@_Reverend_Makers by REVEREND & THE MAKERS [Review]

There’s been a three year hiatus for Reverend and the Makers – and with this new album, while the working class ethos feels still intact, Jon McLure has chosen to be a lot less fore-front with his politics on the album – opting more for a more upbeat blend of indie-pop melodies and sparse electronics which have a tradition in his home town of Sheffield. Perhaps speaking more with what’s not being said; it’s an album of escapism for the much part. Produced solidly and I mean very very solidly by Youth and Jason Cox/James Dring – but McLures knack of making the poetical out of the everyday that is his talent. Cheap drugs, hedonism and fish n chips.

Perhaps there’s some sort of cultural divide where, here, “serious music lovers” “don’t like dupstep” will raise some eyebrows where a grimey dubstep kind of vibe drives Depth Charge; but I confess to liking the track in it’s context – it totally works and I applaud it’s inclusion here.

The album opens with the dance-floor stomper Bassline, which is about, well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work it out – but it’s a great fun track and an excellent example of the aforementioned solid production. A weirdly mid-paced drum-n-bass-like rhythm drives the single The Wrestler which is yet to convince me, honestly. But the hi-nrg tipping Out Of The Shadows which is about havinga dick-head for a bossand the lo-swing of Shine The Light make up for the odd dud-track.

The atmospheric mid point ballad Yes You Do is a lovesong to McLure’s wife while the pop-step of Warts N All is about posing on Facebook photos. @_Reverend_Makers is a surprisingly fun record. – review by Andrew Tidball

RATING 7/10