Black Country, New Road are a band of built on musical unorthodoxy, their tracks meander and never conform to a singular outlook or sound. No sooner after you’re allured by an off kilter guitar line and vulnerable lyricism are you bombarded by anxious strings and volatile horns; its thrilling, unpredictable, and makes For The First Time, their debut record, one of the best in recent memory.
Despite containing only six tracks, the album is as dense and expansive as those twice its size. Each track is a inquisitive introspection into the mind of an angst ridden indie kid, and its the oft-absurd musings from lead singer Isaac Wood that truly elevate the band. Half spoken, half sung, they’re a constant commentary, whether it be admiration of their contemporaries (“I told you I loved you in front of black midi”), or playing on early criticisms the band received (“fled from the stage with the world’s second-best Slint tribute act”). He embodies a sense of apprehension, a feeling the band may have had since their meteoric rise, as how could they ever live up?
However this apprehension is non existent in the aptly titled opener ‘Instrumental.’ The track is a groove ridden klezmer jam is carried by the insanely sharp drumming of Charlie Wayne that provides a foundation for the rest of the band flourish.
‘Science Fair’ is a frigid number which captures feelings of narcissistic lust, playing out in a lyrical free form monologue from Wood, and captures the genre-fluidity of the band with its sudden, incendiary climax. ‘Track X’ on the other hand, is an uncharacteristically soft and eloquent track. Lacking in the usual driving percussion, it layers minimalistic instrumentation to a grandiose degree, and presents BC, NR at their most tender, resulting in one of the best tracks on the record.
For the record, BC, NR decided to rework their first two singles ‘Athens, France’ and ‘Sunglasses’, a decision which has split their cult-like fanbase. Whilst musically remaining similar, they have been filled out instrumentally, with Athens, France gaining a sumptuous new guitar line near the end and Sunglasses having an ominous opening. But it is with the lyrics where most of the controversy lies, as they have been updated on both as Wood felt they capture his intended meaning (“And write the words I’ll one day wish I never said”).
The album finishes with ‘Opus’, a track which feels like the angst ridden life of the character built within the album has reached breaking point and they have snapped. Wood is bellowing and ferocious, the band in a perpetual crescendo, building to a tormenting end.
For the First Time may be a challenging listen for those not familiar with the genre, it is an album that is bursting with ideas, and firmly places BC, NR at the forefront of experimental rock. Your guess is as good as mine as to where they go next.
5/5 stars.
