The Cast Of Cheers will release their second album ‘Family’ on June 15th, right after a UK tour they’ve lined up for April & May.
Family is the follow up to 2010’s Chariot which appears to no longer be available for free download from Bandcamp. You snooze you lose, suckers.
Anticipation is therefore riding high for the next phase, and to that end, “Family” (produced by Luke Smith, ex of Clor) surely does not disappoint. As their rousing live shows have indicated, this band know their way around an aggressively infectious hook and riproaring 3 minute song, with tracks like the pummelling “Human Elevator” and the driving “Goose” – imagine an amped up Battles jamming with vintage Gang of Four and you’ll be somewhere close – demonstrating an impressive ability to write sharp, concise, math-rock tracks that pack a punch even as they are moving your hips.
Which is not to say, however, that the band only have one note. The mid-tempo “Go Getter” is a lovely, warm-hearted mini-anthem in waiting, with lead singer Conor singing “you’re out of the thorns, you’re out of it now”, while “Marso Sava” is a tender love song recalling Simon and Garfunkel as much as it does a jittery XTC. Closer “They Call It a Race”, meanwhile sees the band in more wistful mode, with Conor asking “is anybody else losing heart tonight?” over a gorgeous, euphoric rush of rattling guitars and sweetly cooed backing vocals. It is a fine, reflective end to a fine record, and a powerful introduction to the world of The Cast of Cheers.
Track list:
1. Family
2. Posé Mit
3. Human Elevator
4. Animals
5. Palace and Run
6. Goose
7. Go Getter
8. Marso Sava
9. Trucks At Night
10. They Call It A Race
And those UK tour dates:
April 27 – Concorde 2, Brighton
April 28 – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
April 29 – O2 Academy, Oxford
May 1 – Trinity, Bristol
May 2 – Waterfront, Norwich
May 3 – Heaven, London
May 4 – HMV Institute, Birmingham
May 5 – Academy, Manchester
May 7 – Zanzibar, Liverpool
May 8 – The Cluny, Newcastle
May 9 – Tunnels, Aberdeen
May 10 – King Tuts, Glasgow
May 12 – Cockpit, Leeds
May 13 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
