Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix

‘Fix’ is the third album from Bombay Bicycle Club, and if you’ve been following me for the past 3 years you’ll know how much I like them. Their debut was my favourite album of 2009 and the second album, the acoustic record was my number 2 (topped only by Delphic’s debut). Their 3rd record represents yet another transition and although is a return to the electrical guitar based sound on the first record, it’s definitely a development.

Instead of the guitar riff sound on the first album, the presence of synthesizer and pedal loops is much more prevalent on this record as is the inclusion of Lucy Rose on backing vocals, who only serves to strengthen BBC’s sound even further. She made Flaws the record that it was and she also makes ‘Fix’ the album that it is. Her voice perfectly compliments Steadman’s on backing vocals and elevates the record to the next level. Although at times it is easy to get lost in the album, it’s a record that only gets better as you become more familiar with it. Lights Out, Words Gone is easily a contender for song of the year.

Favourite Songs - Lights Out Words Gone, Shuffle, Leave It, What You Want, Still

I missed something from my last post, I knew I would… ¬_¬.

Anyway, the new BBC record is real good. As per usual, it’s nothing at all like it’s predecessors, and they just keep evolving. The new album, having more akin with The Stone Roses than the Editors/Interpol/Libertines(ish) sound of the first album. Instead of eclectic guitar riffs and guitar chord choruses, there’s a much more laid back rhythmical approach to every song, and if you’ve heard the introducing single: Shuffle, much of the album goes by the same hymn sheet, but this is not to say the album becomes wishy washy and falls into the pitfall of each track sounding exactly the same as the previous, because it doesn’t, each song maintains enough individuality to make it stand independent from the previous. It doesn’t top Foster The People for album of the year from me, but it’s another solid effort from a band whose music continues to sound almost as strong as their debut, but for me ‘I had the blues…’ is arguably one of the best records in the past 10 years!

hmvofficial:

Bombay Bicycle Club ( @bombaybicycle ) - hmv ‘My Inspiration’ poster

The boys of Bombay Bicycle Club chose a lyric from the track After Hours by the band A Tribe Called Quest as their inspiration.

Their new album A Different Kind Of Fix was released this past Monday, do you have your copy yet? What do you think?

I have my copy but haven’t played it yet, the only problem with not having a car any more is that I have no time to play CD’s!

Just pre-ordered this. Very looking forward to giving a listen and a watch when it lands on my doormat after the 12th July.

I’m going to this tonight, the Birmingham date, obviously. Otherwise i’d be too late or too early.

Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose

I’ve already vented how I feel about this album quite alot already, which you can read here so I’ll avoid going over old ground…

This for me was the best record of 2009 for the following reasons:

1. The entire album flows perfectly from the opening song to the closing. At no point does the record die off, even at ‘Always Like This’ which in comparison with the rest of the record, bar the final track, is one of the slower ones.
2. This was the most refreshing and uplifting sound I had heard in a very long time. The whole ‘nothing new’ argument could still apply because of the “jingly jangly” guitar riffs mixed with good old fashioned indie rock riffing, but Jack’s vocals are amazing, and it seems to knit everything together perfectly making the whole record sound fresh and original even if it does take shades from other bands
3. Every single track has the ability to carry it’s own as a single release. There seriously isn’t a weak song, or a filler song on the entire album. Even the closing track ‘The Giantess’ which is a slower, live session recording could hold it’s own.

I could probably go on, if I sat here all day and thought of things, but I think I’m in danger of waffling on too much.
I cannot stress how good a record I think this is, it seems to have captured perfectly the live spirit of the band and produced the most catchy, enjoyable album I’ve heard in a very long time. I hate it when reviewers compare bands to other, more established acts, but there’s shades of Bloc Party, Editors, Interpol perhaps even early Libertines-ish guitar work in here, but instead of churning out the same old Brit-Pop sound, B.B.C. seem to have re-invented it and injected it with a youthful exuberance and made an outstanding debut record in the process.

Favourite Tracks: Lamplight, Dust On The Ground, Cancel On Me, The Hill

Check this out Tumblr. I hardly win anything, like, ever.

Suck itttttt.

This is a long shot, but i’m slightly desparate and kinda hoping someone will ‘tumbl’ upon this…

If anyone wants 2 tickets to go see Bombay Bicycle Club at Birmingham Academy 3 next Tuesday. GET IN TOUCH WITH ME!
Email me: johnny_w@live.co.uk or if your on Facebook get in touch with me there.

I’d well like to go, but after writing my car off a month or so ago, I now can’t get back from Birmingham any later than 10.15 and theres no way the gig is going to finish that early :|

If I dont hear anything today I’m putting these on ebay tomorrow, so yeah if your interested move quick!