Some bands ruin their music with dreadful lyrics, and more than a few would be better off without them. UK band Maybeshewill creates music so wonderful that it doesn’t even require lyrics. The instrumental group is made up of James Collins on drums, Matt Daly on keys, guitarists John Helps and Robin Southby, and bassist Jamie Ward.
The opening song is fittingly called, “Opening.” It’s a flowing piano track with soft strings in the background. It surges with such magnificence and beauty that you don’t even care about lyrics. The band bursts into “Take This To Heart,” a haunting track with dark and looming keys. The mood is lifted by “Red Paper Lanterns.” The subtle use of a twinkle-like triangle effect adds a lighter touch.
As the previous song winds down, “Critical Distance” begins with a strong keyboard intro. The keys ascend and create a build up of tension, only to soften at a moments notice to take the song to its end. The programming and fierce guitar that open “Accolades” grabs your attention. This is the strongest song on the album, only due to the fact that the keys keep changing the pace. It’s intriguing and keeps your ears waiting for what will happen next. The small string sections add a touch of elegance to this harsher song. I was surprised again as they chose to end it with soft, dwindling keys.
Number eight, “Farewell To Sarajevo” is quite different from the remainder of the album. The space-like intro is followed by an intense burst of drums and sudden strings. It catches you off guard, as it slows down to just a drumbeat. Always keeping you on your toes, it seems. Maybeshewill has created a world of passion and emotion without using words, which is difficult to do. Not many bands have the type of music that can stand alone, but they seem to do it effortlessly.
In A Word: Enlightening
