Review: The Amends – The Amends
Every track’s a winner on this lively album.Great guitarwork from Andrew Weikart and Chris Childress,super drumming from Shay Byington,and neat vocals from both Weikart and band’s founder/leader Tyler Taylor.All band members hail from Boulder,Colorado.
This band were formed in 2010 and this is their debut album.They have been playing for just over a year and the album was released on July 18th 2011.There are varied influences on this CD-amongst them are classic rock(Black Sabbath being one of them),indie and blues.
Ten tracks comprise this album.Personal faves include Fall My Way,with some great Paul Rodgers-style vocal and stunning guitarwork,and Dandelion Man,which made me think of The Eagles in its pace and tone,with its neat and tidy drumming sequence and slightly emotionally manic vocals.Don’t Tell Him also ticks all the right boxes with me.
If there IS a weak track on the album,then for me it has to be Hotel Lobby.Bit predictable,this track…..but no matter. Otherwise, this is a faultless first album from The Amends.
Unsigned,this band should have many offers from record labels in the not too distant future.The album cover’s good too- a moody black and white shot of a stormy sea and skyline.The album is available for purchase on the bandcamp site.
The Amends began playing gigs in their hometown since December 2010.They are “starting small”.
Review: Bowery Beasts – Heavy You EP
Heavy You by Bowery Beasts is a glitzy mishmash EP-described by the band as” Blue Jean Glam”,it is a mix of 70s metal,underground rock and a strong Jeff Buckley influenced sound.Revisited!!
Four tracks comprise this EP-they are:
He Was Your First Tattoo
Mirrorblonde
Amulet
Baby Sister
The songs are hard-hitting and clever.My favourite is Amulet,which refers to the band’s neighbourhood area by the LA River.BB consist of frontman Marion Belle(enigmatic name!),Nick Maybury and Jordan Wiggins.
Somewhere in their sound a powerful Led Zeppelin influence appears.Indeed,Marion Belle could be the Robert Plant of the 21st Century.
The band’s underground EP Venice Peach was produced by Ken Andrews of Failure,who produced two forthcoming records by Bowery Beasts.The band played local festivals and a couple of support slots,before Heavy You was in the making.
This EP is released on July 5th 2011.Its worth a listen.Or several.
Review: Faithless Town -When We Were Lions EP
Faithless Town are a three piece country/rock band from Atlanta, Georgia,comprising Gene Owens(lead vocals), Henry de Souza(drums), and Mathew Smith (guitar/vocals).
This EP was released on November 24th 2010 in the USA,and consists of four tracks. Listen To Your Soul is catchy,infectious ,and I loved it!! Nice perky guitar and a jaunty pace makes this country-style track VERY listenable.
Key Bump is also good-a bit Bruce Springsteen vocally and E Street Band musically. Where have this band been in my life? They’re really good!
Hopeless is a slower,lovely track,mellow and harmonious.Gene Owens’ voice is tuneful and very similar to a young Bob Seger.
I was taken by surprise at how good this band actually are,as this is my first hearing of their music,and hopefully not my last.
Play With My Heart is a sad track, but no less excellent than the rest.
Perfect production, immaculate music.
Highly recommended.
Review: Ezra Furman and The Harpoons – Mysterious Power
Ezra Furman and The Harpoons are a four piece male indie/folk rock music band from Chicago.Their lead singer, Ezra Furman, suffers from manic depression and this new album, released on 5th April 2011, reflects much angst and suffering in all the twelve tracks.
This is their fourth album…the previous one “Moon Face”, included live recordings and Ezra’s solo work.His vocals sound like a cross between Neil Young and Meatloaf, but, sad to say, lack the charisma and tonic quality of both singers. There is also a strong whiff of Jonathan Richman in there somewhere.
Most of the tracks on this album are solid, but the singer’s voice doesn’t sit well on my ears.
Ezra has been quoted as saying that the album focuses on “the lonely guy in his bedroom looking out at the world”. All very intriguing,but its a pity that Ezra’s voice isn’t in tune more,as there are some fine tracks on this album. I have heard tell that the band are very exciting live,also.
Give this album a try, though. The band has a strong following.