“The Ceiling” is Jaws, Birmingham`s dream pop cum indie rock trio`s third album and follow up to 2016`s well received “Simplicity” The band were lumped into a category called the B-Town scene, an asinine label, created by lazy London centric journo`s to an upsurge in bands hailing from the second city such as Peace and Swim Deep.
The band were formed in 2012 by Connor Scholfield (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) with friends Alex Hudson (lead guitar) and Eddy Geach (drums) whilst attending Halesowen College on the outskirts of Birmingham. The opening song `Driving At Night` has a wonderful almost detached guitar melody with Connor`s vocals splashed atop. The song seems to be an acknowledgement of having to leave your hometown but really knowing you`d rather remain there despite it`s difficulties. `Feel` seems to be an expression of self-doubt with the distant vocals and intricate guitar textures really articulating this uncertainty. A song with a much heavier feel but still incorporating the bands dreamy pop sensibilities follows with `Do You Remember? ` it showcases a much harder guitar edge, the riffs reminding me of some of the Cure`s wonderful inflections, which in my opinion, is no bad thing. A slight change of direction but one to be welcomed.
I really wasn`t sure about `Fear` the music is almost turned down on this hypnotic practically reflective musing with the line “I’ve got nothing to fear” being repeated at times. Maybe a grower. Things get slowed down with the thoughtful `End Of The World` Again the music is mesmerising, and Connor shares the lyrics as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. A track to certainly make you reflect on life, `Patience` opens with a flute and solid bassline before the drums and guitars join in. The music almost floats in and out as it progresses but it retains it`s addictive feeling of warmth and happiness. The anthemic `Looking/Passing` follows before the title track `The Ceiling` offers us just under five minutes of shimmering, enthralling indie perfection. The penultimate track `Please Be Kind` is a similar cut but with a slightly more euphoric feel.
The album is rounded off in an interesting way with `January` a predominately acoustic track, quite a brave and unexpected move. I really enjoyed this release, it wasn`t what I was expecting and felt as if it was a coming of age for the group, a sort of rite of passage. It shows a band that is growing, maturing and not afraid to express and share their vulnerabilities. Indeed, Connor has said that “Lyrically “The Ceiling” is generally about feeling a bit lost, I think as you grow up everything feels like it’s moving along a lot quicker; friends, relationships, life can all seem to move at 100 mph. Sometimes we forget that it’s OK to stand still for a bit sometimes and actually breathe. A lot of these songs are about dealing with that.”
I don`t think the album could be summed up any better.
Rating 8.5 /10
