The Twang

Being a Brummie born and bred myself, you could say my love for The Twang is a little biased. Since their 2007 debut, ‘Love It When I feel Like This’ their steady indie anthems and that loveably Brummie “twang” to the lyrical content and vocal deliverance have been the soundtrack to many Birmingham town centre nights out, especially at local indie haunt, SNOBS. Favourite tracks from the album are “Wide Awake,” “Two Lovers” and “Either Way,” all odes of some sort to failed or failing relationships, but the songs still retain some elements of hope and sweetness. The lyrics may be realistic and colloquial, but it’s the harmonies and guitar melodies that lift the tone of the dismal tales of bittersweet romance told on this album. I managed to finally see The Twang live in May 2013 at the O2 Academy Bristol after five years of listening to their recorded tracks. It must be said, I was a little sad I wasn’t seeing them in my hometown but the crowd of loyal fans sang along to every lyric nonetheless, and all six members managed to fill the venue with their special brand of West Midlands indie rock. Of course, “Either Way” was stand out moment of the night but they played a range of songs from their debut and their two other studio albums, ‘Jewellery Quarter’ and ’10:20.’ These albums didn’t quite grab me as much as their first, (perhaps due to a lack of emotional ballads?) and didn’t receive all that much critical praise, but at least they show the band’s dedication to working hard and getting their music out there! If you like you’re honest indie anthems, I would highly recommend catching The Twang live.