Post by Hurricane on Mar 31, 2010 5:27:04 GMT -5
Skarlet Blue are a four-piece from Melbourne, Australia that have recently ditched their complete image and library and started from the ground up; an interesting thought for an established band. Going from a funky 70's esque hard shock-rock quartet to completely revamp your style and image as a very professional, spacey hard rock band can be hard, and very few have managed to make such an extensive change. Skarlet Blue are one of few who have managed to walk out the other end, to not only hold their own but improve drastically.
After a busy tour of Los Angeles and many sold out headline shows around Melbourne, as well as spots opening for well-known bands such as Thirsty Merc, Shannon Noll, The Screaming Jets, Juke Kartel and more, the band started 2010 off with a bang and a brand new EP! "Simple Shades of Grey", currently up for pre-sale off the bands website and Myspace, shows exactly the evolution of the band and their sound.
The disc opens with the mellow harmonies of "What Went Wrong", a huge change from past albums. Rather than going balls out, the band shows another side with a heartfelt song about loss and trying to find yourself. It is a good change and a great choice as an opener, with the slow build up featuring scattered guitar arpeggios and keyboards leading into a more full sound and an acoustic, Spanish-inspired acoustic guitar solo and soaring vocals from Anthony, the bands vocalist. Also included are strings, such as violins, a distinct, yet very likeable sound. A very professional track that shows the band are here to be taken seriously, and by the sounds of it, they most definitely will be!
The following song "Finally Found You" continues on perfectly, seemingly as a part II to the opening song, with the opening lyrics stating "I remember what went wrong", developing on the previous songs themes. With sporadic bass drums in the background and perfect harmonies from the keyboard, the song builds to a catchy chorus that you can't help to sing along to. Skarlet Blue manages to do something that most bands fail to do, have the album as a whole as well as an individual. What I mean by this is that each song builds into the next, without sounding repetitive. It makes the urge to complete the whole album much larger, without harming the songs as individuals in any way.
The third song on the EP, "Hiding Pictures" picks up with a more upbeat and rhythmic drum/guitar combination, featuring a trill-esque, underwater-sounding melody from the keyboards. The chorus in the song is instantly recognizable, as it stands out from anything the band has done before. Very original melodic and harmonic structure that is reminiscent of 70's and 80's rock. The drums hold a marching sound over a guitar solo in the background as the song fades out.
"Standing Alone" starts next with distant guitar sounds and a very catchy vocal hook. The song builds up into a balls out rock song, very reminiscent of Skarlet Blue's history, while still sticking to the new matured sound. The transition between the spacey riffs and marching drums to the hard chorus is a relief and doesn't fail to impress. If anyone wants to say the band has gone soft, this is the song to prove them wrong. The song also features the pounding bass of Ryan DiCecco, the one thing lacking in this album. The man is the most impressive bassist I've seen live and my jaw dropped when the shirt came off and the bass blasted.
The title track,"Simple Shades of Grey" starts off imediately with a hooky verse and a funky guitar riff, leading into a soft section featuring overdubs and a completely different styled verse. This is extremely original and very catchy. This song, my personal favourite from the album, builds up slowly but steadily and continues to grow and grow into the chorus, where the build comes to fruition! An extremely funky song brings out the Ryan DiCecco we all know and love, as well as the pounding instrumentals. They end the album with a huge bang, the hardest and best song of the EP!
Overall, a strong effort from the band, showing that their revamp in style was not in vein! Having matured musically, the album brings out a lot more of what the band is capable of; thundering drums and bass, to soft melodic spacey guitar, and altogether it packs a huge punch! Each track develops to the next, never getting boring nor repetetive which is a feat for a band. Skarlet Blue continue to impress with "Simple Shades of Grey" and show us that they are here to make a statement and this release will do just that!
Visit the band on their website or myspace for tour dates, track previews and to purchase the album and a Skarlet Blue t-shirt for a mere $15! How can you pass that up!? You will not be disappointed and I give the boys a solid hand for their efforts!
7.5/10
www.skarletblue.com
www.myspace.com/skarletblue
by Josh McLaughlin