THE ABBEY ROAD SESSIONS

Six.Point.Five

Isn’t it interesting how bands like to name releases after Abbey Road once they’ve recorded there? Spiritualized have done it, so have Embrace, now this lot. I’ve never been there myself, but I’ve seen a picture of it (it’s got a lovely zebra crossing). Now here’s something that impressed me about this demo CD. It’s just a little thing, but sometimes it’s the little details. I usually listen to CDs on the computer, it’s easier that way, while I’m writing these carefully considered critiques / rambling trains of thought that end up derailing, I can then listen to and if necessary re-listen to the CD in question without having to leave my chair. Easy life. So where was I?... oh yes, that’s right, little details. Yeah, so I switched on the computer, put the key in, wound it up, and then put the disc in. As soon as Windows Media Player loaded up, it told me exactly what I was listening to and what the tracks were called. You don’t look impressed. This is only a demo, remember? I’ve bought commercially available CDs that may as well be Ford Granadas for all Windows can tell. So, apparently I review music too. Here goes then. This band has a brass section (mind you, they did the first time I reviewed them) and that is usually a real cause for concern for me. Rock band + Brass section = Shotgun + Clay Pigeon Replacement in my book - No Doubt, Reel Big Fish, you all know who you are. Sorry, but it doesn’t work. Apart from here, where they narrowly get away with it and I’m not just saying that. Mind you, it was touch and go for a while, the first track (Eerie Roundabout) starts off as a shouty ska-punk effort with the trumpets dropping by now and again to say hello and to be honest, it’s not until the instrumental break that the song slows down for a while and from thereon in, things take a distinct turn for the better. Rotting Hearts And Receding Hairlines kicks off with either the drummer showing what he’s capable of or the drummer getting machine-gunned (bit harsh in my view) and doesn’t let up from there. There’s some more shouting too, when you consider there’s seven people in this band it carries a bit more weight than one singer screaming himself hoarse. They certainly like their cheerful song titles, as track three’s called Emotional Freakshow and it’s the best track of the three, actually I really liked this one. On the bright side, I can’t think of anyone else who sounds like these chaps, mainly because other bands using the same instruments sound like each other and this band’s doing something different. On the down side, is there a market for this sort of music? I really couldn’t tell you, I’d like to think so though. Let’s face it, if Ricky Martin can crawl out of the dumper anyone’s capable of anything (except for you, Bellefire). I know I normally prefer my music to be a little more electronic, but I reckon this band deserves a chance of the big time.

PUMP UP THE JAM

D.O.N.S. featuring Technotronic

You what? D.O.N.S. featuring Technotronic? You’re having a laugh, aren’t you? This is a remix, pure and simple, the only people who should get the main credit are Technotronic themselves! Cheeky devils. It’s a surprisingly good remix, I’ll give you that, but a) as far as I’m concerned, that’s what it is and b) it’s still a stupid name for a song.

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

Kate Bush

I can see this getting short shrift amongst the kid-friendly radio stations and DJs. “Oh dear, that sounds a bit dreary, tell you what, here’s the Sugababes instead…” I like the fact that it’s slow myself. It’s got bags of atmosphere, the drummer has plenty of time to nip off for a tea break when he’s not needed and you need more than one listen to really get the picture. This is the sort of song that comes along when you’re allowed to use your imagination and couldn’t give a flying monkeys about chart positions. In other words, it’s good.