Album review: VERITY WHITE – Reclaim; Set Fire

[Release date 08.03.19]

There’s a slew of young British female rock artists emerging at present, all looking to get a foothold on that slippery ladder of fame, with this month seeing sophomore releases from two south-west based singers – Elles Bailey and Verity White.

While the former is treading a polished, rootsy blues infused Americana/Nashville line, White along with hubbie Alex (who’s responsible for just about everything other than vocals and drums i.e. songwriting, guitars, bass, and synths, as well as and recording, production, mixing and mastering) plies a more 90′s retro, soft rock style from her Cheltenham, cottage industry base.

Having opened for Pendragon, and featuring as one of the backing vocalists on their 2016 Masquerade Overture 20th anniversary, and 2017 European tours, there can be no question that White has a more than decent set of pipes, imbued with sub-Pat Benatar tones. But her debut while solid was somewhat underwhelming both sonically, and in the songwriting department.

Sadly, her follow up Reclaim; Set Fire is simply more of the same. A perfectly solid record, but again lacking a killer track, and the backing, while punchy, absent of any real combustion, relying far too heavily on, without wishing to be unkind, some fairly rudimentary guitar work.

The result is an album that just never fires on six cylinders. More like a 1.0 Nissan Micra fitted with a large bore sports exhaust. It leaves you feeling that the project is more of a showcase for the talents of Mr, rather than Mrs, White. And on that level it once again, fails to convince.

An interesting use of a semi colon in the album title though. Now what’s that all about? ***

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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 20 October 2024.

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 show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

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

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

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 again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)