For us one of music’s best adventures over the past decade has been the creative emprise of songwriter/vocalist/drummer Chris Kerley; an escapade taking in acclaimed releases from bands such as Tricore, An Entire Legion, Rind Skank, Kid Golhum and now Zedi Forder. It has been a journey Kerley has for the main taken with guitarist Mark Carstairs but is now just the songwriter with new creative mischiefs on board for the latest encounters from the latter of that long line of great projects.
Ahead of a new single released this December, Zedi Forder recently unveiled the Ditties 1 EP, a collection of tracks which did not quite fit the alt metal/rock palette of the band but more than deserved a full airing. It is fair to say that each has the inimitable touch and character of a Kerley song, his distinctive tones and melodic prowess unmistakable as too the devilish humour which always lurks around his compositions and often takes over the driving seat, but just fall outside the palette of the band’s previous offerings.
With guitarist April Cox and bassist Rich Tomsett alongside Kerley and more of an indie pop/rock sound to its contents, Ditties 1 opens up with Fine Wine. It is a song which as soon as its initial bass lure is joined by a similarly enticing guitar hook has the body swaying, a bolder bounced incited by its lively and increasingly bold, defiant and tongue in cheek stroll. With a Queen-esque hue to its captivation and imagination, the track needed barely a play to get under the skin and have mutual participation involved.
Teasing hooks and sultry shimmers accompany the entrance of Forget about me next, one of a couple of songs which would not have glaringly been out of place within the bands outstanding debut album of last year we would suggest but certainly have their own particular flavour. It too swiftly and easily had attention and involvement hooked, Kerley just as adept at breeding pop songs as more predacious encounters.
I Am with its piano elegance and intimation as well as Cox’s great harmonic backing tones simply beguiled especially as its opening arms brought a virulent rock ‘n’ roll saunter while Sit and Wait provides an relatable intimate croon which again had body and thoughts swaying in pleasure and recognition before Something Else shines with its crystalline balladry and emotive charm.
The EP also features two bonus tracks in Football in the park and Spookums though the latter is not listed, songs which share the same reggae/folk devilment and indeed tune as too Reeves and Mortimer like humour and released previously during the World Cup and Halloween periods respectively; tracks which dare you not to join in with the biggest knowing grin.
As mentioned the EP was released ahead of a single; that track being a cover of The Inkspots classic I don’t want to set the world on fire. Embracing the forties nostalgia of the original with their own particular misbehaviour, the track bewitched ears and vocal chords, again rather quickly and enjoyably. It is a track which makes the perfect Christmas song if you have no appetite for the infernal creative clichés and bells most have to come with.
With a highly anticipated new album slated for next year, both Ditties 1 and I don’t want to set the world on fire make for a great appetite pleasing slice of Zedi Forder; a one of a kind treat few can emulate.
The Ditties 1 EP is out now as a pay what you want purchase via https://tricore.bandcamp.com/album/zedi-forder-ditties-1-indie-rock-punk-ep with I don’t want to set the world on fire released December 7th.
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Pete RingMaster 01/12/2018
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
The Laurie Morbey produced Divine opens up with Gold in Monochrome and immediately descends on the senses and nerves with a predatory rhythmically prowling groove. The vocals of CJ Smith are just as swift, bawling almost brawling in ears with his usual potent presence. The guitar of Jack Thompson springs his scything lures and nagging hooks soon after as the swinging beats of Chris Heath batter already beleaguered but devouring senses. With the bass of Chris Gaduzo continuing its almost guttural tempting, the track writhes and twists as it rages; raw flirtation and invasive invention fuelling it’s unpredictable and seriously enjoyable enterprise.
Blackout Love makes the break from speakers first, hungry riffs and swinging rhythms instantly descending on the senses in an inviting trespass. Vocalist Aaron Walsh soon leaps into the mix, his powerful and magnetic tones as compelling as the sounds roaring around him. Straightaway our appetites were hooked, the steely groove of Matthew Bowker’s bass alone irresistible but with the wiry tendrils springing from the guitar of Chris Ledroit and Bryson Emmons’ swinging beats everything about the punk ‘n’ roll holler hit the spot.
I Haven’t Seen Myself in a While swiftly trespasses the senses with opener The Beat, its initial guitar graze of sound an enticing lure into a thick wall of temptation driven by primal beats as a raw sonic ‘hum’ escorts their predation. The equally nagging threat of the heavy bass throb adds to the intoxicating menace ears and appetite quickly fell too, earnest vocal squalls completing the rich bait making a delicious intrusion. Like a call to arms, a piper to primal instincts, the track sets the EP off on a major high.
EP opener, Only Shades, comes into view on cold winds, a portentous pulsation accompanying its emergence before guitars entangle the growing intimation. It all veers into a groove driven stalking of the senses, a powerful and sinister stroll loaded with restrained but invasive rhythms and potent throat raw vocals. Those grooves continue to lure keen attention within the similarly inviting if threatening consumption of sound where melodic enterprise and tempestuous intimation only adds to the track’s imposingly stirring presence, the EP off to a highly persuasive and stirring start.
Captive opens up with its title track, a dark mist springing the lumbering gait of the song but a funereal step soon wrapped in romancing melodies as a shadow bred atmosphere descends. Magnetic rhythms are swiftly courted by the ever potent and alluring tones of Chvasta, both in turn hugged by the heavy emotive doom gaze breath of the track. Haunting and mesmeric, the song continues to seduce and impose, drama soaking very brooding note and harmonic utterance trespassing and seducing the senses.