LEE LIMERICK - "Outside Out"

From the first bars of 'From Your Side' you just know you're in for a treat on this CD of music by young Londoner Lee Limerick recorded in 1997 and finding new life on the Headline label of Hi-Note Music.
The 5 minute 'Million Stories' is a song that would have been rightly applauded had Bryan Adams released it (and there is a similarity in the vocal style) and Lee's accomplishment is all the greater when you consider he plays the excellent guitar solo himself and all the other instruments as well!
'Back into the Dark' has a heavier, funkier feel and 'Riding on a Wave' has a throatier vocal delivery from Lee with keyboards by Adam Lewis and a guitar solo by John Simms of Clear Blue Sky fame (the man who discovered Lee)
I was particularly interested to hear what Lee would do in the extended space of the near 8 minute long 'Nightmare'. It actually has a classic 'big ballad' quality about it which surprised me as I was expecting something more experimental. The fluidity and expressiveness of the first guitar break when it comes is quite breathtaking but disappointingly short. To compensate there is another one to follow that lasts for nearly two minutes!
'Hell Rising' is a remarkably mature observation on Hedonistic pursuits and the 'hunger for adrenaline' among young people but 'What about love?' asks Lee at the end.
The final track 'Follow the Leader' did surprise me with its overtly Pink Floyd influence, a definite Waters/ Gilmour edge to the vocal and guitar.
Lee Limerick is a prodigious talent- it would be nice to think that he could realise the hopes and plans Hi-Note have for him. Watch this space!
Contact: Hinotemusic
(Headline HDL 502)

(Phil Jackson)

WARMACHINE - Demo 2001

OK, I know I'm waaaaaaaaaay late with this review, but give me a break. There arer only so many hours in the day, and not many of those are allocated to new 'old school' Canadian metal.

There's 8 tracks here, which is far too many for a demo but at least half stand tall as testament to their ability. Best by far is "Beginning of the End" which is so Megadeth it hurts. But Megadeth back in the day, when they ruled the metal world. Great riffs, marvellous melodies, hooks to hang on to, and a nic line in harmony vocals.

Elsewhere there are nods to Queensryche ("Alone"), and some tremendous mid-tempo power metal moments. It's no wonder that David Ellefson ( former bassist of Megadeth ) will be producing their debut album once a deal gets inked. Top quality.

TABA - Electric Red Light

This is one for the Anubian Lights / Eat Static freaks out there, especially "Speedball" which combines all manner of space age freakery with some grunge type riffing and dubs. Absolute stormer. "Sexy Transitor" follows a simmilar pattern, except this time replete with dodgy fake female orgasms straight out of 70's porn (memories, memories!). Those are the standouts of the 4 main tracks, but we're not finished yet. Oh, no!

As this is a CD-ROM thingy there are an additional nine songs in MP3 format, poetry, photographs and even a video for "Speedball". All a bit lo-fi but what do you expect for a self released CD!