Foundation of the Rock Crown?
As soon as the arching guitarwork of 'Vessel and Vine' begins before kicking into the kind of gleeful energy seen in Hundred Reason's work, you know you're in for a treat with 'True Crown Foundation Songs', the latest release from The Lucky Nine. There's not nine members of the band, so the name's still a mystery, but the band make ample noise to keep the listener entertained. The anthemic, aching power of their first track sets off onto a twelve track foray into what rock music really should be like.
'Sweet Dreams, Lilac' is a haunting blend of softer flourishes separated by a suitably heavy chorus. The Lucky Nine have balanced this song perfectly. Neither too heavy or too soft, it bridges the gap between their more exciting work with the world of slower serenades. 'The Program' reverts back to the hyperactive vocal work from Colin Doran and with it's intense feel on record, you're left thinking that this must be one hell of a song in a live setting. Speedy vocals are combined with joyful guitar work and the result is a song brimming with energy.
Fourth track, 'The Light From Passing Cars', begins much the same as 'Vessel and Vine', with a heavy beat before plunging you into a bass driven, ethereal verse. It's another song that cries out to be played live where the atmospheric, haunting feel would be able to fully sink into your body. 'A Lucky Hit' is another slow starter, but the contrast between the curving guitars and Doran's softer tones means that it's a satisfying song that certainly sounds like the people behind it are familiar with how a hit song is constructed. There's no doubt that The Lucky Nine's members have all brought their knowledge from their main bands and fused it into one album that is crying out for every song to be made into a single.
Like a "best of" album, 'How Things Have Changed' takes over the show and it's manic rising guitar intro breaks away into a staggering pace full of menace. The Lucky Nine are full of contrasts and although obvious from their music, the different sounds are woven together to create something a lot stronger than the transitions from loud to quiet by many bands.
'Lone Pine Wall' kicks off straight away with vocals that hold far more emotion than is usual for so far into a song. Layering shouts against croons, the song holds the attention of the listener effortlessly and provides more to think about than the average chart song. Even if The Lucky Nine do not get a chart hit, their music is sure to go down a storm at alternative club nights- there's something addictive about these songs that just begs to be danced to.
'Hollowed Out' sounds much like something produced by Hundred Reasons, but 'Hibernate' seems to be what would happen to pop music if you added a few metal spikes and made it jump up and down at gunpoint. Sick, but also fascinating and highly memorable.
'Washington Geometry' is a smoother track with a heartbeat of a bassline, but it soon breaks into a louder chorus that still manages to conserve it's power, much like a powerful sportscar in a 30 mile an hour limit.
Diverse and unwilling to be put into a sub-genre, The Lucky Nine have created something very special indeed with 'True Crown Foundation Songs'.