Member Since: 12/6/2005
Band Members:
- Vocals & Guitar
- Bass
- Guitar/Keys
- Drums
Influences:
Dovid Bowie
Kate Bush
The Eels
Huey Lewis and the News
Clover
Marcella Detroit
Supergrass
Spacehog
Sounds Like:
Tuneage!
Clint Boon - XFM
My NXNE experience ended with Armies of You. Every year NXNE invites a handful of bands from the UK, but the only band they invited this year still without a label is Armies of You. That makes them pretty damn cool, and that problem will probably be resolved soon. There were many more well-known bands playing at this timeslot, but I'm not sure there were many better bands. I really dig Armies of You and can see big things in their future. They showcased a knack for making super-catchy rock songs you could easily dance along to along with softer, more atmospheric pop songs that were clearly influenced by Bowie. They also have a keen timing for when to spend twenty or thirty seconds with instrumental solos and jams.
If NXNE invites Armies of You back next year, my crystal ball tells me they'll be a lot better known. I heard a lot of great music at NXNE, but Armies of You have a style that translates well to the radio and mainstream, so they might end up being the biggest of them all.
www.twowaymonologues.com (Canada)
Armies of You are the next upcoming act to emerge from the music scene in
the U.K. They blend catchy choruses, organic vocals and a concrete rhythm
section together to create an Indie/Pop/Rock sound that will transform any
audience into a dance party. The carefully layered songs hit the speakers
like a wave of sound that cannot be stopped.
With average rock band instrumentation (drums, bass, guitars, vocals)
A.O.Y. take it to the next step by adding harmonica, shakers, and
keyboards subtly within their tracks to broaden the wall of sound. All of
the members sing back up vocals so different timbres float in and out of
the songs almost undetected. These instruments combined with illustrious
vocals build a solid foundation that A.O.Y. is built on.
The song "Self Opposing Smile", off of their latest EP, shows the more
laid back A.O.Y. while they trade their dance-ability in for tears and
lighters. With heartfelt lyrics one is forced to relate to James as he
belts out "Father never made it home, Now he's up in Heaven, Where the
Angel's roam" As other tracks are filled with the pop/rock feel, the
lyrics switch themes drastically. With eco-political messages clashing
with grungy guitars and heavy backbeats there is no question why A.O.Y.
was named Unsigned Band of September by XFM. A complete listen through
and you will hear the genres and rhythms fusing together to create a
truly unique sound. The music overall is extremely catchy and would be
enjoyed by any Arctic Monkeys/Muse fan.
Jason Caffelle - Indie In-tune Magazine (USA)
Armies of You are equal parts Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Specials and
Razorlight, with a vocal mix of Bowie and Billy Mack (that crooner fella
from Love Actually) thrown in just to confuse you.
Opener Dirty Mac is a standout, big epic early-90's stadium rock tune that begs to be played with legs apart straddling a mountain side in the token big-haired rock pose. Funk-tinged Voyeur on the other hand is pure Chilis and possibly the best thing the Americans haven't done this decade. The disgracefully titled Self-Opposing Smile relaxes into a laid-back end-of-festival vibe that suggests Armies of You are diverse enough to be a band worthy of keeping your eye on.
Owen McKeown - Glasswerk.co.uk
Pop music in an alternative dimension akin to the mighty 28 costumes. Rocking and vibrant-not aggressively so, which is a good change to the current staple. Love the irreverant backing vocals, massively inventive lyrics, fresh, punchy. Need to harmonise, hope to see you soon guys if there's any justice. Not too much to say, cos Armies of You can truely speak for themselves!
Andy Cottle - Decode Magazine
The idea of the 'X-factor', now pretty much obsolete as a useable
critical term thanks to the TV programme, was made to refer to bands
like Cardiff's Armies of You. Their combination of jangly, garagey
guitars and quasi-poetic, quasi-'gritty' lyrics could slot into the
Arctic Monkeys/Milburn 2006 continuum with wearisome ease, but no -
they're elevated by a certain flair and ability to rock at unexpected
moments.
Noel Gardner - Buzz Magazine
DIY sparkles struck with power chord riff to die for in the first track. It just gets better..the lyrics are excellent; 'Children stumble into drugs from saccarine' Excellent and true! there you go blame all those wham! bars..watch out for the discalimers on sweets if-eaten-turns-you-into-a-crack-head-in-10-years!
Miss Gardner - Decode Magazine
Incorporating a vast range of styles that bring to mind virtually every UK indie band of the last 25 years - from Gang of Four and PIL to the Clash, Blur and, perhaps more predictably, Franz Ferdinand, HOLD can hold its head high in the current sea of mediocrity that is the British music scene.
Jon Land - 24Dash.com
Type of Label: None