Album Review

Hostage Calm – Please Remain Calm

• 5th Oct 2012

The follow up to 2010’s genre-defying self-titled debut adds another piece to an already complicated puzzle. ‘Please Remain Calm’ flitters through various genres with similar disorder, yet switches these genres from the modern punk of its forbearers to a bittersweet surf-pop which diffuses through this most recent effort. Fundamentally, the record further disassociates itself from the scene in which the band were born and certifies Hostage Calm as a bewildering force. Those photos of the band surrounded by a tattoo-bearing volatile fan base are pushed further into the past; ‘Please Remain Calm’ is a sound all its own, incorporating elements of punk, pop, surf, and uncomplicated Americana rock.

The fast-paced journey through a wealth of genres is succinct rather than losing the audience through inconsistency. Bookended by the most outwardly punk tracks (‘On Both Eyes’ and ‘One Last Salute’), the record never fully commits to a certain pace. From ‘Impossible’ onwards the focus turns to surf-pop, and by the time the strings are introduced on ‘The M Word’ the earlier heavier moments are increasingly irrelevant to the album structure. By grouping similar song types together Hostage Calm avoid confused structures and retain a level of concurrence.

As a political statement, Hostage Calm fill the album with an abundance of references to the current state of their homeland – ‘The M Word’ in particularly lays the cards upon the table – ‘You’re abused, but is that the worst he’s done to you?/It’s a sad time to be young/Knowing the worst has just begun’ sings vocalist Chris ‘Cmar’ Martin. The line is indicative of the discontent experienced by the band in modern society, and is fortified during the mesmerising a cappella-of-sorts ‘Patriot’, complete with musical references to the American national anthem.

Politics is not unique yet the retrospective surf-pop and Americana adds an intriguing twist to proceedings, supporting the social commentary with an air of sarcasm and contradiction. A number of tracks in particular appear jovial on the surface while simultaneously broadcasting serious issues. The relationship between the message and the delivery acts as reflective mockery of current society. These careful manipulations and intelligent lyrics underpin the album with a fundamental punk disposition, retaining a rebellious edge throughout even the most commercial moments.

Hostage Calm have purposely moulded their sound to adopt the attitude of a society not very dissimilar from the current economic and political climate. The punk attitude and surf-pop delivery adds poignancy to the social commentary contained within the lyrics, while on the surface providing a selection of carefully crafted and entirely unique songs. Far removed from the hardcore days of the band, ‘Please Remain Calm’ is the illogical yet charming step in the direction forged by the self-titled record. It will certainly be neigh-on impossible to find an album which takes the same amount of risks and gambles as this one, but through this ‘Please Remain Calm’ is one of the most impassioned and impulsive releases of the year.