Reverend and the Makers - Mirrors

***

Reflections on the past rather than a religious experience 

Reverend and The Makers are soon to release their fifth album, not sure about you but it came as a surprise to me that they has that many. Not in a critical way just some bands tick along and before you know it they have a decade of material under their belt. They seem to have had the albatross of being known for the hit too of 'Heavyweight champion of the World' but that can be the flip side of a hit early in your career, it is hard to remind people you are about more than that, the 'Creep' effect if you like. 

Well to prove they are about more than that, this album also has a related book illustrated by Horace Panter of The Specials and a version with a DVD whereby every track has it's own accompanying film. Having listened I can see that latter idea working, the first time I listened all the way through I thought it had the feel of a film soundtrack with moments that portray a range of emotions. 

I know this stereotype has been done to death with Indie bands but from the very first track 'Amsterdam' a short track almost like a prolonged intro has a 60's feel that could be said to be channeling or at influenced by The Beatles and their Psychedelic phase in particular. This theme runs throughout the album into second track 'Black Widow' which has bongos to liven things up a bit too.

This is not an album with just one sound though, far from it, there are plenty of different influence and unique sounds on offer, 'El Cebrera' has a Mexican sound and with the film reference would probably belong in a Wild West movie. We hit of Blues Rock with 'Blue' as maybe expected with a title like that I guess, whereas 'Mr Glasshalfempty' is actually quite upbeat considering the title. One thing that stands out to me is that the songs are very short, while not Punky. The average song length can't be much over two minutes with four songs not even making it to one minute fourty, funnily enough these were the ones that stood out the most one the album. And out of these 'El Cabrera' and 'Amsterdam' were two of the best tracks, and I found myself listening to these a couple of times.

The album fades out with 'Lay me down', quicker than I would have expected. I actually found this album quite enjoyable!!!. It was not quite as in the face as I first expected it would be, from the songs that I am familiar with from their previous output. But I think this release is a natural progression for Reverend and the Makers, and I really think their sound has developed. The release had some stand out tracks, and a few that fade not long after listening to them... but that can be said of most albums these days. I think this is an album for people that are already fans of the band... but maybe it could make some listeners check out their back catalogue. But personally enjoyed it and would like to check them out if they were playing near me or at a festival.

Review by Jon Cooper

Check Out! the Video for 'Black Widow' Below...