Album Review

Saint Max – Saint Max And The Fanatics EP

• 14th Jul 2012

Saint Max makes his musical debut with a five track EP of dynamic and entertaining pop songs. Described as a “wandering poet”, the Scots singer/ songwriter recorded these tracks at Glasgow’s all-analogue Green Door Studio, giving an eighties feel and a big, full sound to his music.

A Life Worth Living is a lively track that brings together strong guitars, smooth vocals and some lovely brass melodies. It’s uptempo and fun, and Max shows us right away that he can write a catchy pop song. Afraid Of Love is sung initially in a higher register before Max demonstrates he can also go low when required. It’s fast and passionate and ends with a guitar and drum crescendo.

Let ‘Em Have It Sunshine has the fun pop feel of early Madness. The guitar sound is pure ska and the brass section adds a lot to another energetic song. Max’s vocals are even and fit the musical backing perfectly.

Wonderful Life changes the feel of things, a slower acoustic love song that works well because of the smooth vocals. Max shows a nice self deprecating side too, with lyrics that ask if he sounds like “a singer from the eighties with a haircut from the past?”

The final track Die Annie Die brings the pace up once again as the guitars dominate and Max extends his voice well. The brass section takes a back seat for much of this one before coming in late on for a big ending.

This EP shows in 17 minutes of music or so that Saint Max is a good new addition to the Scottish music scene. Strong lyrics, a good uptempo sound and a great voice mark a talented individual, and I’m sure he has much more to show us yet.