CD: “Alone Together” by Archers And Arrows

All the way from Switzerland comes Archers and Arrows with a hefty slice of indie-rock. Not the kind of thing you would expect from, as they describe it, “notoriously peaceful and passive country”, and yet have managed to secure the stage with The Gaslight Anthem, and Polar Bear Club.

The album has a great sound with each element helping to deliver a tight punchy sound, that also manages to bring a certain gravitas to the proceedings. Unusual, for this reviewer, I find that the music has a soundscape feel to it, as if it was new-age, or instrumental. Why is this strange? With their pop-punk/indie-rock leanings you would not expect to find anything remotely relaxing. But this album flows. The vocals are outstanding, ranging from the indie rock sound, through punk aggression in places (rawness that appears in “Dirty Hands” suites the track perfectly), as well as a harsh rock vibe at times. All carried effortlessly by the music.

From the opening tracks where the band display their rock tendancies, “Sing To The Wind” opens with slight curve ball changing with the guitar providing a dreamlike feel, this moves into a more rock track, but keeps that softer feel throughout the track.

“Danse Macabre” opens more acoustically, and tries to keep that feel, although the heavier drumming keeps that rock edge. Whilst “Alone Together” has a rhythm and melody that tries to break out and show the inner punk, with vocals that have a raw edge.

Closing with “Emergency” they introduce a female vocalist towards the end of the track, that gives their sound a whole new feel, and as much as I love this addition, it cannot be faulted, I am curious as to whether or not the album would have been as good if she had appeared on more tracks through out.

I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something fresh, catchy (I found myself nodding my head along, or tapping my foot without realizing it) about this album. Yet it is not a bland pop offering. They have blended together a variety of styles, and genres, and showing elements of each as if they belonged together, maintaining a consistent sound that does not feel at all like a mash-up. Perhaps this is more a summer album, than the end of winter. I have no idea what is happening in the Swiss music scene, but there is no reason I can see as to why these guys are not spreading out across Europe.

Line Up
Sebastien
Nicolas
Bunty
Yves

Track Listing
Innocence
Numb/Dumb
My Own God
Sing to the Wind
Self-Made Man
Danse Macabre
Alone Together
Dirty Hands
Sing and Play
Emergency

Links
https://www.facebook.com/archersandarrows
http://archersandarrows.bandcamp.com
http://archersandarrows.tumblr.com/

Words by Jon.