Kasiuss's stunning debut + Reynolds latest album
LOCAL CD REVIEWS
Kasiuss: EP
THE dark pounding piano, the thumping drums, fuzzed-up fat guitar riffs, icy lead guitar, sweeping synth strings, soaring vocals – Kasiuss are the real deal, perhaps the best original mainstream rock band Harrogate has ever produced.
With the flair for melodrama of Muse and the melodic, keyboard poppiness of Keane, thankfully Kasiuss also boast the dirtier, tougher aspects of Biffy Clyro.
There are hints of prog in some of the sophisticated song contructions, but there's virtually no fruitiness, lead singer Biz's vocals brimming with passion throughout.
There are no bad tracks on this hugely impressive debut EP, the highlights being the Led Zeppelin meets Kasabian opener Underground and the rootsy-tootsy catchy "woah oh" prog pop of No Fear.
Kasiuss are a band that people can connect with, aiming high but fully grounded.
All they lack is one unusual sound effect, one eye-catching gimmick to knock the likes of Biffy Clyro and Muse off their lofty perches.
Graham Chalmers
www.kasiuss.co.uk
Rob Reynolds: Coming Home (album).
THE great thing about Rob Reynolds is he oozes belief in every chord and vocal inflection.
His heartfelt rasp is heard best on the following tracks: two of the better 'rockers', excellent opener Wishing Well, the hard-edged rallying cry of Rising, on the poppiest number Angel, too, and, in particular, on the best track on this self-penned album, the hyper-active swirl of Reason which circles majestically like a man searching for answers where there are none.
This long-established Harrogate singer-songwriter's voice even puts new life into the up tempo, soul-rock of Rain on Yesterday, Ella's Son, Pepper Pot, the sort of thing Jools Holland likes. . .
Despite the toughness in that blue-deep rasp, there's also a tenderness which emerges occasionally - the delightful, pads and brushes acoustic soul of Who's To Say, whose "everyone can change" chorus would sound wonderful in the hands of Take That, and the equally good title track Coming Home, a patiently-built, poignant keyboard and lap steel-infused ballad of beauty.
Boasting quality songwriting throughout, at his best Reynolds make it possible to believe the great days of British white soul singers which produced the likes of Steve Marriott, Steve Winwod and Rod Stewart haven't really ended.
Graham Chalmers
www.robreynolds.co.uk
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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