Hello

The Capes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hard Soul Records
• ASIN: B000BHN7RA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,549 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Things are changing very quickly these days. You could call it a revolution, you can call it an invasion – call it what you will, The Capes – alongside like-minded Brits Bloc Party, Maximo Park, British Sea Power, et al. – are rapidly catching the public’s ear. We call it a rescue.

With all the stealth and superhero qualities associated with the band’s namesake, the South London quintet burst upon the scene at a time when the UK music industry had turned a deaf ear to the typically bohemian, sleazy art-rock coterie in favour of sounds coming from northern regions like Manchester and Glasgow. Soon thereafter, however, The Capes and fellow art school chums like Bloc Party, were causing quite a stir.

The Capes’ sound echoes bands as diverse as Blur, The Super Furry Animals, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Beach Boys to Lou Barlow and XTC, meeting somewhere in between at a huge explosion of buzzsaw guitars, squelchy old analog synths and soaring West Coast harmonies.

Meeting at the ultra-cool Goldsmiths College, a hub of art, music and all things creative, Kris Barratt (vocals, guitars), Richie Gladman (keys, guitars, bv’s), and jamming together some tracks in what was to become the embryonic stages of the band. After a little while testing out drummers they brought in an old friend Rupert Phelps (drums) and started gigging. Realising they wanted to give things more sonic depth they soon recruited Cresswell’s younger brother Nick (guitars, keys, bvs) from another band and here The Capes were formed.

The Capes’ low key independent single releases on cult UK label Outafocus Recordings led to plaudits, reviews and plays from the like of the NME, The Times, The Independent and ultra cool Rado 1 DJ Steve Lamacq.

This growing buzz led to interest from US indie upstart Hard Soul Records, which delivered the band’s debut mini-album Taste to the public this summer, and now bring you their full-length album Hello. Power Pop anthems that flaunt barnstorming guitar riffs paired with Barratt’s spiky vocals switch up with surfer-veiled honey-harmonied tracks that slow to cotton-candied sunsets boys secretly want to love.

Put it on immediately and see what they’re talking about. The Capes have come to reclaim pop music from the major label monstrosity it has become, and with their freshman album "HELLO" they nail it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pretty good electronic-indie rock album which manages to be a little different - you'll be satisfied with it - 4.5 stars, January 9, 2006

By 

C. Cross - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hello (Audio CD)

The Capes' "Hello" follows other similar bands like Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand, but they somehow manage to be noticably different. It's the same style, but The Capes' electronic-influenced post-punk/indie rock definitely gives them a unique and different sound (it's not an AMAZING new sound, but it's certainly unique). Like the two bands I just mentioned, they certainly know how to create a fun hook. The singer is actually pretty good here, but he tends to verge on unlikableness and yet calm down when you're almost about to dislike him. He's not great, but he gets the job done (I have no idea who to compare him with, though). The lyrics are actually relatively interesting as they're mostly stories. They aren't the greatest stories ever written, but they're at least fun to listen to on top of the catchy instrumentation. Musically, the production is relatively crisp and clear, and all the songs have a hook of some sort. It's not the greatest album in the world (I give it "4.5" because every song is good and the band sounds pretty different than most other ones out there today), but if you're looking for something to keep you entertained until the next Bloc Party or Franz Ferdinand album comes out, "Hello" should do you just fine. Highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ADC Metrica 'BL' U know who?, February 9, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Hello (Audio CD)

Absolutely fantastic. I have seen them in London UK a couple of times. Great gigs, even for first timers. Always noticably better than the supporting acts. Good, mature and clever sound. As above, the album only has good songs, there are no fillers. Buy it today! Go and see them tomorrow! You will not be disappointed.

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars taste is better, December 21, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Hello (Audio CD)

i was one of the 1st to hear it as my uncle owns the reord company. i think that taste was the better