Frontiers [Release date 12.02.21]
Debut album from Kreek, a new band built around ex Bigfoot vocalist, Antony Ellis. It’s produced by Night By Night & Passion vocalist/guitarist, Dan Rosall.
It’s surprising that this one got past Frontiers generally on-the-ball quality control team. Maybe they were isolating somewhere. Or maybe it’s just that the first 4 tracks were rushed to meet a label deadline.
That aside, what’s most directly striking is Ellis’s vocal resemblance to Steve Augeri and Danny Vaughn. He fits neatly between the two in singing style and vocal timbre. Is that a good thing? Well, its familiarity will gain an immediate audience, but perhaps its lack of originality will deter the discerning listener.
On those first 4 tracks his voice is full of kinetic energy but little direction. In places the vocal harmonies are off and it doesn’t help that the songs sound incomplete, half formed, in need of a major makeover.
Then we get to ‘One Voice’. It seems totally different – band, producer, arranger, songwriter. All of the above. Who knows, maybe the song’s narrative, tackling the thorny subjects of guilt and resolve, raised their game. It finds an immediate groove and locks in tight. It has drive and purpose. Its densely packed harmony vocals have a Siagon Kick, and Nick Clark’s razoring solo axework in the middle section neatly twins up on an oriental vibe. It’s a compelling piece.
‘Man On My Shoulder’ and ‘Stand Together’ continue in that vein. Both lighter in dramatic weight perhaps, but both are lyrically and musically strong, and are happy to dish out bruising, ironclad rock’n'roll, with not too little charm, and a degree of originality.
They up the ante even more with the last 3 tracks.
‘Get Up’ is where Ellis sounds best, belting out well written, meat and 2 veg hard rock, with a tantalising hint of glam and metal glinting in the chorus. It’s tense, taut and unshowy. By keeping a tight rein on the sweaty, smouldering ‘Down’n'Dirty’, they make the same statement, keeping a firm grip of the escalating emotions, as the heat builds and the steam rises.
Inevitably, they close with a ballad (we were getting worried there), the very ungentlemanly titled “Girl, You’re On Your Own’. It’s a bluesy piece in the vein of Aerosmith or Tesla, powerful and commercial, and Ellis delivers with chest beating conviction. A closer worth waiting for. ***
Review by Brian McGowan
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)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
