Albums

The Xcerts - In The Cold Wind We Smile

Craig Broad 23/04/2009

Rating: 4/5

The Xcerts are a three-piece band from Aberdeen who caught the attention of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly after two single releases through Glasgow's label One Record. Get Cape front man Sam Duckworth happily went on to release two more singles via his own Mannequin Republic label. One of these singles, 'Just Go Home' received regular airplay on MTV2 and led to a hectic touring schedule that included a slot at 2008's T in the Park.

It's with great relief for some then, that 2009 sees The Xcerts release their debut album "In The Cold Wind We Smile" on Xtra Mile Recordings, who you may be familiar with from such artists as Reuben and Frank Turner. But is all of this hype an anti-climax, are The Xcerts destined to be a band that gain popularity with one single and then don't deliver on the album follow up?

Happily, The Xcerts have managed to bring all their previous singles together along with new tracks to great effect, creating an album that is alternative but full of poppy hooks, indie but not trendy cool and fresh without falling away to experimentation. With 'In The Cold Wind We Smile' we see The Xcerts take the baton for refreshing Scottish music, each song unpredictable and emotional we have come to expect from Simon Neil'sBiffy Clyro without the misgivings that band raised with their breakthrough album 'Puzzle'. This album's quality shines through on the well-chosen lead single 'Crisis In The Slow Lane', which sees a haunting slow verses exploding into a sing-a-long chorus that would keep any rock fan happy.

'In The Cold Wind We Smile' is the debut album that all upcoming bands dream of making, youthful and fresh but mature in its approach. Want to hear a new, upcoming band that could change your life? Listen to 'In The Cold Wind We Smile', it's worth your while.


http://www.myspace.com/thexcerts