The Joe Public - "This Army"
There are few bands that are able to sneak past the Incubus-influence vetting point with success. Atmospheric, sometimes abstract, rock-floatiness dripping with emotion is quite a difficult thing to get just right. It is an ambiance that can get a little lost and confused and once you venture into this territory, the sound can just seem a little petulant and moody. However, the latest release from young simmering upstarts The Joe Public, "This Army", can get the Boyd seal of approval. It ticks all of those elusive boxes.
Incubus-isms aside, they are a band that obviously want to cultivate a sound of their own to fill a gap in the indie-rock market of 2010. A sound that has inexplicably dropped from the musical radar has given The Joe Public a consequently refreshing and unique sound. The rather instrumental quality of vocalist Jake Meeking cements together the earthy rock sound and light funk of the catchy bass into a crashing, enveloping and atmospheric track. With touches of a meatier version of Haven driven by the raw strength of your Kings Of Leon types, "This Army" is a confident release from a band that has been enjoying a very exciting year of support and recognition.