Album review: Reverend And The Makers - Mirrors
Mirrors by Reverend and the Makers - Credit: Archant
A fresh and sprightly smorgasboard of guitar-based goodness, says Stephen Moore.
They may not have the stature of Pulp, Arctic Monkeys or Richard Hawley, but Jon McClure’s band stand tall among Sheffield’s musical alumni.
Just over 18 months after their last LP, Mirrors is anything but short of inspiration, delving into the stylistic goodie box with refreshing abandon, not to mention tongue-in-cheek humour.
McClure tackles the parenthood dilemma head-on, asking pointedly “Everyone I know is making babies - what about us?” over sunny, crayon-coloured bouncy guitar, Hammond organ and violin - later joined by a choir.
Both Blue and Stuck On You are also great fun, the former a bright-eyed rock’n’roll retread, the latter bursting with bolshy brass and simple melody that’s as gleeful as a boxer puppy.
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The ride continues with Mr Glasshalfempty riding a bassline strut and breaking into an air-punching chorus, El Cabrera’s stirring Mariachi trumpet and the lovestruck metaphorical role play of The Beach And The Sea, wrapped around contemplative finger-picked acoustic guitar.
And there’s still time for My Mirror’s sultry duet and Black Widow, which boasts the swagger of Kasabian and the grit of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
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Not to mention the far-out 23-minute Overproof Dub mix of the title track, which brings the album to a close with a synapse-blowing expedition through deep house, cinematic instrumental, field recordings, snatches of motifs, huge washes of synth and trippy, echo-laden wormholes.
Bursting with snappily-executed ideas and a sense of fun that leaves you guessing what’s around the corner, Mirrors is the Reverend’s best yet.
Rating: 4/5
