Colour It In
The Maccabees · 2007
50 min · 19 tracks · indie rock
Bright, melodic guitar lines intertwine with earnest vocals, creating an uplifting yet introspective indie rock soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Toothpaste Kisses — This track encapsulates the album's blend of youthful yearning and catchy melodies, becoming a defining anthem for fans of the genre.
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X-Ray — With its infectious chorus and clever lyrics, 'X-Ray' showcases the band’s knack for blending emotional depth with upbeat instrumentation.
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First Love — 'First Love' stands out for its poignant exploration of nostalgia and longing, further highlighting the lyrical strength present throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features engaging melodies and solid performances but lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a bright, upbeat track that sets a lively tone, followed by a gradual shift to more introspective themes in the middle.
- Several tracks feature intertwining guitar lines that create a layered sound, particularly evident in 'Toothpaste Kisses' and 'Lego'.
- The vocal delivery is earnest and often harmonized, with multiple songs featuring call-and-response sections that engage the listener.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of infectious energy
- uplifting melodies for sunny days
- playful anthems for group sing-alongs
- introspective moments with bright tones
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long, immersive tracks
- prefer heavy, dark themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2007, 'Colour It In' was The Maccabees' debut album, establishing them in the UK indie rock scene. Prior to this, they had gained attention through live performances and singles, leading up to this pivotal release that set the stage for their future success.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bombay Bicycle Club· Foals· The Vaccines
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Toothpaste Kisses
The moment shifts from a lighthearted reflection on young love to a deeper realization of its transient nature.
This transition adds emotional complexity, contrasting playful imagery with a bittersweet understanding that love is often fleeting.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Good Old Bill 2:11
- 2 X-Ray 3:15
- 3 All in Your Rows 2:35
- 4 Latchmere 3:01
- 5 About Your Dress 2:14
- 6 Precious Time 4:17
- 7 O.A.V.I.P. 2:20
- 8 Tissue Shoulders 2:29
- 9 Happy Faces 2:51
- 10 First Love 3:04
- 11 Mary 3:30
- 12 Lego 3:11
- 13 Toothpaste Kisses 2:44
- 14 The Real Thing 1:39
- 15 Just Like the Rain 3:51
- 16 Colour It In 1:44
- 17 Sore Throat 2:22
- 18 Diamond Solitaire 0:46
- 19 Bicycles 2:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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