´óÏó´«Ã½

The thing is, I was already sold on the Maccabees anyway. They may make indie music in much the same way that other indie bands make indie music - no boundaries smashed, no guest rappers, no metal - and yet it is palpably better indie music, better in a way which is quite hard to put your finger on. It's guitar-based, it's heartfelt and it's a little bit wet, but brilliant.

That's how they roll, if you'll forgive the pun.

( Easy-peasy cheesy pleasy.)

It helps that they write such stirring, whirling songs as this, with its wailing chorus and clockwork verses, and play them as if performing life-saving surgery on a baby. The infinite care, warmth and tenderness which comes out is light-years away from the cynical, sleazy cool of a Kooks or the terrified permafrost surrounding Bloc Party.

They just seem like such nice boys, is what I'm driving at. Polite, perfect manners, the kind of people you could take home to meet a frail elderly relative, and they would charm them into a rare smile, by offering flowers, and maybe a cheeky hob nob while your mum's back is turned.

These are not qualities which normally cut a lot of ice within the lairy world of pop music, and yet the 'Bees pull it off, such is their unique charm.

Actually, seeing as the music is so charming, maybe they should have offered the video to someone a bit more rubbish? I'm sure they could use the help...

Download: Out now
CD Released: July 6th

´óÏó´«Ã½ Music page

(Fraser McAlpine)

PS: Here's the band rocking Glastonbury. Very well.