Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger

It's really a shame that certain UK exports that shall remain nameless steal all of the skinny-tie, suit-wearing spotlight. Especially when other bands come along, more capably filling the same shoes and deserving as much, if not more, attention. Maximo Park is just such a band. A Certain Trigger combines effortless pop songs and real-life tales with an air of recklessness not readily found these days. The band skillfully tears through a baker's dozen at high velocity, but still manage to retain a collective sound. Like the cover art implies, it's not hard to imagine a club full skirts and suits thrashing themselves around to the sounds of Maximo Park. The second track, "Apply Some Pressure," wastes no time in showcasing the band's ability to cooperatively charge through fiery and memorable tune. Whereas, "The Coast Is Always Changing" finds vocalist Paul Smith clearly dominating both lyrically and with a fervent, melodic delivery. Though, the finest example of what makes Maximo Park great comes with "Now I'm All Over The Shop." Aptly named, the band deftly navigates through syncopated riffs, punk-rock verses and liberating choruses. Elvis Costello's This Year's Model most often comes to mind while listening to A Certain Trigger (even if it could just be my mind drawing a connection to "Little Triggers"). Though, what really relates the two is the young, passionate energy that unmistakably laces each song. Spirits inevitably lift and life becomes a little less serious with each passing minute. So much so, it's disappointing that A Certain Trigger has to end. [www.maximopark.com]