Ladies and Gentlemen we might just have your single of the year, definitely a very serious and potent contender at the very least. UK rockers Isolated Atoms has arguably been in the background for a great many whilst going about their creative purpose, evolving and honing a sound which manages to be familiar and distinctively new. Live performances and releases have ‘chronicled’ a band exploring and evolving its sound and presence whilst building a loyal and passionate fan-base. Acclaim has been no stranger to the Black Country quartet but you sense as their new single Sex Wars teases and coaxes the largest fires yet out of the passions that their time for full awareness and recognition has come. The single is delicious, a fiery anthemic entrapment which can only be devoured wholeheartedly and without restraint such its bait and lure.
Hailing from Dudley, the foursome of vocalist Grant Leon Ashman, guitarist Mark Neat, bassist David Davies, and drummer Yang first gripped attention with their debut single Tell Me What I Want of 2009 which drew enthusiastic notice from the likes of Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) and Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order). Last year the Illuminate EP expanded their stature with its collection of songs seemingly inspired by the likes of Joy Division and New Order within its rock imagination whilst also whispering bands like Editors and Dommin. It was a potent encounter matched earlier this year by the excellent Hold On single. Though maybe not their finest song at that point it still left thoughts and emotions awash with creative flavour and unmissable promise. Its sound had moved into a more ‘stadium’ rock type expression with flavours which could be compared to a Big Country or Doves in many ways, though still retaining the distinct voice of the band. Now Sex Wars leaves everything before behind and in its shade.
With a lone guitar teasing the air initially the song is soon standing tall with bulging rhythms, surly guitar taunts and exciting vocal harmonies. It is a blaze of a start which settles slightly as the distinctive expressive tones of Ashman take control of the narrative, with an inviting bass swagger and seductive keys skirting his every word. It soon forges a magnetic tempestuous and anthemic stomp through the ear with a seductive blues taste throughout and a chorus which holds a wanton freedom with a more than a hint of glam rock to its mischievous devilry. There is rawness to the track at times which only accelerates the passions whilst its virulent contagion ensures that rapture is bred by its climactic conclusion. Whispers of Simple Minds and Associates at the start move to those of The Black Crowes and The Black Keys by the end of the triumph, but really that is just a loose description of their unique and irrepressible sound.
Sex Wars is easily the finest moment to date in the history of Isolated Atoms and sees them finally out of the shadows and standing as one of the UK’s most impressive and exciting rock bands.
https://www.facebook.com/isolatedatoms
10/10
RingMaster 07/09/2013
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