The third studio album from Manchester’s NORTHERN UPROAR comes more than a decade after the initial rise and fall of the hotly tipped fledglings matched the rise and fall of Britpop c1995-1997.
Initially exploding onto the Manchester scene at the tender average age of 18 back in 1996 with a hugely successful self-titled album, the band had split by the following year (as a bonus track, there’s an acoustic version of ‘Town’ on this new record to compare to their new material).
Back with a slimmed-down line up that consists of frontman Leon Meya, cousin Noel on drums and guitarist Jeff Fletcher, there is a back to basics approach ethic in place, as well as an emphasis on great songwriting, as the band set about recapturing the glory days. If the aim is to remind us what the fuss was all about the first time round, then ‘Stand & Fight’ is an unmitigated success.
The familiar ingredients are firmly back in place. Heavy rock riff distortion comes skidding out of the speakers and crashing cymbals join forces with the stomping backbeat as the album tears along at breakneck speed, leaving a silver trail of beauty behind it.
Chasing a heartbeat towards the horizon, ‘If Tomorrow’ reverberates like a distant pit explosion, whilst ‘Don’t Believe Her’ melts the senses as it dissolves into a sonic mess of tangled emotions. Bass drum kicks underscore the pure pop appeal that sits deep in the mix. These raw, garage rock n’ roll numbers are amphetamine-relentless and follow the rock n’ roll star with true devotion.
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In parts a spiky ode to the New-Wave post-punk period (‘Caught On A Bad Day’ is pure Jam-inspired with a rock n’ roll tint), the urgency in places leaves you gasping for your next breath. Had-it-up-to-here frustration is given subliminal treatment in the feedback-delicate acoustic ‘I Can’t Stand Anymore’, the one pause for thought amongst this tidal wave of indie-rock classics.
Produced by veteran engineer Dave Eskimo (once-upon-a-time member of Manc techno-rockers ESKIMOS & EGYPT), these Northern-tinted tales of familiar frustration are rolled out to resemble a head-spinning fairground waltzer ride full of compulsive tunes.
‘The Fear Inside’ hooks you in with a harmonic melody to die for before thumping pure adrenaline through the pulse, whilst the gorgeous ‘Nothin’ You Can Do’ is touched by the tender hand of fate as it speeds on though the confusion, escapism and unanswered questions towards its chosen destiny.
Excellent stuff, the strong lyrics and solid hooks accelerate their way into your heart, adhering to the classic indie formula. Sadly missed when they suddenly vanished all those years ago, NORTHERN UPROAR are back to remind us why.
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