Like many bands you hear for the first time, turns out they've been around for quite a while.
And so it is with Nothing More. This is the band's fifth studio release if you include last year's 'Waiting On Rain' EP - the nothing short of wonderful title track is included here.
Constant line up changes haven't undermined the stability at the band's core, but they have hindered progress.
Up till now that is. This new recording should change all that (if there's any justice / a god in heaven etc etc).
Drummer and nominal band leader, Jonny Hawkins took over vocals after their third (or was it their fourth) vocalist exited via a well worn revolving door, and proved himself to be a revelation.
On their own admission, the central trio of band members - Hawkins of course, plus Daniel Oliver (bass&bv's) and Mark Vollelunga (guitar&bv's) listen to a lot of progressive rock, hard rock, jazz, funk, death metal and like that and like that. Eclectic doesn't seem a big enough word. And it all comes out on 'A Few Not Fleeting'.
Innovative, imaginative, state of the art production and songs that sometimes get so intense they almost burn off the page.
Scalpel sharp songwriting. Slick, spacey programming and loud, biting guitars. All combine to fabulous effect.
It takes all the elements working together to work, and they don't create perfect chemistry every time. But when they do, it's truly explosive.
The first 4 tracks are pure gold. The rest are merely precious metal.
And in amongst those 4, standout track, by a considerable margin, is the 2 1/2 minute '
Fat Kid'. A short, sharp lightning bolt of melody and tight harmonies, with a killer chorus and a world class hook. It's vaguely reminiscent of
T Ride in places.
In its wake,
'Waiting On Rain' has "hit single" scrawled all over it. A contemporary - and initially dark and sinister - musical masterpiece that quickly develops into a cacophonous rock monster with an elegant, beguiling chorus.
It doesn't end there. These guys are skilled wordsmiths as well as inventive musicians. The songs are populated by hard hitting lyrics that home in on their targets like WMDs, demonstrating the same single mindedness shown in the structuring and production of the music.
Yet another band to watch. Take note.
Written by
Brian Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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