Not Many Experts

The opening salvo of “Wraithlike”, complete with klaxons, razor sharp guitars and barrelling drums is a statement of intent. Maximo Park, beleaguered heroes of romanticism in guitar music, are not letting their misadventures in the cruel world of the music industry stop them taking over the world, one heart at a time.

Whilst they struggled in parts on the notoriously difficult second album, Maximo Park sound like they have recaptured the frenetic allure of their debut. As a result, they appear reinvigorated and energised, especially on album highlights “The Penultimate Clinch”, “Let’s Get Clinical” and “Questing, Not Coasting”. Paul Smith, in particular, has rediscovered his knack for penning flagrantly brilliant epithets: “I’d like to map your body out/Inch by inch/North to south/And I’m free for circumnavigation”. His lyrical genius is tempered only by a marked and appreciated progression in song writing and variation. “Quicken The Heart” will certainly rupture a few vena cavas but it has resuscitated Maximo Park. Give it a few years, and this album may prove to be the apogee of their career.