The Xcerts first made waves on the Punktastic radar back in early 2007. Supporting the now-infamous Ghost of a Thousand (though sounding a world apart from the new-hardcore pioneers), they took just twenty minutes or so to make it imperatively clear that they mean business at Brighton’s Engine Rooms on the January evening in question.
Two years, multiple tours criss-crossing the UK and the odd festival appearance later, the Scots-come-Brightonians’ debut album is finally due for release, and it’s just as exciting, energetic and bittersweet as expected.
The most impressive aspect of In the Cold Wind We Smile, is that the trio have perfectly captured the energy of their live shows on disc. With Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Ash, Idlewild) at the helm, they’ve harnessed every flailing emotion and perfectly nailed it in recording. From the heart-wrenching new single, Crisis In the Slow Lane to the frustrated Do You Feel Safe?, vocalist Murray Macleod leads us through forty minutes of his most honest inner thoughts. At times it’s beautiful, at times it makes for uncomfortable listening, if there ever was an album that wore its heart on it’s sleeve, this is it.
The only gripe I have with this record (and believe me, it’s a really small one) is the choice of tracklisting. While approximately half the songs here have been released and recorded previously, it would have been nice to hear the likes of Aberdeen 1987 and Just Go Home re-done for the full length. On top of that, at only ten-and-a-half songs in length, the inclusion of forgotten favourites My Book Laughs or Ghost in the Water, even as bonus tracks would have been a welcome addition.
Still, where’s the fun in having everything you want? In the Cold Wind We Smile is still an astounding record and one that will likely see The Xcerts become a household name in 2009. Flitting from the harmoniously sweet to the tremendously raucous in the space of every song, it’s the most honest and touching album I’ve heard so far this year, and one well worthy of a purchase.
Andy R