The JCQ - Mechanical Young

The JCQ make music that’s inordinately powerful and rich with ambition. Known previously as The James Cleaver Quintet, the group’s debut album, 2011’s ‘That Was Then, This Is Now’, was something of a primer for their ultra heavy and frenetic rock sound. ‘Mechanical Young’ successfully takes that template and ramps it up to gargantuan proportions on a follow up that is even more expansive and refined.

Sonically, the ten songs collected here are immense in stature, clearly defined and coarsing with white-hot aggression. From ‘Ghosts Diffuse’’s doomy riff-laden opening salvo, each is an exercise in measured aggression. At times The JCQ’s music can be shape shifting and mind meltingly powerful, at others they have an invaluable ability to pare things back while losing none of their sense of grandeur. ‘Mechanical Young’ strikes a fine balance between the two.

Each facet of the band’s approach is realised; the frenetic vocals of Jack Saunders provide the melodies and hooks while the band set off all manner of hyper-kinetic sounds, effects and riffs, as exemplified on the insidiously twisting ‘Resurrection Revenue.

There is, however, much more to it than bludgeoning riffs and grand scales. Diverse instrumentation features prominently, organ blasts adding welcome flourishes to complement the guitar riffs. At times, the sounds are even curiously groovy and sexy as on the engagingly playful ‘Loves No Good.’

The centrepiece is the three-song suite of ‘No Kind Of Man Parts 1+2’ punctuated by ornate piano based instrumental ‘iii’. There are a huge amount of ideas packed into these tracks, and coupled with the careering rush of ’Ruin Age’ it makes for an impressive end to the album.

‘Mechanical Young’ is progressive in approach yet classic in its sound. The band eschewed any sort of processed production tricks in favour of recording as live with 70s equipment - a bold approach that has paid off well.