Recreations – Digital Ghettos

Recreations are the new sobriquet for Sam Duckworth (aka Get Cape Wear Cape Fly!). His nationwide tour with the excellent Rob Lynch and Sean McGowan begins on 22nd April so, we thought we'd check out his latest EP 'Digital Ghettos'.

Built To Last

This Bridges the gap between the melodic and inspirational Get Cape material and the melancholic introspective solo albums perfectly.

From the outside it seems outrageous to claim “im not built to last” as he is about to release his 8th album in ten years. An 8th release which, based on this showing, is set to maintain an incredible level of consistency.

We sometimes wonder whether he should release an album of tripe so his next album can be seen as a heroic return to form because glory is

Icicle

The DnB and jungle influences, so often his USP, serve this track well as ‘Icicle’ ebbs and flows from spiky to euphoric. This tale of trying to be cool in an impossibly cool world inside the M25 has a wryness that should be thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Shake It Off

The shackles are off on this track. This is the most unabashed track Duckworth has written for years. The Get Cape moniker may be no more but the hordes of fans who flocked to his debut ‘The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager’ should be ready for another joyous journey.

This is everything alternative pop music should be. It’s spritely, catchy and bears witness to heavyweight social commentary:

“So throw out your rage / it’s the 70s again / a disgruntled youth / Who will not go away / But they don’t like bands / Because everyone is sleeping with their favourite brands”

This writer and Duckworth maybe the only two in the world that see things this way but the alternative music world of yesteryear with tears in eyes at the levels of corporate attachment today. Yes record sales are down because people steal but principles and symbolism are everything in this world right? Purists may be losing in this world but making a great album, juxtaposing art with commercially viable single and entertaining crowds is art and should not be cheapened.

Polemic aside, this is a great pop song. The soaring chorus is destined to be echoed around far bigger audiences than the upcoming tour is set to play to. Simply put, it is too good not to.

Digital Ghetto

To round things off is a simple and warming ballad about the isolation that technology can bring about. Technology is supposed to bring us together, and in a way it does. However, what Duckworth brilliantly gets to here, is that sense that we know more about our friends than ever before but arguably know them less.

The torture in Duckworth’s vocals as he sings “oh I don’t want to be another one” is gut wrenching. He is detailing how he doesn’t want to drift apart from friends and the world in general but, his lyrics and melancholic music signify it is inevitable:

 “If knowledge is power / why do I feel so powerless”

It’s a horrible sense of hopelessness and remoteness he gets across and he should be applauded for it. No matter how happy you are, this song will stop you in your tracks and reflect for four and half minutes.

States Of Emotion - Rag n Bone Men

It’s been a long time coming but States Of Emotion release their debut album 'Black & White To Gold' next month. To whet the appetite, they have released 'Rag n Bone Men', a free 5 track EP.

Here is our track by track analysis:

I Broke The Mould

This opener is brimming full of confidence and attitude. The strings and crashing drums give this a menacing impetus. The guitar parts and the breakdown towards the end are steeped in desperation and determination for success. There is a trippy element to them akin to Noel Gallagher's 'Stop The Clocks' but with more intensity.

Rag n Bone Men

This is by far the most interesting piece on the EP. It is a real gear change for the band who had been paving their way with indie anthems up until now.

Desolate Drum loops, short blasts of psyche on the guitars and distant vocals move away from their defiant rock n roll towards the sounds of Hurts and Bipolar Sunshine. That fall to floor rock n roll attitude is forever lurking though. Their is a sense that this measured approach could descend into chaos at any moment which, is equally exciting as those all guitar efforts.

Black and White to Gold

What will be the title track of their debut album showcases band leader Olly Hookings' vocal abilities. The emotion he conveys is reminiscent of Sam Duckworth's early Get Cape work. Again though, its more intense than their peers. There is a real sense this is everything to Hookings, that this album has to be a success.

For a band who haven't done anything of note yet, one assumes the budget was minimal. This only makes the use of strings on this track more impressive. They are not here to provide the big single which their career is made off. No, they are haunting and create a mood of uneasiness which is risky for a fledgling band but, the greater the risk the bigger the reward.

The Unsung

Long time fans will know 'The Unsung' well. They self-released it back in 2010 and had long time friend James Buckley in the video.

Despite being an older track, it still resonates. This is the song which defines who States Of Emotion are and what they are about. The euphoric and fist in the air chorus of 'We are the unsung' is soon to lure the big following of The Rifles to their cause on their February support slot tour.

The guitars and the backing vocals are hypnotic from start to finish. We said it back in 2010 and we will repeat it now. This should be a staple of any indie disco. It's a fiery and infectious anthem!

Rag n Bone Men (Draig Cavid Remix)

Last up is a Draig Cavid remix of the title track 'Rag n Bone Men'.​  

Old Town Souls - Old Town Souls

Kevin Iverson formerly of Springtide Calvary and Dogs is now fronting a new band Old Town Souls. The Kent based band have released their new self-titled EP via Bandcamp.

It opens with ‘Crawl’, a cross between the pub rock of Dr Feelgood and the driving riffs of Queens of the Stone Age. There is much to admire about this breezy rock affair, not least keyboard solo.

This opener sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s good and in parts promising but there is a sense it could have been better considering band leader Iverson’s fine pedigree with Springtide Calvary and Dogs.

For example, ‘Guiding Light’ for the most part is a solid rock number and enjoyable to boot. However, the Curtis Mayfield-esque breakdown mid way through is terrific. The clash between the smooth soul sound and their instincts for classic British rock feels like something which could achieved great results.

There can be no real complaints with his mini-album. Its a solid rock effort and at times, has some real flair. To say those moments leave an air of 'what might have been' is too pessimistic for an EP. If this develops into an album however, one hopes they combine the more diverse moments with their fine ability to make British rock music.

The EP is availble to download here:

https://oldtownsouls.bandcamp.com/releases