Tribes: Baby ( another blast from the past )

Debut album 'Baby' from Camden based grunge-rock band Tribes provides a refreshing new breath of guitar music with prominent American guitar influences hinting at that of Nirvana and The Pixies and fronted with the rugged vocals of lead singer Johnny Lloyd.

Tribes themselves formed in early 2010 posting numerous singles free to download via their MySpace and released their debut LP in January 2012. This was shortly followed by the announcement of their big break in supporting Azealia Banks, Metronomy and Two Door Cinema Club on the NME Awards Tour 2012.

The album itself is a passionate teen-grunge collective of nostalgic 90's reminiscent guitar solos alongside the band's hazy nonchalant exterior consisting of hacked off 'thrift-store' t-shirts and unruly black locks sported by band members and fans alike.

Initial track 'Whenever' followed by 'We Were Children' soundtracks the idea of teenage rebellion and youth, their sound again strikingly similar to their musical influences with guitars featuring significantly, back dropped by Lloyd's heavy vocals evoking aggressive passionate memories of juvenile angst. Track 'Sappho's lyrics almost mimic that of The Kinks 'Lola' telling of a transvestite and drunken consequences, the music video seeing Lloyd and his fellow band mates donning similar attire.

The idea of loss of childhood prevails throughout with 'Himalaya' boasting Turner-esque vocals and melody until optimism is stunted at 'Nightdriving', a song they first released online in early 2011 in memory of Charlie Haddon formerly of Ou Est La Swimming Pool who passed away at a young age whilst performing at the Belgian music festival ‘Pukklepop’.

Clearly Charlie's untimely passing struck a chord with Tribes as this mournful contemplative track serves as a chilling reminder to the fragility of life, though unparralled to earlier recordings of the song as the album version somewhat glosses over the raw emotion conveyed in the early vocal.

'Nightdriving' here sees Lloyd adopt a semi-philosophical nature questioning religion and life again continuing the theme of youth due to the inquisitive nature of young people. This solemn air is then curiously pierced by 'When My Day Comes' a driven yet formulaic song telling of youthful positivity and ignorance with memorable empowering chorus and similarly guitar driven. Another influence is made apparent in 'Alone Or With Friends' as the band embrace a slower tempo and a more stripped back production initially opting for acoustic guitar and synthesized vocals suggestive of some late Beatles work and acting as an uplifting reminder to their eclectic musical repertoire and ability.

Having witnessed Tribes' gradual rise to mainstream radio play their work seems to have progressed significantly to a more unpretentious, matured and defined sound contrasting their earlier performances which possessed a slight flared arrogance (having myself attended one of their gigs in late 2010 whilst they were supporting Mystery Jets) they seem more secure in their genre as their album assembles a glorious array of their musical capability.

So for anyone who's a fan of rousing lyrics delivered in a flurry of electric guitar and impressionable teenage passion then Tribes are definitely one to watch. 7.5/10