The Boxer Rebellion have become somewhat of an online phenomenom. Being dropped by Universal (via Alan McGee’s Poptone) after debut release ‘Exits’, the band have returned four years later, without a label, with new single ‘Evacuate’ getting picked as the iTunes ‘international single of the week’, leading to many column inches as the subsequent album went on to outsell heavyweights such as Kings Of Leon on the iTunes chart. All of this makes it easy to dismiss the band as nothing more than fleeting online hype, but, when listening to new album ‘Union’, it becomes quickly obvious the songs are ultimately behind their new found success.
The album hits the ground running, with ‘Flashing Red Light Means Go‘ and ‘Move On’ setting the tone for the rest of the record. Like two lost gems from Mercury Rev’s ‘Deserter’s Songs‘ they ebb and flow and build into a glorious finish of fuzzy guitars and pounding drums. The momentum continues on aforementioned single ‘Evacuate’, which quickens the pace and leads onto album highlight ‘Soviets‘, which again grows into stadium-sized power from gentle acoustic strumming and gorgeous vocals.
The atmospheric guitars, very much a feature of the album, take a break on ‘The Gospel Of Goro Adachi‘, who’s brooding atmosphere is given further depth by singer Nathan Nicholson, who delivers each and every word with geniune passion. The production treats the songs with the care they merit and the stripped back approach keeps the album in check and prevents it from getting lost in pomp and cliche.
As the album continues, it becomes clear the tracks are following a regular formula that could become tiresome in the wrong hands, but when presented by a band so obviously adept at their songwriting it is impossible to resist and leaves the conclusion, as ‘Silent Movie‘ hisses to a close, that the album is an utter triumph.
The real story of The Boxer Rebellion is one of a band who’ve produced an album of rare depth and quality. For all the coverage they have recieved, that’s the headline they deserve.
For more on The Boxer Rebellion visit their homepage or myspace page.
(Dave Smith)
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