Infinite Sounds UK: Album Review: Strange Places & Familiar Faces by Max Thomson

Strange Places & Familiar Faces

Max Thomson

Strange Places & Familiar Faces is the latest album from Glastonbury based recording artist Max Thomson. I met Max, through Gfm (Glastonbury FM) community radio, the day before I was due to attend the gig by the Scribes at Glastonbury’s Red Brick Building. Max was due to be support for The Scribes and so I took this opportunity to forward my talents in reviewing his latest album, and after hearing his set and speaking to Jonny Steele, of The Scribes, I’m glad I did.

Before I get into the album lets just get a little insight into just who is Max Thomson:

Max Thomson grew up in Glastonbury, UK and started making music at a young age. To begin with he would beatbox for his friends as they rapped in freestyle cyphers at the local parks. He then turned his focus to understanding that art of lyricism while studying Music tech at college. Since then, he has spent years developing his skills as a singer songwriter, producer & rapper.

Max's style and content is often very deep and thought provoking, with beautiful songs that explore and celebrate the flaws and perfect imperfections of all human beings. He has a big focus on lyrical content but never forgets about the overall sound of the piece of music.

If you want to zone out and let the music wash over you, then a lot of his catalogue
can put you in a euphoric state of peace. But donʼt get it twisted! If you want to get turnt up and party, Max also comes with hard hitting bars and beats that are sure to get you
out of your seat.

The album kicks of with Superman, which has this laid-back drill vibe to it with a chilled drum vibe alongside horns and a xylophone style sound. Listening to this you get this feel that what Max is saying here is that his music is not about the fame and fortune but, it’s about making the music he loves and then bringing that music to the fans and it’s that appreciation by the fans that really makes him like Superman. You might not have superpowers but, the feeling of hearing how much people enjoy that music is what brings the energy that makes you feel like you do have those superpowers. Next up is Familia, this has a more Hip Hop feel to it with heavy drums and this mixed in flute sound that tweaks at your nerves slightly, helping you to focus on the words. From the title you might think that this one is all about family however, the more you listen you realise that this one id focusing on racial inequality and the fact that music, be it Hip Hop or otherwise, does not support racial stereotypes when it comes to the music. It’s all about the music and if you can make that good music then, essentially, although you might not recognise someone immediately, you’re still family by virtue of your mutual love of good music. Acoustic guitar and piano notes lead us into Vice City, when the beat drops it has that drill/trap sound to it. This one really looks into the vice’s that can be a temptation for us as we move through life. Whether you’re looking for a one off good time or something to drown out the pain you see in the world around you, these vice’s can give you that quick buzz or they can put you into an eternal sleep. I guess the real message here is to know what you are getting into, don’t let it become an addiction and don’t give into the demons and let them take from those you love…

After Burn creates this air of smoking that green with its laid-back drums, acoustic guitar and cymbals that seem to swing between genre’s, sometime feeling more like trap and others just carrying the sound. The essence of this one is taking one hit or more just to calm the nerves when experiencing a relationship breakup. Sometimes when we are in a dark place, we retreat into a space to try and make sense and come to terms with a situation, we all do it differently and here we find that individual experience of dealing with those difficult feelings. Strange Places is the albums title track. The track is kind of in two parts, which begins with this calming guitar driven element which is essentially sung by Max in which he briefly details coming to the southwest and what he has come with and has to give. Then this chilled beat drops in with this trap vibe to it, while also being soulful, this forms the backdrop for him to speak more how being here feels, in a strange way, like a familiar place. I guess it’s almost like that Deja-vu feeling you get when you go to a place you’ve never been but, immediately feel you been there before, and you know this is exactly where you need to be in life. With those feelings of high strangeness still floating in our awareness we are greeted by the incredible vocals of Brittney Barber taking us into I Wonder. The guitar vibes and beat have this soulful Hip Hop feel that has a very thoughtful feel to it and that feeling stays with you as you listen and take on-board what is being said. This is all about the struggles in life that we all encounter, those times when we turn our heads to the sky and wonder if it’s all worth it, it feels like a lonely place, and we wonder if anyone can truly hear our calls of desperation. Just the realisation that there are people out there can often be enough to push on through the darkness and make it into the light once more, finding out that someone was listening, a realisation that brings so much…

Cruising stays on that chilled trap sound with the drums more in forefront and backed by some chilled organ notes. This one is all about those times that we have those moments of clarity, understanding what’s going on for us and knowing things need to change. These are the times when we just need to cruise for a while, not thinking too much, just watching for a while as life drifts by in the rear view. Ther doesn’t have to be a destination just a knowing that when we get there, we’ll be exactly where we need to be in life. Organ notes take us into Call Me Crazy before the beat and bass drop in on what is an upbeat funk fuelled sound. That sound works so well here on a track that is all about meeting a special woman who you feel so strongly about you would do anything for her to want to be with you. It’s really just that simple. Drums, bass, and synth vibes create this upbeat sound that has a dash of funk and a twist of soul for Love, Drugs & Music. Now, if you have wondered what an alternative rap love story might sound like, then you need look no further because that is what this on is. The foundation is that it’s a love story but, then there are some distinct tongue-in-cheek elements too that all mix in with the underground street vibe to bring you this alternative look at what the love story of today looks like…

We drift into the final quarter of the album with Oxymoron, which is simple in its complexity and see’s Max drop a track that is littered with more contradiction in terms than you might care to shake a stick at. Also, you see this contradiction in terms within the music, albeit on a more subtle level, as the chilled melodic beat is interspersed with high paced cymbals, creating a musical background that fits perfectly with the subject matter. The penultimate track is Obsessed, which has this soulful hip hop vibe which is created from this mix of drums, keys, and guitars. Here we find Max singing for the entire track as he finds himself obsessed with someone and the track see’s his internal struggle in trying to get the thoughts and feels for this person out of his head, in order to free himself. The last track of the album is Hometown Love (Feat Kate’s Poem) R.I.P Harry. The sound is piano driven with chilled beat over the top creating this sound that makes you want to sit back and reminisce, and that is exactly what Max does here. For Max the hometown is Glastonbury but, we all have a hometown we have memories and thoughts of. This is another song of too halves and the second half of this track is a wonderful memorial poem from Kate that says so much in a way that we can associate with when we think of a good friend we have loved and lost. Can’t think of a more personal and emotive way to end on…

Max Thomson Live at The Red Brick Building Glastonbury 29.04.2023

©S.Rider – Infinite Images 2023

Now, I heard Max live before I heard the album and that makes listening to the album a slightly different experience as more often than not, we always hear the studio recordings before the live sets. So, I went into this review thinking, OK I’ve been impressed by the live set so what can I expect from the studio album?

Honestly, I felt that Strange Places & Familiar Faces was such an impressive and enjoyable album overall and just goes to show how long you can live in a place without always discovering the true wealth of musical talent it has to offer. Musically, it mixes things up with a majority of the sound being based in the realms of the more modern rap sound but, it also incorporates elements of other genres and sound while retaining that grip on a foundation of Hip Hop. This all adds up to a multi-genre sound that will appeal to a wide range of audiences the world over. I know that sound is not going to appeal to everyone though, but no single form of music always does have that appeal and so if you base you decision on the sound alone, then you are missing one fundamental aspect, which is the vocal talent of Max Thomson.

As a rapper/vocalist Max has got some skills, you have to be honest here. He switches in up in terms of his range of flows and in his styles of rap, and at the same time this guy can harmonise and sing at the same time. So, as an underground artist he has this range that means he can switch things about and create a sound that is easily enjoyable across a wide range of genres. This means that you can listen to this album and think to yourself that you’re not keen on that element of the sound but, it doesn’t matter because everything works well here and keeps you listening and focusing on Max’s wordplay and the content of what he is saying. He also incorporates some fun parts alongside more personal and emotive elements, this sometimes keeps you guessing as to what’s what, which is ultimately a huge part of what grabs your attention.

For me Max Thomson has been one of Glastonbury’s best kept secrets and one that I am now glad I have become aware of, and I’d like to suggest that you do the same. Firstly, check out Strange Places & Familiar Faces, of course, and that check out his other work, and then be sure to catch him live too as he is cracking live and a really nice bloke too.

I’d like to personally thank Max for giving me the album to review and for the bio I have included above in italics. I look forward to seeing more of him once I get started at Gfm (soon to become GWS Radio) in Glastonbury.

Strange Places & Familiar Faces is out now on digital, streaming and there are also some physical CD’s available too, you might need to contact Max direct or pop into Rogues Gallery in Glastonbury who have a limited number of copies available.

On that note,

Time for me to be out,

See Ya.

Steve.

LINKS

Get Strange Places & Familiar Faces from Bandcamp Here:

https://maxthomson.bandcamp.com/

Max Thomson EPK - Info and music:

https://maxthomson.bandzoogle.com/home

Max Thomson on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/maxthomsonmusic

Max Thomson Instagram: