hidingplace launch their latest attack on the singles charts
Having seen hidingplace when they recently supported InMe, I was dubious about this single. And quite rightly so, I felt, for their performance had left a lot to be desired. What I was faced with on this CD, in fact, was a swift dose of warm, realistic rock music that bounced along with the youthful vitality that lacks from so many UK rock bands today. The guitars are pumped up with memories of the great bands of old, whilst Paul McCallion’s vocals twist and turn like a water snake in a three-year-old's hand - but with infinitely more grace. In places it sounds like he tries to emulate an American singer, but on the whole, he provides the rest of the band with a clear-cut voice to follow. With former Pitchshifter drummer Jason Bowld among their ranks, they do not lack talent or ambition.
Maybe the guiding hand of producer Al Clay has formed them into a greater band on record than they really are - perhaps the band just lacks in confidence when playing live; it’s hard to say. The variation found on this one track alone is as refreshing as skinny-dipping in your local swimming pool on a Sunday morning - risky, but definitely an experience to be proud of.
As hidingplace drop down into the whispered words of the cunningly placed mid-song lull, they prove they can write a well constructed song even if they can’t execute it live with the same power. Yet.
This band has a lot to learn about performing, but from the sound of this new single, they’re bright boys and will learn fast if they want to win more fans over to their vintage-tinged rock.