Hatcham Social - About Girls Album Review
It’s an album that shows their debut was no stroke of luck; they’ve known what they’re doing all along.
rating: 4
Website: wordsbyhatchamsocial.blogspot.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/hatchamsocial Release date: 2nd April, 2012 Hatcham Social may sound like the old-mans club round the corner, the one where you sneak off to for a cheeky pint every now and then, but this Hatcham Social Im talking about isnt a club with 200 + members where they sell Strongbow and pork scratchings, this Hatcham Social is a club of only four members who self-admittedly sell underground guitar pop. Pretty tastier than a pint of that vile cider stuff and certainly softer than a bag of scratchings, the band are made up by David Claxton (guitar), Riley Difford (bass), and brothers Toby Kidd (vocals, guitar) and Finn Kidd (drums, vocals). The bands name does actually derive from a club the Hatcham Liberal Club inLondon but also after the old English word hatcham, which means a clearing in the woods. Theres a new fact you can tell your friends about tonight. The bands debut album You Dig The Tunnel, Ill Hide The Soil was released to good acclaim with The Guardian calling it irresistible and Tim Burgess of The Charlatans fame calling them a wonderful pop group with the worlds coolest drummer. Since then, though, the band has been fairly quiet (apart from when you actually press play on their debut) and fans and critics alike have been waiting impatiently for their next dose of Hatcham Social, which comes in the form of this album About Girls. This album is actually about girls ones who the band members have loved and lusted over for the last few years and instead of the synth-speckled aspects that were prominent in their debut, this time around the band have utilised a more guitar-sound into the album, in turn making it less niche and more, well, real. First track, NY Girl, opens things up with a lovely, catchy riff with the bass hovering away in the background. The drums add a constant rhythm, which is needed as the riff does jump in and out and stop and start while the soothing, accessible vocals tell us to breathe in, breathe out, lets do whatever we want to do. Which cant be anymore true, the track does indeed let us do whatever we want to do; and in this case its imaginable that the majority of listeners will be nodding along in appreciation and singing along to the lyrics, which stick in your head like glue. Its a great start to the album and one which immediately sets the stall out for the sound Hatcham are going for. Shut Your Mouth starts with a delicately played riff, which soon grows up into a more towering riff which, again, taps into the insatiable rhythm Hatcham have really gone all out for on this album. Youd better shut your mouth, these are the glory days is a particular lyric that makes a mark as even the track does sound pretty light and breezy the lyrics indicate a more domineering layer and make the track more intriguing. It shows the bands cleverness at contextualising their music and, in turn, lets the listener know time was taken creating this track, so they should take their time listening to it, too. The humorously titled I Look Like A God When You Dance With Me is a real anthem. Once indie fans hear this then it wont be long until its filling the dancefloors of indie discos everywhere. Its a humorous track, yeah, but at the same time it maintains a tongue-in-cheek sense that you know its supposed to be funny, but you cant help but sing along to it seriously. Drunk people singing the chorus of I look like a God when you dance with me should be a common sight pretty soon. If not, then at least when you get home you can dance to it to your hearts content. Guilty pleasure. http://youtu.be/fA5IcVsv0Ks All Summer Long is a laid-back track that will, indeed, be a great summer track. In fact, the sun is shining now and the track is making the day feel even warmer. The relaxed guitar and well-structured, but placid drumbeat ensures the track is possibly the most laid-back on offer. All summer long Ive been listening to you / Its not something somebody should have to do, are other examples of the catchy, concise lyrics the band have used to great effect on this album as they urge you to sing along with them. These are just a few examples of what is a very impressive second album. Hatcham Social have a sound thats catchy, accessible and fun but the underlying seriousness of the bands sound rumbles underneath the smiling faces of every note. Its a great driving album, working album and also plays away nicely in the background while you potter around the house. Its an album that shows their debut was no stroke of luck; theyve known what theyre doing all along.