Maximo Park have been around for a few years now, and have released three studio albums during that time. The band are currently on a UK tour to support their new album, Quicken The Heart, and I went to see them live at the Manchester Academy on May 23.

I’ve seen Maximo Park play live on three different occasions, once after they’ve just released each album. It’s very interesting, to me at least, to chart their progress in that time. A lot has changed in the space of four years.

The first was in Leeds on an NME tour after A Certain …read more

Maximo Park remain one of my favorite British bands of recent years. More than Bloc Party, The Futureheads, or even Art Brut, here is a group that lives up to the hype time and again, and manages to deliver the goods on a consistent basis.

Maximo Park are preparing to release their new album, Quicken The Heart, due out next Monday (May 11). The first single, The Kids Are Sick Again, was released today and gives a great impression of what to expect from the LP.
I’m eagerly awaiting the new album but lead singer Paul Smith recently told The Daily Star …read more

I’ve been a fan of Maximo Park since they released their debut album, A Certain Trigger, in 2005. Two years later they released their second album, Our Earthly Pleasures, which unlike their peers’ (The Futureheads and Bloc Party) efforts managed to live up to the promise of their first release.

Maximo Park are one of those bands who have a really intense and loyal following but don’t quite ever manage to move into the mainstream. But they have another chance to do exactly that with new album, Quicken The Heart.
The first single to be released from Quicken The Heart is The …read more

Some of the bloggers here on the b5 music channel decided to record our Soundtrack For A Day yesterday. This could take different forms, be it all the songs you listened to on that day, a selection from certain moments, or a particular album.
I decided to stick my media player on random and note down the first 50 songs it played, and here is the result.
As a full time blogger who works from home, music is very important to me as it can change the mood of my day. Pressing the random button is therefore a bit of a gamble …read more

Newcastle Brown Ale is as famous a north-east icon as the Tyne Bridge, and the Angel Of The North in Gateshead. Catching up fast in the fame stakes are Maximo Park, the Newcastle band who grab more fans with every single and album release.
So, it’s only right that these two giants of north-east culture should work together, and that is exactly what is happening.

Tyneside Brewers, the makers of Newcastle Brown Ale, approached the band, and asked if they’d like to work together. Maximo obviously agreed, and Maximo Brown Ale is due to go on sale from December 15th.
The band agreed …read more

Any regular Brit Music Scene readers will already be well aware of my love for Maximo Park, and that isn’t going to change any time soon.
However, when reviewing their new single Karaoke Plays, I will be fair and give an honest opinion, because, well although it’s ok, it’s not my favourite on the album by any means.
I was actually surprised they chose to release this as a single, because I don’t think it’s that strong a song. The video is fun though, completely lacking the band, and instead showing a weekend coach trip for a group of youngsters with …read more

I don’t think this is ever going to happen to me, I mean I’d have to go on a cruise or a long haul flight first… and I just don’t do that. BUT, were I ever to get stranded on a desert island with only music as company, these are the 10 British albums I’d choose to be stuck with until I got rescued, or turned in to worm food.
I know I’m going to get criticised, not only for what is here, but what isn’t. Be assured that I had a massive list of albums that could and maybe should …read more

I’ve been writing this blog for over 3 months now, and hopefully some of you are reading and enjoying Brit Music Scene. I’ve strived to bring you all the latest news, reviews, gossip and low-down on everything to do with the British Music Scene, and I think I’ve done a good job.
So in a further effort to educate my readers and bring some good music to your ears, here are 10 British music artists you should discover.
Now some of you will know all of the groups I talk about, especially if you happen to be in the UK, but …read more

I have two live videos of British bands for you today which I think you might enjoy. Maximo Park and The Editors are 2 of my favourite bands at the moment, and have both released amazing second albums in 2007.
While on their promotional tours over in America to support the new albums, they appeared on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and both performed brilliantly.
First off The Editors performing ‘An End Has A Start’ and the start of ‘Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors‘. I can’t believe the programme cut off only 30 seconds in to the 2nd track but we at least …read more

This is the new Maximo Park single ‘Girls Who Play Guitars’, which isn’t released in the UK until 20th August, but I have the video and an exclusive review already here on Brit Music Scene.
Maximo Park are a band you either love or hate, there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground at all. I’m definitely in the former camp, rating them as one of my favourite bands around at the moment. They can’t seem to put a foot wrong, with great song after great song, and a 2nd album just as good as their debut.
This is one of …read more