The darn good third album!

Quite a few bands are (at least) failed on her third album. While the first is still something new and unexpected, there is the second usually already struggling to meet the high demands. At the latest with the third party then, many adopt towards irrelevance, the damn third album just. Mention may be made in this context, bands like the Arctic Monkeys, Maximo Park and Franz Ferdinand. To so rapt was expected so the new album of Maccabees, which, as it happens, also originate from just called Britpop boom phase. And quite a few said this album preceded a similar development.

The punished the Maccabees with 'Given to the Wild "lies. And more than that. They were able to surpass their previous two works. While the two predecessors were attractive because of refreshing and carefree indie rock and numerous dancefloor, "Given to the Wild 'darker and (supposedly) be sung quieter tones on. Many songs start quiet, too quiet for fans of the first albums with safety on, only to culminate in a quick-tempered, almost epic finale, as in the outstanding "feel to follow", the best track on the disc. This reflects every facet of this great band: Driving drums, catchy melodies and of course Orlando Week's unique voice. The songs are mainly deeper than before, and so also need several attempts to take full effect.

Only the first single "Pelican" remembers even in parts of the old records and provides as another highlight of the plate. The just mentioned "feel to follow", and the magnificent "Forever I've Known" and "Ayla" sound like a mix of Arcade Fire, The National and the Foals and are proof that the Maccabees musically a big piece have evolved. And ultimately it is for me, what makes a good board.

For me, already one of the contenders for the Album of the Year 2012!