Album Review :: Benin City - Fires In The Park

Benin City

Fires In The Park

July 1 2013 (Audio Doughnuts)

9/10

Words: Andrew Major


Benin City have collected rave reviews from every notable indie music publication and they’re certainly not afraid to flaunt it. Having been called vibrant, and the most exciting thing since the moon landing, all that remains to be heard is whether debut album ‘Fires In The Park’ from this multi-genre three-piece has the minerals to deliver.

Ripples of commotion about Benin City have been swirling around the capital for a few years now but with the recent dissection and re-animation of what we perceive as indie/electro music coming to a head; it could well be the ideal time for Benin City to unleash their truly unique and stimulating sound. It’s not just their sound which is intriguing; it’s the eclectic mix of instruments used to create it; acoustic percussion from drummer Theo Buckingham is expertly blended with samples and electronic beats which are somehow fused with some tenor sax (that’s right, electro brass) from multi-instrumentalist Tom Leaper finished off with the slightly unnerving tones and expressions from widely talented vocalist and front-man Joshua Idehen.

‘Fires In The Park’ is the group’s first full-length release and, believe me, it was worth the wait. Jam-packed with afro-dub beats, some seriously deep lyrics and overall an authentic ‘London’ aesthetic. There will always be comparisons thrown around when it comes to multi-genre artists, Benin City evoke a little bit of Bloc Party, a fair bit of SBTRKT with a little douse of TV on the Radio. Luckily however they’ve already conquered the curse of any new band, they simply sound like Benin City.

The album kicks off with the sub-bass tinge of ‘People Will Say’ and ‘Faithless’. The vocals of Idehen instantly draw you in from the first line and all the way through the journey around the streets of London, from simple days in the sun to the contemplations and everyday decisions of life. For me, ‘Faithless’ will be the track to raise Benin City up and pump them through national airwaves and festival tents. It’s rich, it’s catchy, it’s clever. I doubt there is one critic who could not appreciate this track; a real breakthrough.

As the album settles itself down for tracks ‘Wha Gwan’, ‘Pencils’ and ‘Winning Streak’, the use of percussion and the little touches of samples and production really start to shine through and keep the record rolling nicely; and of course we get the first real flurries of that slightly augmented tenor sax which simply cannot fail. Idehen’s vocals in ‘Pencils’ are another album highlight; outdoing himself in the way of ‘gritty’ lyrics and getting it just right. Benin City’s use of reprises in their track listing is another fresh and interesting idea brought to the table on ‘Fires In The Park’. ‘So You Say Reprise’ is a 30 second jazz-influenced precursor to the record’s final track so in effect a backward reprise but you get the idea.

‘Baby’ is certainly out of the same drawer as ‘Faithless’. Vocally led with little percussion, other than some more subtle sub-bass and samples make ‘Baby’ more profound than previous tracks and makes for a perfect interlude to the album’s final straight, which kicks off with ‘This Is London PT2’. A piece of satirical poetry aimed at London’s hard parts as well as its redeeming features. A track of two parts quite literally, the first of which is an optimistic delivery from a mystery female vocalist documenting London’s pull and appeal. Part two however is handed back to Idehen and his brash delivery cuts through the weighty synth line and brands London as a prison that has worn him down; heavy…

Into the final third and we are face-to-face with ‘My Love’. Another masterclass in vocal delivery and the textured build-up of layer upon layer of instrumentation. Lyrically, ‘My Love’ is truly magnificent; approaching the subject matter from a different angle and pulling it off with precision. Next up is ‘D.A.M’. For lack of a better work one of the scarier tracks on ‘Fires In The Park’, delving deep down into the group’s darker side with some beautiful production from Marc Pell (Micachu and The Shapes) and of course another helping of highly imaginative lyrics.

‘Only The Beginning’, ‘Winning Streak Reprise’ and ‘So You Say’ finish off this massive statement of intent from Benin City. ‘Only The Beginning’ revolves around some call and answer, boy/girl vocals and more swirling, atmospheric backing from Tom Leaper and Theo Buckingham. ‘Winning Streak Reprise’ does what it says on the tin and delivers an instrumental take on the original track. A great excuse to display some of that tenor sax and change up the tempo a bit, but more importantly it’s an actual addition to the album. Not one track feels as if it’s been shoehorned in, it all makes sense. ‘So You Say’ finishes off the record with another mystery female vocalist adding her talents to the album. And finally what we’ve all been waiting for; a tenor sax solo. Perhaps a slightly underwhelming end to ‘Fires In The Park’ considering the constant high quality of each track.

Benin City have indeed received a large amount of plaudits in the past and now I can see why. ‘Fires In The Park’ has set them far apart from most new bands and artists trying to break themselves into the mainstream. Not only is ‘Fires In The Park’ highly competent in the way of musicianship and music theory, it has a real spirit and feel that most bands unfortunately fall short on. My advice is go and listen to Benin City and find your new favourite band.