Spokes is another in the long line of bands I had never heard of that I took a chance on and am glad I did. Based out of Manchester, England the quintet's debut full length "Everyone I Ever Met" blends varying influences, from acoustic folk to guitar charged shoegaze, to make for an intriguing listen and ensure this is a band to keep a watchful eye on.
Things get off to a rollicking start with my favorite track on the album, opener "345". If Arcade Fire can get radio play, this is more than worthy of it. Electric guitar and booming drums play a role here, but a tender violin runs throughout as well, just an example of the different styles Spokes can mix within the same song. Choir like vocals propel this one along, a great song all the way around.
Other highlights include the title track which soothes along before slowly simmering into a post-rock-like middle section. It then breaks down into a solo violin before the vocals finally enter nearly five minutes into the track. It's quite the dazzling performance. "Sun It Never Comes" is a brief, but lovely acoustic guitar ballad, "Give It Up To The Night" is another ballad, this time with piano and strings leading the way, and "Happy Needs Colour" boasts the prettiest melody on the album, again with prominent piano and strings.
In a musical landscape dotted with bands that ply their trade in music that covers these genres, it says something that Spokes still easily captured my attention. No, they're not inventing a new form of music here, but they keep things compelling throughout, a very consistent record from start to finish.
"Everyone I Ever Met" was released in the U.S. February 1, 2011 on Counter Records.
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