The Sherlocks - Live For The Moment (Album Review)
Wednesday, 23 August 2017
Written by Graeme Marsh
The Sherlocks’ frontman Kiaran Crook recently spoke of his belief that the band could be new “pioneers” of guitar music. Let’s chalk that up to a poor choice of words. Pioneering anything these days is practically impossible and, given the band sound like a throwback to a time when their Yorkshire neighbours in Arctic Monkeys stormed the scene, revivalists is probably a more accurate tag.
They’ve been honing their skills since releasing their first single back in 2014, bucking the trend that finds many new acts jumping on one or two strong songs and building an album around them, leaving the remainder to fall short.
Their very early singles - the title track and Escapade - are both included 'Live For The Moment', although they’ve received a makeover.
In fact, two thirds of the 12 tracks here have already been released as singles and it soon becomes apparent that their songwriting has improved considerably over the years.
From the first notes of album opener Will You Be There? a huge wave of positive energy is unleashed. It sounds like a cross between Arctic Monkeys and Shed Seven, not least due to Crook sharing similar vocal tones to Alex Turner and Rick Witter. The guitars are impressive, if unoriginal, and it’s basically impossible not to find it uplifting.
Chasing Shadows recalls Big Country before we head back down ‘stadium-filling anthem alley’ for the chorus, while the excellent Blue emits a whiff of the Courteeners before their fellow Mancunians in James are conjured during the warm chords that drench the song’s outro.
Pummelling drums dominate Last Night – single number four – alongside weaving guitar lines. Was It Really Worth It?, though, highlights the band’s development. Released as single number six, it’s a huge standout built around the band’s seemingly relentless energy and more of those heartwarming James chords.
For those familiar with the numerous tracks already out there, the second half of the album will hold most interest. Of the album-only numbers, the ballad Motions is a welcome antidote to the ceaseless pace set previously, as is Turn The Clock. The six minute Nobody Knows branches off into Beatles territory for its conclusion, but closer Candlelight ramps things up again at the death.
The much-hyped Blossoms took the glory last year, resulting in a Mercury Prize nomination, but if anything the Sherlocks’ debut surpasses theirs and sees them comfortably leapfrogging peers such as Catfish and the Bottlemen. Trouble is, rather than kicking off a new surge in guitar music, they might find that people have had their fill and really do crave something truly pioneering.
The Sherlocks Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu September 14 2017 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Newcastle University
Fri September 15 2017 - MANCHESTER Academy
Sat September 16 2017 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Tue September 19 2017 - GLASGOW O2 ABC
Wed September 20 2017 - BRISTOL SWX
Thu September 21 2017 - SOUTHAMPTON 1865
Fri September 22 2017 - LONDON Heaven
Sat September 23 2017 - SHEFFIELD O2 Academy Sheffield
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