The Travelling Band – ‘The Redemption of Mr Tom EP’ (unsigned review)
For some there’s just nothing better than a good old-fashioned nostalgic reminiscence on all that was fine about times gone by. I am a firm believer in the more forward thinking which is what makes this second EP from Manchester 60s Americana outfit The Travelling Band somewhat difficult for me to grab hold of. The Redemption of Mr Tom is all a mid-paced, thoroughly safe affair which simply fails to excite any passion within me.
Don’t get this band wrong though, they have acquired plenty of admirers in the right places having won the 2008 Glastonbury New Talent competition and rave reviews from papers such as the Metro. It seems that they’ve been quietly doing the right things whilst Manchester’s ongoing post-Oasis search for its next champion goes on (*cough cough* The Courteeners). It’s a shame then that, being given this EP, I just can’t see what the fuss is about.
Opening track Desolate Icicle seems like a bit of a throw-away, with its sitar sounds and warbling vocals not creating a good first impression, I come out the other end feeling that I’d spent a very flat three minutes listening to it. Meanwhile the third track Barmaid disappoints in a different way. The angrier, faux-edginess and the chord progression that I must have heard about a thousand times once again put my musical tastes and journalistic duties into conflict as I move to switch track, only stopping when I realise I have to listen to the whole song in case it gets better. It doesn’t. It just stays in the same gear until it eventually fizzles out.
But hey that was only half the EP. The other two songs save this record from being totally forgettable. Lanes of Names with its ongoing guitar riff is heartfelt and reassuringly convincing, and its on the spookier closing track On The rails where the band’s well-liked harmonies really shine, gloriously constructing chords of rich vocal parts to supplement the pure, exposed tone of the lead singer (which bears an uncanny semblance to Kyle Falconer of The View). For these two tracks I am thankful: there’s something about me which always feels awful when writing negative reviews. And anyway this band aint so bad, one hit up of their Myspace page and a listening of songs not featured on this EP is enough to convince me of their country rock/Folk credentials.
All in all The Red of Mr Tom is hit or miss. When you’ve got artists on the folk underground like Jonah Matranga this EP just doesn’t seem to cut it, plus I have a sneaking suspicion one of the members of the band is totally inept at singing. If nostalgic Americana is your thing then you’ll probably resolutely support these guys and curse myself and my review, and you’ll already be labelling me as some skinny jeaned, indie-disco scene-ager snob, which, not to mention, would be totally unfair (and half true) but at the end of the day that’s opinion for you. Make of this band what you will.
By Milo Craig
Release date: 21/4/08
Label: Unsigned
www.myspace.com/thetravellingband
www.thetravellingband.com
Click here to read more Travelling Band related news, reviews & interviews!
Bookmark and share this page with:Don’t get this band wrong though, they have acquired plenty of admirers in the right places having won the 2008 Glastonbury New Talent competition and rave reviews from papers such as the Metro. It seems that they’ve been quietly doing the right things whilst Manchester’s ongoing post-Oasis search for its next champion goes on (*cough cough* The Courteeners). It’s a shame then that, being given this EP, I just can’t see what the fuss is about.
Opening track Desolate Icicle seems like a bit of a throw-away, with its sitar sounds and warbling vocals not creating a good first impression, I come out the other end feeling that I’d spent a very flat three minutes listening to it. Meanwhile the third track Barmaid disappoints in a different way. The angrier, faux-edginess and the chord progression that I must have heard about a thousand times once again put my musical tastes and journalistic duties into conflict as I move to switch track, only stopping when I realise I have to listen to the whole song in case it gets better. It doesn’t. It just stays in the same gear until it eventually fizzles out.
But hey that was only half the EP. The other two songs save this record from being totally forgettable. Lanes of Names with its ongoing guitar riff is heartfelt and reassuringly convincing, and its on the spookier closing track On The rails where the band’s well-liked harmonies really shine, gloriously constructing chords of rich vocal parts to supplement the pure, exposed tone of the lead singer (which bears an uncanny semblance to Kyle Falconer of The View). For these two tracks I am thankful: there’s something about me which always feels awful when writing negative reviews. And anyway this band aint so bad, one hit up of their Myspace page and a listening of songs not featured on this EP is enough to convince me of their country rock/Folk credentials.
All in all The Red of Mr Tom is hit or miss. When you’ve got artists on the folk underground like Jonah Matranga this EP just doesn’t seem to cut it, plus I have a sneaking suspicion one of the members of the band is totally inept at singing. If nostalgic Americana is your thing then you’ll probably resolutely support these guys and curse myself and my review, and you’ll already be labelling me as some skinny jeaned, indie-disco scene-ager snob, which, not to mention, would be totally unfair (and half true) but at the end of the day that’s opinion for you. Make of this band what you will.
By Milo Craig
Release date: 21/4/08
Label: Unsigned
www.myspace.com/thetravellingband
www.thetravellingband.com
Click here to read more Travelling Band related news, reviews & interviews!
