Audio Mime- Band Review:

    Founded in 2011 and classing themselves as Alternative Rock with a funky edge, Audio Mime are an up-and-coming foursome from Lewes. They pride themselves on their guitar-prominent work and intricate bass as well as their live music being better than tracks they record. Having been compared to The Stone Roses and The Smiths, the band makes use of a number of styles and techniques to form their Radiohead and Massive Attack-inspired work.

      The bass in ‘Sophisticated G’ is so funk based, it obviously takes a heavy influence from Blues music, but with the vocals being so prominently spoken and peculiar, it is difficult to take the track too seriously. Audio Mime’s weird style and obvious Thom York encouraged vocal detail does not hit the same heights that Radiohead achieve so naturally. The fact that just prior to a guitar solo making an appearance in a track, the listener is informed about it also takes any heart away from the music, however  innate and unscripted the recording is.

     ‘Television Face’ brings a more mature sound overall, but is all top speedy and repetitive without much awareness of the importance of sentiment in music. However, the guitaring is exceptionally rapid and elaborate, reflecting the respectable talent that the band possesses. Lyrically, Audio Mime’s work leaves a lot to be desired but their use of various genres including influences of country and heavier rock give them more potential when it comes to pin-pointing a market.

    Although ‘Honest Man’ makes an attempt to throw some emotion into the mix the lyrics simply seem to lack heart and come across as rapidly produced. Melodically, the quartet’s music is a great deal stronger than it is vocally speaking, but it is difficult to truly connect to listeners with somewhat feeble attempts at story-telling through their songs. Some of the guitar solos however, really give the band the capacity for a fairly bright future in the industry.

   If Audio Mime opt to focus on who they are with regards to genre and consider precisely who they want in their audiences at live shows and buying their records, they are likely to be fairly successful. But currently, the listener is likely to be unsure what direction the band is going in; Alternative, humorous, Blues or Indie.

2/5

The Rebel Light- ‘Goodbye Serenade’ Single (13/11/2012- Self-Released)

    Think you know Indie music? Think again. Hailing from L.A., Indie/Electronic threesome The Rebel Light recorded and mixed their debut single ‘Goodbye Serenade’ utterly independently, specifically in their bathroom and wooden shed, worlds away from the likes of apparent Indie-kings Arctic Monkeys.

     Their self-titled and first EP was released on the 13^th of November last year and can be downloaded for free via iTunes. The band is made up of brothers and their cousin and their influences include The Beatles, The Libertines and Mumford and Sons.

    ‘Goodbye Serenade’ is truly an example of natural musical talent singing through despite the penny-pinching recording and production process. It opens with a simplistic, beautiful melody, a soft beat and one of the most comforting vocal styles you will hear in a long time. With the addition of brash drumming and fierce guitar, the track is clear proof of what raw passion and ability can achieve. The Rebel Light are also a humbling, prime example of the power of the internet and how those who use it have the power to push truly talented bands and artists into the spotlight they deserve.

    The band’s organic flair bursts through the song, although it’s unfortunately easy to lose the lyrics behind rowdy yet uplifting instrumentation. ‘Goodbye Serenade’ is ultimately reflective of what it’s like to lose someone from your life and for your days to become cyclic and somewhat meaningless along the way; “Silence in my sleep; it’s the death of what I’ve done, a coma for your love.” With generally hard-hitting lyrics like, “It’s not the notes that you play, it is the silence in between”, the boys’ music-driven lifestyle really shines through.

   Despite some world-renowned inspirations, The Rebel Light have achieved a rarity within the industry; a distinctive, unique style. ‘Goodbye Serenade’ does precisely what a debut single intends, and leaves the listener eager to hear more from them!

4/5

   

  You can download ‘Goodbye Serenade’ and the rest of The Rebel Light’s Self-Titled EP for free here: http://noisetrade.com/TheRebelLight