Review - Maybeshewill - Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony

Maybeshewill - Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony

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9 out of 10

Only a year on from the astonishing debut 'Not For Want Of Trying'; Maybehewill are back with their second offering. 'Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony' has somehow been written despite the band's vigorous touring schedule which has seen them blitz in every dive up and down the UK as well as across the water - including Japan. Suffice to say, this is clearly a band on some kind of mission.

'Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony' picks up largely where their debut left off. A similar sound and feel, presumably due to the fact the band recorded the album themselves. The record boasts the same mix thundering guitar hooks and blissful electronica; this time however there feels like more of a thread. See, 'Not For Want Of Trying' was (and is) essentially a collection of tracks the band had written over some years; a time including a hiatus and various line-up changes. 'Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony' however, is a much more complete record set against the background of the current recession, and born out of six months of touring their debut LP, this album is a journal of four twenty-something's thoughts and experiences during tough times.

The album is a lesson in how to get post-rock right; like fellow instrumentalists 65 days of Static Maybeshewill blend poignant vocal samples and beautifully engineered musical scapes which really add another layer to the music, and set them apart from the quagmire of post-rock drone out there. The record is direct and to the point. It's equally haunting and uplifting. It's engaging and genuinely begging to be the soundtrack to Armageddon.

I struggle to get across how much I like this band, but I really do. I was apprehensive about this record as I wasn't sure where they'd go next; but they have silenced this critic and awarded the world another awesome and challenging record.

Catch them touring everywhere this June with the awesome '.and so I watch you from a far'. Seriously, do.

Listen: www.myspace.com/maybeshewont

Tracklist:
1. You Can’t Shake Hands With A Clenched Fist
2. Co-Conspirators
3. This Time Last Year
4. Accept And Embrace
5. How To Have Sex With A Ghost
6. Our History Will Be What We Make Of It
7. Last Time This Year
8. Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony