Album review: ATTIC THEORY – What We Fear The Most

ThunderGun Records [Release date 26.04.24]

It shows an album’s strength when four tracks are pre-released as “singles”. There could have been more. The debut album from this Liverpool band is a great example of burgeoning home grown talent in 2024.

It can be no coincidence that the album is produced by Loic Gaillard who has worked with fellow Scousers Revival Black and Ashen Reach. It’s evident that, as with many young bands, the pandemic held them back although they did release a well-received debut EP. GRTR!’s Jason Ritchie was also impressed “Attic Theory have plenty of promise and sure to win them even more fans and plaudits.”

Since that time the band have had three changes in the line-up, replacing their drummer, bassist and losing a guitarist.

What makes Attic Theory stand out are the super smooth vocals of Lewis Wright. ‘Violent Delight’ is a good example where he shifts from a soulful croon to a more anthemic chorus with ease. Ditto on ‘Tattooed Heart’ and ‘Sweet Parasite’.

On ‘Narrow Lines’ the vocal style reinforces comparisons with Peter Cox in eighties pop band Go West (albeit a lower-pitched version) whilst ‘Million Little Things’ and ‘Your Light’ are the two ballads.

‘Papier Mache’ is a shared vocal with Candlebox’s Kevin Martin and the real album standout, a track that brought the band to our attention last year. This could easily gather momentum on the other side of the pond.

The band have recently added Lucy Ellen on bass and backing vocals. This brings a new and refreshing element to the band’s sound as evidenced on the excellent album closer ‘The Legacy’.

My only reservation is an inconsistency in the mix and production which I don’t think does full justice to the songs and musicianship on offer and not least those quite superb vocals. The listener will also be more than aware of a ticking kick drum which seems too prominent on some tracks and a lack of bass guitar pump. There’s a feeling that perhaps these tracks have come together over an extended period of time and reflect different recording methods.

Overall, though, a promising start. File with bands like Dead Man’s Whiskey, Florence Black and South Of Salem who are flying the flag, and the future, for UK-based heavy rock. ***1/2

Review by David Randall

Attic Theory play SOS Festival, Manchester (5 July)

EP review (2020)

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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)