Wall of Arms [Import]

The Maccabees | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 12, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B001TH7AB0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,496 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Love You Better

2. One Hand Holding

3. Can You Give I

4. Young Lions

5. Wall Of Arms

6. No Kind Words / Bag Of Bones[Part A]

7. Dinosaurs

8. Kiss And Resolve

9. William Powers

10. Seventeen Hands

11. Bag Of Bones [Part B]

Editorial Reviews

International pressing of the 2009 sophomore album from the quirky Britpopsters. Wall Of Arms retains all the energy and passion that made The Maccabees fan favorites first time round but is a huge leap forward creatively. Paired with the Arcade Fire producer Markus Dravs, the album introduces horns and keys to their signature staccato guitar attack. The tonality of emotions explored and broad expanse of space the songs inhabit is breathtaking. Includes the single 'Love You Better' and 'No Kind Words'. 11 tracks. Universal. 2009. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darker and still lovely!, July 17, 2009

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Wall of Arms (Audio CD)

Seeking a darker, more mature and widescreen sound, UK quintet Maccabees sought out producer Markus Dravs (who has worked with Coldplay, Björk and Arcade Fire) for their sophomore disc. Loads of nice harmonies, horns and more mature lyrics.

That chirpy Brit Indie sensibility that so endeared them to listeners on their first album is still present here; opening cut "Love you better", "One hand holding", the exuberant "Dinosaurs" (marching beats and a nice horn section - out go their playful lyrics and in are lyrics like "I keep this pillow, it's such a poor substitute for a soul"), "Kiss and resolve", and the simply beautiful "William Powers" are fun bouncy songs (as is much of the CD), but we also have songs like the mellow jangly and scratchy "Seventeen hands" or closing floating Hymnal ballad "Bag of bones" which wouldn't sound out of place on Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" (and is actually based on the closing coda from "No kind words").

Other standouts are the "Young lions" (which despite a bouncy beat still manages to sound somber) and the galloping title track "Wall of arms" (with nice chiming guitars and darting horns), but the real showstopper is the simply awesome "No kind words". It is sinister sounding, and reminiscent of a darker Depeche Mode. It shifts mood in the flick of an eye starting off throbbing and downbeat, picking up tempo towards the final minute and a half before going out in a gentle piano coda.

Such a great CD which just gets better each time I listen to it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Creative and Addictive album!, March 7, 2011

By 

liz4031 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wall Of Arms (Audio CD)

I discovered this band after hearing them on "Mumford and Sons and Friends" on BBC radio (over the internet). I hunted high and low for this album, then realized it wasn't released in the US. I can't believe it- it would do so much better in the US than their first album Color It In- especially being produced by Marcus Dravs who also produced Arcade Fire's Grammy winning album, and including some of the horn section that they used on their album.

This album has such a fuller sound than their previous, very creative guitars, and addictive bass and drums. The lyrics are more mature, but still retain hopeful yet ironic charms of their last album. This particular release includes the B-sides: Accordion Song (sung by their guitar player Felix White), Hearts That Strangle (sung by their other guitar player Hugo White), Sleep Tonight, Empty Vessels (with Roots Manuva), and my favorite- a cover of the Roy Orbison classic Drove All Night. BUY IT!

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as great as Colour it In...., October 22, 2009

By 

annie to the core "annie" (saltiest of cities, utah) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wall of Arms (Audio CD)

Colour it In, The Maccabees previous album, definitely had something to it that Wall of Arms doesn't. It might be the fresh, unproduced sound with catchy radio friendly choruses it's lacking, but Wall of Arms is still fun, good music.