St Jude Released April 7^th

I’ve always loved a band that gets people’s backs up for some reason or other, no idea why, it’s just the way it is. So after being more than impressed with what I saw in Swansea at Sin City a few months ago and reading the initial reactions to their debut record “St Jude”, The Courteeners have done more than tick all the boxes.

The Courteeners were put together by Fray in 06 and I’m sure will soon become another much followed addition to the quiet (until now) Manchester music scene. This is a band that will cause a stir and they have been for a while before the release of their debut. “Cavorting”, a track about the nightlife in clubs through the eyes of Fray was released in 07 although no copies actually went on general sale as all were snapped up on pre-order.

Anyway, this record does ring the “Libertines” bell at times and some of the “jingle jangle” guitars may appeal to the Arctic Monkey’s listeners but as a record, its a  belter and will probably be one of the most talked about of 2008, for all the right and wrong reasons I’m sure. Fray’s ability to get away with lyrics is second to none, “How come you’re always off your head? And yet you still end up in your bed with some mint blonde I’ve never seen before? And you get away with kicking her face first out your front door”. Now, you’ll probably be contemplating perhaps not playing this record whilst enjoying a night in with your lady friend and a discounted bottle of vino, but for some reason they get away with it, not sure how but they do.

“Bide Your Time”, Liam’s spot on rant at holidaying abroad and having to deal with the usual drunken idiots is one of the stand out tunes on the record and will be gracing the charts as a single for sure. “Not Nineteen Forever” is a single that will get The Courteeners in our faces for the next couple of weeks, good high energy riffs and working class lyrics. “Fallowfield Hillbilly” is probably one of the best on the record; lyrically it’s a cracking stab at the “too cool” kids who stop liking tunes just because now more than two of their mates have the same button badge. Musically it’s a real aggressive, beat heavy stomper that’ll go down a treat in a sweaty sold out university gig.   

There’s a real working class feel to this record so if you like your music down to earth and full of confidence this will take over your ipod or record player for the foreseeable.

Hats off to the boys…

by Neil