There are probably lots of things that I should be writing about based on the above list of distractions but it would seem that each one seems too broad to cover in the time I have available to get this post up and out before I toddle off to Cannock.
I recently decided that I needed some new music. I enjoyed an almost nostalgic summer music experience, listening back to pretty much every album I had on CD in my journeys across the world or to and from work but I found myself looking for something new. One of the albums I bought was Beacon by Two Door Cinema Club.
For those of you who don't know who they are, visit their website here. Their catchy music has been dotted over TV adverts for the last year, so you probably know them when you hear the right tracks. I was lucky enough to be treated to seeing them live as part of last year's NME tour with my bestest Kassie Fleet. Whilst I had their first album Tourist History in my car for pretty much 3 months solid after that gig I had let them slip from my mind and ears for the whole summer. Then I got an email from Amazon telling me that Two Door were releasing their second album, Beacon.
I took the gamble and pre-ordered it. Which actually makes me wonder why on earth I did that: Why pay for something you want in advance, especially CDs? Economically, you incur a cost to yourself with no immediate benefit, logically the transaction should give you a benefit at the point you incur the cost e.g. you are thirsty, you buy a drink, you drink the drink, benefit realised. Never mind - anyway it arrived...
The album is brilliant - all killer with no filler, which is a massive contrast to other albums I have bought recently. I imagine it was difficult to follow the success of Tourist History - the only other artists who I can think of at this precise moment who smashed a brilliant first album with their second would be The Arctic Monkeys or The Maccabees (who I gather have just been nominated for the Mercury Music Awards; probably nothing to do with me blogging about them though).
There is just something about them which sets them apart from other indie artists. In reality their music isn't that much different from others of the same genre, but the way they bring it all together just seems more like a finished article, almost commercial. I suppose it is this attribute which makes it seem as if it is a guilty pleasure to like them. If you didn't know what they looked like, you could imagine them all in matching suits with slick hair and beaming smiles. In reality they are a are a skinny-jean clad three-piece indie rock band from Bangor and Donaghadee signed to a French label - about as edgy as it gets!
Why I think the album is such a success it is that they have put just the right amount of diversity within the album but stuck to the winning formula from the singles that brought them success off the first album. I imagine they are already, but they should be very proud of Beacon. The lyrics are great and their trademark riff/chorus line combinations work a treat. It genuinely sounds like they have enjoyed bringing this together and sharing it with the world. Lucky us!
My favourite track so far is Sun, which I think is next single release - having given away Sleep Alone as part of a twitter campaign push for the album. Check it out on Soundcloud.
They were great live and will be touring the UK in early 2013, so get your tickets you'll be in for a treat should you go see them.
In short, a Beacon of hope for new music. Original, happy music. Enjoy it x
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