“Brain Cells”

“Wanted to try something different this time” sings Maximo Park vocalist Paul Smith in a haunting falsetto during the chorus of Too Much Information lead single “Brain Cells” and no truer words have ever been sung. TMI is, hands down, one of the most diverse records MP has ever released. It doesn’t totally abandon the Maximo Park “sound” so much as it expands upon it greatly.

“Give, Get, Take” is like the pied piper leading listeners into a trap with its jangly guitars and broad choruses, typical for standard Maximo Park. Then it all goes South. The aforementioned “Brain Cells” is unlike anything the band have written to date and we had some words to say about it when it was released late last year. From there, TMI takes a turn for the somber and the synth. “Leave This Island” follows next and continues along the “Brain Cells” path adding a little more organics to the mix with a tale that’s equal parts beautiful and bittersweet.

“Lydia, The Ink Will Dry” dials it back to Our Earthly Pleasures while “My Bloody Mind” is an almost Beatles-esque full on rock out which, when fully realized on stage, is sure to be a crowd pleaser for years to come. Smith’s heavenly falsetto comes back into play on the ’80’s inspired “Is It True” reminding listeners that TMI is definitely not your typical Maximo Park album.

Too Much Information might not be the Maximo Park album that fans deserved but it’s the one that we all need from time to time. TMI is out now. Get your copy here and be sure to check out the band when they tour the States this spring!

The love that Rock And Roll Fables has for Maximo Park knows no bounds. Imagine our surprise yesterday when we turned on the internets yesterday to find that their fifth album had been announced and is barely two months away from release. Due on February 3rd, Too Much Information, comes less than two years after 2012’s brilliant The National Health.

All that is known so far is that the album was self-produced by the band and first single “Brain Cells” is a far cry from the guitar-driven songs of yore. Lush and synth-heavy, “Brain Cells” might just be one aspect of the album but I know that being a child of the ’80’s a song like this gives me chills.

Watch the clip for “Brain Cells” below and then head over to maximopark.com where pre-order’s are already available for Too Much Information.

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