Album Review: Deadwax – Deadwax EP

London band Deadwax released their self-titled, 4-track debut EP on Monday, and it’s a strong effort for a new band that I hope will be around for a long time to come. The first song on the EP, called ‘Indigo’, is one hell of a sultry number. Richard Power’s vocals remind me somewhat of those of David Burn (Detroit Social Club) but with the swagger and sexiness of Jim Morrison. To this day, I honestly do not get why Kings of Leon leave some people all hot and bothered. You see, ‘Indigo’ is exactly the sort of song that rings my bell. Guitars by Power, Richard Lodge (guitar) and James Richards (bass) – gee, there are a lot of ‘Richard’s in this band, aren’t there? – can’t be beat.
The drumming, courtesy of Tom Edwards, figures as prominently on the next track, ‘Shoot You Down’, along with a monster guitar riff that should encourage dancing as well as kids to take up the instrument. On this song, Power channels the expansive style of singing sometimes favoured by Liam Gallagher (‘Supersonic’?) with good results. Similar vocals colour the last song of the EP, ‘Throne’. Not sure they were going for this, but I hear Britpop and Oasis in these tracks. Great songwriting, excellent guitars and good vocals make for a good combination. Can they keep this up? If the answer is yes, success is surely around the corner.
You are hopefully already be familiar with the third track ‘The Rider’, as we featured it as an MP3 of the Day last month. With its slightly grating repetitive, echoing chorus, I think it’s the weakest track on this 4-track offering, but that’s like saying Ringo Starr was the least talented member of the Beatles. Intrigued? Get this EP.
MP3: Deadwax – The Rider
[audio:http://theregoesthefear.com/uploads/2010/11/Deadwax-Rider.mp3]8/10
The ‘Deadwax’ EP is available now from iTunes.
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