Dance To The Radio : Various Artists : 4X12” Volume 1
To celebrate their 50th release Leeds-based indie label Dance To The Radio have released this 4 track E-P, the first of four in a series of very exclusive vinyl limited to 500 copies showcasing some of the best new talent the label has to offer.
This first offering kicks off with the debut song by Leeds band Wonderswan, whose combination of moody heavy-based, Sonic Youth style playing and vocal drawl complete with distorted riffs, will surely be welcomed warmly by many. The track also makes a pleasant change from the over-saturation of electro-influenced music that is destroying the music scene currently.
In a complete contrast to the first track the second song ‘Behind Your Back’ by Broadcast Society is a furious cymbal-driven slice of indie-pop, that’s extremely catchy complete with strong charismatic vocals from band front man John Welby. The song is relentlessly fast-paced and is pure brilliance from the first opening riff to the very last sustained chord. What is most impressive about this three minute slice of indie-madness is how big the sound they produce is considering they are only a three piece. It’s refreshing to hear something from a band that have been very heavily hyped, yet most certainly deserve it.
Although Dance To The Radio primarily has a lot of U.K based artists, they have began signing artists from across the globe. One of the best signings being New Yorker’s Pulled Apart By Horses, a band who don’t know the meaning of the words soft rock. 'E=MC Hammer' is a heavy, loud angular piece of progressive hardcore metal that stands out as the strongest track on the E.P. Lead singer Tom Hudson’s vocals are gruff and hoarse yet his versatility as a vocalist shines through when required. While being set very much in the metal scene the song has elements of good old fashioned heavy rock and roll that will appeal too many, particularly on the tracks bridge where accompanied by a heavy dose of screaming from Hudson, the song breaks down into a good old fashioned head-banging session.
The E.P’s closing track is somewhat more unusual then the previous three, a remix of the Bear Hands song 'What a drag', remixed by Cale Parks of indie band Aloha fame. The songs original sound is replaced by a euphoric mellow sound, full of heady drum beats and long drawn out chord driven synth sections. The only criticism being in places the vocals don’t appear to suit the backing and this can make it sound quite unlistenable particularly on the chorus.
The songs seem to take the E.P on a journey, starting off decidedly mellow with Wonderswan before gaining pace and energy with Pulled Apart By Horses and closing with the mellow Bear Hands. This is the first of three more releases under this series of ‘4X12”’ and if they can keep finding tracks as consistently brilliant as the tracks on this compilation, all three will be worthwhile releases to add to your vinyl collection.
Words: Kevin Angel
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Reply #1 on : Wed July 13, 2011, 09:27:09
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Posts: 2
Reply #2 on : Sat July 16, 2011, 11:52:20