Send "Delphic " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Strangeglue |
 Fast-forward to present-day and finally, at the commencement of 2010, we're presented with their début record: Acolyte. Is it everything they've promised? Does it live it up to the colossal amount of hype pressed firmly upon the members' shoulders? More importantly, is it the coveted "next big thing"?Of course it isn't, but we could've told you that from the start. We chose to leave it until the third paragraph so as to build a little suspense. Case in point; The Big Pink, Passion Pit and The Temper Trap. Three bands that all huddle relatively close together in terms of genre and each with a hugely anticipated 2009 début which failed to live up to the world's expectations. It's not even the bands fault anymore but instead, the public and the press who seem destined to kill up-and-coming bands before they're even able to hit the studio. We expect so much from the newcomers that even if the music itself isn't half-bad, it still isn't good enough. It's even got to the point where you can almost guess which bands will be forced to rush their début out for the benefit of whatever 'financial quarter' the label are worrying about. Unfortunately for Delphic, Acolyte is a shining example of everything we've just said. They're the type of band that could easily put together a fantastic E.P of music and we're willing to bet our left leg that any DJ night they helm would be far superior to anything Pendulum or MC-whoeverthehell could put together. As for a near hour-long body of work though, we're simply not convinced they're able to handle themselves, yet. "Clarion Call" kicks things off with a simple, steadily building melody. In comes the wavering vocals and an anticipated synth addition which eventually shifts into an impressive but hollow break. "A call to all, a call to arms, a call to everything you wanted" shouts vocalist James Cook with uncertain passion. It's not a flawless start but admittedly, it doesn't frustrate as much as successive track and newest single "Doubt" does....full text |
| Virgin |
| It would be too easy to suggest that indie-dance hybrid Delphic’s debut album, ‘Acolyte’, is the record that genre-originals Klaxons should have made next. Too easy, and wildly unfair, because, while we wait and wait - ever-patiently - for the London trio’s sophomore release, this Ewan Pearson-produced gang from Manchester have snuck in the back door and delivered. The seemingly trendy move for countless guitar bands to shoe-horn in synthesisers and computer-generated, er, noises, is now common practice. While some avoid the car crash that often results in such a move by really making it work (think Editors), some sell out so painfully that it almost brings a tear to the eye (think The Killers). How refreshing, then, for a band to launch themselves as themselves from the get-go. And it’s a sublime sound: ‘Clarion Call’ is an uplifting opener, leaving the listener foaming at the mouth with anticipation as to what could be next. Single ‘Doubt’, a catchy, radio-ready masterpiece, doesn’t disappoint, and features a more traditional indie-esque ending that positively blossoms in amongst the processed drums and voice effects....full text |
| Bbc |
| Having already been tipped for success by several end-of-year industry polls, big things are almost a given for Manchester’s Delphic. When also considering the excellence of their two previous singles (Counterpoint and This Monetary) and their auspicious live reputation, Acolyte would have been a disappointment if it wasn’t, at the very least, a solid indie-dance album. The quality of Delphic’s debut, then, is not a surprise. What is unusual is the clearly audible focus and intent. With the help of talented producer Ewan Pearson they’ve realised their own vision with clarity and force. As a centrepiece, the title-track takes some beating. A glacial intro, as sad as a lover packing to leave for good, is followed by bruising Berlin techno, which the boys no doubt checked out while recording in the German capital. The song also has a driving trance feel, seemingly stolen from Sander Kleinenberg’s 2000 classic, My Lexicon....full text |
Delphic lyrics
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