Album Review: Trial Kennedy - 'New Manic Art'

So

most people would know Trial Kennedy as that band that

constantly supported well known acts like Gyroscope and Horsell Common,

and even if you were silly enough to forget their name I’m pretty

sure New Manic Art will leave an impression of all sorts. With the backing

of a major record label (Gotham Records through Sony BMG), TK, have

brought about there first full length album, produced by their ‘dream

producer’ Atlanta- based Nick DiDia (RATM, STP, Audioslave and Powderfinger)

and I can safely say that signs of selling out to the overseas markets

are not evident….well not yet anyway.    

I

should start by saying New Manic Art, well, it’s different. But different

good. Darn good.  

So

I began listening to the latest album, looking forward to something

like TK’s last EP Picture Frame, but was a little surprised to discover

the boys had progressed onto more melodic and slow starting tunes. ‘Oh….’

But I soldiered on nevertheless.   

The

album opens up with ‘Sunday Morning’, a brilliant opener,

which has everything going for it, its upbeat and punchy with slight

punk undertones with its ‘Hey! Hey!’ business. The next track Neighbours is written with the same passion and shows fantastic

chord progression and vocal work from Tim Morrison. Track 4 ‘Colour

Day Tours’, the current single for TK, is defiantly worth a mention

here. Written for Mark Stewart (Horsell Common Singer/Guitarist) to

cheer him up whilst on tour away from his partner and kid. The song

is simple yet beautiful and slows down the pace of the album. Proven

with its current assault on radio air time I think this is the song

that will entice a fresh new audience for TK.  

NMA

continues on with a laid back, slow approach with melodies and hooks

aplenty and gives Morrison a chance to get more close-to-home with the

lyrics. This is evident in ‘Sweet Ally Rose’.

‘Sweet Ally Rose’ is a track that is different from anything

you would expect from TK, from the slow acoustic approach to the range

of instruments and percussion used. I personally wanted to like the

track I really did but I just couldn’t. I couldn’t grasp the slowness

and leisurely build up to the chorus. But that’s me.  

Pretty

good work from the Trial Kennedy boys, musically they are evolving,

which is going to attract a new crowd. For diehard Trial

Kennedy fans they are either going to embrace the changing style

and go with it or not go with it at all. I really enjoyed the album

and I say give it a go, it’s bound to grow on you.

1. Sunday Warning
2. Neighbours
3. Hollowood
4. Colour Day Tours
5. Sun Eyes
6. New Manic Art
7. Sweet Ally Rose
8. The Great Escape
9. Eldorado
10. War K