Spokes // Everyone I Ever Met // Album Review

Words by Exiled From Eden

Walking the streets of Manchester among the cold of concrete slabs, breathing in the stale air of this urban landscape where eyes shift from red stone to red stone – one can either embrace it all or dream of replacing it. Musicians and artists alike are reactive beings. The creative mind takes in everything around it and, with vibrant urgency, spits it out transformed. In a romantic burst of energy, SPOKES transfigure their Mancunian surroundings into a naturalistic, sometimes animalistic, array of sound.

SPOKES are an excellent example of the exciting diversity of the Manchester music scene nowadays. Post-rock’ish in essence, with great vocals, this Mancunian formation presents their first album for Counter Records titled “Everyone I Ever Met”. SPOKES have gathered dozens of outstanding reviews from the biggest tastemakers in this country. Listening to this album, the amount of time put into musical arranging becomes apparent – with lush vocal harmonies and intertwining guitar parts, you are constantly held by the ears with new and exciting sonic elements.

Truth be told, “Everyone I Ever Met” has some great moments. One of my favourites is the beginning of the album titled track “Everyone I Ever Met” – a truly great and relaxing buildup. Interspersed between the 8 lengthy “epic” tracks, are two little “songlettes” showcasing the lead vocalist’s voice, accompanied solely by, accordingly, guitar and piano. His voice is soothing and pleasant – at times as lyrical as Chris Martin from Coldplay. Another favourite is the opening track of the album “345″ – a truly dynamic and great listen – which I have also recently found out will be their single to be released on the 18th of April. The album has a definite “live” feel to it with drums speeding up as textures get thicker and emotions rise, the charmingly wayward solo violin and the ups and downs of constant build-ups and releases. I think this would be a great band to see live.

SPOKES will be touring the UK over the next two months giving ample opportunities to go check them out. I think this album is a great effort and well representing the genre. If you feel drained after a long day chasing floating pound sings in this urban jungle we live in, it might be well worth sitting down and taking a breather with “Everyone I Ever Met”.