Birmingham four-piece The Silver Lines recently released the single ‘Cast Away’ via ADR Records. It follows the riff-tastic ‘Blow Dry’, can ‘Cast Away’ match its power?
The Silver Lines – Cast Away
Marseille – Only Just Begun
Derby’s Marseille put down two massive markers at the end of 2022. Firstly, their last single ‘Freedom’. A roaring Oasis-inspired anthem that demanded attention. The second was an intimate gig at London’s The Slaughtered Lamb (full review here). Small in size, huge in stature, Marseille went from pack runners to leaders.
A week today they release their new single ‘Only Just Begun’. It is to be taken from the upcoming EP featuring the aforementioned ‘Freedom’ and will be released via Away Day Records.
Where ‘Freedom’ tapped into the hissing fever of Rolla and Owen Morris’ wall of noise and confusion, ‘Only Just Begun’ steps back into a hazier realm. As weightless as ‘Twistarella’ and freeing as Shambolics’ ‘Dreams, Schemes, & Young Teams’, they’ve conjured images of ‘Sally Cinnamon’ flirting with The La’s and DMA’s.
Vocally, the band has stepped up to another level with harmonies enhancing what was, already a rich sound. Frontman Will Brown’s vocal gives the record the mid-60s beat classic sonic to such great effect, elder record collectors will be double checking their copy of ‘Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968’ to see if it’s there.
As Brown decrees “I don’t want to be that guy”, he emits a level of emotion not seen by him before. His soul, for a fleeting moment, is left exposed and vulnerable. This level of openness and generosity of feeling is so often wrapped up in angst and rage. Brown and co have encased it with lysergic licks of love to echo down eternity.
What Brighton’s Lacuna Bloome ignited five years ago Marseille have enflamed with a poetic beauty unrivalled. Their debut EP is set for release this April and inevitably will change guitar music for the better.
*Image courtesy of Paul Dixon
Click the image for tickets to their upcoming tour:
Marseille – Freedom
This Friday on ADR Records, Derby’s Marseille release their new single ‘Freedom’. In 2022, Marseille have dropped the angelic ‘Forget It All’, and the trippy ‘The Jungle’ which was followed up with a fine remix from Vega Rally. Can they keep the momentum going?
From the off their newfound five-piece status is reflected in the enthralling and debauched sonic. Tom Spray’s drumming begins with Tony McCarroll’s rawness before metamorphosing into the flair of Gaz Whelan and Reni.
Through frontman Will Brown, there is a window through which mortals can peer into the band’s soul. Offering his best vocal to date, he hovers above the siren-like guitars like the pied piper of noise and confusion.
Lyrically, they’ve condensed the spirit of The Enemy’s debut album into five minutes of ‘Definitely Maybe’ meets ‘Stone Roses’ escapism. Written about their home city of Derby, they encapsulate large pockets of the UK who used to feel but now know they’re left behind. For those old enough, they will be flung back to a time when we had libraries, leisure centres, and sure start centres. We had hope!
For The Enemy, they arrived just in time to get paid. What have the music industry or any creative industry for that matter offered the working classes since 2010? A gormless reality tv no mark perhaps. Thank the heavens for guitars here. They drag the baggy-mod vibes of ‘Some Friendly’ and ‘Between 10th and 11th’ the precipice of the Roses and Oasis’ escapist majesty.
Soul-enriching, life-affirming, poetic brilliance!
‘Freedom’ is nothing short of a triumph of the human spirit. 12 years spent racing to the bottom, where Spotify throws pennies at your face and expects you to like it, Marseille have emerged with the finest rock ‘n’ roll song of 2022.
*Image courtesy of Paul Dixon
Marseille – The Jungle
Derby’s Marseille have been on a hell of a run in 2022. Debuting at the Isle of Wight festival and playing Pride Park to name a few landmarks. Last week they returned with their new single ‘The Jungle’, out now on all platforms via Away Day Records.
Artwork courtesy of Karl Shaw - https://www.silverbirchcreative.com/
The day of release was one of celebration for the band but, for music lovers, the tragic loss of Paul Ryder was tough to take. A week on and, the loss still stings but, ‘The Jungle’ has served as a timely eulogy for the Mondays’ funk master. The new single locks in a Ryder and Mani-esque killer bassline and builds a baggy classic around it. Once it combines with the funk and flair of Mark Day’s guitars, the tribute is complete!
Coincidence aside, this is a single of unswerving talent and ambition. ‘Fools Gold’ it is not but, the spirit of the Roses looms large. A steep trajectory awaits and evidently they have the skill to get there.
Today marks the anniversary of the Hammond genius of Rob Collins. Marseille have celebrated the present with a nods to Manchester’s baggy past. Meanwhile, there’s a cloud with Ryder, Collins, and Liam Maher having it to ‘The Jungle’.
*Image courtesy of Jason Bridges.