Maxïmo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures

Like fellow British post-punk revivalists Bloc Party and the Futureheads, Maximo Park followed up its Paul Epworth-produced debut with a more expansive sound and a different man behind the boards. On 2007's Our Earthly Pleasures, the Newcastle quintet enlisted veteran producer Gil Norton (best known for his work with the Pixies) to reinforce its already solid, tightly wound approach. While Norton's presence doesn't drastically change Maximo Park's wiry, restless aesthetic, it does lend some extra heft to the fierce opener, "Girls Who Play Guitars," and the pulsing, keyboard-driven "Our Velocity," a tune that fully showcases vocalist Paul Smith's passionate croon and the group's knack for crafting memorable hooks. And although Modest Mouse may have actually scored Johnny Marr as a member, "Books from Boxes" features shimmering guitar lines that recall the former Smiths six-stringer's signature tone, resulting in one of the most affecting tunes on Pleasures. Though the record isn't quite as consistent as A Certain Trigger, its high points, which include all of the aforementioned tracks, are undeniably compelling, and hold great promise for Maximo Park's longevity. Books from Boxes, Russian Literature are nice songs.