‘Tis the
Season to be jolly, or release an EP it would seem. With the danger of great albums getting lost
under the radar during the festivities, it seems the wiser thing to do is take
a gamble with a mini collection.
We take a look at some of the best Extended Plays around
from England, France and America.
Vanessa
Murray – It’s About Time
DL
8 / 10
Out Now
Liverpool’s Vanessa
Murray has already attracted the attention of several interesting names in
music. Sandie Shaw describes the 20
year-old as “astonishing” and Paul Carrack called her “a great new artist”. Neither are wrong.
Vanessa’s
new EP has led to comparisons with Suzanne Vega and even hints of Sheryl Crowe
as her talent for writing well-constructed, catchy songs belies her tender
years. It’s About Time contains five
tracks slow to medium paced, with a voice that is as pure as the illusive Xmas
Day snow.
Ironically,
I Don’t Wanna Lose You does have an Xmas feel about it – swaying and rolling
with a crisp sound and a gorgeous string section to boot. The title track picks
up the pace with an almost Country/folk feel and again with a melody that is difficult
to shake, a trademark of Murray’s writing it would seem.
Every word
is performed beautifully, and every one easy to hear, and it’s perhaps those qualities
that make her work so listenable. Worlds
Apart is yet again exquisite and it’s difficult to have any criticisms.
Talents like
this don’t come along too often.
Franck Rabeyrolles – Third
Skin EP (Wool Recordings)
DL
8 / 10
Out Now
EDM, ambient
and pop are the preferred choices from France’s Franck Rabeyrolles. There is clearly time and affection poured
into everything he does, and each of the five tracks on the Third Skin EP is
well-thought out and lovingly crafted.
The opening,
Built To Swim is a dramatic brooding affair, sounds and voices layer upon layer
creating an often overwhelming effect which is full of interest and enchantment. The title track is another haunting piece
which too concentrates on adding sound after sound which quickly becomes a
trait of Rabeyrolles.
Weak Feeling
is slightly more vocalised that its predecessors with both male and female
voices, hypnotising spirals of sound and beguiling tunnels of fascination. Far be it for anyone to compare Franck to
fellow countryman Jean-Michel Jarre but the links will be expected and,
entirely justified as Phosphorus demonstrates.
Closing with
a remixed version of Avalanche by Dirty Knees (aka Stephane Kouchian and Arthur
Sapirstein) an often experimental electro episode, the Third Skin EP offers not
only an insight into the undoubted talent of Franck but also a mini collection
that will warrant several listens.
Empty Trail – Hollow
Hearted EP
DL
7/10
Out Now
If heavy
guitar riffs and thumping drums are your thing, then here are Empty Trail from
Austin Texas.
Not for the
faint hearted, they are good old rock/pop with a slightly modern twist which should
not only appeal to metal diehards but also has the chance to attract a few younger
listeners too. Maybe more down the
‘noise’ side than melodic, there is no doubting the bands ability to knock out
a powerful tune or two.
Hollow Hearted
contains six such beasts giving more of a mini-album than an EP and great value
for money. Each song follows much the same
formula with frontman Rick Lambert exercising an impressive voice which stands
proud above the mammoth backing sounds.
Chasing Down
The Rain stands out from the bunch with a melody that sticks well after playing
and a throbbing bassline gelling everything together.
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