Page 36 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 102

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gems. Now, they’ve put to- the intro to fast-paced pop- and showcase his real tal- ‘Failing Friends’ draws
gether an album with all of punk and the moment of ent as a singer, while intri- upon feelings straight from
the covers on one disc - stripped-down reflection at cate and creative guitar the heart, leading to a note
and if you buy a physical the bridge, there’s a lot melodies boost them of desperacy accompanied
copy, the sleeve includes going on in a deceptively higher. Within the lyrics and by slightly softer instrumen-
narrative for each song simple song. Title track music, you can feel all of tals. ‘Letters To Home’ be-
about why and how they ‘The Fall Of Man’ is a more Mitch’s sensitive and sin- gins with a fret rhythm
came to cover it. ‘Locked aggressive call for disobe- cere feelings and intro- which forms the backbone
And Loaded – The Covers dience in society, the need spective thoughts and his of the track, upon which an
Album’ kicks off with the to force change rather than vocal style complements extended instrumental
heady ‘Midnight Moses’, a going along as usual, while them well. The brooding opening gives way to a
MICHAEL MONROE song the band played dur- ‘The Pirate Song’ switches ‘The Rain’ mentions loneli- colossal ending to leave
ONE MAN GANG ing their visit to Cuba in between a slower tempo ness and emptiness. Our the listener on a high. ‘The
(SILVER LINING MUSIC) 2015 before recording it for and a more rollicking particular favourite is ‘Sea- Witching Hours’ lays bare
Michael Monroe is their ‘Revolución’ album rhythm matching the mood son Of Regret’, which the band’s intentions and
back with another ball- the same year. And on the of the lyrics. Slow-burn ‘Be- seems to be ever so feelings, and it is for this
busting, ass-kicking, rip- theme of revolutions, they long To Yourself’ draws the slightly harder-edged than reason that listeners are
roaring rock ‘n’ roll release. also cover The Beatles’ album to a close in a feel- the rest of the album, while sure to find comfort in the
Right from the starting classic, ‘Revolution’. With ing of self-doubt but also still retaining a dreamy words and empowerment
blocks, the opening song every song they manage to cautious optimism with a smoothness. Aside from in the fervent sonics.
and title track ‘One Man give it the Dead Daisies final upbeat guitar solo the vocals, Mitch plays all YYYY
Gang’ races along at stamp while not straying flourish. Lots to like. of the guitars, synths and Athena Kam
breakneck speed, yet with too far from the original. YYYY programmed the drums on
melody and hooks that at- They turn the pop to rock Clare Huckett this album. It’s a true solo MALLORY KNOX
tract like bees to honey. and the tracks all pack album by all accounts (just MALLORY KNOX
With a guitar solo by punk punches with rows of riffs featuring Beth ‘Cody’ Miles (A WOLF AT YOUR
rock legend Captain Sensi- and vocals that rip. Despite on ‘That Sinking Feeling’), DOOR)
ble and in-yer-face attitude, John Corabi being The which shows how talented The vocals may have
the song immediately puts Dead Daisies’ singer now, Mitchel Emms is. In Mitch’s changed but the heart, soul
a skip in your step. ‘Last they’ve also included liner notes of the album he and melodies definitely
Train To Tokyo’ is a tour-life recorded versions of songs reveals self-doubt as to haven’t. Mallory Knox have
anthem, a slightly poppier that previous vocalist Jon whether anyone would released their first album
tune than its predecessor Stevens sang on. The Bea- want to listen to this album since previous frontman
and one you can’t help sing tles get a second tip of the – but we have no doubt at Mikey Chapman left the
along to, while a steady hat with ‘Helter Skelter’, all how amazing Mitch is as band and Sam Douglas
beat and Michael’s trade- with Jon Stevens nailing both a singer and musi- stepped into his shoes. As
mark harmonica introduces the vocals. Creedance MITCHEL EMMS cian. Whether you like Sam always wrote a large
‘Junk Planet’. ‘The scenery Clearwater Revival’s ‘For- VERTIGO AT HISTORY’S brooding indie rock or not, portion of the lyrics, there’s
is plastic, sincerity is fake’, tunate Son’ went down a EDGE ‘Vertigo At History’s Edge’ not much change to the
Michael sings. ‘Midsummer storm on the band’s ‘Make (MITCHEL EMMS) is worth listening to just to foundation of the band, and
Nights’ slows the pace a lit- Some Noise’ album and It’s been over six years catch a musical whiff of you can hear it in songs
tle for a little reminiscence tour, since it’s packed with since we first caught a Mitch’s talents as a singer, like ‘Livewire’ where Sam
while ‘Wasted Years’ tips its energy and outrageous- glimpse and a listen to songwriter and musician. sings ‘I’m hanging on the
hat to Hanoi’s ‘All Those ness. There’s everyone Mitchel Emms as a con- YYYY end of a rope’. Sam’s al-
Wasted Years’ and even from The Who to Deep testant on The Voice UK. SBV ways been honest with his
guests Michael’s ex-Hanoi Purple covered, so whether His voice won us over – so lyric writing and this is one
bandmate Nasty Suicide. you’re a fan of The Dead much so that we followed AVAGRACE reason we love Mallory
There are some interest- Daisies themselves, or just him on social media, got in THE WITCHING HOURS Knox. Not every band
ingly-titled songs such as classic rock bands from the touch for an interview, (AVAGRACE) would charge straight into
‘The Pitfalls Of Being An 70s, this is a stonking headed to a festival to see English alt-rock quartet ‘Psycho Killer’, which in-
Outsider’ and ‘Hollywood album for your collection him perform – and then AvaGrace look set to make cludes the lyrics ‘You’re a
Paranoia’, while ‘Heaven Is with some of the greatest later on, put his band, Mis- their mark with their debut psycho killer to me’, yet
A Free State’ sees Michael songs ever made all on terNothing on the cover of album ‘The Witching Sam uses his lyrics to get
sing ‘why should we post- one disc and given a re- Black Velvet. Sadly, Mister- Hours’. Bringing together things off his chest and
pone our revolution?’ and freshing new spin. ‘Locked Nothing split as Mitch went pounding drums and com- write about the realities of
‘life is ours to celebrate’. and Loaded’ and with a on to join The Treatment as pelling riffs, it’s a body of his life. ‘I need some relief
With 12 tracks of positively new lease of life! their singer. But now, Mitch work that makes a strong so throw me a lifeline’ he
pure and sparkly rock YYYY is back with a solo release, statement to introduce the offers in ‘White Lies’, along
goodness, Michael Mon- SBV a ten-track concept album quintet to those not yet fa- to a hummable melody,
roe’s ‘One Man Gang’ is a that he says is a tribute to miliar to them. Opening while ‘Ten years up and
release we can all cele- RAT FACE LEWEY ‘the outcasts, the misun- track ‘MisGuided’ comes in down, now I’m riddled with
brate. THE FALL OF MAN derstood and lost people blazing, holding nothing doubt, I’ve said a lot of
YYYYY (RAT FACE LEWEY) who have fell by the way- back in its honest lyricism things but through some-
SBV Grunge/alt-rock trio Rat side in modern society’. and cutting vocals, and the one else’ sounds exactly
Face Lewey are serving up The loss of a friend during proceeding ‘The Ghost Of like the story of Mallory
THE DEAD DAISIES a feast of dark emotive Mitch’s time working on the Warden Bay’ continues on Knox – or Sam himself.
LOCKED AND LOADED – tracks on their second album also became im- this run of electrifying gui- Though we wish he wasn’t
THE COVERS ALBUM album. By turns introspec- planted into certain songs. tars and an overall punchy riddled with doubt as this
(SPV) tive, aggressive and tenta- The album as a whole has sound. Title track ‘The self-titled album has hooks
As longtime mainstays tively hopeful, the album is a real reflective air. Songs Witching Hours’ brings a a-plenty and hard-rocking
in the rock world, the indi- partly centred on battling such as ‘Rivers Of Ice’ sliver of menace with its rhythms. Released on A
vidual musicians that make and overcoming anxiety have a secluded, atmos- low-tuned instrumentals, Wolf At Your Door Records,
up The Dead Daisies have and depression. ‘Comfort- pheric vibe, while ‘Mes- but the chorus remains as there will be more than just
many influences far and able’ rages against people sage From The Water’ is a catchy as ever and con- a wolf at the door wanting
wide. They’re also known who don’t recognise they rising 5-minute epic. If you tains sonic hints of early this release. Sadly, the
for incorporating their influ- have things good and so were a fan of MisterNoth- 2000’s emo with its unfil- band announced their split
ences into cover songs on put others down. The differ- ing, this album shows an- tered emotions. More shortly after this release; a
both their albums and in ent harmonies and styles, other side to Mitch. His poignant moments on the sad ending to a great band.
live shows side by side with from the gentle riffs con- vocals really stand out as a album come after the in- YYYY
their own original-penned trasted with drum blasts in highlight – they often soar strumental interlude, as SBV
ALBUMS