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Demo Review

The Seen / The Amberblacks / Stateschool
Demo's

Article written by James A - Dec 3, 2005

The Seen

Not knowing anything about a band before hearing them is the best way to objectively review their output. Judging The Seen on this 3 track cd I would label the music as atmospheric guitar based power pop. The lead vocals suit the riffs, especially on track 2 Difference A Day Makes. Think Crowded House reforming as a Coldplay tribute act. If that doesn�t sound very credible you can always hide the disc in your collection as another guilty pleasure. As track 3 Luga states �you got in my head� and this will. A quick google about the band shows they are a 4 piece from North London but mentions jazzily baggy funk, it probably was best to go in without preconceptions after all.

http://www.theseenuk.com/

The Amberblacks

The first time I encountered The Amberblacks they were the only unsigned band on a 4 act bill and showed up those with contracts. Sounding in places like The Rakes, perhaps a little too much, they make me think of The Others if they had lived up to their initial hype. Production on the vocals could be a little better, especially on track 2 I Don�t Believe That You Are Lonely. This is a minor gripe though.

With the tens of new guitar bands appearing each week at the moment these don�t have much to distinguish them from the pack yet but they are not out of their depth. I can�t see they will stay unsigned for long and with the right guidance bigger things beckon. Track 4, Sticks And Stones, is evidence of this.

http://www.theamberblacks.com

Stateschool

North London based 4 piece Stateschool have been gigging around the capital for the lions share of 2 years now gradually building their fanbase. Their press release mentions early Talking Heads and early Orange Juice but its too early to talk about these in the same breath. You get the impression of a band that could be very interesting if they pushed themselves that bit harder sound-wise.

Lead singer Frank Pike�s voice will grate with as many as it will appeal to but there is no doubting the calibre of the tracks. Ghost Story is the stand out track here but they are all very similar in sound. A band to keep an eye out for.

http://www.stateschool.co.uk

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