Guest review by Captain’s Bar events manager, Say Something Music label owner and promoter Scott Evans
“They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.” – Banksy
Crewe based band, Bored Adventures have released their debut album Until Your Second Death, the title of which was inspired by the Banksy quote. This attitude sets the theme for both the lyricism and musicianship that occurs throughout the album. I have been anticipating the follow up to the amazing single Viscosity, and didn’t realise at the time that it was going to be followed by a full album. I praised the lead single for its cleverness and musicianship, so came the burning question: can the band deliver a full album of the same, or was it a one off?
My first play through the album quickly answered that, Bored Adventures are showing themselves to be one of the most exciting bands around.
The overall sound of the album is rock infused with grunge, a punk attitude but with that Radiohead approach to songwriting. Nothing is straightforward or easy, it’s been very well thought out and interjected with interesting time signatures musical interludes.
According to the band the album is an exploration of themes of corporate deceit, loss and being forgotten as well as providing criticism on society’s perception of death, which all ties into the album title very well.
The album kicks off with lead single Viscosity – a fine opener to any album (see full review of this single here) followed by Hidden In Plain Sight, a song that demonstrates yet again the bands ability to move through musical passages from fast rock to melodic soundscapes. Lyrically fantastic “She had a wall full of masks, so she could wear a different face every day” one of many highlights of the album.
Coffin Song has a real Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds feel to it both musically and lyrically. A piano led track, it’s a brilliant lyrical journey through death. The opening line “Ghastly scene in a churchyard on Sunday..” you only get this kind of lyric writing from the likes of the previously mentioned Nick Cave or Morrissey. The song finishes with a guitar drone titled Interlude before launching into Two Faced. A song that would be a good commercial single for the band, early Radiohead and Mansun in feel it’s a well composed song, with gorgeous guitar riffs and again it has wonderful lyrics. An all round great song.
The brilliantly titled How To Kill An Artist feels like an exploration of someone who has sold out or climbed over others to get what they wanted. A song that flows really well. A great instrumental break and ending yet again demonstrates the band’s non-conventional approach to songwriting.
Penultimate track Puppetmaster is an uptempo rocker, or so it goes until it breaks down into a brilliant half time break before launching back into the rock feel.
And then we get to the jewel in the crown Nothing Ever Changed – this is a totally first class song. “Did you ever let go of the days behind you, The ashes fall like snow, And though everything’s dark, The embers still burn and glow” – a beautifully written piano song awash with lyrics exploring death. It’s an incredible finish to the album.
Leo, the band’s drummer has stated: “I’m so excited for the release of the album, seeing these songs we have poured so much passion into for the past few years finally come to life has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait for others to finally experience that too.”
Leo is right to be excited, Until Your Second Death is a stunning debut, with incredible song writing and musicianship, alongside world class lyrics. It’s time for Bored Adventures to be your favourite new band.
Listen to Until Your Second Death, released April 5, here:
