Maximo Park - 'Karaoke Plays'

Commencing in a typical and somewhat predictable picking melody that climbs into the indie-pop foundations that we’ve seen once before, ‘Karaoke Plays’ is an example of trading passion for fashion. The fourth single to be lifted from the Geordie bands second album ‘Our Earthly Pleasures’ seems to portray a level of pretentiousness that gives the feeling of a gimmick as appose to being one of the finest bands in the country. “Someone gets knocked down/Karaoke Plays,” bellows Paul Smith in that same monotonous tone that we’ve tried to grow accustomed to. 

The single lacks the instant feel and quality of a ballad led song such as ‘Books From Boxes’, which suggests that perhaps the band are running out of ideas. ‘Karaoke Plays’ will satisfy those already on board the Maximo Park bandwagon and fuel the fire of annoyance for those who were so nearly converted.

Released 03/12/07 on Warp.