Good in a hard-rockin' Boy Band kinda way!
Those cheeky chappies the Goodbye Sergeants, are back with another rocktastic EP, wetting our appetites again, and making us wonder when those record label gents are going to get their heads out of their backsides, and do the right thing.
After their well received live EP earlier in the year, GS are back with four delightful, genre-dodging songs, showing that the Goodbye Sergeants could well be likened to a rock version of that cross-dressing hero Mr Benn, in the way that that they are quite comfortable, flirting with a kaleidoscopic range of music, whilst entertaining all those that will lend a grateful ear.
First song and title track, 'When You Were Younger' starts off with a ferocious hyperactive drum beat, which is then followed by some feverish guitar riffing. Mr Rich Keeble has a voice that is unique, in a way that isn't over the top, but has that down-to-earth, and guy-down-the-pub edge. This is a song that gets into your head, and runs around like a speeding hamster on a wheel.
Things slow down for 'Control', an acoustic number that has guitar that is almost Country-influence that gives the song more credibility. The chorus is the strong point here and I am thinking of some of the slower songs on multi-platinum-selling skaters OPM's album 'Menace To Sobriety'. I am still undecided as to whether or not Rich's vocals sound like Jarvis Cocker, whether this is or isn't a good thing is under debate...*ahem*.
I thought that I had seen Goodbye Sergeants push their boundaries as far as possible, however 'Flush You Away' is another song that has them re-inventing themselves, and for a band who is yet to release an album, I'm not sure whether this is bold or bonkers. With a deep bass-line and big drumbeats, you know this is going to be slightly different. The vocals in the verses are deeper sounding like they are coming through a megaphone, but go to the more higher Ozzy-esque extreme that we are getting used to in the chorus. After the initial shock it is a pleasant surprise certainly a favourable addition.
The EP settles down for the last song, 'You Know Me', which is a mid-tempo romp that bounces along, with quick melodic guitars that interchange with big riffs. Once again for a band throwing out songs on EP's, the good news is that everyone of them seem strong, and there are no fillers, however cutting these down for an album will be hard.
It's interesting that I get sent many demos and EP's from bands hoping to make it, however with the Goodbye Sergeants, they tick every box. They already have a good fan base, they have a very good website (www.goodbyesergeants.com), they always seem to be churning out gigs, and they are updating their every move on their website, myspace page and on emails. Of course the most important thing is the music, and I am always surprised with what I hear. Only behind a band like The Crimea, I would say that Goodbye Sergeants are one of the most exciting British bands of the moment.