Far « The RingMaster Review

It has been five years since UK alternative/progressive rockers Cauls delighted and impressed with their EP simply called 2. It turns out it has been a time which almost saw the band call it a day just as it was beginning to make a major impact on the UK music scene. Thankfully they pulled out of the nose dive and after a line-up change found the energy and inspiration to go again. That thankfulness even more pronounced now with the release of their debut album Recherché.

An atmospheric, provocative, and continually rousing blend of alternative/progressive and post rock with earthier post hardcore intensity, the band’s sound and release has evolved into a fire of imagination and enterprise. You would expect and hope each release outshines the last and pushes things on again, something which does not always happen as we all know, but Cauls have taken a big leap in building on the success of that last EP. Recherché is a compelling web of sound and suggestion fuelled by melodic and harmonic elegance and driven by a climate of rousing and often aggressive atmospheric imagination.

From the short instrumental flight of opener De Novo Quincunx, the quintet of Michael Marwood, Chris McManus, Graham Morris, Douglas Redfern, and Kye Walker entice and involve ears and imagination with increasing creative drama. That first piece is a slow developing mist of sonic calm and darker intrigue, guitars gently entangling as darker hues occasionally moan; it all leading to the instantly kinetic presence of Peace Paean. Around the ever impressing vocals of Marwood, a relative calm while engaging guitar woven tendrils smoulders and builds into a more boisterous roar. Descriptive melodies continue to entice and flame in the rousing breakouts, adding to the bolder fire of the song and its captivating Mars Volta meets Muse like landscape.

The track is pure captivation, sparking a keen intrigue and appetite for what is to follow; that adventure soon in full flight through firstly Radio Johanne / Said Molineux. From its initial low key peace with an alluring tingle of melody, the track also simmers and grows in presence and intensity, building into an unpredictable web of sonic and melodic imagination punctured by the adventurous jabs of McManus’ beats. With at times a resemblance to the raw tenacity of At the Drive In, the song consumes ears with fiery charm and rousing energy before the first part of the three-track Wide Opus Abyss awakens in ears.

Amusia is a secret smog full of suggestive essences and evocative sounds as it blossoms into the corporeal body of Vapours. Rhythms quickly provide a bold spine for its harmonic and sonic flames to erupt and unite around the striking draw of Marwood’s voice and the combined prowess of Redfern and Walker alongside the poetic finesse of Morris’ guitar. It is a resourceful blaze which eventually becomes Tide and Bye, an even more agitated yet controlled melodic clamour sharing Radiohead/ Far like spices in its eventful recipe.

The technical sprightliness of COQ8 dances eagerly in ears before mellowing into a reflective serenade. It is a plaintive cry though carrying its own instinctive tempest, a highly strung excitement bringing fiery exchanges of textures and band around the thoughtful vocal led calms. Its second part, Retentive Anamnesis adds greater volatility to that scorching heart, providing a fibrous sonic weave to its wired atmosphere and pleasure for ears and thoughts.

Épée brings things to a close, strolling in with bass and guitars merging dark and surf rock like hues in its tranquil swing before things bubble and boil around ear captivating vocals. Jazzy and sultry yet melancholic, romancing and seducing with a boldness exploring a diversity of rigour, the track is just mesmeric and another fresh detour in the album’s diverse soundscape.

Cauls are back with a whole new heart to create and a sound which grabs that intent with adventure and beauty, Recherché offering surprises and provocative enticements at every turn. We can only sigh with relief that the band did not buckle to that feeling of bringing things to an end.

Recherché is out now @ https://cauls.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Caulsband/

Pete RingMaster 09/05/2017

As voices and words gain momentum in offering attention and praise to All Ears Avow, the UK rockers add fuel to the rising fire with their new EP Edge Of This. Six tracks of melody wrapped, riff driven alternative rock, the release is a fresh and appetising slice of rock ‘n’ roll sure to reinforce if not give new impetus to their growing reputation.

Since emerging in 2013, the Swindon quartet has released a pair of increasingly well-received EPs, in the shape of Home (2013) and Reach (2016), and nurtured an eager following and praise for a live presence taking in shows with the likes of Decade, The Computers, Empire, Verses, Jonah Matranga (Far), and Milk Teeth among many, as well as successful slots at festivals such as Wychwood and Gloucester Guildhall’s Underground Festival amidst their own successful UK tours. Edge Of This points to the band being ready to attract even keener and bigger spotlights whilst carrying the potential of even bolder and unique exploits ahead.

The band has drawn comparisons to the likes of Muse, Don Broco, and Biffy Clyro with their sound, references easy to understand as EP opener Caged instantly demands and commands attention; Lower Than Atlantis coming to mind too. As a blurred background assembles, a wiry hook taunts; its intriguing bait soon joined by the potent tones of vocalist/guitarist Claire Sutton. In no time it all comes to a focus driven by the fiercely punchy beats of Sean Ivens. That initial hook still makes a rich lure, even as just as tasty riffs and chords between Sutton and fellow guitarist Jake Willcock collude. By this time Sutton’s voice is seizing a fair share of attention, her tones swiftly impressive alongside that lingering and still deliciously grouchy hook. The track is superb, a mighty way to kick things off and for personal tastes never equalled across the remainder of the highly enjoyable release.

The song is pure hungry rock ‘n’ roll setting a lofty bar which next up Gone certainly has a keen go at rivalling. With its angular but warm melody, the song is a much mellower proposal carrying steel in its presence and attitude rather than the kind of snarl fuelling its predecessor. The dark basslines of Joe Bishop add a great contrast to the lighter but thickly emotive aspects whilst Iven’s swings again have an imposing weight even if showing more restraint than before. With Sutton again pure enticement as melodic flames are ignited by the guitars, the track has ears and imagination hooked before new single Hurricane saunters in with a confident smile to its character and an infectious swagger to its swinging grooving. With unbridled catchiness shaping its rousing chorus and indeed instrumental asides, the song hits the spot dead centre.

Earlier single Just For Me comes next, showing with its muscular body and dark shadows why it alone sparked strong anticipation for the EP. Almost nagging ears with its array of hooks and temptation, the song provides a meaty piece of emotion soaked pop ‘n’ roll with a good spicing of electronic goodness while the following EP title track delves even deeper into the band’s pop natured creativity. The song still has a heavy essence and stubbornness to its physical skeleton but within a melody woven balladry with its own catchy captivation.

Completed by the similarly emotional power ballad of The Middle, a song like the last needing a touch more time to spark the same level of pleasure as those before but undoubtedly getting there with ease, Edge Of This is a potent next step in the ascent of All Ears Avow. As suggested, it does feel like a step in the way to something bigger and finer from the foursome whilst offering a relentlessly enjoyable outing easily outshining a great many similar genre based releases heard this year so far; suggesting there are big times ahead for All Ears Avow.

Edge Of This is out now and available through http://www.allearsavow.bigcartel.com/ and https://allearsavow.bandcamp.com/