SPEAK, BROTHER - EP REVIEW

Speak, Brother - Speak, Brother EP (NoiseTrade) 
Speak, Brother EP 

Release Date: 3rd November 2014

This Rugby trio list the likes of Biffy Clyro, Ben Howard, Blink 182 and Kate Rusby among their influences which is a fairly eclectic and intriguing mix, to say the least, and one that makes me want to press play without further delay. 'Dry Bones' gets things going and sounds distinctly Mumford & Sons-ish in terms of tone and lyrics which isn't an entirely bad thing but is slightly disappointing given the range of influences given previously. There is a folky, organic feel to the opening strains of 'My Love' which grows pleasingly in to a Ben Howard meets Brother &  Bones-esque stomp but without the power of the latter.

The acoustic romp and foot stamping energy of 'Break In' is soon joined by a gang-harmony chorus and a real sense of defiance in the face of some suppressive force.  The final track on this collection, 'Two Bands Of Gold', is a gentle, mandolin strummed that has its roots firmly in the traditions of folk and matrimony so I can only assume one of the band's best mates got married and asked for a song to be written for them. All in all, this is a pretty good collection of songs but without the bite, punch or power that I was hoping for from the information I'd read about these lads. This is a debut effort, though, so I'll keep an eye out for a follow up.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/speakbrotheruk

Live Dates:

19th October - Sunday Night Live, Carlisle
2nd November - Clarendon, Leamington Spa
29th November - The Big Comfy Bookshop, Coventry
30th November - The Clap Hands Club (Solo), Coventry

7th December - Sunday Night Live, Southampton

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