The Barnum Meserve – Broken Window [Review]
Theatrical piano ballads and Nottingham aren’t normally two things you hear in the same sentence, but The Barnum Meserve are doing just that. Before you run for the hills for fear of being subjected to a Coldplay style 3 minutes worth of moaning about being hard done by or African animals, give it a chance as you might just find something here which you like.
Consisting of Leon, Dylan and Paul, the band have managed to create a unique sound which accentuates all of the elements which make up each track, from orchestral arrangements through to raucous screams and powerful catchy hooks. Their latest album, Broken Window, is one which deserves to be given a chance alongside bands of much greater stature, securing the band as one to watch out for on the scene over the coming year.
The album itself is only 5 tracks long, but they’ve managed to cram an impressive amount of power into each of the carefully crafted songs, each one standing out as a moment which is going to not only keep you listening, but also evoke an emotional change leaving you breathless before plunging you head first into the next. Opening with the title track, there’s an immediate sense that these guys have got a plan, and that plan is to bring powerful, melodic music back to the forefront of the scene, and they’re doing it well.
Moving through the album, each track presents a new outlook on life, whether it be the dark and reflective notes of Autumn Park, or the atmospheric approach of She Lies Beneath. Combining all of the key elements of progressive rock and atmospheric ‘Sigur Ros’ like sounds for Envy Is a Rose leads you to the final crescendo of If You Had A Heart It Would Be Made Of Glass, finishing the album on a high and leaving you clawing for the rewind button to go through it all again.
As an album, this is testament to the sentiment that you don’t need distortion or overdrive to create a sound which is massively powerful, The Barnum Meserve have managed to achieve it simply through their musical and song writing ability. There’s bound to be people out there who say that this is another ‘indie’ style band doing what’s been done before, but give it a listen and you’re going to be treated to 5 fresh sounding tracks which will leave you wanting more and convert you firmly to the ranks of the band.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Photo: The Barnum Meserve
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