Originally written by Mike Haydock · 12 May 2008
Maybeshewill
Not For Want Of Trying
Label: Field Records Release Date: 12/05/2008
For a generation of people with short attention spans, Maybeshewill are the new Mogwai. They share the same passion for grandiose, mostly instrumental, post-rock epics, but these lads from Leicester don’t hang about, racing through the shifting patterns and powering up to riff-heavy climaxes before you’ve even had time to draw breath.
The diversity on this debut album is remarkable. There’s Sigur Rós-style sky-scraping. There’s 65daysofstatic’s aggression and love of glitching synths. And there’s even the odd dab of metal cribbed from Isis. By switching the styles, Maybeshewill keep you guessing and hooked into what’s coming next - the majestic, jangling riot of ‘I’m In Awe, Amadeus!’ segueing into the crunching power chords of ‘We Called For An Ambulance But A Fire Engine Came’, which dissipate into the delicate, vocal-led ‘Heartflusters’. There’s also the incredible title track: a flurry of guitar licks breaking down as an impassioned Come On Die Young-meets-Fight Club monologue takes over, driving the song towards anarchy.
All of this is incredibly easy on the ear, positioning Maybeshewill as a poppy alternative to post-rock bands that make you work your bollocks off just to be rewarded with a single nugget of prettiness or meaty riffage. We’ve all been there; we’ve all been impatient. Here, everything’s laid out for easy access and instant enjoyment, and you’ll be constantly coming back for more. This full-length introduction to what Maybeshewill can do signals the arrival of a compelling, fascinating talent.
• 8 Mike Haydock's Score