The band’s brief history has been spent building a glowing reputation and loyal fan base mostly by word of mouth, utilising the assets of internet, gigging and – fundamentally – the classic songwriting power of their music, slices of towering anthemic pop to match anything in the international armoury of The Killers or prime R.E.M..
The quartet’s story starts at the beginning of 2009, when four drinking mates with an already impressive history decided to pool their talents. Vocalist Nicholas James Mallins had previously fronted the hotly tipped Cardinals alongside bassist Iwan Gronow, who had also spent time in the revered ranks of Haven and Johnny Marr’s The Healers. Recruiting guitarist Michael Reed and former Haven drummer Jack Mitchell to the tight-knit fold, it then took mere months to craft an album of towering anthems, with results which recall the shimmering grandiosity of Echo and the Bunnymen or the aching simplicity of Lloyd Cole, channelling the genius of past greats and forging it into something very much of their own making.
Recent support slots with the View, Wintersleep, Pete Doherty and Bernard Sumner’s Bad Lieutenant have opened the band up to a wider audience. Now, with the debut album recorded in the Welsh valleys and the ever inspiring city of London, Mutineers are ready to truly arrive.
Friends, Lovers, Rivals is a deeply personal, engaging album able to deliver sucker punches with beautiful grace. “It’s not my infidelity, its just you never suited me” Mallins sings on the album opener quickly countered with: “Beware my lack of social skills, my tired lines they’re over used”. On the storming album closer and firm fan favourite Hyde Road Mallins continues in this eloquent manner, rare in the modern day pop song “Stone cold reflections of unruly minds” he sings in a tale of urban decadence, with surreal observations: “In a catsuit kamikaze, a bulimic soap star crashed the party”. His poetic tongue is often at its sharpest with lines of dry Mancunian wit such as: “If you’d paid more attention during sex education, you would not have stretch marks the length of Piccadilly station”. Arguably in his moments of charm are his words most inspiring: “She said ‘you can’t see me without my make up on’ I thought you’d never looked better”. The surging track Shadow Kisses stirs up further intrigue with its enigmatic chorus hook: “In Death, Love and Squalor the sordid details were removed, straight from the heart of a suicide girl”.
Mallins’ vocals have that Neil Young trick of seeming fragile yet actually being possessed of angelic strength consistently delivering lyrics that are equal parts romantic, down to earth and abstract, with magnificent lines at every turn. It comes as no surprise that Mallins wrote the majority of his lyrics whilst passing time working in a Manchester book store and it appears that the city has found another articulate idol. Part Bowie and Lennon in its character, Mutineers possess a frontman whose extraordinary voice is undeniably, unmistakably his own.
The big songs come thick and fast, combining exquisite story telling with killer hooks, huge choruses and a stunning mastery of melody. Reed’s simple yet epic guitars chime from the heart carried along by Gronow and Mitchell’s tightly fused, pounding rhythms. In its later tender moments Friends, Lovers, Rivals is achingly beautiful, often cinematic in scope. Mallins’ glorious self reflection is set against subtle, heavenly synths and serene backing vocals showing a band totally at ease, giving their songs the space to breathe.
Whilst many of our new hopes look to 1980’s electro acts for inspiration, Mutineers refreshingly have more in common with artists such as Aztec Camera, The Cure, Roxy Music and The Lotus Eaters, finding their own path through the musical landscape with a sound that’s current, unique and ultimately timeless.
They’ve served their time as a best kept secret, and the secret is about to be let out. Once you’re initiated, The Mutineers will have you believing that you have known and loved their songs for all of your life.
http://www.myspace.com/mutineersofficial
One Last Chance
Mutineers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me a reason, are you tired of being ignored?
And there are certain things you can’t explain
Born in division, a child holds out its hand
We are the vision but supply can’t reach demand
Servants to our king and queen
We uphold a nation’s vanity
Give me one last chance
No, you can’t give it up
Fantastic vandals, masters of our trade
Envious rivals
It’s in many ways just a careless phase
I’m naive to your alchemy
A pariah with the tendency to wonder
Could you ever ask for more?
Give me one last chance
No, you can’t give it up
No one would ever know
And we break down
Just to rise with you
The song "One Last Chance" by Mutineers speaks about the struggles and complexities of war and conflict. The opening lines of the song call out for a reason to fight another war, and the frustration of being ignored. The song highlights the fact that there are certain things that cannot be explained, and how children are often the ones who suffer the consequences of such conflicts, often holding out their hands seeking help. The song advocates that the vision of peace and harmony cannot be achieved if there is an imbalance in the supply and demand for it.
Moreover, the song talks about the illusion and vanity of politics and how people who are supposed to serve the people are servants to their king and queen. The chorus of the song -"Give me one last chance, No, you can’t give it up,"- asks for a final opportunity to make things right, to try and mend the damage that has been done. The lyrics highlight how easily we are swayed by what we see and hear, giving in to our tendencies to wonder, to seek alchemy. The song ends on a note of hope, how we break down to rise together.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me a reason, would you fight another war?
Can you provide a justification for engaging in yet another conflict?
Give me a reason, are you tired of being ignored?
Are you interested in ending the cycle of neglect and indifference you have experienced?
And there are certain things you can’t explain
There are particular events or feelings for which you cannot find words to express them fully.
Born in division, a child holds out its hand
The young generation is born into a world of conflict and uncertainty, but still has high hopes for unity and reconciliation.
We are the vision but supply can’t reach demand
We have a vision of a better future, but the resources we have are not enough to bring it to reality.
Servants to our king and queen
We are loyal followers of those in power.
We uphold a nation’s vanity
We maintain the false and self-important image of our country.
Surrender cos’ the writing’s on the wall
Give up, as the outcome is already predetermined.
Give me one last chance
Grant me another opportunity to make things right.
No, you can’t give it up
Don't abandon this chance.
Fantastic vandals, masters of our trade
We are excellent at what we do, even if it involves destruction and chaos.
Envious rivals
We have enemies who are just as envious and competitive as we are.
It’s in many ways just a careless phase
Our present circumstances might seem insignificant and temporary, like a passing phase.
I’m naive to your alchemy
I don't understand your way of doing things.
A pariah with the tendency to wonder
An outsider who often ponders about life's mysteries.
Could you ever ask for more?
Is there anything else you could possibly desire?
No one would ever know
Nobody else would be aware of what has happened or what we are about to do.
And we break down
We fall apart, as things start to crumble and fail.
Just to rise with you
We are willing to endure the hardships and setbacks, as long as we can achieve success together.
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.