Hampdens, The - The Last Party (Album)
If anything could be learnt from home-grown three-piece The Hampdens’ latest album, The Last Party, it would be that they are band that are entirely aware of the world around them, and the greater meaning that can be found in the simple, everyday situations each of us faces. Combining earnest, heart-felt lyrics, a wholly appealing sound and this pervading element of self-awareness, the band have created a brilliant album that beckons for the listener to hear more than a melody…and then hear it again and again, because it’s such a charming experience.
Opening track The Belljar, one of the more mellow songs on the record, is a simple, yet effective introduction to The Last Party. It has a mysterious, expectant aura to it, leaving the listener waiting for whatever the band will deliver next. These expectations are exceeded with Generation Y, a reflection on 21st century life, effectively combining elements of electronica and alternative to craft the album’s finest track. ‘I’m sick and tired of apathy and Cobain tributes’, breathes singer Susannah Legge, and for many a listener, it’s likely that they are too.
This ongoing relativity that The Hampdens so masterfully craft between themselves and their audience is one of the strongest aspects of The Last Party. Their lyrics read like stories, stories that contain glimpses of all of us. Asleep On The Lawn, another highlight, is full of starry-eyed hoping, Forget To Begin tells of longing, and Social Suicide of defeat.
The Last Party is worth your money, your time, and your ears. The Hampdens are undoubtedly one of the finest local acts around at the moment, and their latest offering does not disappoint. Check it out.
