Quick plays: SHINE NOIR, GEORGE ST.CLAIR

SHINE NOIR – s/t

Alternative rock, from Germany, anyone? Formed when Anne wanted to record a few of her singer-songwriter songs, the guys who owned the studio – Olli (guitars) and No (drums) decided to add their own metal and new wave styles to the mix. And to square the circle, Lemmy on bass. And ‘no’ he’s not been resurrected in some weird Nazi occult ritual.

The result is indie rock interspersed with the occasional lines of whimsical pop, in what is, and frankly, a strange marriage – Olli’s intense wall of rhythm guitar dominating proceedings, with Anne’s vocals providing the melody.

Full marks for intensity, and I can imagine in a low ceilinged club on the Reeperbahn (and after a few steins of strong Bavariain lager) Shine Noir would catch the eye, and the ear. But in the cold light of day the somewhat unsophisticated, and unyielding, guitar sound can becomes a little wearing.

Youth may be taken in by the enthusiasm, but in the long term Anne may have more chance of carving a niche with a more sympathetic, and varied, accompaniment. **

Review by Pete Whalley

GEORGE ST.CLAIR Ballads Of Captivity And Freedom [Release date 02.03.18]

The say football is a game of two halves. So it would seem is this release from ‘part western balladeer, part borderland chronicler’, singer songwriter George St. Clair.

Based in the UK, but having grown up in the high plains of Texas, and despite being a relatively young man, Ballads Of Captivity And Freedom is a mix of what you might call ‘old school’ country and western tunes, Mexican folk, and more contemporary material incorporating element s of 1970′s rock.

The more traditional material – steeped in pedal steel – is, to my aged ears, somewhat ‘cheesy’ and unlikely to find mass favour (except on hoe-down nights), on the other hand when George does let his hair down – like on the excellent rock infused ‘Up To Fail’ and the poignant ‘Cimarrones’ – there’s an unequivocal potential for wider appeal.

But to put it bluntly, it’s one shot on goal, scored – a poacher’s finish, and one near miss. Unfortunately, several own goals, means the chances of silverware are remote. **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)