City Reign, “Ahead of Ideas”

It's been almost a year since Manchester indie rockers City Reign released its impressive EP, Numbers for Street Names, in November 2011.  As the band gears up for its debut full-length, Another Step, we've been given a taste of what's in store with lead single "Ahead of Ideas."  Songwriting duo Michael Grice (lead guitar) and Chris Bull (lead vocals) first met at a Ryan Adams concert and have since built a strong catalog of catchy rock tunes, but the band throws a bit of a curveball with a brooding, slow-burning ballad in "Ahead of Ideas" that builds to an eventual burst of distortion and layered vocals.

I've often compared City Reign to Idlewild, usually due to the vocal similarities between Bull and Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble.  And while Idlewild fans hoping for another 100 Broken Windows (or hell, another new album at all!) should definitely give City Reign a listen, this promising young band is moving beyond its influences and carving out a space in the musical landscape that is all its own.  Given and Taken in Ink will keep you posted as more details on Another Step emerge.  But for now, here's "Ahead of Ideas":

And check out the video, directed by Louise Cowley, featuring the band at work recording Another Step: