Review: Maximo Park @ Manchester HMV Ritz, 06/11/12

“Write a review” they’ve been telling me for years. But guys, “how objective can I be?”(sorry, I couldn’t resist).

It’s hard to think that Maximo Park have been doing the rounds for nearly 10 years now, and when new bands are springing up every week it’s no mean feat to sell out a string of dates across the UK like they have done this month. They’ve shown a longevity that few bands in the Indie Pop sector manage, and judging by the throng of fans that pack out venues not just in the UK but Europe and the US respectively, there’s definitely still a place for their somewhat addictive signature sound.

Refreshingly, you know what you’re getting with The Park. You know it’s going to be loud, you know it’s going to be passionate and you know it’s going to pack a visceral punch. Ringleader Paul Smith never does things by halves, an outright entertainer he gives his all and ensures each and every one of us leave dripping with sweat from jumping around, punching the air and letting go every time we meet. And tonight was by no means an exception; they seemed tighter and more buoyant than ever.

A subtle start, ironically, with ‘When I Was Wild’ soon escalated into a full pelt rendition of the new single and title track to this year’s something of a comeback album ‘The National Health’, and true to form an early appearance of Paul's now legendary scissor kicks. 'Girls Who Plays Guitars' followed, with its killer intro and angular riffs - Smith literally going off like a firework. How apt, given it was the day after Bonfire night.

Interestingly, much of the crowd seemed to be made up of those who have seemingly only cottoned on to the band with this fourth album, and they didn't have to wait too long before they were treated to the song that gained the legion of new fans this year - 'Hips and Lips'. With its nod to techno it's easily their most dance influenced offering to date; showcasing Lukas Wooller's emphatic, quirky, jerky key playing consummately. With a lyric like "the way you stick out your lips and keep your hands on your hips" it was always going to warrant a dance move - and naturally Smith obliged. Think The Time Warp but far sexier.

'Questing Not Coasting' proved a pivotal moment in the set with its intimate, lovelorn verse and commanding chorus seeing Smith on his knees enrapturing the audience with his distinctive North Easterly tinged odes. Tales of the bereft, self deprecation and reminisced conversations concern much of Maximo’s tracks, Paul ever the songsmith (no pun intended) managing to deliver hankering and yearning in the most sanguine fashion.

In a set that spanned their whole back catalogue, old favourites from their debut album ‘A Certain Trigger’ still packed a punch and slotted in with newer material facilely. The warmth of the ever charming ‘The Coast is Always Changing’ is still resonant and the fireball ‘Limassol’ still ignites added vehemence to the room. Recent single; the introverted ‘This Is What Becomes of The Broken Hearted’ provided a slightly more melodic halcyon backed up with ponderous guitars and a blithe rhythm section.

Maximo have always worked in a shrewd nature with multiple layers. They can be enjoyed in a big, sing-along, anthemic manner, but once you look at the lyrics and their subject matter they take on a far more intricate demeanour. Poetic, succinct and allusive, their rallying against modern society and talk of everyday consequential events has always set them apart and lent themselves to the live setting most wholly. Prime examples tonight are the undisputable Maximo anthem ‘Going Missing’ (poignant as ever) and the evocative ‘By The Monument’.

Honourable mention has to go to the all out rendering of ‘Apply Some Pressure’ which saw Smith undertake a speaker stack assault, Lukas mount the keyboard whilst still pounding the keys and the floor go quite literally nuts. Pressure most definitely at optimum levels.

With a zealous declaration from a crowd member that she would pay a pound if they played ‘Kiss You Better’, a quick change to the set-list saw them oblige, much to the delight of spurred crowd. The four song strong encore ended on the affecting ‘I Want You To Stay’ and the juggernaut ‘Our Velocity’, in all its aggressive glory.

With a few having written them off and declared them ‘past it’, Maximo Park have come back all guns blazing, their sheer vigour showing they’re not about to disappear any time soon. There’s definitely life in the old Park yet.

Words: Michelle Lloyd

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