A concept album to get you from A to Z.

Although hailing from Huddersfield, Being 747 have been a constant and in many cases, integral part of the Leeds music scene over the past few years. Also they are seens as unsung heroes, even when Kaiser Chiefs were starting out – who now seem to be casting a bit of long shadow for better of for worse over the bands and musicians that come from Leeds and surrounding. But anyway Being 747 are always necessary to see wherever they perform live. And now with their energetic pop-rock Being 747 sets there sights on making and releasing a concept album about the development of life on Earth. And before you baulk at the idea of a concept album its actually a very fun album to listen too. But the full title of ‘Amoeba To Zebra’ is ‘Amoeba To Zebra: A Natureal History Musical 4.6 Billion Years in the Making.’
But this album is still full of Being 747’s vim and vimto and plucky pop rock. Almost sounding like early Franz Ferdinand on ‘Bodybuilding’ which is the second track or Chapter 2 – the tracks are divided and known as chapters on this album – it is a story after all. But they’re even more choppy and poppy than Franz Ferdinand could ever muster.
And while the album takes a little while to get going by chapter 4 ( or track 4) ‘Strength In Numbers’, Being 747 really hit their stride, and wig out on the sci-fi electro donk rock of the track with references to Doctor Who and the Silurians. And then chapter 5 ‘Shake Your Backbone’ is a brash track with some great digging rock riffs with more sci-fi noises and squiggles being squeezed in there.
It seems that The Mighty Boosh aren’t the only people who can do conedy rock opera’s. Although there’s nothing comedy, or comedic, about Being 747’s concept album. But there is an element of hilarity and humour to the concept album as well as some intriguing information.
But the centrepiece of the album is chapter 6 ‘The Land Of The Amphibian’ which see’s the band chanting ‘From metamorphous from tadpole to adult , it’s the land of the amphibian.
It really see’s Being 747 going overboard and getting lost in the hyperactive pop rock/ donk rock of their impressive opera/concept album. And long may there reign in the Leeds music scene continue.

Ben Bradford

For fans of Franz Ferdinand, The Futurehead, The Mighty Boosh. www.myspace.com/being747 www.myspace.com/amoebatozebra