Review Summary: One of the best British debut albums ever
'Signals' is Mallory Knox's debut album and is so accomplished that it sounds like it has been made by a band that is recording their third or fourth album.
The first few tracks on ‘Signals’ could all be singles played on the radio. The album has vocal harmonies, huge hooks, along with both infectious and anthemic songs throughout. The sound really is huge; I can only compare it to when I first heard and loved Young Guns debut ‘All our kings are Dead’ only its better.
The first song "Beggars" starts the album off with aplomb, from the first few spine tingling seconds to the kick drum BOOM straight in and rocking out. It keeps up the pace next with "Lighthouse". This song has a massive uplifting chorus and is one of the best rock songs I’ve heard in a while, right up there with the likes of We are the Ocean’s ‘Young Heart’ and Deaf Havana’s ‘Little White Lies’. You should watch the video’s for all 3 songs, you won’t be disappointed.
“Death Rattle” has riffs galore; this song is guaranteed to be a live favourite for fans to sing along to. Mickey uses a gruff style vocal on this song, which gives a nice contrast to the rest of the album.
‘1949’ shows off the bands softer side. Lead vocalist Mikey Chapman shows he is a great lyricist in the making, making catchy, passionate and believable songs.
Although the second half of the album isn’t as good as the first, it is still a great listen throughout. Songs such as ‘Wake Up’, Misdemeanour’ and "Bury Your Head" still have the anthemic theme and good choruses, yet seem a bit lacklustre to the songs around them. The slower pace continues to the album title song "Signals" before album closer “Creeper” finishes the album in style.
‘Signals’ is without doubt a solid debut album. It blends right into the current British rock sound putting them alongside the likes of Deaf Havana, We are the Ocean, Young Guns, Lower Than Atlantis, and other new bands such as Don Broco and Canterbury.
Mallory Knox name is taken from the movie ‘Natural Born Killers’, with this album similar bands will need to raise their game to survive.
