My iPod #277: The Maccabees - Dinosaurs

Being a great fan of "Colour It In", I was a bit disappointed with "Wall of Arms". "Love You Better" was the album's first single. I thought it was.... alright. But it wasn't as fun as "About Your Dress" or "First Love" for example. Then I bought the album from HMV, listened and realised..... The Maccabees were trying to achieve a larger sound with more of an atmospheric production and an expansive sound scape with their second album. The album's producer Markus Dravs worked on other albums which set out to do the same thing. But, unlike The Horrors did at about the same time, it didn't leave that much of an impact on me..... except for "Dinosaurs". If I haven't listened to the album enough, then "Dinosaurs" is a reason why I should "Wall of Arms" another go.

Beginning with quiet guitars with a steady drum roll, "Dinosaurs" kicks into gear when the horns (yes, horns) start blaring out the melody simultaneously with the lead guitar. The brass instruments really make this song shine, making it sound very bright and triumphant. Things quieten down for the verses where Orlando Week's signature whimpering vocals come in, and then slowly build in volume until the main line "Restore this cracked soul" is yelled and the melody from the intro is played again. The song has no real chorus and only a small reference to the song title is made, but that's pretty irrelevant. "Dinosaurs" is very nice. It comes to a climax with the guitar solo in the last 20 seconds, which apparently contains the first string bend in a Maccabees song, bringing the track to an exciting finish.

Still not sure about "Wall of Arms".... I'll see how it goes.