Page 50 - Black Velvet Issue 94

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three members’ undeniable tones. That isn’t to say are very upbeat and have some well-respected veter-
talent, which is topped by a these should be used in an optimistic feel. ‘The ans of the rock world. It’s
quite superb instrumental, every song they produce, Come Up’ juxtaposes a easy to hear why when
which builds like a storm but they are certainly a Motown backbeat with rock they burst out of the speak-
before exploding in a bril- useful weapon in their ar- swagger while exploring ers with opening track,
liant bolt of lightning across senal. It’s perhaps fitting the issue of depression, ‘Seen Better Days’. A guitar
the skies. Alas, the only that the closing seconds of while the jaunty swing of wail gives way to infectious
drawback of ‘The Amazing the final song, ‘It’s All Just ‘Soul Crusher’ contradicts riffs and hooks from the
Memoirs of Geoffrey God- A Show’, slows down to a its downbeat title. ‘A Longer two guitarists, thundering
dard’ is that, as fantastic as mini acoustic piece, where View’ is thoughtful, with a drums and a full-throated
‘Take It Or Leave It’ is, the again, Louise’s subtle side soulful piano intro and a vocal. It’s bluesy rock at its
SKAM band has produced better is showcased and it’s a lyrical examination of the best. Next up is the sleazy
THE AMAZING MEMOIRS
OF GEOFFREY GOD- songs in the past and while perfect conclusion to the state of the world and po- swagger of ‘Lust’, with its
this album is perhaps their
EP. Initially, Louise finds
DARD most consistently best to herself battling with gui- tential conflict, signified by big chorus and dirty guitar
solo, while the swampy,
a brief burst of martial
(SKAM)
The story of a 1930s date, it doesn’t possess the tarist Georgia Bell, bassist drums. This is a hard-rock- foot-stomping ‘Devil You
RAF test pilot and his trav- standout tracks they have Jason Coles and drummer ing, varied, and very strong Know’ is possibly the best
els across time sounds enjoyed previously. One Ben Dean. There are times album. Highly recom- track on a high-calibre col-
such reason could be that
when it feels the four mem-
more like a plot to a Holly- ‘The Amazing Memoirs of bers are fighting each other mended. YYYY lection. You owe it to your-
self to give Black Cat
wood blockbuster than a
rock album, but that is ex- Geoffrey Goddard’ doesn’t to be heard. It’s almost no Clare Huckett Bones a listen. Here’s hop-
wonder though, as the
boast a true ballad which
ing for a full-length album
actly the tale with third LP
from Brit rockers SKAM, a has been not only a feature three musicians are as tal- VINCE RIPPER AND THE soon.
of the band’s previous work
ented as their frontwoman,
YYYYY
three-piece with enough but also produced some of Georgia in particular pro- RODENT SHOW Clare Huckett
PLANET SHOCKORAMA
fire power to fight any army
and that power is the heart their finest moments, this ducing some superb riffs (CHERRY RED)
Loud and boisterous,
and leading the closing
album producing a heavier
and soul of ‘The Amazing
Memoirs of Geoffrey God- sound from start to finish seconds of ‘Get A Grip’ with and most definitely theatri-
than we have heard in the
some machine gun-style
dard’. Neal Hill has been past which should success- sounds, which are another cal, Vince Ripper And The
Rodent Show has pro-
on drumming duties for
SKAM for over three years, fully attract new fans and highlight of the EP and a duced a fast-paced riot of
mainly covers given the
point where the band can
satisfy existing ones.
but this is the first new ma-
YYYY
terial since he joined Michael Coventry truly stamp their mark on goth/monster/shock rock
‘Second Load’. There is
brother and lead vocalist/ much promise and poten- treatment. Featuring tracks
from the likes of The B-52s,
guitarist Steve and bassist
Matt Gilmore and it’s some- PRETTY LITTLE ENEMY tial here and if the band Misfits, David Bowie, JONNY LANG
can strike a greater har-
Hawkwind, The Cramps,
SECOND LOAD
what fitting that his stick
work is the first sound of (PRETTY LITTLE ENEMY) mony between the four of and Alien Sex Fiend, SIGNS
Keep
them there is likely to be
friends
your
music we hear on ‘The close and your enemies much to look forward to there’s a strong punk atti- (PROVOGUE/MASCOT)
tude and a lively sense of
Guitar-led and heavily
Amazing Memoirs of Geof-
frey Goddard’, as he has closer they say and West with a third, fourth and fun throughout. There is blues-influenced, Jonny
Lang is returning to his mu-
Country rockers Pretty Lit-
many more loads.
also an occasional fusion
the privilege of opening
YYYY
‘Between The Eyes’ and tle Enemy could very well Michael Coventry of other genres, such as sical roots with his first
be their own worst enemies
his part in the strength of if they do not tread care- the industrial edge of album in four years. How-
ever, while the blues are
‘Outer Limits’ and the rock-
the band’s sound remains
throughout the 11 songs on fully, their second EP, ‘Sec- abilly flair of ‘The Invasion the foundation for the
Is Coming’. The vocals
album, there are lots of
ond Load’, producing much
offer here. It’s appropriate
that in ‘Otherside’ Steve to grab your attention, but tend to be rough-edged other elements too. ‘Make
also revealing that some
declares, ‘We’re powerful,’ minor adjustments may be and aggressive, making It Move’ is bare-bones -
the version of ‘Silver Ma-
foot-stomping rhythm from
because they certainly are
and much of SKAM’s required for them to chine’ less psychedelic and a single guitar, raw and
more psychotic, especially
achieve their full potential.
throaty vocals backed up
prowess comes from Matt’s
bass work, played more in Throughout this four-track with the heavier take on the by a gospel choir, and the
release, there are many
the style of a rhythm guitar flashes of brilliance and guitars. A heavier, slightly only percussion is a hand-
clapped beat. ‘Last Man
industrial ‘Scary Monsters’
than a typical bass is, it
beefs up the sound of much to enjoy, but also SHAMAN’S HARVEST really shouldn’t work but Standing’ is an out-and-out
RED HANDS BLACK
parts which appear a little
rocker, complete with huge
turns out to be great fun,
every song and allows
Steve to let loose on so disjointed. ‘Collide’ is one DEEDS the calypso rhythms of hooks and a pounding
of the highlights of the EP.
(MASCOT)
many guitar solos on the In vocalist Louise Body Although unintentional, ‘The Blob’ have a lot of ap- drum rhythm. It’s a shout of
peal,
and
Misfits’
defiance and is utterly bril-
album, which contains an
incredible amount of mem- they have a true power- Shaman’s Harvest was ‘Teenagers From Mars’ liant. The funk elements in
house, but it’s her softer
‘What You’re Made Of’ and
should be the signature
heavily influenced by the
orable riffs and instrumen-
tals. It’s remarkable the side that produces some of US presidential election track. Musically it’s not the ‘Stronger Together’ are in-
while writing and so inad-
the best work on ‘Second
quality of his vocals per- Load’. While her belting vo- vertently created a concept greatest album, but it’s cer- fectious and uplifting. Title
tainly entertaining.
track ‘Signs’ is a swagger-
formed at the same time
YYY
which needs to be seen cals are impressive, they album. Their themes are Clare Huckett ing blues-rocker that show-
are not especially unique,
the wider political, social
cases Lang’s vocal range
and heard live to be fully
appreciated. The first half but her softer tones bring a and economic struggles of to the full, with some im-
welcome touch of vulnera-
the US alongside the more
of ‘The Amazing Memoirs bility to their music. This is personal, and so there is BLACK CAT BONES pressive high notes. But
DOWN TO THE RIVER
the guitar’s the real star –
of Geoffrey Goddard’ is the
strongest and the afore- proven in ‘Play By The an ominous tone to a lot of (BLACK CAT BONES) the rhythms all through the
the album. This begins with
album are excellent and
Rules’, the EP’s other great
Liverpool’s own Black
mentioned tracks, along-
side the equally impressive example of where they get the intro and its steady, sin- Cat Bones serve up an- the solos, such as that on
closer to an ideal balance
gle drum beat, sustained
‘The Iron Cross’ build won- between their vocals and single string, and low vocal other helping of high-oc- ‘Bitter End’ and soulful bal-
lad ‘Bring Me Back Home’,
tane rock ‘n’ roll with their
derfully to ‘Take It Or Leave
It’, without question the music. It’s a heavier track intoning a tale of ‘Red second five-track EP. are outstanding. A phe-
nomenal album from an ex-
than ‘Collide’, but lacks the
Hands Black Deeds’, which
These boys have talent,
highlight of the album, a
fast-paced, perfectly emotion, which is in no is repeated later as a energy, and a dynamism ceptional artist.
small part due to the ab-
theme in ‘Blood Trophies’.
moulded showcase of all that has earned them plau- YYYY
sence of Louise’s softer And yet a lot of the rhythms dits and support slots from Clare Huckett
ALBUMS