Album review: THE HAYLEY GRIFFITHS BAND – Melanie

Posh & Rock Records [Release date 20.01.23]

We first came across Hayley Griffiths when she fronted Karnataka for a time, including one studio album in 2015. Her departure (with others) from that band was apparently acrimonious but she has dusted herself off and reconvened with the additional assistance of one time band-mates Cagri Tozluoglu (keys) and Jimmy Pallagrosi (drums).

When we reviewed Karnataka, with Hayley, we commented on the theatrical delivery and professionalism she brought to proceedings – “a West End sheen” – and this remains present on the latest album. The bottom line has to be that the full flight metal of the title track is perhaps not so fitting of her vocal talents as a piece like ‘Made By Bed’ which is overtly commercial and sounds like it could have come from a musical. Ditto ‘Little Star’.

We need to remember that Hayley was lead singer with Riverdance for several years and in Michael Flatley’s Lord Of The Dance. Thank the Lord that she didn’t get roped into Flatley’s vanity project movie released last year. Have you seen it?!

At times there is an uncomfortable juxtaposition of Griffith’s trained vocals and the symphonic metal bombast and she seems more at ease when the pace slows and this can happen within the space of one song such as ‘Last Goodbye’.

The standout title track reflects Griffiths’ alter ego – a persona she used to adopt after experiencing stage fright and over analysing her stage performance. The song brings out the album’s – and Hayley’s – rockiest delivery. The longest song ‘Dust To Gold’ is the most proggy with a vocal contribution from Nick D’Virgilio.

A simultaneous release ‘Far From Here’ shows Hayley’s lighter, folksier side whilst Melanie in its CD form has bonus tracks previously released as singles.

Whilst there is the excitement of a new band configuration for Hayley, in truth it’s all a bit derivative. A bit too lightweight in places for some, not enough metal for others. However, easy on the eye as well as – in the main – on the ears, there’s still much to like here. ***1/2

Review by David Randall

UK Dates

5th Mar    Fusion Festival, Stourport
12th Mar The Robin, Bilston
14th Mar The 1865, Southampton
16th Mar The Stables, Milton Keynes
17th Mar The Wharf, Tavistock
18th Mar The Electric Theatre, Guildford
31st Mar   Il Giardino 2.0 Music Club, Italy
2nd Apr    Winter’s End Festiva, Chepstow
16th Apr   ArtRock Festival, Germany
14th Oct   The Old Courts, Wigan
15th Oct   Acapela Studios, Pentyrch
19th Oct   The Caves, Edinburgh
20th Oct   Lowdham Village Hall, Lowdham
22nd Oct The Lower Third (Outernet), London

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PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

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