Album Review :: Temples - Sun Structures

Temples

Sun Structures

February 10 2014 (Heavenly Recordings)

10/10


Words: Leanne Crowley

The debut from the Midlands quartet Temples, contains much of the neo-psychedelic garage rock material the band have been touring since their inception in early 2012, and therefore eagerly anticipated.

The album kicks off with ‘Shelter Song’, an old familiar to any fan and the band’s first single release. The incessant guitar that starts the song continues throughout and added dual layer vocals sounding just as appetising as they do live. Followed by the title track, with its eerie keys from Adam Smith and moody riffs throughout, darker chorus vocals add a hook, this is one song that offers a darker side to the usual upbeat melodies of Temples. The lengthy instrumental to finish is not often associated with this band but it is carried out seamlessly. ‘The Golden Throne’ is a song that has been around for awhile, despite its not ever having been an official release. Here the vocals of James Bagshaw really do stand out, almost haunting when combined with the edgy guitar riff, especially in the bridge. Third single ‘Keep in the Dark’ – a fan favourite – fills the mind next. The strong drum work of Samuel Toms, and the minor notes which intersperse with the major lifts give it a powerfully rhythmic quality, reminiscent of a march and most famously immortalised by T-Rex.

Latest single ‘Mesmerise’ starts with a guitar kick and offers a little something different to the proceeding tracks, whilst still in-keeping with the Temples we know and love. The chorus offers swirling vocal effects and clever guitar solos intersperse throughout. The repeated lyric “tears fell upon the fire, fell upon desire early in the morning” is one which imprints in the listeners mind and ensures this is a track which will not be forgotten in a hurry. ‘Move With The Season’ is a Sixties throwback if ever there was one and would not be out of place in a TV commercial, with its dreamy feel and strong presence. Then comes a step back to their second single release, ‘Colours to Life’; keyboard effects and guitars are the main features within intersperse with the ever-present vocals of James. The song offers something calmer when compared to the rest of the album, the noise level is lower with the focus on the harmonies within the music and the pure talent of the musicians is displayed to the finest degree.

‘A Question Isn’t Answered’ send shivers down the spine, the clapping on the intro and the overall some-what medieval theme to the song juxtapose fantastically with the rest of the albums. The crooning, soothing vocals of James mesmerise the listener drawing you in to the music. This song makes me wonder, what is the question? ‘The Guesser’ is probably the weakest track on the album, but even then it isn’t a bad song. The guitars are rhythmic and the vocals swirly, the positioning may have something to answer for with the minor failure of this one. Back to the Sixties-esque style we know and love from Temples with the aptly named ‘Test of Time’; the vocals here dominating with barely any instrumental interludes, the result is powerful, the feeling of breathlessness taking hold.

The penultimate offering ‘Sand Dance’ puts you in the heart of the desert: Bedouin tent music influences infused with the Sixties experimental style that makes this band. Following on from this lengthy track, we come to ‘Fragment’s Light’, and, the album closer. A relatively short and slow track, it brings the listener down from their experience within this album, ending proceedings with a promise of more to follow and an expectation which now rests firmly on their shoulders.

A fantastic debut which is flawless in its intensity, taking the listener on a journey into a psychedelic wonderland and back again.