration. In a way, it is the best song for that teenage/youth crowd as other than the fact that it is great for blasting and head banging to, the chorus does talk about this common topic of possible unrequited love and the lengths to obtain such acceptance/reciprocation.
Another song that easily stands out in this album is "Hourglass". As the only acoustic track in the album, it is a rather nice welcomed break from all the tubthumping and full-on musical assaults. Again, it's a nice contrast to their very direct lyrics as it, in a way, allows you to fully listen and take in the words Van is singing. [This is also an excuse to post a video with Ewan McGregor]
All in all, though this album may not be a trail-blazer in any way, it does show that this band knows their target audience well, and that good music is ageless. I do hope they do well as I'd really like to see how their whole career would pan out.
Dan out.
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