Maximo Mellow Out ...

At first listen, we can't say we were completely sold on Maximo Park's new single, Leave This Island. However, now that we've given these guys a bit more of a go, and the fact that we can't help but adore the vocal of Paul Smith, we've somewhat changed our minds and, whilst it is a massive change from our favourites of theirs, and indeed their last effort, The National Health, we're quite excited to hear the new bits and pieces they'll have on offer.
The first thing you'll notice is that this is a particularly more mellow sound from the band that bought us Our Velocity and Books From Boxes. There's somewhat of a melancholic feel to it all, and the video doesn't really help to make you feel much better ... however, we'd like to think that, despite considering this one a bit of a grower, you won't immediately palm it off and never listen again.
Paul Smith, fortunately, has a way with his tone and diction, that really makes us want to listen all over again. Like a bit of a Northern lullaby, we can't help but become a bit infatuated with this.
If you're looking for it to immediately jump up and leap out at you, you may want to think again, and we feel like this may be the reason we didn't immediately fall in love, though, the more we listen to it, the more we think they've done a stella job and ... in fact, the way they reinvent themselves every single time is something of a spectacle to admire.
We think there's a bit more life in the old band just yet and, with an open mind, we're sure you'll find this beautiful new single, though subtle, another absolute corker that shouldn't be passed up.
Paul.