Blow Your Mind
Having had the good fortune to catch Sixnationstate live a few times this year I was already aware of how easily their songs stick in the head and so it came as no surprise that a good number of the tunes on this, their debut album, were instantly recognisable. The traditional opening track to the live set grabs the attention straight away with it's almost calypso intro. 'Can't Let Go' is a catchy little number that flows really well in the verse before breaking into the sing along chorus. What impresses straight away is the quality of the production, everything is audible without being overbearing and it has a really good feel about it. Sixnationstate have taken indie and put their own twist on it, making it both accessible and interesting at the same time.
The bass on 'Keep Dancing' is likely to make you do just that and as with the opening song there's another hefty chorus on hand. Geri's vocals have a unique quality about them, they are smooth and mellow in the verses but then break out into a raucous rasp in the choruses. The song structures appear fairly simple at face value but it's not until you've given the album a few spins and listened closely that you realise just how much is going on. It's certainly an up beat opening and this continues with 'Caught the Sun' albeit in a more relaxed way. The vocals really get to you on this track, with a softer feel the descending melody adds another string to the bow.
'Taking Me Over' is like Chas & Dave on whizz! The vocals are overtly Londonesque and the shuffle beat evokes images of the cheeky cockneys tapping away. With one of the faster and harder choruses this is already shaping up to be a live favourite and you're guaranteed to find yourself singing this one in your head when you're out doing the shopping. It all slows down a little with the reggae infused 'I Hate the Summer' but they lose none of the groove and if anything, when put in context of the album as a whole, this is probably one of the most accomplished songs on offer here. Half way through the album it's becoming clear that this is a strong piece of work that has real strength in depth, there simply aren't any bad songs on here, which is no mean feat for a debut album. 'So Long' keeps up the tempo but brings yet another feel to the album, a more urgent and driven feel but all the while keeping it held back like a coiled cobra.
Not the ode to Myspace you might think, 'Everybody Wants to be My Friend' is a cynical take on the brown noses of the music industry. Featuring the famous melodica it also sports some big sounding guitars and yet another guaranteed crowd pleasing chorus. Recent single 'Where Are You Now' gives way to the riotous 'Up & Down', which features plenty of opportunities to sing along and the addition of a brass section. 'Don't Need You Anymore' takes it all down a level with some slick backing vocals and a mature ballad feel before 'Blow Your Mind' brings it back up to speed with yet more catchy rhythms. Secret track aside the album is rounded off with 'We Could Be Happy' and happy is exactly what Sixnationstate should be as they've delivered a fine debut album that has plenty going on and enough twists and turns to turn the head of the most hardened indie cynic.