Emo-rock is alive and well and has been for some time. However in the last six months, thanks to the excellent work of labels such as Count Your Lucky Stars and Top Shelf Records, it’s seen increased exposure and is now widely regarded as being a ‘revival’ genre. That’s good news for fans of twinkling, almost shoe-gaze, guitar riffs, melodic bass lines, and imperfect yet warm vocals. Sport, from Lyon in France, are the latest band to push this revival further and ‘Bon Voyage’ is their excellent new album.
Opening with a quote from the 80’s movie Stand By Me (which just so happens to be this reviewers favourite movie of all time) is a clever start. As the cymbals shimmer into life under a Corey Feldman soundbite you’re excited for the start of ‘Reggie Lewis’ and it’s worth waiting for. ‘Eric Tabarly’ then manages to encapsulate everything that’s great about this genre in just 90 seconds. There’s a great energy to the music and a really life affirming approach to the lyrics, all under pinned by a raw yet hugely effective melody. You’ve then got the more relaxed tracks in ‘Jacques Mayol’ and ‘Charles Lindbergh’ but even these quickly gather momentum and play out with those now signature hooks.
With each track being named after a pioneer in sport (anecdotally their debut album had tracks named after either a Summer or Winter Olympics host city) we quickly rattle through basketball players, sailors, track and field stars, and tennis champs of both genders. It’s a cute theme and one which matches the vibe Sport pull of perfectly.
Emo-rock is often mistakenly associated with solitude, thoughtfulness or isolation yet many of us actually gather a great sense of community and friendship from the scene. ‘Bon Voyage’ is a great album which will resonate with
many in 2014. It’s all too tempting to head over the Atlantic to find the next exciting emo-rock band though. Of course that behaviour isn’t restricted to just this genre, as European bands are often overlooked for their North American sound-alikes. Sport are taking a lead in their genre in their native France and put in a very good case as to why in 2014 you need to be checking out some bands from the mainland.
TOM BECK