Music: The Maccabees
The Maccabees return with a new sound to show it is possible to go your own way
Going from strength to strength The Maccabees are a prime example of a band who have ‘made it’ despite the doomsayers within the media industry who say such things like, ‘is there a music industry?’ and ‘does anyone actually make any money from music?’ They have also proved that the misconception about artists not being allowed to develop anymore is not strictly true. This lack of development policy via label patronage and investment may be a big issue these days, but it is nothing new. In any case artists with fortitude and talent can now blaze their own path.
The industry (and that includes musicians) has always suffered from a dual-paralysis that involves a lack of vision and patience. Since the birth of rock’n’roll itself it has always been this way, and always will be due to the preponderance of inflated egotistical opinions, illiberal prejudices, and a simple lack of good judgement, that hampers true objectivity. Go back in time to acts like Bob Dylan, who was very nearly dropped after his first album due to very poor sales, and the fact that Keith Richards had to be dragged into the studio to record ‘I Can’t Get No Satisfaction’ (he thought it was rubbish…The rest is, of course, history). The Beatles’ story involves a very fortunate meeting with ‘fifth Beatle’ George Martin, straight after being rejected by Decca.
Anyway, I digress. The once Brighton based four-piece have always seemed more in charge of their destiny than most, thanks to a sympathetic management, a talent that goes beyond music to include art in general, an ability to develop musically and to experiment (for instance they have collaborated with the diverse likes of Roots Manuva and the Dodworth Colliery Band) and not get caught in the comforting blanket of their original sound. They also have a hard-working ethos, possess striking good looks, a label (Fiction) who believe in them, and most probably have had a little bit of luck. But then again, who hasn’t? All in all, a lot of pieces to the puzzle, but when it all fits, it fits rather snugly thanks very much.
Their recent album Given To The Wild sounds unlike their previous work – from the angular, teen-boy quiet-loud songs of debut album Colour It In, to this, an expansive, experimental, darker and dreamier record that has impressed critics and fans alike. While not massively successful as yet, sales and fans continue their upward trend. The trick is to take their audiences with them, to take them on a musical/life journey. This is what fans of the best bands do – they grow up with them, go with the ride, to the extent that they will excuse their foibles and occasional musical lapses. The Maccabees have plenty more in the tank it seems.
The Maccabees, Brighton Dome, Mon 12 March, 7pm, £17
