Londoners Crows formed in 2015, and having built their following, by way of chaotic and enduring gigs, released their anticipated debut ‘Silver Tongues’ in 2019. Putting the groundwork in paid off and the album received complimentary reviews by the likes of NME, who really just wanted to know what it was that took them so bloody long. In spite of the wait, the punk foursome’s first release spurred sell-out tours with the likes of Slaves, IDLES and Wolf Alice. If the rumours are to be believed, work on album two started that same year.
‘Closer Still’ is a good rhythmic opener to ‘Beware Believers’. About seeking approval and finding a place. Although, to be clear, Crows are not interested in how, more in expressing disdain for the process of having to change yourself to be acceptable. The sound is raw and dirty. Like the social ritual it describes. Latest single ‘Garden of England’ follows with frontman James Cox’s vocals front and centre, a classic punk lean. About the ugliness and divisiveness of Brexit, how it ate into our collective identity and tore the country, individual families and friends apart. As they expose the increasing tendency to lie and “continue to lie and spread it as wisdom”, Crows express their burgeoning anger at the way Nationalists have used Brexit to their advantage.
By track four I think I understand what to expect of this band. An addictive rhythmic underlay, distorted guitars with front and a breakneck finish just as you want more. In saying that, ‘Slowly Separate’, released in January of this year, breaks the mantra. Steadily lackadaisical in attitude, you want to shake the hell out of it. ‘Come on!’ Then it becomes clear that it’s meant to sound like this. It’s about the drudgery of working life. The inescapable London rat race, the Groundhog Day struggle. is deliberately deliberate and intentionally relentless. So, a slow burn but you get there.
‘Moderation’ has a 90’s twang and a beautiful deep vocal tone. ‘’Somehow, you’ve changed. How you were, how you used to be.” I think, again about toning yourself down, though ronically, it will be a great sing-along live track to let go to. I adore ‘Healing’ on first listen, a standout thus far. It lifts the hairs on your arms. I can feel its intention even before I am sure what it is about. The mood is ominous but hopeful as Cox draws on personal experiences of love and pain and gradual easing of the darkness.
People that experience pain often hide from it in the pages of a book, or by watching films or listening to music. In ‘Room 156’ we are transported into Cox’s imagination, a dark psyche whose landscape of apocalyptic imagery and murderous intent is given realism in the studio… where Crows like to switch out the lights and chase each other with knives. No really. I’m surprised the record label allows this. Bieber wouldn’t be allowed to. Would he? Musically, given the themes I expected a bit more depth but the stalking rhythm, courtesy of Sam Lister’s drums and the screeching guitars make it interesting.
Meanwhile, ‘Meanwhile’ quietly enters, almost unnoticed. It’s not till near the end that you find that the rhythm has stuck, and it has control of your limbs. Shaking that off, I admit that I’m expecting a lot from a song entitled ‘Wild Eyed & Loathsome’. Yet it’s steadier rhythmic-wise, and I realise that I may have to see this band live for it to fully translate. Towards the end though, I’d like to be there. The song has melded into something memorable. As we head towards the end of the album, ‘The Servant’ shows its hand as a tossing, turning struggle of wills before ‘Sad Lad’ slowly builds to an epic crescendo. No euphemism(s) intended.
You won’t be dissatisfied with ‘Beware Believers’, but it seems that Crows is a band whose soul resides, not in the studio, but on the stage. The album is what they will say it is. Crows are incredibly well spoken of given their few releases. There’s a reason for that, and a reason for the wait. I suspect that they’re too busy enjoying themselves with the fans. See if you can catch them live, to get that extra, wild-eyed perspective.
Fresh from the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, Crows’ ÜK/European tour kicks off next Tuesday (5 April) in Bristol:
- ‘Beware Believers’ is released tomorrow (Friday 1 April). You can get your copy HERE.
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