With the release of their debut EP Perfectly Motionless last year, Rochdale, UK band The Hidden Revolution has been followed by acclaim and enthusiasm for their expressive and compelling sounds. The past year has been a strong flow of attention which saw the release acclaimed EP of the ear in some media and receive solid airplay across national and independent radio shows. The band now returns with its successor in the impressive shape of the Useless Noises EP to fire up expectations that the rise of the band will only continue with headier gusto.
Released November 25th, the four track release is a vibrant and enticing collection of intelligent ideas and creativity. It also sees the band find a ‘livelier’ energy to their music without diminishing the emotive power which marked their debut. It is a release which shows the quintet of vocalist and guitarist Chris Wise, guitarists Leon Brierley and Dale Harrop, bassist Ian Sanderson, and drummer Jon Clarke, as a band unafraid to experiment with their sound whilst offering an open heart in all songs.
The title track is the first song to engage the ear and is a real treat, as well as the best song on the EP. It opens as it means to go on, 
eager choppy riffs and mesmeric melodic teases jumping around and enveloping the impressive vocals of Wise. It is an immediate pleasure, the excited infectious sounds and feisty rhythms from bass and drums, irresistible making it impossible to prevent agitated limbs and voice from joining the fun. It is not a riot pace wise but drives with a strong canter to fire up the senses as much as the warm and staccato lined sonic imagination. There is a slight familiarity to the song though not for any obvious reason but it simply adds to the joy.
Bones follows with a less sweeping gait but is certainly equal in quality and invention. Once again as with all the tracks, the voice of Wise is stunning, his captivating tones and delivery as attentive upon the ear as the stylish thrilling sounds. From the relatively easy going start the song rises into a delicious waltz of a stance, guitars and rhythms juggling with the senses to leave them gasping with satisfaction whilst the lyrics match the smart and intensive imagination brought by the music. By its end the track is as energetically seductive as its predecessor to gratifyingly continue the excellent start.
Musically the band can be best described as a blend of Radiohead, Doves, and early Muse, and third track Symbolise is the most potent with these essences. It is a glorious landscape of rising crescendos and sonic sunsets, the warmth and dazzling melodic rays which soak it as bewitching as they are impacting. The song is a fascination which invites thoughts and visions with skilled ease whilst lighting up the passions as elegantly. Though not as ‘zealous’ as the previous pair, the song has a deep texture and tight embrace which achieves an equal rapture.
Completed by a piano and vocal caress of Perfectly Motionless, the Useless Noises EP is an excellent encounter to light up any heart and day. Whether the band has a sound which immediately lifts them away from the crowd is debatable, but if not that will come, and to be honest with a release this pleasing it is hard to make an issue of it anyway. Go and enjoy.
www.facebook/thehiddenrevolution
RingMaster 23/11/2012
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