With an adoring fan base in the UK, The Courteeners may be one the most captivating new bands you’ve barely heard of in America. Hailing from the music-rich city of Manchester. UK, the band gained success with their 2008 debut record St Jude and the infectious hit single “Not Nineteen Forever.” Here on their sophomore release Falcon the four-piece take a huge leap forward with a breathtaking showcase for bandleader Liam Fray’s personal, everyman lyrics and passionate songwriting.
The album was recorded in Belgium’s ICP Studios with producer Ed Buller of Suede, Pulp and White Lies fame –and mixed at Electric Lady Studios in New York with the legendary Michael Brauer. To its credit, it’s not easily classifiable. The tracks meander from catchy pop songs to synth-based dance beats to stark acoustic ballads. The through line is that it is a truly beautiful record, and one that isn’t afraid to wear its author’s heart on its sleeve both lyrically and musically. It’s at times reminiscent of the panoramic, soaring sound-scape of Elbow, the solace and romance of The Verve and the elegant, arch honesty of Morrissey.
Counted among the band’s avid fans are Morrissey and Johnny Marr of The Smiths. During his Guest DJ set on KCRW in 2008, Morrissey played the Courteener’s song "What Took You So Long" and the band supported Morrissey on his American tour in 2009.
As for the album’s title ‘Falcon’, Liam Fray explains “we were in America, looking out the back of the tour bus, and we saw this falcon, which started to follow the bus, and it was one of the most breathtaking sights, and as it swooped it was so beautiful and also slightly arrogant and as it rested on this rock, I was looking at it and it just seemed to sum us up. The falcon was going to take this amazing path, this amazing journey in flight and that’s how we feel with this record. We’re about to take off, we’re stretching our wings for pastures new, the time is right.”
Take a listen, and see if you agree.
Official artist website: www.thecourteeners.com
Falcon will be available on-demand June 7 - July 7, 2010
Tracklist
The Opener
Take Over The World
Cross My Heart & Hope to Fly
You Overdid It Doll
Lullaby
Good Times Are Calling
The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home
Sycophant
Cameo Brooch
Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips
Last Of The Ladies
Will It Be This Way Forever?
