Something about Paul Smith’s vocals turns my listening reactions bipolar. At times he sings so gently, making each word so endearing, when instantly the bridge drops to the chorus and Smith’s gritty punk shows its ugly face. He’s a bit of The Cure’ Robert Smith, a bit of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and a bit Billy Idol (the less theatrical, make-up’d Billy Idol, that is). Maximo Park’s third album, Quicken The Heart is the energetic child of punk and alt-pop, an upbeat variety of synthy pop hooks and overdriven guitar riffs. Their first single off Quicken The Heart, ‘The Kids Are Sick Again’ is a Who-like, drum-driven epic, complete with wailing guitar fuzz and a super-swirly synth pad. ‘Questing, Not Coasting’ sounds like a B-side off a Killers album, as Smith serenades listeners with heartfelt sighs and a warm, airy atmospheric string section. Quicken The Heart has allowed Maximo Park to showcase all their strengths, some harder, more distorted anthems, and some gentler, livelier ballads. Across this variety in sound however their emotion and energy remain constant, the driving force behind Quicken The Heart.

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