Scholars have been on the fringes for a few years now and their eagerly anticipated debut album, ‘Always Lead, Never Follow’, is a huge step in the right direction. Produced by Larry Hibbitt (he of Hundred Reasons fame) and released by the excellent folk at Banquet Records, this thirteen track album is stacked full of hooks, soaring melodies and big break downs.
‘Bad For Business’ isn’t the strongest of opening tracks, aside from a pretty solid chorus riff, but from there the album really kicks on. ‘Rage Concern’ is a punchy and forceful two minutes and its un-mistakenly British vocals are great to hear. ‘Ties’ is equally as impressive with its pounding beat and slightly angular break downs.
Whilst it’s easy to hear the Hundred Reasons influences in the early few tracks – from ‘Damage’ onwards you also get a heavy Billy Talent vibe. It’s the fast pace, the quick lyrics and the yelped backing vocals. It’s a huge track though and probably the standout moment on the album. This continues with tracks such as ‘More Medicine’ and ‘Black And Blue’. They aren’t quite as catchy as the Canadian band can be, however the lead vocals are certainly more palatable for extended periods.
There are a few lulls along the way – notably ‘Scaredy Cat’, one of the older tracks on the album. I’ll credit the band for slowing the pace but it’s a fairly mundane three minutes before eventually bursting into life. In truth though Scholars have treated us to a fairly breathless opening thirty minutes before this and there always needs to me some slack cut on a debut album. By the time we reach ‘Waiting’, with its ghostly backing vocals, this album has been a thoroughly impressive effort and one which should push Scholars onto bigger stages.
‘Always Lead, Never Follow’ is the crowning moment of the last six years for Hemel Hempstead based Scholars and their debut album comes at an excellent time too. Whilst a number of formerly promising UK bands have lost faith in their original guises and changed names and approaches – no one has stepped up and grabbed the mantel for themselves. Until now, that is.
4/5
‘Always Lead, Never Follow’ by Scholars is available now on Banquet Records.
Scholars links: Official Website|Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp
Words by Tom Beck (@HeyMercedes)
