Album Review: The Subways – The Subways
The Subways
Released February 9th 2015
Words: Stuart Evans
“Indie/Rock Bands don’t last these days, name a band that had a debut album ten years ago and are still going” A friend of mine said that at the weekend and I admit, I struggled. Bloc Party? No, think they are done. Editors? Ahh there’s one. The Subways? No, wouldn’t have thought so. Well, happy to say I’m wrong and this power pop trio’s fourth album is joie de vivre.
The Subways is the sound of a band energised, focused and driven. 12 tracks of driven, guitar led rock that hints at influences such as The Jam Gang Of Four and early Green Day, the latter especially on the track Good Times where Billy Lunn (lead vocal/guitar) implores us to enjoy the sunshine much like his namesake Billy Joe might have done on Dookie.
The album has tracks about heartache and regret Because Of You (Negative Love). It’s a move towards a grown up audience, you can picture Billy Bragg (What is it about Billy’s?) shouting this one, it’s a glorious open letter to a loved one.
The clearest example of Lunn’s new found reflective lyrics can be found on Taking All The Blame; a song that documents his break up with Charlotte Cooper (who shares vocals). Lunn comes across as apologetic “What can I do?/ do you want me on my knees?/ what shall I give?/ one hundred more apologies.”
Lunn’s vocals lay over brilliantly with fellow vocalist Charlotte (who also plays Bass) it’s shiny but still with that raw edge that they have maintained since their debut album.
Self titled albums this far in to a bands career are often seen as a chance to start again (see self titled album by Blur for the clearest example) and this record does exactly that. A bold statement, crunching guitars and a simple time signature on the drums which punches throughout the record, there is a focus on this album which I haven’t heard from this band, there is anger Black Letter there is screamo Twisted Game and In Utero era Nirvana Is That Enough.
The Subways have installed a back to basics policy on this record, and it really does work. Just over thirty minutes high NRG rock, I imagine this album was a joy to record (if not to write). It’s straight put of the traps at full pelt and does not let up. Live it will be a tour de force, and that paves well for them to be the ones to watch at festivals this summer, mark my words.
Young for eternity? Maybe not, but they are band who have lasted ten years and on the basis of The Subways there could easily be ten more years to come from them.
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