EP REVIEW- Among The Echoes, "Freak"

Following their popular gig at Birmingham’s O2 Academy in January Birmingham band, Among The Echoes, have been busy recording a new four track EP, Freak. The addition of producer and guitarist Sam Wale to the band’s line up has added both a new dimension and sparkle to their already polished sound, which skilfully manages to fuse 80s electronica akin to Fiction Factory, Talk Talk and Depeche Mode with a more contemporary sound such as that from indietronica band M83.

The lead track, Freak, is an absolute earworm that swirls its way into your head with captivating ethereal synths, heavy bass, and dark vocals before stomping into the chorus with an uplifting 80s synth riff and vocals akin to Siouxsie Sioux and David Bowie, courtesy of Rachael O’Hara and Ian Wall respectively. The following song, Talk Talk, continues this powerful theme teaming Phil Lockhart’s brilliantly fuzzy bassline with escalating vocals which become fantastically needy by the end of the track. Steve Turrell’s soaring synth in the chorus intensifies the great drop that follows, with the band’s trademark dark edge being present throughout.

Whilst still firmly in the same vein, Pure, manages to bring a slightly more rock feel to the table courtesy of a gritty guitar backdrop in the chorus. The vocals are softer than the previous two tracks but this provides a great contrast, and serves to create a fantastic build up to the final track, Feels Like Heaven. This track covers Fiction Factory’s popular electronic hit of the 80s in a new, unexpected way, resulting in nostalgic electronica with a new twist. With a slow, moody beat overlaid by an otherworldly synth and gravelly rock guitar, the vocals weave in and out of the verses and chorus to an escalating interlude, before bringing the EP to a shuddering close. Fiction Factory’s Eddie Jordan gives a ringing endorsement of Among The Echoes’ new version of Feels Like Heaven calling it “amazing”, and he is not wrong.

With fantastic production by Sam Wale, fans of dark wave, 80s electronica and indie synth pop will not be disappointed with this EP. Freak is released for digital download on 1st April and is available on Amazon, iTunes, CDBaby and the usual digital outlets.

Hear the first exclusive radio play of the EP in full on Johnny Normal's Radio Show at www.radio-happy.com on Tuesday 26th March between 20:00 and 22:00 UK time!

Track listing:
1. Freak
2. Talk Talk
3. Pure
4. Feels Like Heaven

Links:
Among The Echoes website
Sam Wale Productions website

SINGLE REVIEW - Among The Echoes, "Freak"

Birmingham band, Among The Echoes, have a unique style that manages to successfully fuse dark wave, synth pop, ambience and 80s electronica, the result of which has spawned tracks such as the intriguing earworm, "Freak". Whilst the song would not be out of place in a Depeche Mode set due the expert use of ethereal and swirling synths courtesy of Among The Echoes’ Steve Turrell, it is also reminiscent of the style of current indietronica band, M83, and reminds me in particular of M83’s fantastic track “Couleurs” from their “Saturdays=Youth” album.

With lead vocals from Rachael O’Hara and Ian Wall, who sound uncannily like Siouxsie Sioux and David Bowie respectively, and edgy bass from Phil Lockhart, “Freak” swirls moodily through dark verses to the stop-start of a softer interlude, before sweeping up into an anthemic chorus. Fans of dark wave electronica will not be disappointed – this an absolute gem that is likely to awaken an urge to dig through your music collection for similar 80s, dark wave and indietronica anthems.

To listen to "Freak" go to this link to Among The Echoes' Soundcloud page.

Among The Echoes will be headlining the Birmingham O2 Academy on 25th January, 2013. For more information on the band, gig dates and tracks visit the Among The Echoes website at www.amongtheechoes.co.uk or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/amongechoes.

UNEARTHING MUSICAL GEMS - Friday Five (2/11/12)

Well, I don't know about you, but as far as I'm concerned, TFIF!! Are you ready to finish the week on a high? Or start the weekend with a bang?

Here are this weeks gems. They work best when they're turned up loud... ;-)

1) Angel - Massive Attack
YouTube Amazon
This track is absolutely fantastic. The way it slowly builds up to the climax, and then drops back out again, is genius. It's no coincidence that it has been used in many films and TV shows, from "Snatch" to "West Wing". This is in my top ten tracks to listen to after a bad day...where I shut the door of the studio, turn the light off and whack up the volume. Pure class.

2) People Are People - Depeche Mode
YouTube Amazon
Released in 1984, this track is one of Depeche Mode's most well known tracks. Depeche Mode were a firm staple of the electronic music genre in the 80s, and it was this band, along with others such as Yazoo, Human League, OMD, Tubeway Army, and Kraftwerk to name a few, that turned me into a total synth geek.

3) Aerodynamic Beats/Forget About The World (Gabrielle) - Daft Punk
YouTube Amazon
This track comes from Daft Punk's "Alive 2007" album which was recorded live in Paris and used Ableton on huge supercomputers, which Daft Punk accessed remotely from midi controllers. And it's an absolute banger! Daft Punk's unique vocoder type of house music is instantly recognisable, and hugely popular. One of the two band members, Thomas Bangalter, was also involved in the side project that spawned another French house classic, Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You".

4) Home - Kelis
YouTube Amazon
From her 2010 album, Flesh Tone, this is another upbeat belter and, for me, the best track on the album. She worked with various popular producers on the album, including Benny Benassi, Diplo, will.i.am and David Guetta, and the change in style from some of her previous work such as "Caught Out There (I Hate You So Much Right Now)", "Tricky" and "Milkshake" seems to suit her, albeit that this album wasn't quite as quirky.

5) I Believe In Miracles - Jackson Sisters
YouTube Amazon
OMG - I LOVE this song!! It was originally written in 1973, but this song was not really a hit until the 80s when the Rare Groove scene was big. It's funkier than a funky thing!!

I hope you enjoy this week's selection. As always, I'd love to hear your comments...

What's your favourite TFIF track?