Maximo Park - The Night ILost My Head/The Coast IsAlways Changing

Tue 1st Feb, 2005 in Music Reviews

Maximo Park’s double A-side The Coast Is Always Changing/The Night I Lost My Head is an example of what happens when a release is almost too endearing for its own good. The poor fellas are already being called everything from ‘art-pop’ to the ‘next big thing’, as well as fighting off comparisons to The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand (personally, I can’t see it).

What is immediately evident upon listening to this 7” vinyl release, however, is that what we have is a fantastic slice of subtly multifaceted pop-rock splendour. Simple as that.

The Night I Lost My Head is full of restrained tension, which begins to unravel towards the end of the song, evidenced in the doleful frustration that infuses singer Paul Smith’s vocals. There is something of a new-wave feel to this song, yet along with that comes a sense of perpetuity.  

The Coast Is Always Changing is an exuberant track, thanks to the inclusion of keyboards and changes of pace brought about by guitar and drums.  Again, Smith’s voice is very effective and is perfectly complimented by the soundscape, rather than the other way around.  

This is a bloody great listen, on both counts. Hopefully the five-piece from the lengthily titled Newcastle Upon Tyne will continue to release music as wonderful as this.