A week or so ago, I found myself scrolling through the pages over at my favorite blog from across the pond, Outroversion. I found several new bands that I dug and intend to look into further.
One of the bands highlighted by ole Simon was Spokes, a five-piece from Manchester, England. He noted that their new album, Everyone I Ever Met, was tabbed to win Mercury Music Prize next year. And after listening to a slew of songs on their MySpace page, I can hear why.
Simon said they sounded like a better version of Elbow. I’ve only heard one song from that particular British “it” band (“Grounds For Divorce”), but it sounded nothing like Spokes.
They label themselves as “alternative/ambient/pop,” a description with which I wholeheartedly agree. Especially the ambient part. Many of their songs have an almost symphonic feel.
In fact, their debut album, 2009’s People Like People Like You, consists of six long, drawn-out, mostly instrumental songs — only one of which includes any vocals.
But the tunes are so good, I didn’t even notice the lack of words until I was halfway through the album.
Spokes – Young People! All Together
When Spokes actually choose to employ singers, as they did on their second album, they evoke comparisons to Arcade Fire in their manifold harmonies and layers of instruments. The anthemic, almost chanting, vocals also call to mind Los Campesinos!, but in a much more accessible tone.
Infinite Shuffle 
Thanks for checking it out! Grounds for divorce doesn’t sound much like elbow though, it is a great song but the rest of their catalogue is very similar to these guys in my opinion (: rock on mannnn
Comment by outroversion — July 4, 2011 @ 2:34 am
After listening to a couple of Elbow albums, I think you might be on to something.
Comment by assman41 — July 11, 2011 @ 7:13 pm