Almost a year ago Jon ‘Reverend’ McClure announced he was quitting music after the next Reverend and the Makers record. And, much to the man’s surprise, a lot of people breathed a sigh of relief. Some (unsuprisingly) even did a bit of light piss-taking. So then he decided to perform a U-turn, in an attempt perhaps to salvage (or create) his reputation. And so A French Kiss In The Chaos, record number two, may no longer be the last we’ve heard from this particularly bandy of angry young Northerners.
The previous Reverends model for album number one was telling tales of booze and women in the witty observant way of Arctic Monkeys et al, in a landscape of pubs, clubs, concrete and 9-to-5 drudgery. But it seems the swaggering and bravado has developed a bit of a conscience, as this album rolls with the times taking in nanny states, politicians, the media, and the ubiquitous anti-war theme.
There’s an unshakable feeling throughout AFKITC that Reverend and the Makers are just a little bit too big for their boots – there’s a tone in Jon McClure’s voice that suggests he thinks he’s some kind of leading authority on life, the universe and everything, which isn’t backed up by his somewhat basic lyrics: “You’re free to do as we tell you/ you’re free to do as we say”.
The horn section does add a bit of depth to proceedings, giving the sound a slightly deeper, more mature feel, but at times the slide trumpet sound can become a little too depressing. The funk influences are also interesting, particularly the bass on ‘No Wood Just Trees’, especially when combined with the Laser Quest sounds also going on in the background, and the cheeky blink-and-you’ll-miss-it middle eight. Middle two, if you will.
The beginning of ‘Professor Pickles’ sounds a little bit like the Doctor Who theme tune (and, indeed, a Doctor Who villain), and for all their lyrical shortcomings, Reverend and the Makers can write a damn good riff. We’re looking at a one listen to three days in the head ratio here.
AFKITC does little to enhance Jon McClure’s reputation, it merely cements it. Reverend and the Makers will never be good as Arctic Monkeys, and sit somewhere alongside Kasabian, but just can’t quite fill those arenas yet. If the band was happy to cruise through along the river of mediocrity as they’ve currently be doing, I’d have no beef. But it’s the fact that they think they’re something special that really grates, and it’s smeared all over the album in an unavoidable way. So Jon, perhaps you should do us all a favour and perform another U-turn.
49%
Reverend and the Makers on MySpace
July 21st, 2009 at 12:49 pm
How interesting that for an album review you only manage to write a handful of scentences about the music. Get a grip of yourself and look past what the media tells you of Jon McClure and you’ll see that actually the album is relevent/interesting/brave/tender/musically brilliant. Go back to school and learn how to write an album review.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:09 pm
RS, the review is spot on. Maybe if the music was worth writing about then there would be more about it in the review. I think that speaks volumes, and says enough without having to go into great detail about how this is yet another album to add to the already awful pile of woe-is-me-northern-working class shite that’s out there.
It winds me up even more when people say they’re going to stop making music and then go back on that, especially when it’s of such a low caliber as this lot.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Oh well, I suppose that the 100,000 or so people who bought their debut album are looking for something a little more than “Unplugged nursery rhymes for the broken hearted” so I guess at least they’ll be satisfied with what is actually a damn fine album. Have you even heard it?!
July 21st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Hahaha, nice of you to make it personal by bringing my own music into it, or at least a statment of my music that is quite obviously not meant to be taken seriously. But hey, that’s fine, we’ll stick with that :)
The difference with me and my music being I don’t go around with the bravado of this guy thinking I’m something special. You may have noticed that I don’t take myself too seriously when it comes to music, and I’m
pretty open about the fact that I’m amateurish at best. Still passionate about what I do, but me and McClure are hardly comparable in terms of music, so that was a cheap shot. Amusing, but cheap.
I imagine if McClure put some though into it he could probably be a great musician, and make a decent record. But for that to happen he’d have to listen to something of worthwhile influence. Instead he’s still dwelling on the fact that he used to be in the Arctic Monkeys, and that shows. Why would I even bother listening to this when it sits in an area of music that I’ve never had any affiliation or connection with? I think I made it apparent with “woe-is-me-northern-working class”. I heard enough of the first RatM album to know that I should steer clear of this. And again, my original post was defending the review, and how it said a lot about the music without actually saying a lot. It wasn’t a direct attack on the album, it was an attack on the band and McClure. So whether I’ve heard the album or not is irrelevant.
I heard enough of the first album to know that I would never want to hear another one of their records. The same goes for Kasabian, The Kooks, The Fratellis, The Enemy, and any other band of that ilk. I detested their first albums, so they’d have to reinvent themselves completely for me to give their Supermarket Indie the time of day.
I’m pretty certain of what areas of music I like, and unfortunately RatM fit into an area for me that I just “don’t get”. Respectively there are bands within that area that I can see how people like. It just so happens that RatM aren’t one of them. They’re a second rate band of countless other second rate bands. That’s my issue.
And if you think that record sales makes for good music then we have nothing else to say. That’s a completely flawed and ridiculous theory, given the amount of shit out there that shifts thousands. It also means you are then over looking every other genuinely decent musician in this country, and elsewhere, that doesn’t sell anywhere near as many records as McClure.
July 21st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
1. A French Kiss in the Chaos is incredibly different to the first album.
2. They are actually individually outstanding musicians.
3. You have no idea what McClure’s musical influences are and to be honest if you knew I think you’d be quite surprised.
4. If you weren’t so blinkered you might realise that much of their music isn’t actually about being working class or northern (although what the fuck class and geographic locality matter I’ve no idea!). The lyrical content of the first album refers to many issues faced by many people in all walks of life. I’d tell you to listen to the new album but you’d no doubt just hear the northern accent and continue with your assumptions in a similar predjudiced fashion.
Oh, and Jon was never in the Arctic Monkeys.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
RS, are you by and chance related to Mr McClure?
it really baffles me that even though we publish some of the finest music writing around, from some of the most gifted young (and not so young) music scribes around – it’s always these sort of comments that crop up.
read the fucking website man, maybe take in a few recomendations that we offer instead of getting your knickers in a twist over a review of a band that don’t deserve this kind of fuss. what is it with fans of kasabian, reverend, the enemy, the fratellis etc etc that brings out such silly behaviour.
1. A French Kiss in the Chaos is incredibly different to the first album.
NOT FROM WHAT I’VE HEARD
2. They are actually individually outstanding musicians.
SO IS MY MUM. IT DOESN’T MEAN SHE COULD WRITE A GOOD POP RECORD.
3. You have no idea what McClure’s musical influences are and to be honest if you knew I think you’d be quite surprised.
THIS MADE ME LOL.
4. If you weren’t so blinkered you might realise that much of their music isn’t actually about being working class or northern. The lyrical content of the first album refers to many issues faced by many people in all walks of life. I’d tell you to listen to the new album but you’d no doubt just hear the northern accent and continue with your assumptions in a similar predjudiced fashion.
I’M BORED NOW.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I’ll make this easy for you. Here’s my last.fm profile:
http://www.last.fm/user/emographer
Look at it and tell me whether judged on what I listen to I would genuinely like Reverend and the Makers? Especially given that I have given them a chance in the past. And don’t take that as an invitation to say “Well it’s quite clear you only listen to wet, twee, folk, electro, post-rock, etc.” because I already know that.
Even if this album is “incredibly different” to the first one, I still have no desire to listen to this band (and a little doubt about such a statemebt). Ever. Why would I? I DIDN’T LIKE THEM THE FIRST TIME AROUND! Their bravado, their attitude, or their music. You like them – great! I don’t – great by me. I had opinion, whereas you seem to be preaching. I’m allowed to dislike a band. I’m pretty sure if everyone liked Rev and the Makers the world would be a really dull place. And I’m pretty sure if everyone like my music this world would be a horrible place. Plus there’s a review up above that already gives me enough reason to think I’ll enjoy this as much as their first record.
I have no doubt that the band are great musicians. They just happen to be great musicians making not so great music. Again, that’s just my opinion. That’s allowed right. Look, I’m trying to be as constructive as possible here. You just seem overly tetchy about this, and I’m not here to ruffle feathers.
And yes, you’re right, I don’t know what McClure’s influences are, so please enlighten me. Because if I were to go by the sound of Reverend and the Makers, I reckon I could hazard a guess. But to be fair I’ve probably already made that assumption, and quite possibly a wrong one. So please, let me know what he listens to.
Okay, I admit, it’s a little lazy of me to assume that this band follow the likes of The View or The Enemy in singing about upper-working class life, and the struggles of suburban mediocrity. But apparently it’s not just me that’s so blinkered in thinking that: “The previous Reverends model for album number one was telling tales of booze and women in the witty observant way of Arctic Monkeys et al, in a landscape of pubs, clubs, concrete and 9-to-5 drudgery.” So you can forgive me for jumping the gun?
As for being prejudice against the working class or the north in general, you couldn’t be more wrong. My reference to that was down to the current trend of bands singing about such “troubling” things as having to do a days work, heaven forbid! Again, see above.
And finally, McClure’s northern accent has nothing to do with me not wanting to listen to Rev and the Makers again. In fact that’s just ridiculous, and quite frankly insulting that you would think that. I think I was pretty clear with why I was referencing the north, and you’re reading things completely out of context. I listen to a lot of Scottish music. A hell of a lot. If I had a problem with accents, especially northern, then we’d have a problem there, wouldn’t we? Plus my Glaswegian mum would have beat the crap out of me for having such views. So you can sleep soundly knowing that I have no issue with the north, or its collection of accents.
As for my lack of Arctic Monkes knowledge, I’ve revoked my fan club membership, and I’ll be sending my Arctic Monkeys fun pack and badges back to the club president, citing “Confusion of former Arctic Monkeys members” as a reason.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I’m not related in any way to McClure, I am however passionate about music as a whole, no exclusions and I’m certainly not an indie fan, I give things a chance. If i don’t like it fine, someone else will, I’m not gonna go around telling people which artists are, in my humble opinion, shite. Live and let live I say. In my opinion, Reverend and the Makers don’t deserve the bad rap they got, especially when the musical review was secondary to the character assasination.
Get off your elitist, musical high-horse, idiot.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Thanks for such a constructive comeback…
July 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Well as for Reverend and the Maker’s popularity, I believe got this album to review because no one else on the site wanted to review it, so make of that what you will. Yes, this album may be about some
important and complex issues, but that doesn’t automatically make for important and complex songs.
As for character assassination, I wonder how many of those who call themselves fans of Reverend and the Makers could actually name more than one member of the band? Jon McClure makes it his business to be outspoken and in the limelight, and what the media tells me of Jon McClure is only what Jon McClure has told the media.
But there is a huge market for this kind of music, undoubtedly. Luckily, like Mark, I’m not it :)
July 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
As a big fan of R&TM i could quite happilly name all the members, current and former. But it is Reverend and the Makers. How many casual fans of Bob Marley and the Wailers could name a Wailer?
As for comparisons between the first and second album, the first was primarily electro-pop about social issues in the UK. The second is a whole mixture of sounds, pretty much anything but electro-pop, about politics, love and life. The songs on the second album were written differently to the first as well. The first had a lot of collaborations with Jon’s primary input being the lyrics often. The second was almost entirely written by Jon with his acoustic. This has led to songs being structured quite differently.
Influences for this album: the Nuggets compilation and other psych and garage stuff, The Doors, Ennio Morricone, Marley, Britpop (Blur more so than Oasis), Lennon, punk, Caberet Voltaire and much much more.
It isn’t an album that is going to be loved by everyone as music would be dull if everyone liked everything, but it should not be dismissed on the basis of Jon’s rants and hearing Heavyweight Chamion of the World 2 years ago. It is, in my opinion, one of the best albums of 2009 so far.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I think that’s a pretty decent response John, and actually quite insightful. I think I’ve said enough on the matter, and I really wasn’t out to piss anyone off. Each to their own, and all that. At the end of the day, we all love music, and that’s great. We just happen to have different tastes, views and opinions – and that’s what keeps things interesting.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Big fan of the first album, what I’ve heard off the second hasn’t really impressed me that much but I think a lot of people jump on the ‘have a go at Jon Mclure bandwagon’ as he’s very outspoken which is something I personally like about him.
They’re quality live though, even if you’re not a fan I’d say try and catch a gig as that might change your opinion on them.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 am
AFKITC
F*CKIN LUV IT!
July 27th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
The confidence factor is needed in all northern-life influenced bands, as its what sets you apart from the norm… and this confidence is shown live at the gigs they play.
maybe you should see the album’s anthems performed live before criticism, but i doubt that will be happening anytime soon…
July 29th, 2009 at 11:36 am
“But it’s the fact that they think they’re something special that really grates, and it’s smeared all over the album in an unavoidable way.” — load of rubbish
July 29th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Good tunes, decent, intelligent lyrics – never heard of the band before I downloaded the album on a whim, nor indeed the controversy before I read this blog, but giving them the benefit of actually listening to the music I like it a lot.
Has anyone noticed the theme from Clive Mansell's soundtrack for “The Fountain” popping up at several points on the album (eg tracks 2 & 10) ?
July 29th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Good tunes, decent, intelligent lyrics – never heard of the band before I downloaded the album on a whim, nor indeed the controversy before I read this blog, but giving them the benefit of actually listening to the music I like it a lot.
Has anyone noticed the theme from Clive Mansell's soundtrack for “The Fountain” popping up at several points on the album (eg tracks 2 & 10) ?
November 13th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
One of my favourite albums of the year and one of the worst reviews I’ve seen. Doesn’t look like the reviewer spent much time listening to the album having written the review no doubt before hearing it.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:28 am
There’s an unshakable feeling throughout this review that Catriona is just a little bit too big for her boots – there’s a tone in Catriona’s review that suggests she thinks she’s some kind of leading authority on life, the universe and everything, which isn’t backed up by her somewhat basic review.
All joking aside, i have to admit i find it quite funny to see people slagging one band / album whilst telling others to be more open minded to the other reviews on the site.
Music is art and art is subjective, which really makes me feel as though ‘music reviews’ are pretty redundant overall.