Three piece band from Derby/Nottingham, United Kingdom have brought rock music a new lease of life with this 3 track debut E.P stunner Clements Road... elevating rock with some dirty licks with tons of commercial potential, rock is alive and the Rebels have captured the meaning of great music and guitar work to die for, excellent stuff lads...
An easy on-the-ear acoustic/folk band from the North-West UK. Well, I say 'band' as the appearance of other musicians apart from acoustic guitar & vocals are infrequent and fairly low key. This is not a criticism or hindrance because deep at the heart of Redwood Thinkers are the supremely compatible, tight and dovetailed vocals of singers Darren Cummings and Kezia Wilkinson who bring a fat slice of Beautiful South styling to their soft and comfortable tunes. Its the effortless quality of these vocals that carry the songs and with such symbiosis they could probably sing the phone book to a metronome and you wouldn't notice, highlighted perfectly on tracks 'May we be forgiven' and 'Fade so simple'. The tracks rarely venture from the slow and dreamy and I did start wondering how it would feel if Redwood Thinkers did tear it up, just a bit (as Beautiful South could do) but its not in their make up. They are definitely in their happy place, within their warm and fuzzy folk tunes that give a shop window to the vocals, despite it often reducing the other band members to almost bit players.
So I'm sitting back with my large mug of steaming coffee marvelling at the soaring, perfectly harmonising vocals and think 'yup, an easy 5 out of 6 for these guys'...then it happens...the dreaded Myspace bio! So do band biographies affect their playing ability? Of course not. But, as in my case, its very important issue as its the first stop to finding out something about the band I'm listening too. Unfortunately the vast majority of bands self-written bio's I see (and the Redwoods rather saccharine, self aggrandising blurb is a good point in question) are hopeless at it. Please, please, please think about how you describe yourselves, it is important to realise that I (nor promoters or record industry types) want to know or really care how fantastic you think you are or how you all met at the pub and then the last bass player left to get married etc etc. We just want to know a little about what you do, where you want to go and what you're like. My best tip for a bio is to help the reader, try using quotes from what other people have said about you, it works. You really don't need to blow your own trumpet, simply inform people that you have one is more than enough! Sorry, bugbear aside Redwood Thinkers are very good and, I still say, bio notwithstanding...
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the name of a band doesn't necessarily effect their chances of success or failure (with a few notable exceptions). I liked the name 'Riot Police' when it slid across my screen and I though 'ooh some strident punk or perhaps a bit of industrial metal' but no, unfortunately for me, Riot Police from Kildare bare little resemblance to their rather hard-edged moniker.
This three piece offer some of the politest, saccharine, jingly pop songs heard outside of a church knees up. Not that this makes them a lesser band in anyway or the songs aren't pleasant enough, but for my tastes it sits on the rather wrong side of 'nice'. From the uber-clean twinkly guitar sound, to the recorded-in-one-take freshness and sing-a-long, REM-lite vocals. The songs are the brain-child of singer/guitarist Ross MacMahon and, hand-on-heart are all pretty well written. Ross and co. who obviously have the right stuff about them (although, unaccustomed as I am to commenting on other peoples reviews, I think that the quote on Riot Police's Myspace bio from Emma at The Voice magazine, was having a pretty surreal day when she gushingly compared Ross's vocals to Editors frontman Tom Smith) but it lacks in any sort of real energy or drive . Highlight of the songs on offer on Myspace is the more melancholic 'Lake' where things veer slightly more towards the darker side and shows Ross in his best light.
Maybe, with a bit of dirt rubbed in and some rock n roll magic dust sprinkled over them, Riot Police could grow into their name, otherwise the name and style are unlikely to really reflect each other in any way. Currently though, some nice ideas, perhaps which, with a bit of repackaging and working out, could grow into something stronger.
Robbie Mc Donlad's soft, charismatic melodies anre enhanced by his gentle, trained vocals. The songs are well written and delicatley arranged. Robbie Mc Donald has some beautiful piano sounds and textured composition. Robbie's live preformaces ecaptures these magical sounds ans colourful atmosphere,
Ro has a very sleek and soft melodic vocal approach to his songs on Tics & Politics, I am gonna break this review down to each track cause each one has its own charisma of pure songwriting imagination.
"Sticks and Stones" rhythm flows from the acoustic guitar with a raw upbeat bass line, they both give the impressions of reggae pushing into folk blues with a hint of jazz, the vocals are sweet on this track with cool catchy lyrics, reminds me of a full bodied rare bottle of wine' this is a one off track and has great potential of a hit.
"Tumbleweed" jazzy folk with some excellent craft on the instruments, the dynamics in this tune have some soft tones and fantastic vocals to push the song to its peaks.
"The Voice" this one is for the road trip, it has the feel of Dylan meets Donovan, lyrics are very well written makes you wanna get up and go, upbeat march snare gives the tune that southern feel yet Ro has a very unique way of changing the mood of the song with some class tones coming from his voice.
"Sunrise" this song has every element of folk the guitar and the piano merge together giving the tune a real peaceful ingredient that makes the vocals stand out and make this tune a wonderful piece of art.
"Tics & Politics" reggae bass line with jazzy vocals this works well in this tune the bass stands out in this tune with some clever jazz tricks and melting well with the overall songs a very strange mix but very interesting to listen to.
"Rongo" we got some latin soul in this tune and Ro sings with a soft melodic voice rather than most singers would opt for the Enrico approach this is what i like about Ro there is no boundaries in his songs but he sticks to his original voice.
"Sing for the children" this is a nice little number, catchy chorus and some upbeat folk blues beats with more of a traditional vibe and you just might hear a hint of ska if you listen close.
"Sleeping on your side" vocals are fantastic on this song, the dynamics with the piano sway with the tune in perfect harmony, its a real slow set number and one for the lovers of the night.
"Velvet sky" this tune is short and sweet with some beautiful lyrics very poetic piece.
"Blood-red Manifesto" the rhythm spills through out this tune with some great vocals and a very powerful story line, the music is blended with some cool effects and awesome dynamics coming from the instruments giving the tune a more anthem feel, i would say this one would sound great live.
Roadrunner are a four piece rock band from Dublin, they capture rock music with the essence of rhythm and blues with an indie edge.
Dr Jekyll and Mrs Hyde – This tune has some great melodic structures in the song with some indie rock feel and a Guns n Rose style going on, upbeat and rocking great stuff.
Sparks – This is a more easy listening tune more indie than rock with a nice country feel, the vocals are excellent with some nice catchy lyrics, the mid changes are cool they lift the tune up nice with some great grooving bass and effects streaming from the guitar.
Thief in the alley – This tune has great Who type of an intro and keep its momentum through out the song it kicks and bites with some great vocals and rock out beats.
As REEMO came out on stage you could feel the crowds anticipation for this band and for the love of live music, they kicked off the night with "WHO YOU ARE" the crowd went crazy, Tonight they were releasing there 2nd single "RUSHIN MAN" which is a great tune and played very well live, they went on to play other cracking tune's like "SUPERMAN" and "IT'S NOT ME IT'S NOT YOU" this band can really play live everything about them from stage presence to movement and they all get involved in backing vocal this is a rare thing in bands around at the moment, overall it was a great gig and a excellent performance from REEMO.
review by T.Halpin.
Gig rate - ***** Excellent
photo by MUSICREVEIW
REEMO (cd review)
GREAT BAND WITH A FUSION OF WITTY LYRICS AND EXCELLENT MUSIC
RUSHIN MAN - Effects sound great through out this tune, nice changes and lyrics are excellent, superb vocals, great tune.
WHO ARE YOU REEMO - A great easy listener with catchy chorus, vocals are excellent, nice gutair work in the background give the tune a real summer feel.
HERE IS A REVIEW OF SOME TRACK'S FROM THIS ARTIST RICHIE mcCOY HE SURE CAN CRAFT AND COMBINE GREAT MELODIES TOGETHER WITH SOME EXCELLENT LYRICS.
HOLDING ON
Here is a nice blend of melodies in this tune you got some folk with a hint of some country blue's, vocal's flow across the song giving it a nice easy listening sound.
COLUM'S SONG
This is a real good moving tune with a real good bass drum rhythm holding a tidy beat down, the vocal's are laid down with great passion to them they really give the song a great lift with there folk rock feel.
STAY
You can really here a country element in this tune, the vocal's sound great when they kick in giving the song real commercial potential, catchy chorus and great lyrics.
