A Certain Trigger

Maximo Park is going places. No way around that. They're songs are infectious, witty, energetic and heartfelt and they lack the overly-pretentious lyrics of some of their contemporaries. Lead singer Paul Smith's heavy accent lends a more down-to-earth quality to the songs and his charisma drives the record. The band is even more wonderful live, performing with as much bouncy enthusiasm and talent as you would expect upon hearing the record. This is my favorite CD of 2005 and I can only hope Missing Songs lives up to Maximo Park's fantastic debut.

One of the unheralded albums of 2005! So good, it might trigger goosebumps, ear to ear smiles, head bopping in traffic, and intricate dance moves in living rooms across the world. Well produced polished song writing, with the uncanny ability to stay fresh throughout the album and sound, dare I say "original". This band will be nipping atthe heals, and quickly over taking the lime-light from Bloc Party and Kaiser Chiefs. Essential. On par with Franz Ferdinand, and The Futureheads awesomeness! Essential.

This album first came to my notice in October 2005,when it had in fact been released earlier in May. I had seen Maximo Park on Jools Holland's "Later" and enjoyed their performance. They seemed to stand alone amongst other pop rock/art rock bands. I thought I would like to purchase their debut CD "A Certain Trigger" and I finally did so in the early autumn, not knowing what to expect. I was unsure whether I would even like the tracks.

How wrong was I?? From the moment the CD hit my player I was instantly hooked by the opening drum and guitar bars of the first track "Signal and Sign."

This anthem to changing life direction and getting motivated awoke my interest and lit the blue touchpaper for the rest of the album. Definite and direct,it sets the tone for the other twelve songs on the album.

From then on I never looked back. There isn't a dull,dud or depressing track on this album. It speeds along with the urgency of a train heading to its destination. It has a message for everyone.

Frontman Paul Smith has a distinctive rock voice. It is one that HAS to be listened to. At times it can just border on the light operatic,and there is plenty of melody there. Emotion runs high throughout his vocal delivery and as for his Geordie accent,it adds masses of charm and at times lends a dangerous edge to the words and music.

The second track "Apply Some Pressure",urges the listener to rethink,if things in life go wrong. Good advice indeed. The keyboards chorus is a very catchy one,with jangly piano chords,backup organ and a driving guitar and drum rhythm. This track was released for a second time as a single in the autumn of 2005,I feel it should have got higher than No.17 in the Top 40, but it didn't happen.

"Graffiti" is rather more obscure. There's a political slogan in there somewhere,but the gist of the song could be over most folks' heads. However,Paul's voice is as listenable as ever,returning to the recurring theme of provincial boredom and personal daring.Intriguing stuff.

The fourth track "Postcard Of A Painting",is quite a moving one.The singer is lamenting the loss of a love. Sheer exasperation at the one-sidedness of the relationship comes over and the hopelessness of the situation is evident.

I felt much sympathy for the loser in love in this song.

The next track "Going Missing" is wonderful. Ringing guitarwork accompanies the chorus and again we feel the sadness and loss exeperienced by the singer. Will he get another chance? It's looking very unlikely.

One to bring tears to the eyes,but the upside is that the chorus is immensely singable.

"I Want You To Stay". This is my joint favourite with "Once,A Glimpse". THIS ONE STRIKES A CHORD. It's bittersweet,angushed and sad. But there's not a jot of depression in this track. In fact the lines of the song send shivers down the spine. The writer of these lyrics cannot forget THIS love. She lingers on in his memory......can he let her go?

The remaining seven songs on this album are all unique,particularly "Acrobat" with its dramatic spoken word section by Paul "The sky is often used as a metaphor....."

and is theatrical and compelling. It came as a big surprise the first time I heard it,in fact,and is very moving. The listener finds himself entrapped in emotion in this song,which eventually fades. It is theatrical and compelling.

The last track on the album "Kiss You Better",jumps out off the player with a lighter pace. Quite a jolly final cut-don't get me wrong-not that the previous songs are in any way miserable.

They're far too intelligent for that.

The song ends abruptly,on a strangely satisfactory note.

Well there it is. I can't add more. If you haven't already bought "A Certain Trigger" in 2005,make sure you at least give it a listen and a chance. Its songs will steal their way into your heart and leave your ears wanting to hear more from this remarkably talented band.

I recently learnt that sales of this album had gone past Silver in 2005.

In my opinion,they should have been pure gold.

Submitted by Juliet R

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