twenty three: Educated Animals

I got my AS level results back recently (I got ABBB for the more curious kids out there). I am unfortunately returning to education in early September to complete the second leg of college before I up and out to some far away city...probably. Part of me can't wait to go, but the other is rooting itself firmly in Manchester's pavements and tarmac. I'll always know where my home is, eh? Education is something we'd associate with the human race. But what if we educated animals...? One band seem to have a delightfully melodic answer...

Educated Animals are a charming four piece from Brighton who are, it's said, are at their best live. This is hard to believe seeing as their recorded material is already astounding enough by itself. I last listened to EA at some point in 2007, when they were at a point where it was all about atmospheric soundscapes and soaring vocals. Now as I return to listen, a new song Time Bomb opens with a striking "Oh my god/I'm sitting on top of" before launching into an attack of every instrument in reach. There's a fire engine esque guitar riff, then pound of drums, which is all accompanied by buzzing synths, packed in harmoniously amongst Jon Purchase's yelping vocals.
Ever So Close is, err, closer to EA as I know them, big choruses, echoing guitars and tumbling drums. It's all so passionately heartfelt, with a big hint of gusto.
When they played a recent Birds Need Trees gig in Manchester, they were said to have "some ridiculously good tunes...boosting the energy levels of everyone present". I am yet to have the pleasure of seeing them, but I cannot wait for the oppurtunity to show itself!
The aforementioned Tme Bomb was also played on the opening titles of Channel 4's soap Hollyoaks who seem to have some whizz kid in charge of their music department.
Listen to Time Bomb here.