Tracklist:

1. Starting Over

2. Shine

3. Charlottesville

4. Picture On The Wall

5. Drake

6. Set Me Free

REVIEW:

A mini album by Band of the Underhand standards in terms of length. The songs and ideas were developed during lockdown via technology. 

The band had remained productive during a difficult time for all. As we came out of lockdown, the album was released in digital format to announce they were back in business.

The opening ‘Starting Over’ is a call to arms with shuffling rhythm, laid back riffs and catchy chorus. This is followed by ‘Shine’ a gospel influence that could have been recorded in the southern states rather than south London and perhaps emphasising the soul direction of the future.

However the listener is then taken on a violin led folk journey of loss in ‘Drake’ and demonstrating the diversity of song writing with Pete on vocals.   

Black Lives Matter had influenced singer Dave in lockdown and ‘Charlottesville’ is a strong and emotional song with a haunting feel and a tune that stays with you

‘Picture On A Wall’ deals with the same subject matter with busy music approach in a more straight rock tune .

Finally ‘Set Me Free’ is a slow driving anthem, Beatles and The Who come to mind and you can imagine the sing along chorus with phones lighting up the air in a stadium (I wish for the band). 

Having re-visited this album, I had forgotten how many great tunes are on this mini album. 

This album represented the road out of lockdown and the start of a new journey for the band. Top of the Range, indeed it is!  

Artificial Life 24