Title: Thrive
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 23rd September 2014
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten
From time to time, the timing of a record is absolutely spot-on in terms of the environment it's released into. We're in that time of year where it's starting to get a bit chillier, a bit more auburn generally, and a bit more autumnal. But, it's a nice time of year where it's still warm during the day, the evenings are fine if you get another layer on, and it's still light enough to do stuff in the early evening. It's a comforting, nice time of year.
Thrive, the second album from the Nathen Maxwell-fronted Bunny Gang, is absolutely the perfect soundtrack to this transitional but beautiful time of year. It's a beautifully constructed set of tracks which are so delightfully mellow on your eardrums that it feels almost like snuggling into that warm extra layer.
That's not to say, however, that this is a record you shove on in the background and go about your daily business. It's such a complex album, with so many elements and genres thrown in. Thrive is not something that's easy to ignore. You've got reggae. You've got folk. You've got punk. You've got rock. Somehow, the band have managed to combine all of these elements, seemingly in each song, to brilliant effect.
One of the overriding thoughts I get when listening to the record is of the sheer quality of the musicianship on display in Thrive. There are some scarcely believable parts here: the band clearly are hugely talented. I would expect that seeing them perform is bewitching. Equally, Nathen has a genuinely beautiful voice. It's so melodic and harmonious, it near-caresses your ears as the tracks drip invitingly from the speakers.
It's also worth saying at this point that you won't get the full benefit of Thrive unless you play it through some quality speakers or headphones. There are so many intimate elements, so many gorgeous basslines, which just aren't picked up by tinny iPod / iPhone headphones or laptop speakers. Get this one playing the old-school way, you won't regret it.
To talk through individual tracks on this record is a bit of a challenge, as it's such a well-moulded album which flows together perfectly. You don't pick and select tracks to listen to, you put the whole thing on and relax in a glowing Autumn sunset.
There are some truly gorgeous elements here, too. The chorus of title track Thrive is almost painfully so. Maxwell's vocal is so sweet, so soulful, the melody behind so smooth, you can't help but smile broadly as the bassline and guitar filter through. It feels like an old-school song. It's not one that relies on effects or computers, this is quite simply stunning music played brilliantly by hugely talented musicians. That's refreshing.
The intro of the first track on the record, entitled The Reckoning, is something special, too. Combining countless influences into what sounds like a soul-influenced street-punk call to arms, it's an instantly recognisable riff. Maxwell's lyrics here sound acutely Rancid-esque, which surely is one of the biggest compliments we can pay.
The Bunny Gang also show their punkier edge in We Are The Ones, where their gang vocal and looser, more wailing guitar style add in a bit of grit. It's smooth grit (if that's even possible), however, and sounds like a combination of Rancid, The Aggrolites and Frank Turner. For the reggae fans, too, there's plenty of influences here. Try Pave The Way, with its beat, incredible bassline and catchiness.
Thrive is a record I really, really enjoyed (and still enjoy) listening to. It's not one you immediately give five stars to, but it's one of those albums which you keep coming back to time and time again. It's a brilliantly crafted, delightfully old-school, and downright beautiful piece of music. Get it in your collection, find that auburn sunset, and relax. You won't regret it.
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