Chordblossom
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
Chordblossom
No Result
View All Result

Amateur Historians – New Homes/New Hopes

James Trouton by James Trouton
December 15, 2012
in Music Reviews
Amateur Historians – New Homes/New Hopes

 

New Homes/New Hopes feels like some guys got together and decided to throw their barely tragic stories together and get people to listen to them. On closer inspection there’s serious musicianship in here, but it feels raw, unpolished, and that’s what I love about this EP. Every track here fits that 20-something, angsty indie punk that defines a generation.

ADVERTISEMENT

To me, this is music for regular folk. This EP portrays the Amateur Historians as young, suburban chaps making their way through life, making decisions, and screwing up occasionally. It’s not some rich-boy, classically trained organic crap. This stuff is full of pesticides and you probably will get some chronic, chemically induced illness from it, but heck will you enjoy it.

New Homes/New Hopes opens with some stellar noisy-pop in the form of We’re So Far From The Sea, But You Look Like You’ve Drowned. This track packs feelings about the aftermath of a failed relationship, something that most people have experienced. The Average Joe-ness of this band is really brought to the fore through Chris Curry’s singing – it’s not perfect. But again, I love that unpolished quality here. However, when I feel the track needs to reach a new height with the lines, “Keep saving your graces, I’ll keep taking my chances” what we’re given feels more like a build up to a chorus rather than the big chorus we yearn for.

These Cities Are Stealing My Soul is full of scratchy hooks and heads more towards the Two Door Cinema Club spectrum in terms of music. Chris spits out complaints about his hometown and how he ‘thinks it’s time to leave.’ I’ve a spare room if Portadown’s any better? This track characterises care-free nature of the whole EP.

Arterial Route From Heart To Heart – and the previous interlude – are way way downbeat for this release. Everyone needs a break from the compelling, electric, let’s go break stuff tracks – I understand. This song presents a realistic view on relationships – “It’s hard work but it’s worth every second.”

The Party & the Aftermath urges a partner not to make a drunken mistake that could ruin a relationship. Dreamy guitar licks are a highlight of this track – and of others on the album – as well the relentless drumming of Gerard McCorry.

This EP finishes with what I consider the best track of the five – Let’s Take Some Positives From This. Honestly, I can think of more than a few positives to take from this track and the EP as a whole. Luke Casey propels this track forward with solid and, at times, intricate bass lines. The group vocals are a welcome addition and add something more to grab the listener’s attention. It’s hard to know what exactly the lyrics are referencing, but the lesson here is that no matter how bad your situation, you can save some face and take some positives from it.

Don’t get me wrong when I throw around words like ‘average’ and ‘regular.’ This is a quality EP that shows bags of potential for a young band. The ‘averageness’ comes from the accessibility of the songs. They document situations that are relevant to a lot of people, particularly their own demographic.

◀ STANDOUT ⁞ Let’s Tale Some Positives ▶
◀ SOUNDS LIKE ⁞ Death Cab For Cutie ▶

Leave a Comment ⁞

Tags: Amateur HistoriansDeath Cab for CutieJames TroutonNew Homes/New HopesThe Smiths
ShareTweetShareShareSendSend
Previous Post

Triggerman – Hail to the River Gods

Next Post

Elspeth – The Coax

Related Posts

I Used To Be A Sparrow – You Are An Empty Artist
Music Reviews

I Used To Be A Sparrow – You Are An Empty Artist

February 21, 2013
The So So Sailors – Young Hearts
Music Reviews

The So So Sailors – Young Hearts

December 15, 2012

Recent Posts

Chordblossom Northern Irish Releases of the Year 2022 blue

Northern Irish Releases of the Year 2022: 10 – 1

January 19, 2023
Chordblossom Northern Irish Releases of the Year 2022 blue

Northern Irish Releases of the Year 2022: 25 – 11

January 18, 2023
Northern Irish Songs of the Year 2022

Northern Irish Songs of the Year 2022: 25 – 1

January 12, 2023

Twitter

Instagram

Follow

  • More from King Villain in the Union Bar, with Parker and Slow Healer on Saturday night.

Photos by Jonah Gardner
  • King Villain with support from Parker and Slow Healer at the Union Bar on Saturday night.

Photos by Jonah Gardner

Spotify Playlist

Fresh Music From Northern Ireland

Mailing List

  • About Chordblossom
  • Kickstart
  • Music Reviews
  • Live Reviews
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Photos
  • Fresh Music From Northern Ireland Playlist
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • Mailing List

© 2020 Chordblossom

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies

© 2020 Chordblossom

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT