Jumping Ships - Standard Bearer Review

Michael Williams – Rhythm Guitar + Vocals
Kai Smith – Lead Guitar + Vocals
Rich Thorp – Bass Guitar + Vocals
Alex Pott – Drums

Since their first EP release, “Orientation”, fans have been waiting for Jumping Ships next installment, and the wait has most certainly been worth it, because it’s true to say that the Brighton “Alt Rockers” got off to a flying start with “Orientation”, but have subsequently raised the bar even higher with “Standard Bearer”. There’s a slight element of “Biffy Clyro” in their work, maybe a bit of later “Radiohead”, along with “Pulled Apart By Horses”, but the whole EP just seems to draw upon a broader selection of influences. As a result the sound is very rich, but stripped back when necessary.

Opening track “Movers and Shakers” has a nice swing at the outset, but what is so easy to miss are some of the great guitar melodies being subtly played underneath. In fact it’s far too easy to take some of the excellent guitar work for granted, especially on “Heart and Hope”. For just a second when “Broken English” started, I thought for a moment it was Velvet Revolvers “Just Sixteen” guitar line! My own personal favourite, Talisman is the last track, and this was the track that really had me thinking Radiohead, but with much more bite, but with that same dark moody tone.

With “Orientation” and now “Standard Bearer”, Jumping Ships have at their disposal some solid tracks that’ll make for a fantastic full length live set.It’s absolutely no surprise that Jumping Ships were the first ever unsigned band to headline Club NME, and it seems likely that should some of the more apathetic music fans take the step of daring to listen to a new band, then big things are in store for Jumping Ships.

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If you‘d like to find out more about Jumping Ships you can find their website here: http://www.jumpingshipstheband.com/