Quicken the Heart
Maxïmo Park · 2009
39 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A brisk collection of angular melodies and introspective lyrics that encapsulate the tension between youthful exuberance and existential uncertainty.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Kids Are Sick Again — This track stands out for its infectious energy and poignant exploration of disillusionment in youth, capturing the essence of the album's themes.
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Roller Disco Dreams — With its playful yet reflective lyrics, this song exemplifies the band's knack for juxtaposing upbeat instrumentals with deeper messages about nostalgia and escapism.
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Questing, Not Coasting — This track features a driving rhythm and sharp lyrics that articulate a sense of urgency and determination, embodying the album’s central narrative of self-discovery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong lyrical themes and varied tempos but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a brisk tempo with angular guitar riffs, while the second half introduces more introspective and slower tracks.
- Several songs feature a call-and-response vocal style, creating a dynamic interplay between the lead singer and backing vocals.
- The lyrics often explore themes of uncertainty and existentialism, with a focus on personal experiences and societal observations.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- punchy energy for afternoon drives
- introspective lyrics with vibrant melodies
- brief tracks for quick listens
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Quicken the Heart is Maxïmo Park's third studio album, released in 2009 during a period of consolidation following their breakthrough debut, A Certain Trigger, in 2005. By this time, the band had established themselves within the UK indie rock scene, but faced the challenge of evolving their sound while maintaining their distinctive identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Interpol· Franz Ferdinand· The Futureheads
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wraithlike 2:30
- 2 The Penultimate Clinch 2:37
- 3 The Kids Are Sick Again 3:00
- 4 A Cloud of Mystery 3:01
- 5 Calm 3:08
- 6 In Another World (You Would’ve Found Yourself by Now) 2:59
- 7 Let’s Get Clinical 3:53
- 8 Roller Disco Dreams 3:27
- 9 Tanned 3:34
- 10 Questing, Not Coasting 3:42
- 11 Overland, West of Suez 2:47
- 12 I Haven’t Seen Her in Ages 3:01
- 13 Tales of the Semi-Detached 1:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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