nessymon.com

Category: Music Review

  • Autonomous I: EP Review

    autonomous iAutonomous I are a five piece from Tipperary who have just released their new EP. Produced by Ken McHugh the EP does it’s best not to pigeon hole the band and also shows how diverse they are.

    ‘Stand Up and Take it’ starts off sounding like an eighties indie track before a Gossip like rhythm section kicks in. Singer Frah Butler makes the track his own but for this listener the violin which kicks in about 1:10 into the track is immense. More of that please. It’s dark and almost plays in opposition to everything else. I love it. The plucked violin makes a comeback later in the track during a bridge, bringing the track to a higher level.

    A dance rhythm and pumping bass introducing ‘Car Activate’. It’s not as in your face as “Stand Up And Take it’ and has serious eighties influences. I’m an eighties kid though, so it’s all good. Backing/effected vocals on this remind this writer of Talking Heads but there are contemporary elements. Autonomous I seem to like dropping all the instruments down to just vocals and bringing them back up again. This is a grower but would have loved an extra kick.

    ‘Start Again’ sees the band back to a more rock sound and introduces the violin early on. It’s a midtempo rock track with a good bass line and distinctive string sound. This could be what sets Autonomous I apart. If they can reproduce this sound live then they could be on a winner. Mid way through the track layers of vocals are introduced along with a dirty synth sound. Like it!

    Check them out

    Video after the jump  (more…)

  • InCulto: Closer Than You Think Review

    inculto closerthanyouthink Having heard the band perform three of the songs from their album in my living room before I heard the recorded version, I wasn’t sure if they would be able to transform the energy to record.

    The Lithuanian based band kick off ‘Closer Than You Think’ with ‘Something’, a fifties vibed mid tempo track with memorable hooks and a nice brass section, which we don’t hear enough of in music. The tempo is taken up a notch with ‘Sabroso’, in your face funk! It’s latin vibes really just want to make you dance. Great rhythm section with a deceiving good bass line and break neck speed vocal lines.

    ‘Closer thank You Think’ is not the kind of album I was expecting to like, but good production values and irresistible dance grooves have converted me. Recent single ‘Close to Midnight’ could be a hit anywhere, (my favourite from my living room session). It’s ‘One step Beyond’ topped up on Funk! Somehow InCulto have managed to incorporate different influences, genres, mix them up together and still sound good. Dirty synth sounds can be heard and seem totally in place with brass lines and ska grooves. (more…)

  • Fred and Bob: Caramel Back Review

    fred and bobThe name Fred and Bob had me expecting two guys with beards playing guitars. That was not to be, in a good way. Fred and Bob are actually a female led alternative fourpiece who like a bit of indie punk.

    ‘Caramel Back’, showcases Emma Greenhalgh’s vocals immediately. A change from a steady drum pattern to a driving rhythm hooks you and is delightfully blended with a warm fuzzy guitar sound and an intelligent bass line. At 2 mins 54 perfect pop.

    ‘Salmon’ is track two, a melodic uptempo track, again produced to perfection for the genre and style. Allowing each instrument its own space and giving Greenhalgh the space to make the most of her feisty vocals.

    The band will no doubt be compared to Veruca Salt and they do have a speck of the 1990’s but that ain’t no bad thing. They possess an energy and vibrance and are definitely current.  ‘Caramel Back’ is released on December 5th.

  • Fox Avenue: On My Own Review

    FOX AVENUEFox Avenue have grown up a bit since their Four For Four EP. On My Own still appeals to a pop punk audience but also shows maturity.

    The piano led track opens and introduces a nice vocal line, of which Brendan Urie (Panic! At The Disco) would be proud. One of the things which bugs me about music is how long it takes to the chorus. Here, Fox Avenue hit the chorus at 37 seconds making this radio friendly and instantly singalong-able and easy to remember.

    That’s not saying it’s a simple song, production the track is top notch, well thought out and beautifully balanced. ‘On My Own’ possesses great piano and guitar lines along with solid musicianship. Subtle backing vocals seem doubled tracked on the chorus to give an extra umph! This is the kind of song that you’d hear on some MTV show or teenage drama.

    The track also features a nice bridge/refrain about two thirds of the way through and drops to a bare vocal and piano chord before building back up for the crescendo. Great progression from the band. Still say it, they could be huge.