Wow!
As a responsible website concerned for our visitors’ health and safety, the following warning is issued: do not turn the volume control all the way up to eleven while listening to this release.
For four minutes and nine seconds after hitting the ‘play’ button, I felt like Zebedee trying to walk through a wind tunnel, as the music hit me full force. I was caught in the eye of a sound storm and the only option was to wait it out. (Well, I guess I could have hit the ‘stop’ button, but in truth I was both mesmerised and impressed.)
If it’s possible to capture the whole history of Classic Rock and add a modern twist within the space of a few minutes, then this is it! The opening six- second guitar riff – which continues to lurk just below the surface for the duration of the song – is pretty much identical to that used only a few years ago by hardcore punk band, Five Knuckle on their track ‘Sleep Easy’. (I know that reference point will make little impression on many folk, but Five Knuckle were not only the UK’s best HC punk band, but were one of the best bands, full stop! I use the comparison to illustrate the fact that it would be too easy to dismiss Rime as just another ‘Classic Rock’ band, at least as far as this release goes anyway.)
Sorry – what I was saying is that the modern riff quickly gives way to what I can best describe as a “bwaa, bwaa bwaa” guitar sound and a sort of Jimi Hendrix Experience type of bass line. Not surprisingly, the words ‘All Along The Watchtower,’ flood my head.
And then, in keeping with the past / present influences, vocalist Melanie kicks in. With the trembled sound of Buffy Saint Marie and the power of Grace Slick – or Beth Ditto, for those not of a certain age – she really belts her way through the song, breaking only for a good, old fashioned prog rock guitar solo towards the end. Throughout, the violently shuffling beat is maintained, as the early Seventies and late Noughties (God, I hate that expression) collide head on.
Excellent stuff indeed – it’s such a shame that it will inevitably not be heard by as many as would most certainly appreciate it!
(And I’ve got to say, that any band who cites Rory Gallagher as an ‘influence,’ gets my vote any day!)
- Various Artists - 2 July 2010
- Various - 1 July 2010
- Glenn Meling - 25 January 2010