With the arrival of
Edinburgh-based band The Seven Deadly Sins, indie just found its dirty side.
From the Cobain-inspired rhythmic moans serving to structure “An Accident
Waiting to Happen,” to the mean-spirited guitar opening of “Work Me Like a
Dog,” Alex Moran has created a sound fusing early 90s grunge with the peppy
indie of contemporary times: think Bloc Party meets Nirvana.
Since forming only two years ago
in early 2010 by Moran and swiftly joined by bassist Kevin Turner, lead
guitarist Jamie Crerar, and drummer Fran Caine, The Seven Deadly Sins have been
busy. Since September 2010 when they first hit the Scottish live circuit, the
band have supported such big names as The Icarus Line and fellow-Scots group
Glasvegas, as well as headlining much-lauded venues like King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
in their own right, which puts them among such esteemed company as Rage Against
the Machine, Travis, and Wheatus.
It's a good thing Scotland has
such musical pedigree because there's no escaping the Scottishness of these
guys. Where the sun doesnae shine, and frowns cannae turn into smiles, Moran's
dour vocal style is unmistakably north of the border. That's not to say it's
always downbeat, far from it in fact, but there's definitely something in the
water up there. Even sprightly upbeat Paolo Nutini is unmistakably a Scot.
With nine tracks on their
Soundcloud page, there's a fair amount of The Seven Deadly Sins' music out
there to enjoy. With a catchy chorus and radio-friendly pop leanings, “Silver
& Gold” – one of three songs to have a full-fledged music video – stands
out as being most obvious contender for breakout single.
The teaser for “Dandylion Tea” is
promising, having the makings of a mature love song, and would work well as a
middle-of-album freshener, even if the impressive, stylish guitar work on
tracks like “Work Me Like a Dog” would never get old, and the lyrics on that
track – “Treat me like a dog, work me like a dog, I'll be coming back for more”
– are charmingly stoic about the role of a man in today's society; its
companion piece being “21st Century Man,” which boasts an impressive video
filmed on location in Manhattan, New York.
If there's one criticism to be
made from this selection of songs, it surrounds “Misery Lake,” which lacks a
hook and is too slow and self-sympathetic to be appealing. Nail your sound, The
Seven Deadly Sins, and don't stray too far from it: this dirty indie sound
is fresh, raw, and there's plenty
of life in it.
Review by Adam Watts
Check out The Seven Deadly Sins!
Good review. Had a look at their stuff. Very very interesting material,Good Videos.
ReplyDelete