This - the second instalment - is all about one of the finest bands to come out of Manchester since the days of Oasis; band of the people, The Courteeners.
St Jude was released in 2008 to shockingly, standard reviews; however the large following picked up through regular gigs and word of mouth generated mass sales throughout the world, and several thousands from underground (a joke about hipsters)
Courteeners filled the gap in the music industry when it was in great need. A proper guitar band with progressively expert riffs, satirical wisdom and break-wrist drums holding it all together, and all with minimal use of effects. This album is one of the rawest around! The renowned sound of the Manc 4 piece is also used throughout television, ranging from Corrie to MotD.
One of the things about St Jude is the fact that it gets stronger and stronger as the album progresses. A hell of a lot of albums start strong, pick up a bit half way in, then decline towards the end and go into a firey pit of utter dog shit... :) This is praise for the producer of the album and the lads for getting the track listing bang on.
This album offers a take on life which many of us can relate to; whether it's a feeling of disdain towards the general public, an ire towards certain members of the opposing sex or simply just an annoyance towards someone because they haven't "even heard of The La's". Come to think of it, this is an album which takes the rage you carry and allows you to bury its head in the sand so you can continue throwing stones at children. An album to fuel your energy. In weather terms, it's heavy thunder.
Who's to say this is a bad thing? Melodic noise is needed in day to do life, if we all went round only listening to The Verve, we'd all be in a visible spiralling depression. St Jude offers an outlet, which not only lets you smash out banging air guitar solos and booming air bass riffs, but allows you to look at everyday life and see the inspiration behind songs by bands like this.
We see numerous sides of Courteeners on this record; obviously, as I've spoken about - the indie rock side, but another prominent part to the puzzle, the beautifully aranged ballad of 'Yesterday, Today and Probably Tomorrow'. This not only demonstrates the softer side to the 'LADs band' but widens their abilities and demographic - and this might be the only acoustic track on the album, but it doesn't feel out of place and is the perfect way to end an album.
If you haven't already, I strongly recommend embarking on the St Jude experience and it'll blow the tripe chart music out of your behind.
Not Nineteen Forever
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