Maximo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures Warp

By Gillian Couch

This is a delight awaiting those of you who loved Apply Some Pressure and Graffiti, and have probably already become acquainted with the forthcoming single Our Velocity from this, their second album.

Our Earthly Pleasures was helped along the way by producer Gil Norton (of Foo Fighters and Pixies.) As a result the album demonstrates the potential of this talented 5-piece from Newcastle. The tracks flitter between heavy and seductively sinful to the intriguingly melodic.

The sentiment of the album seems to be for people to express themselves without worrying how other people will judge them. This is particularly evident in Girls Who Play Guitars and Your Urge. The energetic pace and urgency of Russian Literature make it a dramatic but somehow beautiful song. The album combines irresistible vocals and revolutionary rock to create a sense of freedom and release from everyday life. Play it lots and play it loud.