Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 14 / 11 / 2014

Label: Select Label
Format: N/A

intro

In our 'Re:View' section, in which we look back at albums from the past, Anthony Strutt reflects on 'The Bones of What You Belive', Scottish electronic trio Chvrches' acclaimed debut album from last year

Scottish electronic trio Chvrches (pronounced Churches) consists of Iain Cook (synthesizers, guitar, bass, vocals), Martin Doherty (synthesizers, samplers, vocals) and lead vocalist Lauren Mayberry. The band, who formed in 2011, released their debut single in January of last year, and have since then met with considerable success, having chart hits, touring successfully and releasing their first album, 'The Bones of What You Believe', last September, which went both into the Top 10 of the British Albums Chart and won them much critical acclaim. That debut single, 'The Mother That We Share', is to me their best track, and kicks off 'The Bones of what You Believe'. With its epic 80's-influenced pop sound, it is as if Altered Images' Clare Grogan is fronting a 1980's synth band. The track does have the feel of a remix, but pop has never sounded so fresh. 'We Sink' is fast-paced, and has an element of early Depeche Mode although Lauren's vocals are more quirky. 'Gun' has big beats, over the top of which Lauren does great Bjork-styled vocals. 'Tether' is atmospheric in tone, has loud guitars and, concludes in an epic rush of keyboards. 'Lies' is as moody as the Cure, but is instantly catchy and again keyboard rock at its best. 'Under the Tide' has male vocals for the first time, and sounds like a more forceful Howard Jones track. 'Recover' is like an upbeat Erasure track, and sung by Lauren forcefully. 'Night Sky' is another epic, fun number, while 'Science/Visions' is grown up pop with a message, but that doesn't stop your feet from wanting to move. 'Lungs' could almost be a Strawberry Switchblade track, but has more aggression behind it. 'By the Throat' is reminiscent of ABBA, and joyous and upbeat in tone is sung as a duet. 'You Caught the Light', which closes the album, is something of a show stopper, slower and only the second track with guitar, but reflective and, sounding much bigger-in-tone than the rest of this already epic-in-sound album, brings it to a riveting conclusion. A great album.

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