According to the press release, The Body Rampant’s debut full-length, ‘Midnight Mayfair’, is a concept album set in the fictional town of Mayfair. Concepts can be sort of polarizing and for obvious reasons. Generally, well done, the concept is seamless and the record unhindered – the complete story is for the listener to pull together if they want. So, getting to the point, is ‘Midnight Mayfair’ a great, upbeat listen that moves sweetly from track to track without ever falling on its pretentious ass, or is it another concept record bogged down in its own self-importance?
Fortunately, it’s the former. Sweeping melodies, glorious guitar, and a fantastic bass driven anchor produce a solid album for some easy, head nodding listening. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a soft album – at times it sounds like a cross between Glassjaw, He Is Legend, and The Used, just with cleaner vocals. ‘Storm Bandage’ is a particularly good example of this, a hands-on-heart, body moving, sing-along complete with unstoppable musicianship that carries everything along with a deserved strut.
‘Underachiever’ is a beast with the sweetest chorus the record has to offer. It’s one in a string of excellent, melodic tracks that really just get in there and get those summer juices flowing.
Sadly, once in a while ‘Midnight Mayfair’ does fall a little flat. ‘Ghosttown’ doesn’t pack the same intensity as other tracks. It’s possible to hit the softer nail on the head and still drive it home. This one sort of bends everything out of place and pulled me out of my nice little reverie for a moment. Fortunately though, next is the wonderful ‘Woodland’, a track that really shows off a bit of that aforementioned Glassjaw influence. Given that Glassjaw are arguably (they are, I’m just giving the haters some leeway) amongst the best bands ever to play the game, it’s surely not a bad thing to sound a little like them.
All in all this is a damn enjoyable album. Maybe not the first you’ll reach for or scroll down to but certainly something you’ll enjoy when it comes on or you decide to give it another run. There’s considerable potential here and a lot of potential already well executed. Check this record out. Not everyone will dig it but this is a band worth keeping an ear to the ground for.
4/5
‘Midnight Mayfair’ by The Body Rampant is released 15th July.
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Words by Tom Knott (@nounandthenouns)
