FANZEYEVIEW
Falling Red - Shake The Faith (Review by Dave Evans)
Every so often a band appears on the scene who quite simply make you wish you were sixteen again - Falling Red are one such band. This Cumbrian four-piece offer up Rock n' Roll delights that make you forget for a moment that you have a day job and responsibilities.
‘Shake The Faith’ hit’s the beer-soaked stage running with ‘’How You Feel (On Me)’’, a simple kick bass drum leads to a splatter punk guitar sound from Rozey and Shane Kirk that could be the Backyard Babies, such is its whiskey-tinged vibe. Rozey spitting out the vocals with an urgency that bring to mind Axl Rose circa ‘87. This is a band who care not for politics or current affairs, Fun is the name of the game here, as the following track ‘’Thrive’’ demonstrates: "I’ve got one life to live / gonna live it to the max / enjoy every minute 'til the day I collapse". If you imagine Mike Monroe delivering a manifesto it would sound very much like this: "…wanna party every night in this fuckin’ town". It would be easy to say this has all been done before, but when delivered with such commitment and belief it sounds fresh and vibrant.
‘’Out Of Control’’ continues the debauched subject matter, all raw stacatto punk guitars a-la Billy Joe Armstrong and low down bass from Millsy make this the perfect rally call for beer! "Don’t you just love it…when you’re totally out of control?’’ This is the sound of four mates having the time of their lives.
Its not all Sunset Strip though, The Almighty spring to mind with ‘’You Were Out To Get Me’’, mixing the feel of ‘’Devils Toy’’ and "Free And Easy", such is its grit and swagger. This hard rock edge is also felt on "Sue You For Your Soul", Rozey sounding like Vince Neil vying for attention with Faster Pussycat's Taime Downe. This is Rock n' Roll as it should be, getting you off your sofa and straight to the nearest pub to see a local band, and wishing you had spent more time learning to play that guitar!
There is no let up in the momentum with the cleverly titled "Immoral Heights Of A Lowlife". Imagine Iggy And The Stooges "No Fun" and you’re not far away. Like all the songs on 'Shake The Faith' it's short and snappy, and doesn’t out stay its welcome. Falling Red have an ability to tell a story in a manner that leaves you perfectly satisfied and thoroughly entertained - and more to the point - leaving you wishing you were there too.
The album heads for the last bus home with the closing salvo of "No Good, So Wrong, So Right", and the title track "Shake The Faith". The former sounds like 'Appetite For Destruction'-era Guns n' Roses - with Rozey and Kirk's guitars instantly bringing to mind Slash and Izzy Stradlin, all low-slung and sleazy, and Sanders drumming is certainly reminiscent of Steven Adler. This is by no means merely hero worship as the band still retain their own identity. The final track leaves our ears ringing and - as it’s the title track of the album - it fittingly leaves its footprint on our faces. Falling Red hit the road and leave us wanting
more. If only all music could be this Fun.
'Shake The Faith' is the perfect example - in my view - of how to entertain the listener. The album proudly wears its influences on its sleeve: Iggy And The Stooges, Guns n' Roses, Mike Monroe, Faster Pussycat, Backyard Babies, etc. But unlike certain
bands, it uses them to reference the music not over power it. Falling Red are four guys who have a manifesto for a good time and have no intention of saving your soul, and they do it in an unapologetic fashion. The quality of the song writing and musicianship is evident, and - with the songs are stripped down to their fighting weight - it should be a joy to behold them in the ‘live’ arena.
Eight tracks in thirty minutes, Falling Red aren’t a band who are about to stand around gathering dust. Hit the ground running, straight up and at ‘em, then leave before anyone’s noticed the beer fridge has been half-inched… along with your girlfriend.
‘Shake The Faith’ hit’s the beer-soaked stage running with ‘’How You Feel (On Me)’’, a simple kick bass drum leads to a splatter punk guitar sound from Rozey and Shane Kirk that could be the Backyard Babies, such is its whiskey-tinged vibe. Rozey spitting out the vocals with an urgency that bring to mind Axl Rose circa ‘87. This is a band who care not for politics or current affairs, Fun is the name of the game here, as the following track ‘’Thrive’’ demonstrates: "I’ve got one life to live / gonna live it to the max / enjoy every minute 'til the day I collapse". If you imagine Mike Monroe delivering a manifesto it would sound very much like this: "…wanna party every night in this fuckin’ town". It would be easy to say this has all been done before, but when delivered with such commitment and belief it sounds fresh and vibrant.
‘’Out Of Control’’ continues the debauched subject matter, all raw stacatto punk guitars a-la Billy Joe Armstrong and low down bass from Millsy make this the perfect rally call for beer! "Don’t you just love it…when you’re totally out of control?’’ This is the sound of four mates having the time of their lives.
Its not all Sunset Strip though, The Almighty spring to mind with ‘’You Were Out To Get Me’’, mixing the feel of ‘’Devils Toy’’ and "Free And Easy", such is its grit and swagger. This hard rock edge is also felt on "Sue You For Your Soul", Rozey sounding like Vince Neil vying for attention with Faster Pussycat's Taime Downe. This is Rock n' Roll as it should be, getting you off your sofa and straight to the nearest pub to see a local band, and wishing you had spent more time learning to play that guitar!
There is no let up in the momentum with the cleverly titled "Immoral Heights Of A Lowlife". Imagine Iggy And The Stooges "No Fun" and you’re not far away. Like all the songs on 'Shake The Faith' it's short and snappy, and doesn’t out stay its welcome. Falling Red have an ability to tell a story in a manner that leaves you perfectly satisfied and thoroughly entertained - and more to the point - leaving you wishing you were there too.
The album heads for the last bus home with the closing salvo of "No Good, So Wrong, So Right", and the title track "Shake The Faith". The former sounds like 'Appetite For Destruction'-era Guns n' Roses - with Rozey and Kirk's guitars instantly bringing to mind Slash and Izzy Stradlin, all low-slung and sleazy, and Sanders drumming is certainly reminiscent of Steven Adler. This is by no means merely hero worship as the band still retain their own identity. The final track leaves our ears ringing and - as it’s the title track of the album - it fittingly leaves its footprint on our faces. Falling Red hit the road and leave us wanting
more. If only all music could be this Fun.
'Shake The Faith' is the perfect example - in my view - of how to entertain the listener. The album proudly wears its influences on its sleeve: Iggy And The Stooges, Guns n' Roses, Mike Monroe, Faster Pussycat, Backyard Babies, etc. But unlike certain
bands, it uses them to reference the music not over power it. Falling Red are four guys who have a manifesto for a good time and have no intention of saving your soul, and they do it in an unapologetic fashion. The quality of the song writing and musicianship is evident, and - with the songs are stripped down to their fighting weight - it should be a joy to behold them in the ‘live’ arena.
Eight tracks in thirty minutes, Falling Red aren’t a band who are about to stand around gathering dust. Hit the ground running, straight up and at ‘em, then leave before anyone’s noticed the beer fridge has been half-inched… along with your girlfriend.
