Single Review: The Madding Crowd – The 78th Bridge On The Rochdale Canal EP

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The Madding Crowd

The 78th Bridge On The Rochdale Canal - Self Released

Manchester’s The Madding Crowd have been around since 2010, in that time they have undergone numerous line up changes before settling on the current, and strongest, incarnation. To date they have released three EPs, the latest is the uniquely titled EP, The 78th Bridge On The Rochdale Canal, this oddly monikered release follows on from the success of last years single, God’s Greatest Flaw, and continues in their tradition of making music that encompasses a conflicting array of musical influences. The EP is released and available to purchase from today, November 26th 2016.

The 78th Bridge On The Rochdale Canal kicks off in a confrontational style with You’ll Fucking Get Yours, spacy keyboards give way the echo drenched guitars and a solid drum beat, true to form The Madding Crowd defy description, containing and combining elements from influences that shouldn’t work, yet they do. The closest I can get to describing the opening track is that it sounds like Black Grape channelling The Chameleons. The previously released single from the EP, January Begins follows, and takes things in a different direction, a relentless driving fuzzy guitar riff coupled with vocal delivery reminiscent of Janes Addiction. Sinking Low contains a sleazy glam rock element that seems appropriate given the political nature of the lyrics, and finally Where’s The Glamour? round things off in typical genre defying style, containing both gentle passages and driven garage rock elements.

The Madding Crowd have consistently built upon their reputation with each release and The 78th Bridge On The Rochdale Canal is easily their most accomplished release to date, they are an amalgamation of alternative music from the past five decades that doesn’t so much as mark them out from the pack, but separate them completely from it. The Madding Crowd have always done things there own way, rather than jumping on the nearest bandwagon, and this release is no exception. The 78th Bridge On The Rochdale Canal is a stunning EP that shows The Madding Crowd remain a unique facet in the vibrant musical culture of Greater Manchester.

The 78th Bridge On The Rochdale Canal can be purchased here