by Chris Deighton
Pegasus Bridge: "While We're Young"
Released: November 1st 2010
Label: LABrecords
If synth punksters 'Motion City Soundtrack' ever had a passionate one night stand with those little indie rascals 'The Kooks', the bastard love child would not only have crazy hair but it's vocal eruption as it whaled for its mother's teet (we'll let you decide who the mother is in this equation) would sound somewhat similar to Manchester based quartet Pegasus Bridge!
After the huge success of their double a-side single 'Yoko/Paris', Pegasus Bridge have gone on to play sold out shows in the UK and Europe, receive major air-play on Radio One and had the pleasure of opening the stations Big Weekend Festival in Bangor, not bad for 8 months work! But with the alimony cheque still nowhere in sight and the boys needing money to clear drummer Tom Lynam's bar tab... Here comes the debut mini-album 'While We're Young'...
The album jump starts with dancey, current single 'Ribena', which brilliantly sets up the album's recurring theme of 'youthful adolescence'. This theme not only resonates through the wild energy PB managed to muster from their instruments but also through the cleverly composed lyrical metaphor, "I drink coffee not just ribena, and I like it", which gives a fresh spin on the accustomed 'coming of age' story.
This pace continues through the quirky, pop anthem 'Yoko' before instant classic 'Like Dogs' grabs you by the balls with its dancey backdrop of synth, drums and guitar as vocalist Ed Turner once again uses clever metaphor to tell a classic tale of letting go.
It's at this point that the album takes a slightly contemplative turn, the title track of the album "While We're Young" is, if you like, the starting point of the bands flurry into adulthood, as we are taken on a journey into which we realize the importance of living life to the fullest, a philosophy this band seem to live by consistently with their relentless touring and work ethic.
Pegasus Bridge manage to mix up-beat, foot stomping backdrops with well crafted and thought provoking lyrics and melody, which is testament to the collaborative efforts of this band and their incredible skill for writing brilliant pop songs. "While We're Young" is the uplifting teenage anthem of it's decade, a clear choice for future single and one that will take this band to the next level of super-stardom.
"Voilence" is the albums most haunting track, and possibly one of my personal favorites, through its punctuated drum rhythm and pulsating synth patterns it tenderly manages to tell the story of someone being hurt in a relationship, something I'm sure we've all experienced. Interestingly though this story is told from the sopping shoulders of a best friend whose been left to pick up the pieces, as apposed to the normal 'my girlfriend broke my heart' tale which is so often told. Classic lyrics such as "It take's two to get bruised, but looking at that shiner, I'd say there's been a few" and "You head home if you like, I'll stay here and check if he's alright" are as poignant as they are well written. Musically the track is brimming with influences from Foals to The Wombats to Kings of Leon, which is true of the whole album.
As we venture into "Skinny", the albums next track, we are again treated to the now accustomed Pegasus Bridge backdrop of stabbing drums and swooning keys which remain consistent throughout the album. Again this track has huge potential as a future single with its catchy hooks and sing-a-long moments, something this album is full to the brim with.
What makes this band stand out in an over-saturated and often mediocre scene is their incredible skill of mixing up-beat dancey subtones with beautiful melody. They have such a commercial and 'now' sound that this coming year is going to be huge for them.
Having had the privilege of seeing this band perform live, and hear new songs such as "Swimming", which isn't on the album but is in the live set arsenal currently, you get a chance to see the potential future direction of this band, a much more atmospheric and anthemic Pegasus Bridge seems likely over the horizon, and that direction is set out in closing track "Paris"...
What hasn't been written about this song?! Let me make it perfectly clear, we're not sucking the collective teets of Pegasus Bridge when we say this song is truly a work of genius, it truly, truly is! For such a young band to come out with such a well structured, beautifully composed, melodic, dark anthem such as "Paris" is awe inspiring! The track reeks of maturity beyond their years, the subtly and tender guitar play of Ed Turner mixed with the soft and gentle keys of Callum Roxborough set the tone and melody of this track. When bassist Alex Howick and drummer Tom Lynam kick in to the chorus the track lifts as if being shot out of a jet propelled rocket, before the guitar and keys bring it back down to close.
It's no wonder to me, and many others, that this band have gotten where they are so fast, they work hard, push themselves and above all else are incredibly talented. 2011 is going to be a big year for these guys. More tours of the UK and Europe are planned and if their new batch of songs are anything to go by their next album is going to be insane. For now, you will have to make do with this truly incredible debut release. If I was to have ONE criticism of this album... WE WANT MORE TRACKS!
Oh well, you can't have everything!
10/10
10/10
"While We're Young" is released on November 1st 2010 through LABrecords.
Should you wish to pre-order the album do so at the link below. Be sure to check out their myspace and website for details of up-coming shows and to have a listen to them if you haven't already.
While we have your attention, Pegasus Bridge will also be performing on the November edition of Squatters Den along with Worcester-Based quintet Che. Videos due for upload by November 29th.
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