Cooking Vinyl (label)
09 October 2015 (released)
11 October 2015
In a recent Q magazine article Jon McClure opened up about his early handling of the media, admitting that he was at times, well, to put it bluntly, a bit of an arse. Fair play for being so candid. And it has to be said, truthful. McClure's problem was emerging with his band at the same time as city rivals and friends Arctic Monkeys. He developed a chip on his shoulder about always being asked about Alex Turner's superior outfit. And let's be honest, one great rock band coming from Sheffield is surprising, to expect two, would be pushing it. So Reverend and the Makers ploughed their furrow, with more than furrowed brows, at times spitting and snarling at their supposed opposition in rock circles - like Razorlight for example.
Seemingly more mature and having moved on from worrying about the others, McClure is back with what he claims is the band's best album - and he might well be right. For a band best known for Heavyweight Champion of the World, Mirrors certainly packs a punch. After a Beatles-ish opening, lead single Black Widow is a McClure rock anthem special, all beating chest and testosterone; perfect for backing some kind of sport montage. Stuck On You is the most catchy song the band has done since their opening hit, a perfect 2 and a half minutes with shiny brass backing.
The Beach And The Sea has delicate guitar and strings as McClure demands that his lover "washes over me". It's a touch cliche but is a welcome break from the more 'cheeky chap' style seen on the likes of Makin' Babies and The Gun, where the hooks are more obvious. The album's only problem might be wearing some of the influences too obviously on its sleeve. Mr Glasshalfempty borrows its bass line from The Jam's Start and thus The Beatles Taxman, while bizarrely Something To Remember has echoes of Terry Jack's Seasons In The Sun. It is obvious that the band are proud of this new record and so they should be. Nothing here runs longer than 3 minutes 30 seconds, apart from the slightly clunky closer Lay Me Down - and the tracks are better for it. A leaner, meaner album that puts Reverend and the Makers right back on the map.
