Now on their fourth album, Durham, England’s Martha has perfected their indie pop punk formula as they have released one of their most engaging records to date. Martha may be saddled with a name that doesn't exactly imply excitement, but one quick spin through Blisters is enough to dispel any doubts as feet start to move, pulses begin to race, and the part of the brain that compels one to sing along is stimulated in a big way.Specialist Subject/Dirtnap Records There's never a dull moment or a duff note, and the whole thing comes together so well it almost seems unfair to the other bands that try this kind of thing and fail. In fact, the whole album is like one long highlight reel. Throughout Blisters, the vocals do a great job of conveying the emotions that the words spell out so well, and the dueling male and female vocals fit together just right, with Naomi Griffin's turns in the solo spotlight among the album's many highlights.
Either of those two bands, or any band that travels a similar path, would be glad to have songs like "Goldman's Detective Agency" and "11:45, Legless in Brandon" in their set lists. The songs are just a little bit catchier and a few tip the balance from punk to pop, like the super-hooky "Precarious (The Supermarket Song)" and the almost jaunty "Do Whatever." The songs that have sparkly pop choruses and punishing punk verses are the best, though, with the band sounding like a (far) less pretentious Los Campesinos! or a more powerful Spook School. This time out they take their time and sound much more relaxed, while still playing with a taut and tight fervor that never flags. Martha seemed to rush through the songs on their debut like they were in a race to get them on tape before the machines self-destructed. Cairns and Daniel Ellis' guitars loud and clanging and the rhythm section (Naomi Griffin on bass, Nathan Stephens-Griffin on drums) tighter and packing a knockout punch. This time though, the sound is bigger, with J.C.
Not that they needed much of an upgrade their ferocious and smart songs about life and the outsiders who live it were already top-notch. Arriving in 2016, Blisters in the Pit of My Heart improves on the first in many ways. After a couple years spent touring between day jobs and school commitments, they reconvened with MJ to record another album. Equal parts fierce punk and sweet pop, it sounded live and raw thanks to the production by MJ from Hookworms, along with the band's unflagging energy. English quartet Martha came blasting out of the Northern suburbs with their debut album, Courting Strong.
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