Like many other new albums in 2021, I’ve been enjoying this one for some time now but due to heavy workload and a general feeling of listlessness and malaise, I’ve never got around to writing about it. With a few days off work ahead of me, and having recovered from the after effects of the AZ vaccine, I’m going to try to rectify that…
‘Marvel’ous
So what of Issue 1 from The Middlenight Men? Well, quite simply it is ‘Marvel’ous. This band has provided the full package. The whole affair is a statement as to why physical releases beat streaming hands down. Before you let the needle drop into the groove, the physical album itself is a joy to behold. From the cover art by Luke Maddox, which gives you something new each time you look at it, to the little details like the A/B side ‘logo’s” recalling superhero symbolism, the whole Middlenight Men project is so well conceived.
Is it just me that thinks the back cover of the album is like a fucked up futuristic version of the cover of The Ruts debut The Crack? Anyway, the idea of this being “Issue 1” sits well with the whole DC Comics/Marvel comic book aesthetic – the band name, the artwork, the songwriting, all come together perfectly.
Influences
Talking of influences, main (Middlenight) man Nick Hughes and co. wear their musical influences well and truly on their sleeves, but don’t blame the Middle(night) Man for that. After all, the many bands Nick has played with over the years would create a list longer than your arm. While he has brought his own style and skill to the bands he has played with, he has cleverly lifted the key addictive elements of many of these bands and filtered them throughout Issue 1.
My experience of Nick is through his guitar playing for the wonderful Duncan Reid & the Big Heads, arguably the most fun, exciting and talented live band I’ve ever experienced. (Note: I’ve not seen The MiddlenIght Men yet….). If I were to list all the bands he has been associated with over the years, I’d be here forever. Suffice to say, if all of that was his apprenticeship to create The Middlenight Men, it has been time well spent.
Heady Power Pop Brew
Despite the many influences and signature sounds that seep and filter through the various songs on Issue 1, this is very much The Middlenight Men’s album. They take all the raw ingredients, the elements begged, borrowed or stolen, and unashamedly blend them to distil a highly addictive heady power pop brew.
Bands like The Wildhearts and particularly their offshoot Hey! Hello! seem to be a blueprint for songs like Rat Star which kicks things off in rifftastic style, complete with blissed out harmonies. From then on there is no looking back as you join the high octane thrill ride. Scream if you wanna go faster, there ain’t no getting off once the ride starts.
Bounceability Factor
The bounceability factor is turned up to 11 on the Terrorvision groove of BA Baby. As the album progresses the melodic power pop continues apace, on You (Getting Over). Heroine Heights continues the superhero theme with an intro that brings back childhood visions of Adam West & Burt Ward before “Bam” “Pow” the 12 bar blues boogie hits you between the eyes. Side A closes out with the mighty Prison of Love which is pure glam Alice Cooper meets Zodiac Mindwarp.
ExtroIntro introduces Side B in a more melancholy fashion before, much like Rat Star on Side A, We All Need Help Before Tomorrow riffs things up with boisterous driving guitars and sweet harmonies. They’ll Be the Ones kicks up a gear in terms of crunching riffs, adding glorious brass and a vocal that takes its lead from the likes of Tony Wright channelling the Beach Boys and Silversun closing out all Hanoi Rocks. Ooft. Budapest Brawler is an emotional rollercoaster of more mellifluous driving guitar sprinkled with hints of ELO before Sleep arrives like a cross between a classic US rock ballad and a song the likes McFly would have taken to the top of the charts.
Start, Middle & End
This album isn’t just about the artwork and the music though, the lyrics portray some great storytelling. From the exploration and questioning of the nature of people and the human condition in Rat Star through the comic book hero imagery of Heroine Heights to the closing emotion in the closing duo of tracks. There is a connection and a link throughout that brings the whole album together, a distinct start middle and an end like all good stories or movies should have.
Congratulations to Nick and all involved in the creation of this, I want to say album, but it is so much more than “just” an album. Let’s hope this is just the start of the story. Bring on Issue 2…