Single: Beggars - The Future
In some of their previous local incarnations Beggars were compared to The Libertines both musically and in terms of style.
Has signing to EMI’s Heavenly recordings, recording their debut album and touring with The Courteeners developed their sound and style? If debut 'The Future' is anything to go by then the answer is yes...
From the opening keyboard stab the Leonard Cohen cover has a depth and well produced feel. There's no doubt it is deliberately pop in style with layers and hooks built to make it radio friendly. The song retains just enough rawness to keep a character and even breaks down and gets a little darker towards the end.
As much as it might not have been their original aim this single sets them out in the same genre as Razorlight and The Kooks but with a bit more of an edge. There are some more honest reference points from 60s and 70s bands like the Kinks and the Small Faces.
The production work of Brendan Lynch (Paul Weller, Primal Scream) has a crispness that makes listening easy, this definitely isn't a lazy cover of the original.
It won't be to everyone's taste but in a changing music industry Beggars sound like a band that could sell some records - this song has certainly been buzzing around my head for a few days and I'm sure radio will pick up on the first proper single when it's released.
Beggars tour with Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong from 21 April, calling at Reading University on the 24 April.
The Future is out now on download sites and the 7" in selected independent record shops.
Jim Bowes
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