(3-track single/ 2003/ �SPINACH RECORDS�)
My first assumption when I got send this CD, given the band name and the abstract cover artwork of a serene town-life scene, was that it had to be fresh solo material from genius singer-songwriter and ex-Suede guitar anchorman Bernard Butler. But far from BB, this Surrey band are ramming quality soft-rock with a devilishly sultry edge down our throats.
It�s just that the cover looks so indie-esque and innocent and that last thing I was expecting was Donna Dowling�s sensational voice to acknowledge the vibrant music so quintessentially, the dynamism of �Byron�s Muse� (a man with whom they seem obsessed) flipping the pacing of the melody from subtle to full throttle in a shot-put�s showdown. Bass and drum-led interludes aren�t afraid to take the music note-for-note to a better place when Donna tires from singing, though her voice is initially the most immediately startling thing to bow down to and forces the band in the best way possible to remind of Queen Adreena and Evanescence.
�Spider Web� (�Am I friend or foe or just plain enemy?) & �One Last Breath� roast Easternised melodies, with the former track suddenly heavier and in keeping with the nu-metal tradition. But only upto a point, as Donna�s way with singing words makes for Bernard�s �alternative� nature. The verse sounds as though it should be where the chorus is an intense and ragged musical battering, and vice versa. Hulky, wraparound guitar hooks further their cause to produce perfectly dark, soft-rock songs.
�How do I say how I feel when the emotion overcomes me?� Donna pleads. Try imagine Tori Amos backed by a blasting band, and then you might be able to conjure the gist of �One Last Breath.�
Which is one small step in style from the previous song, but one giant leap for mainstream-destined rock-with-an-edge of this prototype. So much so that the dripping passion does the sweet dedication to bassist Andy�s brother full justice and then some. 4/5 (STEVE RUDD)
www.bernardonline.co.uk www.spinach-records.co.uk