Staff Reviews

Being There - Breaking Away

Review by Lauren Strain

Rough around the edges but not lo-fi, hazy but not slacker, this is a deceptively modest little indiepop gem that’s swollen with all the accumulating energy of being fizz-full of love but landlocked; buoyant with ideals but just waiting for someone to believe in you.»

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'breaking away' is the debut album from c86-inspired indie alt-rockers being there on the young and lost club. formed towards the end of 2010 after meeting at university in manchester, the now london based band being there started working with label young and lost club from the offset, after vocalist and guitarist sammy lewis previously worked with the label as a solo performer. joined by james robinson (bass and vocals), tom rapanakis (drums) and nick olorenshaw (lead guitar) being there spent 2011 on the road with noah and the whale, releasing their debut single, recording their debut album and rounding the year off as one of nme's ones to watch for 2012. being there now look set to spend 2012 on the road in support of their debut album 'breaking away', recorded onto tape during a two-week stay in leeds with producer richard formby (wild beasts, spectrals). with a strong coming of age theme, 'breaking away' is inspired by a nostalgia for teen years that feel full of possibility, but are also, as sammy says, a time that's 'tinged with a sense of limitation, feeling trapped in the suburbs waiting to grow up or just waiting for something to happen'. the band are conscious that it also relates to the current environment where 'so many people we know are experiencing an extended adolescence, where you are a graduate but can't find a job and are stuck at home again dreaming of escape'. opening track 'punch the clock' sees breaking away begin as it means to go on; awash in wave after wave of syrupy jesus and mary chain-style guitars and sweetly understated vocals telling of a car drive through london. it eventually burns out leaving gently ringing drones that morph into the propulsive 'back to the future'; a song loaded with escapist imagery (and a randy newman reference). upcoming single 'tomorrow' is where breaking away really kicks into full throttle however; it's a hyperactive hit for the summer buoyed by the best fuzz guitar hooks this side of dinosaur jr. 'breaking away's appeal isn't just limited to its hard-hitters though. the delicate and reflective 'to infinity and beyond' shows a lighter side of the band, with clear nods to acts such as the lemonheads and herman dune. it's a sound they go on to develop further on the straight up pop songs and singles '17' and 'the radio,' which both perfectly demonstrate the band's ability to write hugely catchy, lo-fi indie pop songs for the 21st century.
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