Bombay Bicycle Club is a very unique—and uniquely complex—pop group. A series of three albums over as many years, supplemented by a handful of singles and EPs, brought BBC a slow rumble of appreciation in its native England. By rights, the band’s fourth album ought to be the one that brings it the recognition that’s so far eluded it in the U.S., because So Long, See You Tomorrow (Vagrant) is, even on first listen, an LP that announces a sea change in a group’s approach, in the vein of Revolver or Pet Sounds. That’s high praise, but So Long is, among other things, the most sonically complex of all the band’s records. BBC—guitarist/vocalist Jack Steadman, guitarist Jamie MacColl, drummer Suren de Saram and bassist Ed Nash—will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new feature on the band.
MacColl: The first time I attempted Insanity, it didn’t seem too bad. It was only when I woke up the next day that I realised what I had put my body through as my muscles screamed with every movement. You’ve probably seen the infomercials if you ever watch TV in the early hours of the day (let’s be honest, who hasn’t?). Insanity is a workout DVD that’s been dubbed the hardest ever. And I love it. Being on tour can be a slothful existence, sitting in a bus or van for most of the day watching films, eating junk food, and in the past I’d often come back from tour having put on at least a stone in weight. Now Ed (our bass player) and I stick this on every day when we’re away and feel all the better for it, despite the strange looks from the local crew and laughter from our bandmates. Who knows, maybe there is even the potential for the first fitness DVD by an indie band? Bon Iver has posted a video of his workouts with his band, so maybe we don’t need to hold our breath too long …
Video after the jump.
