The Fierce and The Dead: If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe

24 May 2011

Last year I reviewed an album by UK musician Matt Stevens.

I said at the time that Matt also had a band called The Fierce and The Dead. That group – which also includes Kev Feazey and Stuart Marshall – has just released their album, called If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe.

The album is similar, in many ways, to Stevens’ solo work: it’s instrumental, post-rock, and a bit jazzy.

There’s a harder edge to it all, though. Whereas I described Stevens’ solo album as interesting background music, this collection gets a bit more rambunctious now and then. It post-rocks just a bit more. Some songs, like “10×10″, rock out quite a bit more.

There’s also some darker feelings here. It’s far from being a grim, sombre album, but TFATD definitely have some moody sounds happening throughout. It’s introspective and occasionally challenging.

As a result of the increased dynamics and darker mood I like it more than Stevens’ solo outing. It’s still not party music by any means, unless you’re partying with Mogwai (which I do recommend). But it’s got range to appeal to more people than just the guitar nuts (though they’ll still dig it).

If It Carries On Like This… is available now via Bandcamp, under a pay-what-you-feel policy. I suggest a listen if you like post-rock instrumental type songs. You can do that right here.