REVIEWS
METAL FORCES August 1991
ARCHITECT are a Bradford based band who on first appearance had me thinking that the ensuing tape would be akin dross that FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM toss out. Fortunately that wasn't the case. What actually came out of the speakers was some extremely grandiose, even pompous rock with an unhealthy emphasis on the guitar. Although definitely MISSION/SISTERS tinged in places, this tape had me at times reminiscing over the more overblown RAINBOW and SABBATH classics of the early eighties. While not exactly riff based (ARCHITECT tend to go for the big hanging chord approach and sinister keyboard drone for good effect), ARCHITECT are damned heavy. From the evidence of this demo they could go either way, but I for one would relish hearing a band of this genre adopting some heavy guitar. You're going to have to, be a bit adventurous to get to grips with this I warn you and Paul Mother (fuckin' great name) vocal delivery takes a bit of getting used to. I get the distinct feeling though that all the guy needs is an elaborate production. The remainder of ARCHITECT consists of Dave Wood on drums, Richard Thomas on bass and keyboards and two guitarists - Tim Walker and Darren Maude. The latter two really pile it on in the first track "Moonage Daydream". The band have an EP out soon titled "More Than Before", which has been very professionally put together and are also promising U.K. dates to coincide with its release. Hopefully, ARCHITECT will retain their rock edge and provide us all with a bit of adventurous hard rock in the future. Love the Hiram Abiff approved logo guys,
JAHBULON to ya!!
Gary Sharpe-Young
KERRANG!
The fact that Architect are not shit creates something of a problem. Not simply because I can't use the Prince Charles quote about them being a "monstrous carbuncle", or suggest that they change the handle to Plumber or Dustman, but also because someone else should be reviewing them. It doesn't take a genius to see that Architect are a good band, They have a strong, original set interspersed with some expertly played covers. They also have their own lighting gear, dry ice and even a coach load of fans to back them up. The trouble is, they're just not me kinda thing. Any other Big K! scribe might have had them "groping nurses" or even "alive and screaming", but the Dogs D'mour leave me cold and the Mission do little to warm things up, and these seem to be Architect's main influences. Still there's no need for Architect to go back to the drawing board, as they're already building a solid following.
MORAT.
Q Magazine
Effectively the debut album from this Bradford five-piece, Poets & Thieves serves as a grandiose, guitar powered monument to late 80's pomp. Though redolent of Twelfth Night, Architect's schemes are only influenced dated or tired. Notably the sprightly, acoustic Jaywalking actually has the sheen of freshness, the crying-guitar-and-moaning keyboards of How Does It Feel hints a hidden charm, and the disquieting vocal undulation of Secret Garden succeeds in conveying a measure of profundity. As a final flurry, How Does It Really Feel despatches Poets & Thieves in a cascade of emotive, keyboard generated string sounds. However though the album has both a latent gravitas and potential for pop, neither is enhanced by the production, which leaves it in a consumer hinterland. ***
Jeff Clark-Meads
ROCK ON
It's an eyebrow-raising name, Architect.. Hardly the stuff of fire snorting rock beasts from hell, that's for sure. Yet although Architect lean stylistically towards the rock/metal end of the music spectrum, it's not an inappropriate moniker. Poets & Thieves is precise, light of touch and could not have been recorded by a band of stallions of satan. Opening track Set Me On Fire never quite reaches the climax it threatens to but features some nimble U2 like guitars. However, It is quickly followed by a high spot of the album, Bliss, with its airbrushed harmonies and pleasingly understated riffing. Jaywalking skims along breezily towards its rousing chorus but How Does It Feel takes a long time to get into its stride and then settles into a dour format with Paul Mother's usually theatrical vocals at their most mainstream and the guitars switching onto HM auto pilot. Despite its little and clinched lyrics ("Sixteen - you were a teenage queen"), Rock Revolution is briskly competent, though the song's whole concept is pretty sixth-form. Citizen's Eyes slips into an altogether more convincing groove, building impressively with its barrage of glistening chords to an urgent chorus. The LP's outstanding track is Until We Have Faces, a slow burner with mighty vocal hookline. After Secret Garden, which meanders along fairly inconsequentially, Architect power their way through Lately, a standard rocker which flirts with Carter USM style controversy by using the Rolling Stone's line about Ruby Tuesday. The Album ends with the lightweight How Does It Really Feel ? With a band called Architect it would be tempting to say "Back to the drawing board, lads" But in truth, this blueprint is not half bad.
SIMON ASHBERRY
NORTHERN STAR
The big girls blouse has been a little sighted beast in recent days, but fear not sightings have been made and its chrysalis - a recording studio in bradford - has just burst forth with a lovely butterfly of an album. Architect's Poets & Thieves is hippy rock at its best - whimsical, fey and unashamed euphoric without ever falling into the trap being overblown or pretentious. The songs positively carry the listener into a world of love and children with a vision of a better future.
The five musicians have crafted a melodic, skilled album which nonetheless retains rock credibility, a tribute to their practised musicianship. Titus Walker is a fine guitarist (the things that boy can do with his hands!) and Steve Willow earns a special gold star for the running bass in citizen's eyes. Vocalist Paul Mother entwines his distinctive, plaintive voice around ballads and anthems with a commitment which earns him, too, lots of brownie points. Architect are home grown and their product it worth sampling. It'll leave a smile on your face.
TINA JACKSON