Critical Discs Cherry Red [Release date: 26.06.25]

One of the often overlooked benefits of the avalanche in streaming services and the resultant constant release schedule, has been the return to releasing what were once called singles.

And while vinyl has generally made a steady comeback, it’s unlikely that the 45rpm version will return anytime soon, and why should it?

We live in an era of instant gratification, in which concentration levels have dropped alarmingly.

And yet there has been an upsurge in song craft in the standalone track/single market.

The new David Sinclair 4 single ‘(I Got) One Pair of Hands’ is a case in point.

The band puts everything into a richly detailed piece of music, from the arrangement itself to the lyrics and even their Critical Discs label name.

They also keep it in the family with drummer /producer Jack Sinclair’s inherent feel helping to create the perfect framework for the songs emotional and musical imperative.

‘(I Got) One Pair of Hands’ has a lovely retro feel as befits its subject matter, but delivers a general relatable message.

It’s a slow burner on which the Jack Sinclair/Derek White rhythm section builds a sludgy groove which evokes an early Neil Young feel, and serves to musically underpin the enormity of the task facing the narrator.

The story line is about finding equilibrium in an ever changing world, and perhaps only the defining line: “I Got one pair of hands, I got a “Rock & Roll band”, detracts from the universality of the message.

Then again any song referencing a rock and roll band in is generally regarded as cool.

‘(I Got) One Pair Of Hands’ is built on a hypnotic mix of David Sinclair’s ‘lived in’ vocal, Geoff Peel’s painstaking jangling guitar motifs and some cooing bv’s, as part of a steady build.

The meticulous approach extends to a transatlantic vocal slant on “hands” in the chorus, and gives the song its tension.

The closing ‘call and response’ section helps to amplify the determination at the core the song.

As with a lot of DS4 songs, ‘One Pair Of Hands’ demands several listens before the interwoven elements subliminally lodge themselves in your subconscious be it Geoff Peel’s crystalline into crunchy guitar tone or a lyrical couplet like; “It’s a game of chance and it can turn on a dime, you go digging for gold and you can end up down a mine!”

The single format finds the DS4 expertly crafting their style in the service of a song, which celebrates the joy of being creative in a demanding environment.

It gathers real momentum as DS attacks the final chorus with gusto, before a surprisingly low key outro, much akin to like an old locomotive crawling into the station.

The song works so well because everything has it place. There’s no sense of urgency, but there’s plenty of heft with which to fill out slightly more than 5 minutes.

The mantra seems to be, it takes as long as it takes. After all, nobody told the impressionist school of painters to hurry up and this is much more colourful! 4/5*

Review by Pete Feenstra

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 16 November 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.