EP Review
We’re only halfway through the year and Bristol’s the Goodness have already managed to have a pretty successful 2010. In March, the band were named Best Live Act at the Exposure Music Awards in Gloucester, before performing at the prestigious Liverpool Sound City festival in May. The five-piece were also fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to record their debut EP at Rockfield Studios in Wales. Yes, that’s right, the Rockfield Studios where ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was recorded, among other classics. So, it’s definitely a case of so-far-so-good for the Bristolian indie-rockers, but what’s to be made of their latest single ‘Rights & Wrongs’.
What is immediately noticeable about the song is singer Steve Preston’s voice, which has the deep and sophisticated sound that will be familiar to fans of groups like the Editors. However, unlike the Editors, the Goodness use more of a straightforward rock style in their music. Not that they would necessarily be described as a rock band as such, but there is a definite liveliness to their songs that will be sure to get crowds moving at live performances. The same can be said for B-side ‘Something to Say’, which has a very uplifting and sing-alongable chorus. The use of Preston’s emotional lyrics and the keyboard harmonies in both cases add an extra level of feeling to the tracks.
Elsewhere on the CD are ‘Tonight’, a song with more of a melodic pop-punk approach than the indie-rock of the first two tracks, and ‘Something Missing’, a sombre acoustic number that will have you singing "Ground control to Major Tom" during the Bowie-like intro.
Well, it’s been a good start for the Goodness and the songs certainly seem to keep the promises made by their successes so far. The music easily meets the standards set by the handful of indie acts that have appeared on the scene over the last few years and, although their sound doesn’t instantly appear to be anything special, there is a definite energy and passion to the Goodness that may help their rise to continue during the second half of 2010.