Springtide Cavalry– Save An Old Soul

The Folkestone four piece returned last December with ‘Collections and Demos’, a heartfelt gesture to their loyal fan base. Never a band to rest on their laurels, they recently premiered their comeback single ‘Save An Old Soul’. It’s the first of three to be released this summer, with, further material and gigs to come post-lockdown.

Any hesitation fans might have had, are swept away form the immediacy of this record. The youthful thunder of The Jam and aching fever of Feeder combine to make one hell of a comeback.

The Enemy always had the lyrics but, by album number two and beyond, they could never sound this muscular and vulnerable. This record is begging to be loved!  

This isn’t the return of a cult band. This is too vital. Aggressive, melodic and infectious, it can deliver to fans of Sleaford Mods and DMA’s alike.

Old Town Souls - 2018

Kent’s Old Town Souls return with their third EP '2018'. Band leader Iverson, relentlessly plays around Kent solo or with his band and nationwide with a Who covers band.

This work ethic, without the riches that rock music once offered, seems to be informing band leader Kevin Iverson’s song writing. There is an ache, a nagging tension throughout.  ‘My Only Narcotic’ sees Iverson blowing of steam to his wife. The loneliness of life on the road and, a life that hasn’t given him the break his talent yearns for (yet).

With a QOTSA riff pulsating away, Iverson reflects on might yet be and the principles in which to get there. The anguish he gets over on the line ‘easily distracted to a heart that’s been neglected’ is a stomach turner. It’s no wonder he is questioning selling his soul.

On ‘Silence’, Iverson has saved the best till last. It’s Shane Meadows style in a rock-cum-soul form. At times, it’s a gritty romance with the love interest emerging from a cloud of cigarette smoke. In true Meadows glory though, it’s coupled with the monotonous of everyday life.

Comfortably the best of the three EPs from Old Town Souls so far. Musically, the hall marks of the other two remain but, there is a feeling that, in a bleak personal period, Iverson has soul searched and come out victorious.

2018, an album by OLD TOWN SOULS on Spotify

Old Town Souls by Old Town Souls

The Kent four piece have returned with a new self-titled EP. Check out our track by track review:

Why Don’t You Hold Me

The EP opener sees some melancholic jingle jangle combine with a bombastic Faces swagger. It screams Oasis comeback single from the noughties a la ‘Lyla’, ‘Hindu Times’, ‘Shock of the Lightning’.

If you’re going to write about desperate relationship, you better sound like you mean it and, in Kevin Iverson, Old Town Souls have a vocal growl to do just that. At the mid-point, a big echoing riff acts as the protagonists last attempt to hold everything together before the effortless jingle-jangle drifts away along with the relationship.

In This life

There has been a lot psyche music of late, but few acts manage to insert guts and glory into their efforts. The rolling riff on ‘In This Life’ hints at a haziness, much like Oasis circa ‘To Be Where There’s Life’ and ‘The Turning’.

Without going full tilt on the trippy aspects allows their soul and Dr Feelgood side to come through. It gives everything a sense of adrenaline and need to breakout of their surroundings which music folk from the suburbs have so often adored.  

Gluing everything together on this murky Oasis circa are, what can only be described as kick ass drums.

Figure It Out

A gritty, tale of city life where confusion and despondency reign supreme. Anyone familiar with Iverson’s former band Dogs, will recognise their Orwellian spirit taking a starring role here. Yes, everything is shit, but it’s all we have so we’re going to run with it.

As ‘Figure It Out’ grows, so does an undeniable sense of victory. It refuses to let the bastards grind them down and, in the closing moments, the togetherness doesn’t just rise, it swarms all over you, demanding a two finger salute to anyone trying to supress your dreams.

Now You’re Not Around

At points, this track will lead you to the edge but sadly, doesn’t really take off. It just doesn’t have that solo, or killer riff exploding into life to keep you coming back.