If, like me, you first started listening to music ‘properly’ (ie: seeking it out, rather than listening to what the radio/tv told you to) in the early to mid nineties, then your musical tastes probably take in a lot of what might be called alt.rock and you probably like a bit of grungey angst here and there.
If that’s the case, you may wonder if these Aussie rockers were built with you in mind! Violent Soho are rather a melting pot of nineties influences, so much so that as you listen to them, individual tracks will have you racking your brains for who they remind you of. That’s not to say the band are being derivative as such, but for me at least, this sound is so comfortable that it immediately reminds me of myriad tunes and bands from my teen years.
Lead singer Luke Boerdam possesses the ability to go from calm singing to screeching shout at the flick of a switch and for a change, he’s a vocalist who is more expressive on the latter style than the former.
As for the songs themselves, they’re certainly catchy and, obligatory slower track Narrow Ways with it’s trite sincerity aside, they keep the tempo up to ensure your attention.
Jesus Stole My Girlfriend is the first single, and an obvious choice, it’s droning guitars and prodding vocals set out the band’s stall perfectly. The angry Bombs Over Broadway is a cracking track too.
If I had to find something to complain about here, it would be that you kind of get the impression the producers have opted for a poppy sheen and dialled back the band’s ferocity. I can’t help but imagine these songs roaring into life live.
All in all though, this is a great little album and one I’d heartily recommend investigating.
check out Violent Soho for yourself at www.myspace.com/violentsoho