The Drums

Chances are you’ve already written off the insanely hyped Drums as yet another “flavour of the month” band whose debut can’t possibly live up to fans’ expectations. Well you’re wrong, as the four-piece’s 12 track slab of wax is an indie tour de force and easily one of the most important records of the year. Kicking off with the first song they ever wrote together (‘Best Friend’) the album is an ear-gasm inducing cacophony of Hooky basslines, handclaps, finger-snaps and knowing lyrics like “You were my best friend/ And then you died” delivered with a knowing wink from frontman Jonathan Pierce (who also produced the record).
What makes The Drums utterly life-affirming is their decision to go for the jugular. Breakthrough (and whistle-tastic) single ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ makes an appearance early on, and the majority of tunes are two and a half minute up-tempo anthems in a similar vein. Only the Shangri-Las’ aping ‘Down By The Water’ slows the pace and its bloke-ish take on 60s girl groups is utter genius. ‘Book Of Stories’ is another classic crammed full of sugary melodies and Morrissey-influenced lines like “I thought my life would get easier/ Instead it’s getting harder.” On the whole, this record is a near faultless example of just how good indie can be and deservedly marks them out to be the saviours of the genre. Believe the hype.