The Wirral’s own three-piece, Modern Marriage have dropped their first album “Grim Up North” which they describe as their signature blend of “blend of chimey, Rickenbacker-driven guitar pop and twisted, highly observational storytelling.”
I already can tell they had a northern, dry sense of humour, when asked who their inspirations are, they gave the answers “Captain Beefheart, Captain Sensible, Captain Hook and Captain Birdseye.”
Make of that what you will.
The album is a twelve track offering, ranging with songs between two and half minutes to nearly four and half, your average length of track nowadays, but I was keen to hear if their humour soared through their music on the album.
It starts off with “Terry’s Last Fag” which from the get go has this groovy guitar riff and the title alone had me laughing – and the lyrics aren’t easy to pick up, but it’s fast-paced and easy to groove along to, and has this infectious energy about it, there are some really funky elements to it and riffs (and a guitar solo) that I think even Brian May would be proud of, a good start.
Next up is “Money! Money! Money! Money! Money! Money! Money!” – no, it’s not ABBA on speed (at least I don’t think so anyway) – but it’s kicks off with this twangy long riff and reminded me of the backing tracks of “The Jam” and their chanty-like anthems and this was a bit easier to pick up, and this could easily be one that a crowd could get involved with at a show – simple but perfectly executed, well played.
“Gerry and his Pacemaker” follows (I was in tears at this title) whilst the title is a clear piss-take of the famous merseyside band, I can’t help but think that Modern Marriage was an interpretation of their tunes, but also bringing what could be their lives to the modern days we’re in now, clever, witty and hard not to smirk at, with some honest life mantra’s in – fair play.
“Speke Now (Or Forever Hold Your Peace)” I am really enjoying the fun play on words and nods to local towns (Speke is a suburb of Liverpool, for those who don’t know” and it starts off with this funky riff again and then they go full pelt and just go for it, it holds it and then halfway through randomly slows down, before doing the full 360 and just going full pelt again, put it this way, you won’t be bored and you will enjoy yourself, even if reluctant to admit it.
Which leads us onto the title track “Grim Up North” – which in a different feel starts off with a catchy drumbeat and teases us with another funky backing track, it reminded me a bit of The Rumble Strips, catchy, fun and lyrics that are easy to pick up and sing to, again, another one that a crowd could sing along to at a live show – I loved the trumpet elements to it too, that really gave it something new and unique.
Next up is “Blue, Red and Yellow…Maybe” – this track is considerably more rockier from the get go, it has a bit more attitude and seems a bit more mellow initially with the play on words and humour, but that said, it is nice to break it up a bit – not my favourite track, but still well produced and well mastered.
“Lobster Pot” is next and we’re now over halfway through the album.
We’re back with the rocky riffs and then it just has this 70’s punk rock feel to it, I really rate this – I find it really easy to listen to and it has an instant hook to it, it did take me a couple of listens to pick it up but you can enjoy it just from the musicianship alone, the skill on the guitar alone is to be admired on this track.
Track 8 is “Stronzo Nel Ristorante Italiano” (yes really) and if you’re expecting Billy Joel esque scenes in an Italian Restaurant, you’d be very wrong, it just oozing pure punk rock and nothing like you’d expect, it does mellow down in places (not for a restaurant mind) but it does show that Modern Marriage are up for experimenting and having a go with different elements, the bass in this track is particularly shining through in this for me.
Next up is a track of the same name as the band “Modern Marriage” – and it’s instant, punk rock, go go go, at least that’s how it feels!
There is a definite infectious energy about it and whilst it is consistently energetic, it’s also easy to just sit and listen to, there is a little switch up towards the end that does shake you back into the room, but a nice easy track to break up the album here.
“Dear John” follows up and it has this twinkly, twangy guitar pang to open up, which I rated, it kind of reminded me of The Smiths a little bit, definitely one of the more mellow tracks of the album for sure, or so I thought…
About two-thirds of the way through it’s like there’s a sudden burst of energy and madness (in the best way possible!!) and it just brings you back down to earth and dare I say, wanting more?
Then onto the penultimate track of the album “IKEA Flatpack” – we’re still sticking to hilarious single names, which I am absolutely here for, this one feels more acoustic from the get-go, and then has this lovely orchestral theme piercing through the background of it, it’s quite enchanting really and very nice chilled out with some impressive musicianship throughout, ironically, everything that IKEA flatpack is not (if you’ve ever successfully put it together without swearing, then fairplay) – it ends on this gorgeous faded out guitar solo, really rated that too.
And finally, the title that killed me off the most “You Can’t Send Ya Ma To Blackpool” – firstly, what if she wants to go to Blackpool? (I checked with mine, she doesn’t), the track was more mellow than I expected for the title, but the lyrics have a fun side regardless, and the tone is quite ironic really, it’ll put a smile on your face regardless.
Overall, if you need a pop-punk, indie-rock album full of ridiculousness, this is literally your best bet, Modern Marriage sound mad as a box of frogs, but in the best way possible, it certainly put a smile on my face and quite frankly, it’s well worth a listen just to hear their dry sense of humour, a decent debut album that, well in.
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