Wednesday, 8 October 2008

ELECTRALYTE:-SCRATCH BENEATH THE SURFACE

Review by Jono
Electralyte first came to my attention when I saw them supporting Delirious on their UK tour. The last thing I expect when I go to gigs it to be blown away by the support band & when this previously unknown, to me, 3-piece ensemble took to the stage I must admit I feared the worst. I immediately worried that they were simply going to be a Christian Blink 182, or Greenday, rock punk band who should have released an album 4 yrs agowho were trying to jump on a bandwagon that had long since left. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised & really enjoyed their set. Then, one fine summers day, an Electralyte album popped through my door; from then on I've been a massive fan.
Firstly, lets go back in time slightly to give you a brief history of the band. The band was originally started because the Salvation Army wanted to start a rock band, in order to help young people worship in a style that is more accessible & familiar to them; Electralyte was born. In 2006 they receivedsome great reviews in the Christian music press for the album "Breakout" and they have continued their success from there. Initially brought together as a 3-piece, the band have recently added a second guiterist to the line-up bringing a new edge to their sound.

Back in the present day and we have their newest offering, the newly released "Scratch Beneath The Surface". So, what does it sound like? Let me start by saying that I love this album; it's so British, so in your face, without being rude; aggressive without shouting; rock and roll without the egos. An amalgamation of the best bits of British music without any of the unwelcome extras that so often feature. If I had to put them in a box I would have to say they're a combination of the anthem style of The Manics with the sound of Steve or early Stereophonics.

This album contains the perfect balance of anthems, rock tunes and ballads needed to create an amazing overall sound. You've got the radio singles in "Athens" and "Again Again", the live anthem in "Where In The World", the beautiful chords & vocals in "Stardust" and even the slightly strange "Lets Get Married" all of which come together to corm an album which blew me away.

If you want an album that is pure rock yet still has a whole lot of roll, this is it! The new British revolution starts here!

Jono rating:- Ten out of ten
Stand out tracks:- "Again Again", "Where In The World" & "Stardust"

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