Puck – Beyond Reason
I usually like female vocalists, however quite often I hear a female fronted heavy rock band and I am disappointed. Not only am I disappointed with the lack of power from the female vocalist I am also disappointed with the lack of power from the other members of the band. It's almost as if they think. 'Hey we've got a female singer, that makes us different so we don't need to try as hard'. This I believe is where they often go very wrong.
Unfortunately London based Puck, happen to be another female fronted band that fit this description exactly. Puck's singer AmyJay (Is it a coincidence that this is very similar to one Evanescence singer AmyLee?) can sing fine, it's lovely in fact, so lovely she should go and be solo artist, perhaps we'll see her on TOTP soon. But frankly someone with a voice that sounds about as 'rock' as any member of Girls Aloud shouldn't be fronting a rock band. This is because it makes the entire band sound weak. Perhaps drinking a little whisky and smoking a few cigarettes would give her that rough edge we all like to hear in a female rock singer.
Opener 'All That You Are' begins with a promising guitar riff intro, until the vocals kick in and it instantly loses any potential it ever had. Track 3 'Michael' sounds about as emotional as a boy with a fringe and a bit of eyeliner. While track 4 'No Shame' almost shows the Gwen Stefani side to AmyJay's vocals while the rest of the band attempt to play a bit punkier.
Who am I kidding, to be honest I didn't really listen to much more of this EP in case I was violently sick. I simply could not stomach any more power ballads sung by a girl with no more power than a 40watt light bulb.
Beyond Reason is a fine EP for those of you who are emerging from your pre teen chart orientated musical youth into something with a little more backbone, but only a little mind you. Even then I'd stick to Avril Lavigne, I'd say she's at least 60watts.
For the rest of you though if you want some serious female fronted heavy rock go buy 'Sing Sing Death House' by The Distillers, now that's what I call powerful female vocals.