Being a huge Maximo Park fan, I was extremely excited to hear that the local lads were releasing their ‘third’ studio album, ‘Quicken The Heart’. I have decided to share my experiences that took place the week of the album release (11th May 2009).

My week started very early on Monday morning. 5am to be exact. I headed to Newcastle (the bands ‘home-town’), to queue up for a wristband to an album Question & Answer session and a signing of the new album by the band which was being held at HMV Newcastle that evening before the band headed off to perform at The Star & Shadow cinema (Unfortunately, due to work commitments, I could not attend). After waiting patiently for 4 hours, I was successful enough to get a wristband to the signing and purchased the album in both a Limited Edition CD/DVD package and on vinyl. I then returned back home to attend college.

Arriving back in Newcastle for the evening event, I was filled with both excitement and a huge amount of nerves (I was finally meeting one of the bands that had ‘got me into music’). The Q&A session was well attended and questions were taken off the Maximo Internet forum and from the floor. They varied from ‘Which song do you like playing live?’, to ‘Where did you go on holiday as a child?’. Each of the members answered the questions in a very polite and truthful manner, however some members did have more to say than others (Paul Smith)… It was great to get a deeper insight into one of my favourite bands. As the band don’t normally do ‘Q&A’ sessions, they decided to do what they are ‘good’ at and treat the crowd to an acoustic version of ‘Questing, Not Coasting’, which is featured on the new album. After this had ended, the fans lined up to get their purchases signed. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to get photos with the band, however I did get a Polaroid of Paul Smith which he happily signed. I left HMV with a huge smile across my face and I looked forward to the week ahead!

As the week progressed, I had the album mainly on repeat and it definitely is a grower. On first listen, I could only pick out a few songs that maintained my interest, however as the listening continued, each song grew on me until I finally decided that this truly is a great 3rd album from a band which has produced such hits as ‘Apply Some Pressure’, and ‘Our Velocity’.

I have decided to write my own track-by-track album review for those who haven’t yet purchased the album and what to expect: (1) ‘Wraithlike’ – At 2:30, this is the shortest song on the album, however this organized racket is the opening track. Using sirens it’s messy, however it starts as a great opener in true Maximo style. In a way it works well with ‘The Kids Are Sick Again’, interesting but still a hint of indie.

(2) ‘The Penultimate Clinch’ – Repetitive yet true Maximo style. It’s about a relationship coming to an end, however, for us, ‘Quicken The Heart’ has just begun! Not the best track on the album, however it is better played live.

(3) ‘The Kids Are Sick Again’ – Being a student, I’ve always had the feeling of ‘the comforting ache of the Summer holiday’, I can relate greatly to this song. This is an interestingly tense song, with a build up to the whole band lending their vocals to the song’s ‘only’ chorus. A true anthem for the younger generation, which I feel epitomizes growing up.

(4) ‘A Cloud Of Mystery’ – This is certainly a grower. One of Maximo’s ‘dancier’ songs on the album, the bass and dirty synthesizers drive this song along. The Middle 8 is certainly a highlight of the album for me, is this a sound of things to come? It worked with Franz Ferdinand (Tonight: Franz Ferdinand). Certainly a song to ‘Quicken the Heart’… (5) ‘Calm’ – an ambient song to rival that of ‘Going Missing’ (from ‘A Certain Trigger’). The guitar and sweeping keyboard parts work well, definitely a song for relaxing in the sun. The climax of the song is definitely a highlight, the build-up sets a great mood for ‘In Another World (You’d Have Found Yourself By Now), however, don’t be fooled, this is no filler!

(6) ‘In Another World (You’d Have Found Yourself By Now)’ – A punchy song filled with metaphors and straight-forward bitterness. Paul Smith’s vocals lend themselves perfectly to this song. ‘I’m gonna come over there and wipe that smile of your face’. The lyrics are said with so much passion that the music echoes this egotistical tune.

(7) ‘Let’s Get Clinical’ – Filthy lyrics about circumnavigation (of the body, north to south) and a distorted bass. The song seems to drift perfectly from section to section, this shows off fantastic production and maybe one of the reasons, this album has been a while in production. Definitely a highlight of the Park’s live set and one of the albums instant classics. Again, Paul’s lyrical talent shines through.

(8) ‘Roller Disco Dreams’ – This is the closest Maximo get to sounding like that from ‘Our Earthly Pleasures’, again a song about relationships. The chorus is a highlight of the song and, in my opinion, the song shows off Duncan Lloyd’s guitar skills.

(9) ‘Tanned’ – One of my favourite songs on the album. I saw them perform this live in Germany (Hurricane Festival, July 2008) and even then the crowd went wild for this song. Again another song about sexual intercourse (Lets Get Clinical being the first), dreamy synthesizers and a brass section can be comparable to that of David Bowie. The ‘ooh-ing’ and arpeggios (similar to that of ‘Limassol’ from A Certain Trigger) at the end of the track are ‘out of this world’. One of the songs that you will put on repeat for days to come.

(10) ‘Questing, Not Coasting’ – This song sound much better when performed acoustically. Another interesting song with an oversized chorus. This song builds up gradually until it bursts at the seams, ‘Thanks for coming back’. 

 (11) ‘Overland, West Of Suez’ – The beginning chords sound like that of an old-school game show, however don’t be fooled. There is lots going on in the background of this song and extremely distant of Maximo’s earlier songs. ‘You found your target and took aim’, with tracks like this, Maximo are going in the right direction. Again, a fantastic Middle 8 and Duncan has created some fantastic riffs that lend themselves effortlessly to the song.

(12) ‘I Haven’t Seen Her In Ages’ – I can’t stop listening to this song, another favourite for me. Maybe even one of Maximo’s best songs in a while? Rivals that of album closer ‘Kiss You Better’. A nice way to chill out after a race through a very short album. The backing vocals work fantastically in this track, echoing that of a relationship long ended. This would work well as a single release and a crowd pleaser, similar to ‘Books from Boxes’.

Even though this is a relatively short album, ‘Quicken The Heart’, still has some great Maximo songs on it and it hints at hopefully another new direction for this ever-changing fantastic band.

I was then lucky enough to attend the second night in Newcastle of a sold-out tour to promote the new album (Thursday 14th May 2009). The Gig took place at Newcastle 02 Academy (formerly Carling Academy), and the crowd were treated, as always, to a fast-paced crowd-pleasing set from a band which never fails to deliver. Unfortunately due to Duncan’s guitar being stolen the night before, there were plenty of Police officers around the venue, however this did not effect the band in any way. Hopefully, Duncan will get his guitar back!

Support came from {Stricken City} and an awesome set provided by The Noisettes. These bands warmed up the audiences for the headline act. Maximo Park arrived on stage just after 9.15. I was lucky enough to take photos of the band so half the time of the gig was spent in the photo pit. The gig was fantastic in which the band stormed through a mixture of both old and new. Obviously the crowd went wild for the old songs, especially those from ‘A Certain Trigger’, however it was nice to see the crowds reaction to songs from ‘Quicken The Heart’. Sadly, Maximo didn’t play one of my favourite songs, ‘Graffiti’, but luckily, there is always next time! (T in the Park and Leeds Festival).

Maximo Park played (in order): The Coast Is Always Changing, Wraithlike, The Penultimate Clinch, Our Velocity, I Want You To Stay, The Kids Are Sick Again, Overland, West Of Suez, Books From Boxes, Going Missing, Let’s Get Clinical, Nosebleed, Tanned, Unshockable, Roller Disco Dreams, Limassol & Girls Who Play Guitars. I Haven’t Seen Her In Ages, Questing, Not Coasting & Apply Some Pressure And with that my week drew to a close. I have loved the week, and I hope you have enjoyed reading my experiences as much as I enjoyed living them. I can’t wait to see Maximo Park play this Summer at various festivals, hopefully they will not show any signs of slowing down just yet. Mon The Park!

By Justin Ramsden