Frivilous Indie Fun
The second of Maximo Park's sold out gigs here at Glasgow's Barrowlands gets off to a great start, Paul Smith recalls how many bands have praised the venue and he has to agree himself and the crowd are bursting with indie pop excitement. From the opener, 'Coast Is Changing', the set moves through old classes like, 'Apply Some Pressure', the ever popular, 'Graffiti' and 'Going Missing', but it's clear that as many of the crowd are here to catch a first glimpse of the new material live. 'Russian Literature', for example is one of the common chants echoing through the hall during every pause.
In truth it doesn't really matter what the band play, as soon as Paul Smith starts to bound across the stage with emphatic gestures and pure glee, his exuberance carries the crowd away. "I'm just trying to communicate", he explains to the crowd after having second thoughts about the cheesiness of asking the crowd to make more noise than last night. Communicating is what Smith does best, be it through his typically oblique lyrics; a mix of references to literature, popular culture and everyday relationships or his leaps and bounds across the stage.
As for material from the band's second album, 'Our Earthly Pleasures' there's plenty to delight in. 'The Unshockable' which Smith comments is moving into funk territory, proves capable of getting the crowd moving, while 'Karaoke Plays' is sure to become a sing a-long and when it finally arrives in the encore, 'Russian Literature' is worth the wait. An old b-side, 'Fear Of Falling' also gets an airing for the first time in years, and goes down great.
Maximo Park's rabid indie disco tunes are an excellent way to lift your mid week blues and accompanied by a stage show that simply sucks you in.