http://www.epinions.com/content_229005168260
No Kathleen - this is the band BATTLE!
Apr 30 06 (Updated Apr 30 06)
It could have been the story of a million bands. Indeed, it was.
Londiners Jason Bavanadan and Jamie Ellis met during secondary school. Inspired by Motown s R&B, British Pop and the greatest band of their era (NIRVANA), they formed a band, Bavanadan assumed vocal duties and Ellis picked up the guitar. Then they went to (Kent) University in 2000 and there they met Tim Scudder and Oliver Davies. The former took the bass, the latter the drums and the band was renamed BATTLE.
Their first single was released by Fierce Panda roughly one year ago (April 25th 2005). Named Isabelle/Feel The Same, the CDS put the debutants alongside THE RAKES as London s brightest hope for the yearend listings. Five months in advance and the next single Demons was released. Finally, March 2006 saw their 3rd strike Tendencies reaching UK s Top 40 (
37). Enjoy this band, even before their first full-lenght release - check out the thoughtful lyrics!
Isabelle, the A-side (if we were still living in the LP world), is a chirurgic depiction of a disfunctional love tale. Bavanadan croons with the enthusiasm (and naivete) of a swan. Ellis bursts with trauma-fueled harmonies. Scudder is quiet and reflective thru and thru, walking the bass with restraint. Davies punctuates the beating-of-a-dead-horse rhythm. This is hesitant, agonizing THE STROKES. The band refuses to give up even though they know the amount of emotional damage:
Isabelle, you know me Isabelle
Please don t te-e-e-ell on me
Isabelle, you know me Isabelle
Don t you te-e-e-ell on me!
Well, you can t concentrate like a ... in love (?)
Should the sky turn pale up up up up above
There s a distant correlation in the lives that we share
Up a voice in the trees says pack up pack up and leave
I gave you this with confidence
I ve kissed your lips a thousand times
Isabelle, you know me Isabelle
Please don t te-e-e-ell on me
Isabelle, you know me Isabelle
Don t you te-e-e-ell on me!
Theres a knife in the road and I m sure that its grown
To the point where we re all cutting withdrawing stories
I ve been distant and impatient, no restrain ... (?)
So turn me on and show me, show me some more
I gave you this with confidence
I ve kissed your lips a thousand times
... (?)
Is telling everyone here
Isabelle, you know me Isabelle
Don t you te-e-e-ell on me!
Isabelle, you know me far to well
You know me far to well...
You know me!
Calculated feedback introduces the bass-ridden and cathartic effort Feel The Same, one of the very best New Rock releases of the decade. There s a real hint of desperation, yet confered forceful shape by heartbeating Bavanadan. Ellis plays with the lucidity and precision of ADRIAN BELLEW with a minor ego. Everything is gone, the band realizes and recedes in the background, letting the music do the talking, as a thinking man s THE HIVES:
I ve been lost just for waiting on your smile
I ve been there saw your trees and fantasize
Like a warning, yes it s true that angels sigh
But don t you know
As blue morning passes over strangest eyes
I m always calling out your name
You never change or feel the same
Or feel the same
Feel the same
I ve been lost just for waiting on your smile (yeah)
I ve been there saw your trees and fantasize
Cool, like a warning, yes it s true that angels sigh
But don t you know
As blue morning passes over strangest eyes
I m always calling out your name
You never change or feel the
Like I missed the boat I know
Never want to push you...
To push you...
Settle down
Settle down
Settle down
Settle down
Settle down
Down
Ooooooaaaarrrrrooooohhhhh
I m always calling out your name
You never change or feel the same
I m always calling out your name
You never change or feel the same
I m always calling out your name
You never change or feel the same
I m always calling out your name
You never change or feel the (abrupt end)
Then? Wait for their proper debut, anytime this year. See ya!
Tracklist:
* * * * 1/2 Isabelle
* * * * * Feel The Same
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
