Beat it.
The Beat Maras seem to be constantly compared to the Libertines and Babyshambles if their press is to be believed, but even though these comparisons can be apt at times • this band hark back more to the blissful time before either band existed • taking cues from the source of the sounds that those bands steal unashamedly from; old school 60s pop meets 90s indie fuzz with a present day awkward-jaggedness. They have a very real, fuzzy, raw sound but at the same time seem infinitely more polished, solid and coherent than the Doherty comparisons may indicate and they also have a vocalist with style and the ability to hold a tune together which is always a big plus.
“Bat and the Astral Phoenix” leans heavily on The Doors, especially tracks like ‘Saturday Nightin’’ which has retro cool spilling from every note, and it also moves through nineties indie and alt rock soaking up the atmosphere as it goes • and yes of course with such obviously strong influences it is highly derivative but there are plenty of moments of interest. Thankfully many of the tunes have a healthy disregard for ‘standard’ structure and rhythm, wandering off into moments of jagged riffage and awkward drums, but they keep it all together with melodies that are memorable and catchy and those loose yet ordered vocals.
This feels like one of those albums that’s destined to be a classic, it’s hard to imagine that this band will stay in the shadows for too long • a blast of that eternally popular 60s pop sound, off kilter beats and a live feel to the production practically guarantees Radio 1 daytime coverage.