RATING: RRRRR
LABEL: WHITE BUFFALO
REVIEW BY: ALAN HOLLOWAY
Voodoo who? Haha, what a hoot wordplay
is, eh rockin' readers? Seriously, though, not having heard of this
Midlands based UK band is not a surprise, but not getting to know
them very soon may be a mistake you'll wish you never made. First
heard in the 90s, they gained a good reputation through hard work,
winning a national radio competition (on The Friday Rock Show) and
the release of a superb debut, 'S.K.R.A.P.E'. Then it all just didn't
work and they vanished into the ether. In 1997.
It's now 2020, and the Sioux are back
with their second album since reforming ten years ago. The last one,
'Grotesque Familiares' (2013), was a real kick in the nuts for fans
(in a good way, natch), and so excitement has been building for this
one. Worth the wait? Is Gene Simmons a greedy bastard? (That's a yes,
by the way).
Opener 'Running On Empty' really plays
to the bands basic strengths, with a powerful guitar, catchy melody
and replayability to the moon and back. 'Pandora's Box' follows with
a crunchier sound and a no less catchy chorus, and brings in a
favourite trick of letting vocalist Nicky Flaherty have a littls solo
moment in the sun before being joined again by guitars. '(You Make Me
Wanna be A) Better Man' brings a lighter touch and a chorus that
won't quit, after which things are slowed down for 'Into The Garden',
one of a few emotional acoustic tracks spotted amongst thirteen songs
that lasts comfortably over an hour.
Voodoo Sioux prove over and over again
that the fact they never became superstars is a criminal oversight.
Flaherty has a top notch voice that seems like someone got Joe Elliot
and Noel Gallagher fused together in a cloning machine, whilst the
music has it's roots in straightforward rock but it's flowers
reaching out for funk, pop and psychedelia, yet never losing those
essential roots. There's nothing here I haven't fallen in love with,
from the aggression and melody of 'Alias The Jester' to the simple
but moving acoustic 'Dreamcatcher', all capped off with a beautiful piano version of 'Can't Stand To See You Cry' from the debut. Perfect.
If the name rings a little bell in your
head, this is that band you liked years ago but forgot. If you're a
fan, then this album will not disappoint in any way. If you're
oblivious, then you need to buy this, enjoy it, and track down the
other two, because trust me that's exactly what you'll want to do
whilst you scour the listings to see if they're playing near you. If
this isn't in my top five at the end of the year I'll buy a hat,
because I'll have to eat it. Time to take your medicine...
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