Win Win For All
Here's something different for bands to try courtesy of Cardiff's Solutions. Having released their debut in 2009 and with subsequent releases since, along with line up changes, that saw them go from a three piece to a quartet, the Welsh rockers have decided to compile an album of all their early work, a retrospective look at what has brought them to where they are today so to speak making a perfect package for old fans to devour whilst also perfectly introducing them to new fans all in one disc.
Aptly titled "The First Two Years", Solutions latest offering features a total of 17 tracks featuring their out of print debut, "Before The Roars" along with tracks from "Ends Meet" which, given the line up changes that have happened within the band still fit seamlessly together. Kicking things off with the chugging riffs and rushing drums of 'Fighting Tigers', Solutions immediately excite with their blend of infectious melodic rock that unashamedly sinks its teeth in, throwing out hand clapping drum beats alongside shout out loud vocals that you will not be able to resist, a skill the Welsh lads revive on the wonderfully named, 'You Can't Outnumber The Mathematician' that unleashes jabbing beats before offloading irresistible gang vocals that is sure to be a live favourite. 'Mary Anne, Come Out Tonight' reveals a slightly heavier side to the band which is still as appealing whilst Solutions prove that not everything has to be fast and frantic with 'Young Loins', a track that, whilst far from being slow, builds gradually until a barrage of gang vocals merge with a marching drum beat with brilliant simplicity. That's not to say that the band can't hold their own with the slow numbers also, 'In Threes' acoustic led melodic grace provides the perfect respite, a wave of emotionally fuelled tranquilly that bizarrely helps set up the rushing frenzy of 'Apparatus Separator' effortlessly.
Solutions deserve to be a band on every music fans lists. With melodic rock bristling with a punk edge, the band offer something that will instantly hit, immediately making toes tap and voices sing along. For those who haven't heard of them before "The First Two Years" is the ideal introduction; for those canny enough to have been there from the start, well at least you'll now have the complete collection, it's win win for all.