|
|
||
 |
Reviews
Weekly Reviews For May 8, 2005 I am also Assistant Editor & reviewer
at MetalUK. I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock You will also find some reviews at spacerock.co.uk
|
 |
New Reviews
Belying their roots as an acoustic duo called Heaven's Call, they’ve managed to transform themselves into a mighty fine blues-rock outfit, with all ten songs chock full of memorable hooks and exemplary playing. They’ve been out there spreading their message all across the USA sharing stage space with top notch Christian bands like The Newsboys, Superchic[k], Reliant K and Audio Adrenaline, taking their music anywhere that will have them, be it large music festivals, youth retreats, coffee houses, college campuses or churches. But regardless of the lyrics, the music alone is worth the price of admission, with only “Need A Reason” failing to make the grade, coming across like a poor mans Offspring. However, when they hit their groove, you can hear Bob Seger, John Cougar Mellencamp and the Marshall Tucker Band all vying for space in their music. The highlights are plentiful, but powerful opener “All This”, the Widespread Panic like “Rags” and the boogie fuelled “There’s Still You” have kept my head nodding and feet tapping for hours on end. Christian radio also took “Only” to its heart, with its simple message that the simplest details sometimes can have the most impact on one's life. It doesn’t matter where you come from spiritually, music this good deserves to be heard.
And I say collection, because it’s not really a new album, with a mixture of unreleased studio and live songs from the band formerly known as the Purple Otter Trotters, who made their name playing a Travellers Aid Trust gig in Manchester and releasing a low-key tape of Hawkwind covers. So deranged hippies it is. You also know you’re in hippy territory when an audio album credits someone for dance and mime! “Barricades” gives you a Margaret Thatcher sample in between the wibbly wobbly synths and driving guitars, which are based in late 70s / early 80s Hawkwind, when Dave Brock was at his riffmeister best. Elsewhere, they go for the trippy jams approach, especially on the rather obviously titled "Space Trip". Sometimes they go for the Ozric Tentacles approach, but they rarely stray far from the guitar driven space rock template created by Mr Brock. Having said that, if you’re going to be derivative, then steal from the best, so I’m a happy man. There’s nothing better than a forceful psychedelic guitar sound, swirling through the speakers. The production values are a bit hit and miss, but I doubt any major conglomerates are sitting around waiting for a psychedelic space rock revival, so needs must.
Nog Cavanagh – Everything Leads
To Here I vaguely recall The Futurists, the other band of Nog Cavanagh. I seem to recall something a bit Sonic Youthy,which is probably why I had low expectations of this CD. But blow me if thisn;t rather good! For this is an album chock full of instrumental delights, all originating in classic acid and space rock, with the requisite nods to Hawkwind and Ozric Tentacles, as well as some references to mid seventies Tangerine Dream. “Everything Leads To Here” is obviously a labour of love, having been recorded at his home between 2002 and 2004. The album veers wildly between the out and out driving space rock of “Scorpia Mossmoon “ through to the more ambient sounds of “A Quiet Reprieve “. My own personal favourite is the shimmering “Out Of Body”, which is exquisite psychedelia. My one complaint is about the percussion. I’m not a fun of drum sequencers, and some of the tunes could have done with a bit more oomph (technical term, doncha know), but otherwise, a delight. To order your copy, please send a cheque or UK postal order for £10 GBP, payable to N.Cavanagh, to: N. Cavanagh c/o Angry Robot PO BOX 76 Malton YO17 7WT The price includes free postage within the UK. Overseas buyers, or people in a hurry, contact Nog direct, as he
sometimes lists on Ebay
The Features - There's a Million Ways To Sing the Blues
Hmm, Franz Ferdinand getting naughty with Dr Feelgood in a darkened room – sounds like fun, and it is. The B side isn’t up to much, which makes you wonder whether they’re one of those bands that only have one good song in them, but the lead track is good enough to make you want to hear more. But back to the good stuff - this has very little in common with
the blues as you may know it, rather it’s an organ parping
Canvey Island pub rock riff, with an aggressive riff and memorable
hook. Knocks the pants off rubbish like The Bravery, and well worth
legally downloading from wherever. Certainly not the kind of music
you expect to emerge from Tennessee, “There's a Million Ways
To Sing the Blues” stands up to repeated plays
Blue Drift - Mariner Now I enjoyed the previous Blue Drift album, “Cobalt Coast”, muttering of the ‘the heady days of so-called art rock…intelligent music that still manages to retain an atmosphere of life…transported into other dimensions on a wave of longing’ and other such gibbering. But nothing prepared me for the excellence of this follow-up. Pounding, insistent progressive instrumental rock with the emphasis on rock this time around, the similarities to Camel remain, but they’ve harnessed an aggressive edge, especially on album opener, “Flight Of Doom”, which lifts this CD to new heights. Guitar man, Dave Lodder, remains an unsung master whose fingers work absolute magic, heading off into realms we mere mortals can only dream about. Now I’m not a man for drooling over fretboard masturbation, but sometimes it’s difficult to do anything but. Fortunately, the guitar remains part of the music, which is held together by the bass and keyboards of John Lodder and percussive work of Arch, both of whom are integral to holding the pieces together. There are elements of jazz-fusion and classic hard rock thrown into the mix as well, which ensures each tune stays attached to the melody. Although goodness knows how they will top the 21 minute closing number, “The Mariner” which is one of the finest pieces of progressive space rock I have heard in many years, leading you hither and thither, regardless of time and space. Absolutely awesome, and a contender for prog album of the year.
|
 |
|
|
