Maritime: Human Hearts

Maritime
Human Hearts
Dangerbird Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Maritime finds the right balance on fourth album Human Hearts.

Album Review:
I am sure, I am not alone stating that Maritime should be great. It is also safe to say that for Maritime, the bar has always been set too high. Ever since this collaboration of ex Promise Ringers Davey von Bohlen and Dan Didier teamed up with former Dismemberment Plan bassist Eric Axelson, Maritime was the next coming of indie rock Gods. That of course, never happened and over the course of three records since Promise Ring split in 2002, Maritime has been trying to find themselves. Never wanting to repeat history, Maritime has always had a brighter outlook to their musical approach compared to all the musicians resumes but on the groups fourth record Human Hearts, Maritime is finally embracing where they came from and where they are now. This record has that edgy punch that both could be found on a Promise Ring or Dismemberment Plan album but uses a more indie pop focus that is catchy and allows Bohlen's vocals to fend for themselves up front. Guess what? He survives and Maritime find the right balance here. Playing in bands that were true pioneers can always make it hard moving forward and it is understandable that Maritime might not be able to break the same ground, so without holding that against them, Human Hearts plays well from beginning to end and even though no new wheels are created here, Maritime show off their veteran status and release an effort that they can be proud of and should make some longtime followers happy!

Key Tracks: "Paraphernalia", "Air Arizona", "Out Numbering"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Nada Surf
The Get Up Kids
Wolf Parade

Maritime Website
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Dangerbird Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony