JUMPING SHIPS – STANDARD BEARER
Released 12th September 2011 (Alcopop! Records)

Words: Richard Heaven

Standard Bearer is Jumping Ships first release on Alcopop! Records and the follow up to 2010′s Orientation EP. While Orientation was a solid first EP, Standard Bearer see’s the Brighton based lads really take hold of their live sound and successfully commit it to record.

Movers and Shakers combines a heavy, grungy guitar line with indie pop sensibilities to create an opening track which confirms their rightful place alongside such bands as Hold Your Horse Is and Pulled Apart By Horses. Bygones continues this trend by repeatably building to a crescendo and pulling it back again for the verse.

Heart and Hope is quite possibly the highlight of the EP with its highly infectious chorus and Johnny Foreigner/Danananananaykroyd-esque moments. Heads Will Roll is a steady enough track but nothing really causes it to stand out from its trackmates. Broken English is another heavier track which brings back the grungier edge shown in Movers and Shakers, fading nicely into the leading single Tailsman which takes the best parts of both the Indie Scene of 07 and the intense rock of Gallops to create something fresh and contemporary.

Standard Bearer is a great leap forward from Orientation and with the guiding hands of Alcopop behind them I’d be surprised if they don’t start gaining some real momentum in the next few months. Exciting times for an exciting band.