Wall of Arms is the most recent album by Brighton-based indie band The Maccabees, I have to say that I haven't heard their first so will be unable to compare to the two in terms of style and quality. The vocals tend to sound like a rather high pitch Morrissey at times but are not that limited and tend to vary over different tracks - it's quite cabaretish in a Divine Comedy way on the title-track. My mind isn't fully made up on the vocals, sometimes I like singer Orlando's voice and at other times find it painfully irritating because it's a bit frantic and whiney like David Baker (Mercury Rev) breaking down at a funeral. Musically, its fairly standard indie ...  Read the complete review

This is a good album for the lads to gear up to before they go out on a Saturday night - it is fast paced and happy - but it is not a masterpiece. Wall of Arms, The Maccabees second album is not something that is going to make you sit back and say wow, but it is pleasant. The band is reminiscent of the sounds of The Strokes, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! The singer Orlando Weeks is probably the most unique sounding member of the band, but the music is otherwise just another in a long line of standard indie bands. The words to the songs are almost indecipherable and hopefully aren't that important ...  Read the complete review

Admittedly after the first couple listens, the album doesn't really do anything for you. However, if you give it some thought and actually understand the elusive lyrics Orlando cries out, then you'l get the maccabees, and realise there not all about jittery teenage guitar rhythms of their last album. like all bands you never really want to see them grow up e.g. Kins of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and The Kooks but for the first time, there music has grown into something more meaningful then before. For example... "Love you better", you listen to it once then cringe every replay, and it leaves you thinking what's the point.. But you've got to understand the ...  Read the complete review

The Maccabees are back with a fantastic new album. Wall of arms is the follow up to thier debut album colour it in, although it's not as catchy from start to finish as thier first album theres no denying a new sence of maturity in the bands writing. At a first listen this album may seem somewhat tame compared to the upbeat fast pace of the first album, but what at times it may miss in that feet tapping pop appeal it more than makes up for with a whole new charm of its own. But before you go thinking that all has changed in the wonderful world of the Maccabees dont worry underneath there still the same band we all know and love. All the wit and clever little lines that ...  Read the complete review