There are certain times in your life when you hear a band or artists record, and immediately feel like you have been transported back to the time when they recorded it, in the room with every last bit of emotion that they have poured out through the mics and amps. Whether this is down to the band or production, or a mixture of both, is still yet to be determined, but whatever it is that makes this happen, it is in spades on The Xcerts debut record, In The Cold Wind We Smile.
Midway through album opener Home Versus Home, it is very clear that you are about to embark on an emotional journey that couldnt be more heartfelt, raw, and superbly honest if it tried. Vocalist and guitarist, Murray Macleods sincere delivery throughout the debut is perhaps the Aberdeen come Brightonians ace card, providing the listener with his most heart on sleeve thoughts and feelings, whilst never coming across as complaints or losing perspective.
That is not to sell the rest of the trio short, or indeed their music, as the backing behind the soaring and memorable melodies is nothing to turn your nose at. The way the band can switch from the quietest moments to some of the noisiest passages is superb, bringing to mind fellow countrymen Biffy Clyro, whilst their natural ear for a melody and what makes a catchy chorus is reminiscent of Texas Is The Reason, Fairweather, or early Hundred Reasons material.
It seems unjust to simply compare The Xcerts to other bands, as they have truly honed out their sound to something that is individual. Though as the album draws to a close it does lose a little bit of steam, with penultimate track, I See Things Differently perhaps better suited midway through the tracklisting.
But to gripe over little things such as this seems slightly cynical for the sake of being cynical. The Xcerts have released the rarest of things on their debut: an album that feels warm and sincere, excellently executed and produced to suit the bands sound, without being overly polished. Its an album that makes you look forward to the next time you can listen to it, and a record that oozes heartache, loss, hooks and charisma. This deserves to be in your collection immediately, because if there is any justice, they will soon be in everyones.John Webber
Uploaded 27 Mar 2009 to Album Reviews
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