The Courteeners - St. Jude Review

Sweat engulfed chaos caused by a loud-mouthed Manc named Liam and his band The Courteeners. Sounds familiar. Small venues crammed to crumbling point as anticipation built up for the last six months leading to the release of St Jude. Finally, we have a copy firmly in our grasp.

With heights set as high as two other legendary bands in the northern city in the shape of Oasis and the Stone Roses, it seems that front man Liam Fray is setting himself up for a dramatic fall and a serious reality check. In December, he told us "Nothing came out of Manchester for 10 years, it needs a kick start and we are leading the way." It was either brave or stupid....full text It may seem strange to discuss Christian symbolism in the pages of NME, but a quick rummage through the Bible is crucial to understanding what The Courteeners are getting at with the title of their debut album. So, if you could all turn to the New Testament and Luke 6:16, we shall begin. Saint Jude, one of Jesus’ 12 apostles, was known as The Miraculous Saint, the Patron Saint of “lost causes” and “cases despaired of”. Basically, he was the bloke who people turned to before the Frank drugs hotline was set up....full text That The Courteeners have already attracted both hype and hostility beyond their merits is largely down to their singer, songwriter and professional gobsh*te, Liam Fray. It isn't just a question of slagging off rivals in the NME - a standard guitar band rite of passage, like sex with Kate Moss - but of a lyrical worldview which is strikingly unpleasant. Seeking fame is often a form of revenge, but rarely as blatantly as on "St Jude", with its relentless, ugly attacks on the Manchester rock scene in general, women in particular and one unfortunate ex specifically....full text