The Crookes - Hold Fast

The Sheffield quartet returned in 2012 with a new line-up and a new album. Sadly both have been criminally underrated. They set off on tour supporting their Sheffield mentor Richard Hawley last week and we pray this is the beginning of a bigger following and increased successful record sales. They definitely garnered a fantastic response from the London crowd, so we thought it only right to revisit their 2012 album ‘Hold Fast’ for a review.

Their previous album, (former TT album of the year in 2011) ‘Chasing After Ghosts’ was a brilliantly expressive venture but paid the price commercially as lacked those big guitar hooks which grab the masses. However, the singles from ‘Hold Fast’ come with choruses and guitar licks that all great singles have. ‘Afterglow’ is a fabulous indie number which flows with the same unrestrained beauty as Stone Roses’ ‘She Bangs The Drums’ whilst ‘Stars’ is a powerful indie-number which would have filled many Inbetweener’s scene changes.

‘Maybe In The Dark’ acts as a bridge between the previous album and this one perfectly. It encapsulates Waits' ability to deliver vocals with eloquence worthy of Morrissey whilst the music fires along as if Johnny Marr became Richard Hawley’s lead guitarist.

‘American Girls’ demonstrates a real maturity in the band’s song writing. It begins with a slow morose vocal, reminiscent of the intro to Doves’ ‘Cedar Room’, before launching into a typically Crookes sounding 50s rock n roll number. The muffled nature of the guitars and distant sounding vocals witnesses the Sheffield boys taking chances with production which hopefully will initiate long overdue critical acclaim in the music rags.

There are so many cracking indie/pop/rockabilly/northern soul tunes on ‘Hold Fast’ its frustrating not to see them A-Listed on XFM and creeping onto Radio 1. George Waite’s vocals are so beautiful and radio friendly at times it really does beggar belief. 

Richard Hawley live at the Troxy

The Sheffield maestro takes to the East London stage tonight in fine form. Hawley is enjoying a run of well-deserved success after his current album 'Standing At The Sky's Edge' was nominated for a Mercury Music Award (his second in his solo career). The ascendancy he is in has evidently given Hawley a lot of confidence. His buoyant mood on stage creates the love and affection radio djs spend years trying to perfect with audiences.  

The set consists largely of tracks from the current album and the crowd are left staring on in awe as he’s fine band churn out the Bo Diddley and Duane Eddy meets Pink Floyd numbers. 'Don't Stare At the Sun' displays Hawley in all his glory tonight. His vocals lend themselves to something loving; here it is the simple story of flying a kite with his son. Meanwhile, the guitars get across the fact he was on acid during this story perfectly as they swirl from soaring highs to twisted lows.

He barely visits his 3 previous crooner albums but gems such as 'Tonight The Streets Are Ours' and 'Open Up Your Doors' bring about slack jawed stares of worship from the sold out crowd tonight. The romantic element of these songs brings tenderness that cannot be seen but is undeniably felt by all. Some particular uninhibited couples even take to slow dancing which is particularly pertinent in this grand ballroom setting. 

Hawley and co played a new song only aired 3 times previous tonight and it was a perfect segue from the crooning brilliance of 'Coles Corner' and the rock-psyche of 'Standing At The Sky's Edge'. 'Standing At The Sky's Edge' was born out of grief of a departed friend and tinges the album with a melancholy that sums the up the helplessness of mourning. On this new track however, the ambiance is more optimistic and adopts a carefree rock n roll musicality which should have everyone so excited they misunderstand everything they hear whilst on jury service.