Album Review - Telegraphs - We Were Ghosts - Noize Makes Enemies

Telegraphs are a five-piece from Brighton. Yes, another one. But despite emerging from the sea-side town that appears to distribute an inordinate amount of music scene hopefuls from its Lanes, Telegraphs are dead-set on making a different noise. And a very loud one.

The band formed in late 2005, with their album ‘We Were Ghosts’ out later this month. The Rock/Emo style hybrid laces the bands debut, with their influences of Billy Talent and Biffy Clyro, noticeable not only in terms of intoxicating guitar riffs that pulsate through the listener, but also in Darcy Harrison’s vocals which emulate Ben Kowalewicz (of Billy Talent) meets Taking Back Sunday’s Adam Lazzara.

The angst and passion felt in lyrics like /How could you know, I could be so, I could be so cold?/ is forced in way that derives from genuine feeling and difficult experiences. None more difficult than the break-up of a relationship, let alone between two of the band’s founding members. Much like the work of The Subways’ Billy Lunn and Charlotte Hooper, the inevitable agony that derives from the final days of being together, was what Darcy Harrison and fiery bassist Hattie Williams transformed into the relatable intensity of the band’s debut album. It is fair to say the turbulence has even enhanced “We Were Ghosts” with Darcy’s chants of /Tell me what’s so good about goodbye/ Give it up son/ She’s gone/, making it nigh on impossible not to be drawn in by the refreshingly truthful vulnerability of Telegraphs.

Whilst at times, the album does lean into a borderline self-indulgence, the genres the eleven tracks find themselves edged into no doubt forgive, and at times even embrace this. It would perhaps be unexpected for Telegraphs to reach the level of their Brighton peers The Maccabees, but with a strong fan-base forming behind them and a wide range of live gigs to go this Summer, the future looks set to steer Telegraphs along similar paths of success.