Apart from majestic Goth godfathers Bauhaus and these days The Departure, your reviewer is struggling to recall any other notable rock-related shenanigans emanating from Northampton. No doubt I've forgotten some names, but while you all e-mail me to remind me (usual address please), let's concentrate on another young quartet from that very town who are making a well-drilled racket right now.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome RESTLESS DIESEL. Not the greatest of monikers ever and in possession of a customary two guitars, bass and drums set up. Guilty as charged, you cry, thinking you've heard it all before. And yes, you'd be right in that line of thinking, but regardless there are still young bands out there who can take the traditional tools of the trade and make acceptable noises with them. Restless Diesel appear to be such an outfit.
"This Is The Sound" - available by download only I'm led to believe - pulls few punches. It's big, ambitious rock with stadiums rather than toilets in mind and is the sound of a band in the foothills of the mountain currently being scaled by the likes of The Open and (sorry, but it's true) The Departure, which - should they get the breaks - might just lead to a summit not dissimilar to that already conquered by U2.
My promotional copy also includes the tracks "Run For The Sun" and "Butterfly". The former is a bit Noel Gallagher in the lyrical department (not that such limitations kept a certain group beginning with an O from world domination), but the track itself is in the Karma Destination/ Puressence kinda vein, and big and yearning with snaky basslines propelling it forwards with some aplomb. The frenzied, wah-wah guitar break dates it a tad, but it's still not half bad and neither is "Butterfly" where a faux-staccato intro leads into a marching rocker with serious-minded vocalist James Read emoting about "broken men, we learn to carry on" before lead guitarist Carlo Santoriello makes with the expressive heavy sonic artillery.
|
Even allowing for their support slots for Keane and Kasabian, it's still very early days for Restless Diesel, and, as we know, the motorway's littered with the broken down remains of bands who couldn't leave the toilet circuit behind. However, bearing in mind this young quartet play with conviction and an above-average melodic sensibility, they could yet add another notable name to that Northampton roll call of fame. The next 12 months will give us a better idea what these boys can do.
|
