Up, Guards And At 'Em!

Back with a brand new album, Up, Guards And At‘Em!, are Leeds based five piece, The Pigeon Detectives. The rockers have returned with a slightly more refined sound than the scruffy, scrappy indie rock we’re used to. With the addition of a synthesiser, the band are clearly developing their musical sound, and in the process possibly broadening their appeal. But with the danger of them going all dance-pop on us, admittedly this new sound did come as a bit of a shock to the system. Opening track, She Wants Me, shows the band experimenting with the addition of a dance beat; a sound that’s worlds apart from what we’re used to hearing from these guys. But don’t be put off if this style of music isn’t really your thing – the lads soon kick back into that signature ‘Pigeon’ sound that fans are so familiar with.

      Lead single, Done In Secret, is certainly one of the strongest tracks on the album, and is indeed most reminiscent of the band’s older sound. Songs  What Can I Say? and What You Gonna Do?  show off the bands signature blend of scrappy, energetic rock, and the undeniably catchy, belt-it-out lyrics are still within the mix. Yet in places, the album seems to lack that energy and drive which The Pigeon Detectives have always had in heaps.

      Admittedly, I was expecting a bit more of a punch in the face from this album if the title is anything to go buy, but sadly it was distinctly less upbeat in comparison to the jaunty, cheeky hits of the past, such as big hitters, Take Her Back, I Found Out and I’m Not Sorry. That being said, this isn’t a bad album, and the band still show they can deliver that foot stomping, hand clapping music which they have become so well known for. Up, Guards And At ‘Em! shows the band maturing their sound and giving more depth to their music, instead of just knocking out catchy hits, with those typical don’t-give-a-damn lyrics – but if I’m honest, I did miss that a bit: it was just so darn fun.

      With their distinctive ballsy Yorkshire accent, teamed with the driving, chant-worthy choruses that prompt raucous crowd sing-a-longs, the band have acquired a distinguishable sound, with an in-your-face type attitude that suits their character and perfectly captures their approach to live shows – just get bloody at ‘em!


**As seen in The Motion Online**