Single & EP reviews: ALEXANDER ROSS-IVER, THE WELL, THE BLACKOUT

ALEXANDER ROSS-IVER – I Wanna Be Your Man

Les McKeown of the Bay City Rollers fame appears on the track as a guest vocalist, while producer John McLaughlin (Echo & The Bunnymen/Mick Jones/Boyzone) and Jud Mahoney (Michael Jackson/Usher) co-wrote the tune with Ross-Iver. Who is Alexander Ross-Iver? He’s big in the electro-pop world and this is a very catchy song, lots of electronic added to a simple guitar riff and the vocals of Les McKeown, who sounds in fine form. This would easily be a hit with those ladies of a certain age who liked the Rollers in their heyday and the younger crowd who love a decent pop tune. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

THE WELL – Separate Ways www.thewell.no [Release date 20.10.14]

One review called them a Norwegian boy band, no wait come back it’s not that bad! This is a nicely crafted piece of pop, hints of Coldplay and harmonies a few melodic rock bands wouldn’t mind having. Possibly a natural successor to A-Ha as they have that cross-over appeal and worth a listen. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

THE BLACKOUT Wolves Self Release (Release date 27.10.14]

The Blackout have been through a lot of turmoil in the past year which has seen the band parting with their record company and going it alone via a Pledge campaign which, thankfully, went well. The first fruits of said campaign is the release of ‘Wolves’ which is aimed at getting feedback for the band’s latest direction and judging how viable self-financing will be, fingers crossed all goes well.

If ‘Wolves’ is anything to go by musically the guys are on to a winner. The band have returned to their heavier roots with this release after the more mainstream offerings on their last album, ‘Start The Party’. The title track opens proceedings and immediately shows that the band mean business. Built on a huge guitar riff from James and Matthew Davies the song is much heavier but still has a great melody, this is The Blackout turned up to 11.

‘Liars’ is another hard track which is full of vitriol with Sean Smith and Gavin Butler spitting out the lyrics, aimed perhaps at former record label execs? ‘Pieces’ is another song built on a great riff with a big chorus, a band trademark which is still solidly in place.

‘Hold On’ again sounds as if it’s aimed squarely in the direction of past foes with Smith screaming his lungs out, you can feel the frustrations of the past year pouring out the speakers. ‘Chains’ rounds things off with a more traditional Blackout number, Smith and Butler sharing the vocals to good effect.

This EP shows a revitalised band with a new found passion which is evident on all tracks. They may well have had a hell of a year but it has led to a hell of an EP. If the next album can match the power and passion of the EP then the future for The Blackout is looking brighter than ever. ****

Review by David Wilson

FIRE AT DAWN EP

The five track debut EP from Essex based ‘rock crew’ Fire At Dawn – a female fronted hard rock combo comprised Brad Winter (guitar), Lloyd Entwistle (bass), Roman Drummond (drums), Ross Turbz (guitar) and Victoria Walker is a bitter sweet cocktail.

80′s keys, heavily effected guitars (I’m not entirely convinced not to cover up technical dexterity), and a turbo-charged rhythm section lay down a fiery riffage of crossfire, punctuated by melodic incursions reminiscent of All About Eve.

The juxtaposition of styles – aimed at Alter Bridge, Evanescence, Muse and Foo Fighters fans – somehow doesn’t quite gel, but as a ‘first effort’ I’ve heard far worse, and Victoria Walker’s performance shows promise. But at this stage, no more than work -in- progress. **1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)