The Maccabees 'Wall Of Arms' album

If The Maccabees’ 2007 debut ‘Colour It In’ hadn’t already confirmed them as a class apart, their second album ‘Wall Of Arms’ shall do so beyond a doubt. After overwhelming success and critical acclaim from their debut release in 2007, "Colour It In" the bands first full length soon went on to become both NME's "Best Alt.pop Record of 2007" and Artrockers' Album of The Year - a true testament and indication of what this band is capable of for the future.

London boys, the Maccabees are now coming to America with a brand new bag-o-tricks from their soon-to-be-released sophomore album Wall of Arms and will be making a fleeting visit to NYC on June 20th at Williamsburg Music Hall (with Miike Snow) and at Mercury Lounge on June 22nd 9pm.

The Maccabees are Orlando Weeks (vox and guitar), Hugo White (guitar), Felix White (backing vocals/guitar), Rupert Jarvis (bass) and Sam Doyle (drums), who released their second album Wall of Arms in the UK to rave reviews, blasting the myth of the “difficult second album” out of the water. Wall of Arms is “the meticulously evolved sound of a band aiming to bid to breathe life into British indie” (Observer Music Monthly). It is not just the critics who are hailing the album a triumph, Wall of Arms entered the UK album charts at number 13.

Not so much a departure from their first album (which they made when most of the band were still teenagers) but a natural progression and more mature sound from a band who are still only in their early 20's, clearly poised to become chief contenders and craftsmen in the indie-pop-rock arena for 2008.

“I’m proud of the first record,” says Orlando, the bands lead man and guitarist “we were so young when we made it - we were still working out who we were - However, this time around, the band decided to leave London for Brighton to write Wall of Arms, whilst the world watched the demise and downfall of George W. Bush in the lead up to the US Presidential Election and inauguration. They then entered the studio with producer Marcus Dravs (Bjork, Coldplay, Arcade Fire) back in Liverpool and London, then moved to Paris to finish off what is now a fine specimen of a sophomore album.

The Maccabees are definitely ones to keep on your radar as they set their sights to the US this year. Be sure to catch them -- if you can -- live in New York City this month, for this is definitely a band you won't regret discovering.

Their current single Can You Give It is already a live favorite inspiring mass sing-a-longs with its rallying chorus, wonky guitars and marching military-esque drums. In keeping with this celebration of a great English tradition, the brilliant video for the single was filmed at this year’s annual Cheese Rolling race at Cooper’s Hill (yes, Cheese Rolling is indeed a old and cherished British tradition) in Gloustershire, the video captures the courage and the craziness of this historic and wonderfully unique event in a climatic documentary style music video.

For fans of The Futureheads, Rakes, The Strokes, The Temper Trap, Arcade Fire, Shins.

The Maccabees tour dates
June 13th - ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
June 26th - GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL
July 10th - T IN THE PARK FESTIVAL
August 28th - LEEDS FESTIVAL, RADIO 1/NME STAGE
August 29th - READING FESTIVAL, RADIO 1/NME STAGE

press quotes
"Tricky second-album syndrome? On the contrary; Wall of Arms will be one of the better indie-pop-rock offerings of the year and could even propel the Maccabees into the heavy-weight devision. Whatever happens, they're a festival must-see for the summer ahead." - Independent on Sunday

"Thoughtful, inspiring and drivingly powerful, Wall of Arms is a diamond in the yawning miles of rough that is Britain's indie scene. Treasure it." - The London Paper.

"Who knew this summer was going to sound so gloriously dark" - NME

"With this record the Maccabees join the Horrors and Jack Penate... who've come back with far superior second efforts." - The Guardian

"Wall of Arms is a huge leap forward for these Brighton-based former indie poppets." - The Sun

"A collection of atmospheric, heartfelt pop songs" - The Guardian

"They've blossomed into an elegiac cross between Kings of Leon and Arcade Fire." - The London Paper.

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The Maccabees - Wall Of Arms