Shields - Alive

 

 

 

1. Who are these charismatic characters?

Shields come from the grim Geordie streets of Newcastle, England. Alive (Jan’16) comes springing off the indie pop band’s debut long player How Can We Fix This? (Feb’16).

2. What kind of tune is Alive?

A sprightly indie pop song with soaring vocals that fly above a lively drum track 90's indie style with modest input from the synths and able assistance from the guitars. Nice. It wouldn't offend the vicar if you had him over for tea and biscuits. It grows on you with repeated listens, to be fair, but the message is life affirming! If you need that.

3. Who do they Shields sound like?

Alive minds of a sugary I'm From Barcelona's Violins on account of the vocals and even The Rotaries Town Light, a New York band true, but that tune has a Northern English sound.

Shields have been mentioned as having similarities to the likes of The Futureheads, Maximo Park, Everything Everything, Zoot Woman and Friendly Fire by The Guardian.

4. What do the press have to say?

Louder Than War were enthusiastic calling Alive, “a real alt-pop gem,” with “an incredibly catchy guitar hook,” and gushed that the band are “on the cusp of something great.” Consequence of Sound were brief “a bouncy number.” Never Enough Notes highlighted the “bright alt-pop sound” and Killer Pony Tail were effusive big upping the tunes, “rhythmic acrobatics, interweaving guitar work and harmonies,” and taking note of “a pretty positive underlying message of the importance of striving for your goals in the face of adversity.” 

On the topic of the new album How Can We Fix This? the good word was provided by The Guardian who pronounced it,“Slick, soaring electropop with a candy coating designed to give you a sugar high,” and “casually adept, fast yet funkily sublime.” Not content they summarised that the debut long player as, “Full of murderously effective, polished pop.”

 

5. Who are Shields influenced by?

Bands that put the shine in their light are Everything Everything, Tune-Yards and The Dirty Projectors. They have admitted to listening to Field Music, Radiohead, Givers, Beach House, Battles, Elbow, Pink Floyd and Arcade Fire. Shields have confessed to having some love for Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Beach Boys and The Police.
 

6. Why should I listen to Alive?

A universal message of fighting the man resonants in the heart of every indie beast. I mean straining to attain your dreams. Sweet indie pop that wouldn't have sounded out of place in the 90's English indie pop catalogue but also bridges across from that to sunshine drenched optimism of west coast American synth pop.

7. Do Shields have any other good tunes?

Their big hit, and worthy of the status, is Mezzanine. Next best, and with a little ska-esque guitar, is All I Know. After that you have got the controls.

8. Anything else?

Indeed. How Do We Fix This? was produced by Adrian Bushby who has done grind for Muse, Foo Fighters, My Bloody Valentine and Everything Everything.

The bands videos for Mezzanine and Alive got a lot of press attention.
 

“It’s more than words alone convey,
It’s more to me than you can see,
It’s bigger than the world to me”

 

 

The dodgy double dip is courtesy of Shield’s musical influences today. This is Ice Cream (2011) by the experimental New York rock band Battles.