Maximo
Park

O2 Academy,

Birmingham

19/05/09

 

“I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again.’ The unfortunate truth of ‘The Kids Are Sick Again’ ring around

Birmingham
Academy. Third album by Maximo Park, ‘Quicken The Heart,’ somewhat lacks ambition and the reminiscent perspective of much of Paul Smith’s words reflect in the band’s seemed reluctance to progress sonically.

 

That’s not to say that it’s a poorly written record, ‘The Penultamate Clinch’ and ‘Wraithlike,’ to name but two newies, are classic Maximo with all the urgency of passion expected, it’s just that one can’t help feeling that they would benefit from expanding on the kraut / electro glimpses that appear throughout their work.

 

However, this is a live review and the band are respectful to a crowd unfamiliar with an album only a week old with the set formed perfectly to satiate the loyal numbers that pack the Academy wall to wall. A week isn’t really long enough for the subtleties of a ‘grower’ of a record to really sit with a listener, but what is aired from ‘Quicken…’ is received with patient appreciation.

 

The Bowie-esque ‘Let’s Get Clinical’ sexualises the crowd while faves such as ‘Graffiti’ and ‘Monument’ bring the orgasmic rioting to a climax. Paul Smith as a frontman energises every corner of the room and even his signals to the sound man to turn his monitor up, look iconic.

 

Perhaps it will be a while before Maximo Park are back at a venue of this size – their reputation as a live band and tunes as emotionally resonating as you can get without treading on Morrissey’s toes, has stood them in good stead leading them to climb deservedly to third on the bill at this years Reading and Leeds fests.

 

The transition to a super-size Maximo on tonight’s evidence will be a slick one.

 

Andy Roberts