The Martial Arts
‘Your Sinclair'
(Groover Records)

personal mission

The Glasgow music scene has proven over the last few years to be bubbling with the talent and charisma the rest of the nation seem to have been craving for. Lapping up bands such as Belle and Sebastian, The Fratellis and Franz Ferdinand, but now four young men from the aforementioned town are stirring up something of a different buzz. Paul, Joe, Gregor and Sean, collectively known as ‘The Martial Arts' have made it their personal mission to deliver what happens when the catchy licks and styling of The Kinks are coupled with the obscure electronica of Bowe.

climaxing

And let me tell you, it sounds good. ‘Your Sinclair' is an emotional process, starting with tracks such as “Don't want to talk” and “Really cursed” both dealing with that age old scenario of self consciousness and women. It quickly gains in confidence though as mid-album cruncher “Mod Val” supplies not only a raw face off of emotion but revitalizes the unsuspecting listener and keeps the momentum of the album alive. Then climaxing with tracks such as “Finale” and “Contemptuous disdain” in which Paul Kelly (Lead Vocals/guitars) bellows “you owe it to yourself to start worshiping me” quite a far cry from “not wanting to talk”.

'Your Sinclair' pulls up 60s Mod welds it to 70s new wave with high power keybords and rounds it off with some fantastic vocals that sing out 80s indie. The first words on this great album, are also my last “Listen up to good advice” listen to The Martial Arts.

(www.themartialarts.org)


Will Campbell