poppedmusic

Too Much Information

Released 3rd February 2014

Somehow I had forgotten about Maximo Park and for that someone should come and give me a good talking to. At the time of its release their last album The National Health didn’t excite me in anyway and I think I even missed seeing them live for the first time in their entire career. I have, luckily, seen and heard the error of my ways and thank goodness because Too Much Information isn’t one to have missed. There’s no waiting until mid-album to pull the punches with the catchy hooks and it’s straight into it with  Well Hello! Let’s do this then.

There are elements of 80s/90s LoFi electronica on Too Much Information and it adds a slightly different dimension to what has been before (check out Brain Cells or Leave This Island for an example of this) There is also some hints of vintage kitsch on the album closer Where We’re Going. The guitar, the percussion all has that 50s vibe about it.  There is also the tried and tested indie jingle jangle clanging of guitars and drums with tracks such as Lydia; a song that kind of just muddles through and doesn’t really go anywhere but those who enjoy the indie-er side of things might quite like it.

I much prefer tracks such as My Bloody Mind.  It still has the jingle jangle style but with staccato phrasing and guitars. It’s possibly my favourite track on the album, at the moment anyway. “A random phrase is as good as any” and if they can throw that into their song well then I’m throwing it in here too. I love the way this track moves through styles so effortlessly from a punky attitude to full on indie jangle and then a pop piano with hints of synth to finish is just delish.

There is no two ways about it, I enjoy a quirky lyricist and Paul Smith doesn’t sit on the fence when it comes to pulling out some odd lyrics or turn or phrase. His songs can take a most unexpected turn and I love that. Really love to hear things that don’t quite make sense, or that paints a peculiar picture; “the bubbles on your nose spill on your summer clothes” … what? who cares?! Midnight On The Hill bubbles (if you’ll excuse the word theft) along in this manner and regardless of the almost nonsensical lyrics it is just a big ball of fun. I’m sure there is a story here but I can’t quite decipher it yet and I can’t honestly say I mind if I ever do.

Too Much Information is, for me, an easy album to listen to, an easy album to get excited about and having already heard some of these tracks live I am happy to report that they add to an already fantastic live set. The tour is going to be great and I can’t wait for it. Long Live Maximo Park and may I never be the idiot who momentarily forgets about them again.

Watch the video for Leave This Island here: