That Time You Booked The 5 * Hotel In Boardsly Green...
Despite the popularity and commercial success of rock music as a whole being steadily on the rise again, it can't be denied that in recent years, the airwaves have been primarily dominated by R'n'B / rap / hip-hop artists...most of which are DRAKE...even more of which are utterly awful...especially Drake...fucking Drake...but it's been a while now since any rock or metal artists used any decent hip-hop influence to any real effect. Nu metal, for all the bashing it gets today was HUGE! Just look at LIMP BIZKIT...hell...even SLIPKNOT's debut had certain rap elements, but, these crossover mash-ups are few and far between nowadays. Cue LAST HOUNDS; formed in Birmingham, this feisty five-piece hope to fill that gap with the slightly appropriately throw-back titled new EP "Old Dreams"...let's check it out (without Drake if you'd be so kind)...
We open up with "Listen (To Me)" and it's not an instantly commanding opening to say the least...we've got some simple percussion with drawn out, down tuned almost grunge-inspired guitar, underlining some rather grimy, rather raw, methodically rapped lyrics...it's overall feel is a dark one, a serious one, and while the track gradually does pick up, it hasn't the time to really get anywhere as at under two minutes long, this is really just a glorified intro. It's cold, urban tone, the bleakness of it all fitting of it's Brummie origin, quite sinister really, but it does grow and it's an interesting start.
First track proper "Lay Me Down" is far more upbeat and lively, this is far more energetic and it's quite the contrast in style. The rough, garage punk elements that the band have incorporated into their playing, coupled with a more ballsy rock 'n' roll swagger, guided by a typically British self depreciating negativity finds itself slotted somewhere between the likes of FRANK CARTER and VIOLENT DELIGHT, there's a faint rebellious charm to it all and how it comes across, no fucks given so to speak. "Murder, Murder" is a song of ilk to the aforementioned...not entirely in musical tone, as it's slower, steadier, the riffs; straight forward but effective and bass driven and to some degree houses shades of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, it's got a sense of social commentary, before we end on lead single "DOA", not too different, it's got the grimy rap elements, the mild aggression, the angst, think a more rugged SONIC BOOM SIX perhaps...
Essentially what we have here is a clearly enthusiastic young band with a passion for life, for getting things off their chest in a positive, creative manner, making points, offering food for thought, sharing ideals...and while the quality of this rock / hip-hop crossover may not be very polished, it's fair to say neither is our country right now. Their sound and message very in tune with the current climate, they are a glimpse into where in fact many people are right now in very unsettled times, new rock bands have reasons to be angry again, hip-hop is real again, it's gritty...it's relatable, look at KANO for example...and really, being true to themselves, it's really hard to find fault. Old dreams they may be, but today they are just as if not more relevant than ever. [6]
We open up with "Listen (To Me)" and it's not an instantly commanding opening to say the least...we've got some simple percussion with drawn out, down tuned almost grunge-inspired guitar, underlining some rather grimy, rather raw, methodically rapped lyrics...it's overall feel is a dark one, a serious one, and while the track gradually does pick up, it hasn't the time to really get anywhere as at under two minutes long, this is really just a glorified intro. It's cold, urban tone, the bleakness of it all fitting of it's Brummie origin, quite sinister really, but it does grow and it's an interesting start.
First track proper "Lay Me Down" is far more upbeat and lively, this is far more energetic and it's quite the contrast in style. The rough, garage punk elements that the band have incorporated into their playing, coupled with a more ballsy rock 'n' roll swagger, guided by a typically British self depreciating negativity finds itself slotted somewhere between the likes of FRANK CARTER and VIOLENT DELIGHT, there's a faint rebellious charm to it all and how it comes across, no fucks given so to speak. "Murder, Murder" is a song of ilk to the aforementioned...not entirely in musical tone, as it's slower, steadier, the riffs; straight forward but effective and bass driven and to some degree houses shades of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, it's got a sense of social commentary, before we end on lead single "DOA", not too different, it's got the grimy rap elements, the mild aggression, the angst, think a more rugged SONIC BOOM SIX perhaps...
Essentially what we have here is a clearly enthusiastic young band with a passion for life, for getting things off their chest in a positive, creative manner, making points, offering food for thought, sharing ideals...and while the quality of this rock / hip-hop crossover may not be very polished, it's fair to say neither is our country right now. Their sound and message very in tune with the current climate, they are a glimpse into where in fact many people are right now in very unsettled times, new rock bands have reasons to be angry again, hip-hop is real again, it's gritty...it's relatable, look at KANO for example...and really, being true to themselves, it's really hard to find fault. Old dreams they may be, but today they are just as if not more relevant than ever. [6]
RSS Feed
