poppedmusic

Stanleys

A Better Life

Words by Gary Lambert

Stanleys are a band who must be drinking liquid confidence every time they go into the rehearsal room.  Every time I see or hear the band it is like they have taken two steps forward when one would suffice.  Their latest release, A Better Life, is a prime example of that.

From the opening few seconds of A Better Life you can hear the band’s self-belief radiating through Tom Concannon’s vocals before any of the instruments even come in.  It is both bold and gentle, two strands of the helix which runs through the track’s DNA.  By virtue of this contrast the strong Britpop vibe throughout but more like Shed Seven than one of the more celebrated Granadaland bands.

The greatest weapon in Stanleys’ arsenal is though the guitar work which is far prettier and delicate than the expectations of an indie four-piece releasing their second single.  It is this flowing musicality which makes the sky bluer and the day warmer as you listen to Stanleys.

For me, this is an exciting band with exciting times ahead.

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LIVE

31 January The Snug Coffee House, Atherton (Independent Venue Week)

7 February The New Stalybridge Labour Club, Stalybridge (Rock the Food Bank event)

20 March Sound, Liverpool

Listen to A Better Life here