Progressive rock mini-album
The Invasion Of... is the new project from The Libertines / Dirty Pretty Things drummer Gary Powell, and with his cohorts, Andre Bayuni, Neil Montier, Julian Bayuni and vocalist Robin Coombes has created a mini-album of pretty epic, rock and roll proportions.
This album is not just your mere indie rock. It's progressive and inventive and demonstrates that soon there won't need to be the qualifying tagline that Gary Powell was the drummer for The Libertines. The Invasion Of...deserve to stand alone and be recognised for the quality of music they offer.
Opening with "The Invasion of Venice" there is a brief moment of "what's going on here as it is slightly disjointed and there is a jarring discord between guitars and vocals. But don't dismiss it. By the chorus the hooks kick in and you realise what you're being presented with – anthemic, high energy rock. By the end of the song I was hooked, and that opening minute of "eh?!" was quickly forgotten and replaced by a desire to hear more.
And yes, you get more. As you move on from "Delusional" to "Memories", to "In Like Voodoo" all that's going through your brain is Wow! These are epic, huge rock songs that keep the energy levels up right the way through. Even "Memories" which is the 'slower' song on the album is still by no means quiet. The drumming is great, the guitars even better and they're matched effortlessly by Coombes' vocals.
As we move on to "Pedantic Romantic" we are treated to, dare I say, a slight metal interlude with punk overtones, and Lemmyesque vocals in their growling intensity. Clocking in at 1:50 it is a short sharp punch in the face that will guarantee the horns to be thrown and will ensure you remember this band.
Closing with the aptly named (being that it is devilishly good), "Devilish Ways" you are fully prepped to go out and get dancing and it leaves you itching to see what this band can do at a gig.
"373" is 6 tracks and 22 minutes of eclectic and progressive rock music that sounds outstanding on CD and will be mind-blowing when heard live. The silence once the CD ends is palpable, showing just how much of a force this collection is. Its noisy, energetic rock and roll that builds you up to go out drinking and dancing and when it goes away it leaves everything feeling that much duller.
For me that's a mark of a memorable act and I bet I won't be the only one who instantly goes back and hits play to get those irresistible, anthemic melodies playing again. This being just a mini album I'm really looking forward to what The Invasion Of... can do when they have 10 or 12 tracks to play with.