Robyn Writes

Review: Departures/Moose Blood – Split [EP]

Two of the UK’s most exciting up and coming bands, Departures and Moose Blood, have got together to record a split record, due to be released on 12 November through Fist in the Air and No Sleep Records. Showcasing two tracks apiece, this split shows off the best bits that each band has to offer. With the hardcore aggression bounding out of Departures and an unashamedly emo delivery from Moose Blood, the record makes welcome listening for alternative fans.

The first two tracks come from Departures and in first track, ‘A Song For The Sunset’, the Scottish lads show off a strong drum presence, which is always a good sign, as it swings into life with sweet riffs and harsh vocals. The song manages to assault listeners while also taking time to slow the song in parts, if only for a while, before kicking back aggressively with their hardcore beats and riffs. The slower sections are good not only to show off a diversity of styles, but also to give centre stage to the vocals which really get the chance to stand out while the drum beat and guitars mellow.

Second track, ‘Closing Doors’, features a slower, rhythmic and guitar dominated opening, before the vocals again have their chance to stand at the front of the musical charge. “I can’t be running away, if there’s nowhere left to run to”; the emotively screamed vocals are charged full of belligerence and hostility, but they can’t take all of the credit – even though their role is at times subsidiary, the drums and guitars perfectly compliment the atmosphere created by the vocals and make the track an angst-filled joy to listen to.

The differences between the two bands can be seen in Moose Blood’s first feature on the record, ‘Stay Here’. The vocals are not as coarse, but this gives the harsher sounds, when they are brought to the fore, all the more effective. There is a slow and steady instrumental rhythm filling the background, but also some welcome guitar dominated moments, displaying an ease as a band, allowing the music to speak for itself in instrumentally driven sections.

‘Girl’ is the final track we are treated to and has become my personal favourite. It creeps to life, easing in at a very slow pace. We are left with a lone guitar and vocals, with the guitar more in the fore as the vocals come through in the background, crooning quietly over a girl “you are the best thing darling, this side of town”. This is all true until the 1.47min-ish mark when it kicks into a new lease of life. The vocals are stronger; backing vocals are repetitively chanted as the drums and more guitars pick the song up and throw it to a crescendo, asking an anonymous girl to spend the night: “Stay with me tonight, stay with me tonight”.

Two fantastic songs a-piece for two fantastic up-and-coming bands. The chance to see these playing live together shouldn’t be missed and they play several shows together at the beginning of November. If you can get to see them, then REPRESENT! Don’t miss this chance.

4 out of 5 high fives!

Review: You’ll Live – Lost. Forgotten. Abandoned. Buried. [EP]

US screamo outfit You’ll Live are back on the scene with their new four track EP Lost. Forgotten. Abandoned. Buried.. To be released on the 7th of October, the US three-piece recorded and mastered the EP while touring across the US, Canada, the UK and Europe.

The four tracks each make up part of the EP’s name, showing how it is meant to be listened to as a complete package, a unified production, rather than a mere collection of songs. First track, ‘Lost.’, is a short and sharp assault. Clocking in below the two minute mark, it still has time to overflow with raw emotion, provided primarily by the raspy vocals of … and pushed further by the driving guitars.

In this sense, the second and third tracks, ‘Forgotten.’ and ‘Abandoned.’, continue in a similar vein. The similarity resonates back through their previous catalogue as well, with the exception of the vocals which have deepened into more of a growl than the more shriek-y sound on debut EP Things Would Change If You Heard This and their full length Above The Weather. However the screamed vocals and lightly distorted guitars are still features of each release.

Final track ‘Buried.’ is the odd one out on the EP, with its 7 minute run time showcasing the slowest and most epic sound from You’ll Live to date. These seven minutes, about the same length as the rest of the EP combined, show the real progression and maturing of the band. It is as if you’re transported into the studio with the three of them, just listening to them jam and losing yourself in the music. However, what the EP gains in its methodical and contemplative style, it risks losing in its appeal to first time listeners, with far fewer riffs that tend to stick in the listener’s head and draw fans in.

3 out of 5 high fives!

Review: Amberline – The Art Of Reinvention [EP]

Since their debut release ‘Soundtrack Of Your Life’ came out at the start of 2011, the boys of Amberline have been very busy. Their schedule has been filled with highlights such as a sold out Camden Barfly and festival spots at Defest, Step Up Festival and 100% Bitchfest. Their hard-hitting, high-energy live shows have even led to support slots with bands such as Attack! Attack!, Kids Can’t Fly, and Lost Boys. Now they have surely cemented their status as one of UK’s most promising young bands with their second EP ‘The Art Of Reinvention’.

Full credit to Amberline, they have managed to do something not many bands I’ve reviewed have; they surprised me. So many bands out there in the ether claim to be pop-punk and more; usually this ‘and more’, if it even exists, it’s only there because they band haven’t figured out how to get that full pop-punk sound yet. This isn’t the case with Amberline. Through The Art of Reinvention they craft a sound that really delivers true pop-punk highs, largely thanks to the soft vocals of lead singer Mark Steggall, but also brings out heavy instrumental elements, with sweet riffs and breakdowns aplenty.

You can often be found listening to a song and thinking “that shouldn’t work”, but knowing as you sing along that it really does. This is what second, and outstanding track, on the EP ‘The Lost and Hopeless’ does with ease. It lures you in with a gentle riff before the two guitarists really kick into gear along with an intense drum beat. The chorus with its love fuelled lyrics will be great for crowds to sing-along to, joining Mark in emotionally singing “I feel so lost and hopeless, and I need someone for closeness”. It even finishes on a hell of a strong note with a harmonious guitar solo leading into a final emotive rendition of the chorus.

Other highlights include the amusing ‘I’m Not a Grower, I’m a Show-er’, reminiscent of Blink-182. As well as bringing many more riffs to the proverbial table, this track includes a pop-punk staple of gang chanted vocals, with the band joining Mark in singing: “Fuck YOU! Your threats are overrated; we will defend all of our friends”. With more energy and humour this is true to the pop-punk of the nineties and is a great addition to the EP.

As a complete package The Art of Reinvention is well-rounded, instrumentally diverse and spilling over with catchy pop-punk hooks. It’s a solid release by the Guildford band, showcasing their obvious potential. It may not be the whole future of the genre but it’s a welcome addition to the fold and is well worth a listen, so what are you waiting for? The Art of Reinvention is out on iTunes from 30 September.

4 out of 5 high fives!

Review: Lacey – Outlaws

Lacey have been busy in recent times, the release of two EPs in 2012, What Use Is Wasting Time and Chapters, has been followed in with a plethora of live shows allowing the band to start to establish themselves on the national circuit. Now with their third EP Outlaws to be released on September 13, the future could be bright for the alt-rock four-piece from Nottingham.

Starting off the latest four song sampler is ‘Hometown’ and as intros go, it doesn’t disappoint. Bringing out the powerful fist-punching melodies straight away, it is easy to see why Lacey list bands such as Taking Back Sunday and Kids in Glass Houses among the artists they take inspiration from. With a fast paced drum beat giving it a very pop-punkish sound, ‘Hometown’ also has slower moments, showcasing powerful riffs and great hooks.

Second track ‘Contender’ stands out as the ‘something a bit different’ on the EP. It starts much more slowly than the other three and plays out like an anthemic ballad, but rather than crowing vocals bassist (and lead vocalist) Graham Turner puts a lot more variation as well as power and emotion behind the lyrics, sounding more like a song from You Me At Six than say, Hinder. The emergence of the melodic guitars and slow drum beat give the whole song much more of an alt-rock ballad sound.

I’m sure they won’t mind the comparison to You Me At Six and there’s no reason why they couldn’t follow in their footsteps. While not being too similar, Turner’s vocals are certainly reminiscent of Josh Franceschi’s, with the ability to hit the high notes and keep the melodies, yet still giving bursts of a stronger and more aggressive side. ‘Contender’ is the sort of song that can get a band like Lacey noticed, bringing listeners their way before getting them hooked on their staple of pop/alt-rock.

The faster and more rocky beat is brought back with ‘Burning Out’. A fast-paced intro slows down for the delivery of the verses, before speeding up again to deliver a catchy and foot-tapping chorus. The track really slows down the pace for the bridge where Turner’s vocals subside to give way for unaccompanied gang chanted vocals. The powerful backing chants of “We all fall down, we all do nothing” remain even after the guitar, bass and drums explode back to life in a powerful final rendition of the chorus and as the song fades out we are left with only the gang vocals once again, lulling the track to sleep.

The calm before the storm is a technique used in final track ‘Let It Go’ just as well, slowing the song right down before it bursts back to life, with Dave Pearson behind the drums really impressing on a song that may only be rock-lite, but definitely deserves to be called more than ‘pop’.

Having toured with The Blackout, becoming finalists at Red Bull Studios Download Festival Competition and headlining the Red Rooms Stage at Hit the Deck Festival, 2013 has been a big year already for the Nottinghamshire quartet. Now with Outlaws ready to hit the shops (so to speak), the year could end in just as much glory as it began. Before long Lacey could hit the big scene and find themselves with a lot more airtime, following in the path of fellow Nottinghamshire lad Jake Bugg.

4.5 out of 5 high fives!

Review: The Heights – Drag Race On The Moon

The Heights’ third EP Drag Race On The Moon showcases impressive atmospherics and melodies, while a star is born in Gavin Sutton, a frontman with a pristinely clean, soothing voice, which suit much of the lyrics (dealing with emotions) perfectly. But is this the future of pop-punk? No. At least probably not. The classic rock band setup supports Gavin’s vocals with solid drumming and guitar trying their best to lure listeners in, but they lack any real gritty or edgy quality that rubs up against you and drags you into their lunar drag race.

Opening track ‘Soldier’ has a gradual escalation to the crescendo that is the chorus, yet, like the EP as a whole, it leaves you with the feeling that something fundamental is missing. I can’t help but feel as though it needs to build to an even bigger finish, not just to each repeat of the chorus. For any AFI fans, what I have in mind is something more like ‘This Time Imperfect’, a song which does build up to each rendition of the chorus, but ends with a more powerful finish. On the other end of the scale second track ‘Some Give You Away’ has an upbeat tempo with guitar riffs and a catchy chorus, but it lacks the sort of build-up that made ‘Soldier’ more special.

‘Devil’ appears to be an early fan favourite from the EP, being the most anthemic track with a catchy melody as well as a little guitar solo which gives it an extra dimension, earning it a more dynamic standing than the others. Contrary to perceived wisdom, I would recommend listening to ‘Spinning Webs’ in particular. The track is more slow and powerful than the rest of the EP, bringing a ballad to the front and centre. Explaining the songs inclusion on the EP the band said: “There are not many local bands that have ever included a piano ballad on their releases. There might be a reason why, but I like to think it was a ballsy move on our part, and I’m hoping it pays off.” They’re right, a slow piano ballad is not a common feature of any release claiming to be pop-punk, but forgetting labels and preconceived notions of how a band should sound, there is a lot of heart in this track. Everyone can relate to wishing something had happened differently, wanting to change the past or wondering if things could have gone differently if only you had acted differently. The song opens just with Gavin singing along to a tune on the piano, before shortly after the drums start up with a gentle beat. If you want a song that you can sit down and play or sing along to, look no further.

All things considered, the EP is solid and perhaps I’ve been a little over critical, but it’s only because I believe they are capable of more. None of the songs are bad, but they fail to really hit home and if critical reviews can annoy bands enough to prove the reviewer wrong, let’s hope this works. Watch this space.

2.5 out of 5 high fives!