Album Review: Maybeshewill - Fair Youth

Maybeshewill's Fair Youth is an album which I should have reviewed long, long time ago, but it didn't take before seeing them live when I fully grasped what these 5 guys are trying to create.

My first encounter with the band was in 2007 when I found Japanese Spy Transcript on SoulSeek. I was just getting my head around the instrumental genre, so I was constantly bewildered from the weirdness of the band names in the genre. I did find most of them rather peculiar, but maybeshewill was the name which I liked the most. Strange enough, yet somehow logical and emotional and romantic.

Before talking about the record, I wanted to share how uplifting and energizing their live show is. Maybeshewill are probably the post-rock band your indie friend would very much enjoy seeing. On top of that - awesome stage presence. I am completely aware that not all people consider this important, but when a band knows how to "move" and interact with each other or the audience, when a band plays as if there's no tomorrow - well, that's what make a live show "live". I guess when it comes to playing instrument, I would always try to abide that belief - technique, creativity are of course a must, but if you play from your heart and you don't give a crap how your face/body looks - only then people would really connect with your music.

So yeah, the band - the clash between electronics, classical piano, indie and post-rock elements is simply mind-blowing. It's something like taking This Will Destroy You, 65daysofstatic and Mogwai's best elements and adding something absolutely special to that mix. I consider these guys truly unique when it comes to creativity.

Lets take more about Fair Youth. The record is 50 minutes long and consists of 11 tracks and I bet you wonder why I am being all statistic-y with you, but I just wanted to show you that you won't get much of these 10 minutes long drone compositions. This record is as said before uplifting, refreshing, somehow positive and it feels weirdly sentimental. Unlike some of their previous works (lets take Co-Conspirators), the electrifying frustration seem to be vanished and replaced by some sort of channeled/healthy mix of passion. And yes, a lot more focus on the piano, which is absolutely superb!

As always - please, listen to the album from - to before drawing any conclusions. It is a must-listen for every person who considers himself open-minded when it comes to music. I sincerely hope you enjoy every last last bits of it.

ps. this record represents everything I ever wanted/dreamed of playing behind a drum kit... that and some alt-j elements