The first
problem was that we couldn't get
it to play on a couple of our
players with 'no disc' being
read. If this happens at a label,
then it will be immediately
destined for the bin.
However we
kept trying and got it to play on
some fairly serious equipment to
find our second disappointment.
The mixing lets it down badly
right from the first track. It
was muffled and the bass and
vocal mix was all wrong. It says
on the CD that it was mixed at
6th Osterley Studios. Our own
search could not find them but I
would be asking for a refund.
The EP was
solid but the songs carried
similar themes without really
impacting or inspiring. Claims of
a 'tight
funk-rock driven backbone all the
way down to the bluesy-punk
thrashing on the guitar front'
is perhaps over stated. The music
was not that tight and drifted
around kind of aimlessly. The
vocals were light and there was
no real sense of musical depth.
However, there was passion and a
strong sense of enthusiasm coming
through.
South of
Suburbia take influences from
RHCP, Incubus, Pink Floyd, Thin
Lizzy, Dave Matthews Band, Sex
Pistols and Deep Purple to name
but a few and there lies the
problem. The sound tries to be
too many things which provides an
outcome of confusion and nothing
substantial. All the tracks seem
to lack a clear identity and
vision.
South of
Suburbia like to play shows that
are fun and to have a good laugh.
Thats exctly the right spirit for
them to take. They are not going
to be the next big thing and
serious labels are unlikely to be
interested. However, I have no
doubt that they are going to
entertain and that is what this
business is all about.
'Drowning
In the Deep End' will not make
our office playlist but hey, we
would love to hear from genuine
fans who think that we are wrong.
We may even publish some of the
replies.
We wish
South of Suburbia all the best
and urge them to keep having and
sharing the fun.
Kind
regards
Phil
Greenwood
UK Bands
Network
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