Album Review

Sound of Guns – What Came From Fire

• 30th Jun 2010

If you’re a regular festival-goer, you’re bound to have heard of Sound of Guns by now. The Liverpool quintent have strummed their fingers to the bone with appearances Glastonbury, Live at Leeds, Radio One’s Big Weekend, to name but a few.

Having secured fans on the live circuit, they’ve finally released a full-length album of crowd-pleasing rock and roll tunes. While their music is rather more sophisticated than your typical Liverpool band’s, there’s still something in their look and Andy’s raw vocals which hints at their origins – the opening of ‘Elementary of Truth’ is comparable to the songs of 90s sensation Cast.

The purpose of the intro is questionable; perhaps the whispering tongues and faint jingle of music boxes are a pointed contrast with the unremittent guitars and bold, confident sound the band have created – epitomised by haunting single ‘Architects.’

One thing that is certain, however, is that this album demonstrates perfectly Sound of Guns’ ability to extend themselves (and their music) beyond one city and one genre. ‘Collisions’, with its dangerously funky muted intro, delivers multi-layered, feel-good rock while ‘106 (still the words)’ starts with a sound so gentle it’s like glitter falling and builds to a sombre but self-assured chant.

With a catalogue of heartfelt songs that go beyond the lyrical cliches of love and heartbreak so often heard across the industry (‘My White Noise’ is particularly poignant), the ten full songs are faultless, crowned by final, melodic track ‘Starts With an End.’

It is an achievement for a band to record an album which truly reflects their live presence, as What Came From Fire triumphantly does. If you haven’t made it to a Sound of Guns show yet, you’re in for a treat. If you have, enjoy all the energy and electricity, without the crowd of sweaty bodies around you!