Errors - Have Some Faith In Magic

On their third album, Errors muster all of their electro-rock might to create a record that is brimming with magic moments. From the off it sounds big. ‘Tusk’ opens the album with a weighty riff before a synth lines launches it into a serious groove. The construction of the track and balance of the instruments is superb, as it is with so many of the songs on ‘Have Some Faith In Magic’. It’s a real progression for the band. While retaining their core sound, they’ve smoothed out some of the clunky Krautrock influences and added more shades of tone and texture.

This can be heard on the stand-out track ‘Magna Encarta’. There’s a lot going on, from Abe Vigoda-esque tropical guitar to the bend of meaty chords at its climax, which almost seems like a nod to the band’s label bosses Mogwai. It also includes a new addition to Errors’ armory, vocals. Not exactly lyrics, but an echoey call that is featured on a few of the tracks. It adds a necessary layer, giving the songs a human touch that focuses your attention.

Later on the record, there are moments where the driving electronics spark memories of old video games (‘The Knock’) and 80s action films (‘Earthscore’), but at no point does it sound retro. However, with its accessible sound and occasional pop touches it does feel lacking a single that could cross over to a wider audience. Not something that would see the band dumbing down, but a track like ‘Atlas’ by Battles or Holy Fuck’s ‘Lovely Allen’ that could take them to another level. Although I’m sure long-term fans of Errors will not be too bothered by this.

Bookending the album’s prodigious opening, is closing track ‘Holus-Bolus’. It is grand in scale, but not in an epic post-rock style; like many of the songs on ‘Have Some Faith’ it creates a high rather than peak. It’s a great album to kick off 2012. And with its warmth and energy, it will easily see you through these cold winter months.