Alice Can't Turn Left - NEW EP!
You may recall us featuring Alice Can’t Turn Left a while back, so when they dropped me a line letting me know about their new EP, Bulletproof, I was looking forward to seeing how they’d developed since our last visit. Describing the EP as a progression for the band, incorporating rock solid drum beats, soaring guitar melodies, chunky bass rhythms and savagely raw vocal lines, this promises to be something to check out! The band have also made the EP available for free through their Facebook and Bandcamp pages, so there’s no excuse not to check it out really is there?
As Soldier gets things in motion we’re lured into a punky melee of rolling drums, soaring vocal lines and a real sense of restrained power, the sort of thing which sets the scene for the EP and shows off the style of the band with aplomb. What’s immediately clear from the beginning of this EP is how the band have developed their style, they’ve worked to deepen their sound and achieve a more accomplished sound as a result – it’s a solid start to the EP which sets things in motion nicely. Add in a catchy chorus and the opening moments here are simply excellent, suggesting that this is going to be one hell of an EP to behold. Mascara Eyes (the video for which can be seen below) comes up next, changing the style slightly from the first moments and hammering into a more upbeat and distorted track, the sort of thing which is sure to get you moving along. Hard hitting and powerful throughout, this is the sort of track which defines the bands progression, the sort of thing which manages to combine melody and power throughout so you’re left with a track that is impossible to resist. The vocals are the focus for the track, but the melodic elements behind the mix all serve to bolster what it is you’re hearing, resulting in a track which, on the live scene, is sure to get everyone involved.
Miss Perfect marks yet another change in things, this time opening with a piano line before launching us into another upbeat melee of hammering guitars, rolling drums and rumbling bass lines. The ability combine melody and distortion in the way the guys have done here is something which is sure to set Alice Can’t Turn Left up as a band to check out, a band people hear and immediately want to hear more of. To me though, the key to this track is the chorus – it’s got an ‘out there’ approach which sounds odd on first listen, but once you’ve heard it you realise how well it works – offering up a more accomplished approach to the mix to fully bolster it to its full potential. It’s only left then for Go Go Gadget Rocket Fist to close the EP, finishing on a more stereotypical sound yet still managing to make it their own. The closing moments here are upbeat, catchy and in your face, the sort of thing which will have you singing along, wanting more, and joining in. What’s been apparent through all of the tracks, and is especially so on this one, is that ACTL are a live band, the sort of band who are more at home on a stage than in a studio, and the sort of band who are sure to give you a show to remember when you get out to see them live.
Personally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the new EP from Alice Can’t Turn Left, and moving on from it I’m more determined than ever to get out to see them live. The tracks on offer here manage to combine a sense of distortion with a soaring sense of melody, allowing you to hear everything that’s going on whilst at the same time, managing to keep that heavy urge satisfied, letting you know that the band are capable of doing both, and doing it damned well!
To find out more about Alice Can’t Turn Left, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Check out the video for Mascara Eyes below!
As Soldier gets things in motion we’re lured into a punky melee of rolling drums, soaring vocal lines and a real sense of restrained power, the sort of thing which sets the scene for the EP and shows off the style of the band with aplomb. What’s immediately clear from the beginning of this EP is how the band have developed their style, they’ve worked to deepen their sound and achieve a more accomplished sound as a result – it’s a solid start to the EP which sets things in motion nicely. Add in a catchy chorus and the opening moments here are simply excellent, suggesting that this is going to be one hell of an EP to behold. Mascara Eyes (the video for which can be seen below) comes up next, changing the style slightly from the first moments and hammering into a more upbeat and distorted track, the sort of thing which is sure to get you moving along. Hard hitting and powerful throughout, this is the sort of track which defines the bands progression, the sort of thing which manages to combine melody and power throughout so you’re left with a track that is impossible to resist. The vocals are the focus for the track, but the melodic elements behind the mix all serve to bolster what it is you’re hearing, resulting in a track which, on the live scene, is sure to get everyone involved.
Miss Perfect marks yet another change in things, this time opening with a piano line before launching us into another upbeat melee of hammering guitars, rolling drums and rumbling bass lines. The ability combine melody and distortion in the way the guys have done here is something which is sure to set Alice Can’t Turn Left up as a band to check out, a band people hear and immediately want to hear more of. To me though, the key to this track is the chorus – it’s got an ‘out there’ approach which sounds odd on first listen, but once you’ve heard it you realise how well it works – offering up a more accomplished approach to the mix to fully bolster it to its full potential. It’s only left then for Go Go Gadget Rocket Fist to close the EP, finishing on a more stereotypical sound yet still managing to make it their own. The closing moments here are upbeat, catchy and in your face, the sort of thing which will have you singing along, wanting more, and joining in. What’s been apparent through all of the tracks, and is especially so on this one, is that ACTL are a live band, the sort of band who are more at home on a stage than in a studio, and the sort of band who are sure to give you a show to remember when you get out to see them live.
Personally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the new EP from Alice Can’t Turn Left, and moving on from it I’m more determined than ever to get out to see them live. The tracks on offer here manage to combine a sense of distortion with a soaring sense of melody, allowing you to hear everything that’s going on whilst at the same time, managing to keep that heavy urge satisfied, letting you know that the band are capable of doing both, and doing it damned well!
To find out more about Alice Can’t Turn Left, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Check out the video for Mascara Eyes below!
Alice Can't Turn Left
We were recently contacted by Dublin based Alice Can’t Turn Left. Formed in 2010, the band took their name from a mutual friend of the band getting a creak in her neck and being unable to turn left – which as far as band names go, seems as good a name as any! The band were awesome enough to send me through a copy of their debut EP, Right Back Forward, recorded in Elektra and Sun Studios and consisting of 5 tracks, all mixed and mastered by Shaun Cadogan, Jamie McEvoy and Paddy Hunt. Based on all of the info, the great press kit and the band name, I figured it was only right I check out what was on offer from these guys!
The Next Round certainly suggests good things are going to follow through this EP, keeping things firmly rooted in the punk/pop/rock side of things and allowing the track to build naturally. The vocal line which comes in may well come as a shock at first, but if you’re anything like me then soon enough you’ll find yourself listening intently to every single word, the soothing female vocals coming across like the voice of an angel and pulling you into hear more. Contrasting the soft vocals with the raucous backing music and occasional gang vocal leads this track to become one which is going to be anthemic on the live scene, the sort of track which crowds beg them to play so they can all join in. Blind Love seems to follow much the same sort of recipe, once again opening with a hammering guitar line before ushering in the singing. Another track which stands out as a live track in the waiting, this is another moment on the EP which is suggesting good things are to come from these guys – and we’re only two tracks in!
Blame Yourself seems to mark a slight change in the progression of the EP, this time opening much softer through a soft guitar line, almost sounding reflective at first, but soon returning to the distorted hammering approach of the previous tracks. This contrast to get things going adds a sense of emotion to things here, turning this track from a relatively simple track into one which has more depth and is evidently more carefully crafted, it’s a well achieved mixture of moods. Second Chance on the other hand doesn’t make any preconceptions about what it’s going to be like, this time opening in a more conventional punk-pop style before the emotionally laden vocal line comes into take the lead. The conventional chord progression of this track may well lead some to suggest that this track is just another pop-punk style track, but I don’t think it matters – it’s a good track which works well and is bolstered by the different elements such as a piano which the band have incorporated into it.
Broken Fairytale ends the EP but leaves me wondering how on earth the band are going to keep up this style in their follow up. Not following any conventions here, this track may well close the EP but it opens up a lot of questions as to what’s going to come next. Restrained yet raucous and powerful, the sense which flows out of this track is one which is going to pull you in, make you want to hear more and make you want to get out to see these guys on the live scene – it’s got the right combination of emotion and power which is so enthralling.
I don’t really know how to summarise what these guys have done here as personally, I think the music does all the talking which is needed. There’s bound to be people out there who say this is clichéd or simplistic, but I think the simplicity of it is what makes the EP so enjoyable. Whilst it’s not the most complex EP in the world, it simply doesn’t need to be! What you’ve got here is an EP which will happily compete with bands of the same genre, and a band who with a bit of work, are going to be a force to be reckoned with on the live scene – as such – shut your whining and just enjoy it!
To find out more about Alice Can’t Turn Left, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
The Next Round certainly suggests good things are going to follow through this EP, keeping things firmly rooted in the punk/pop/rock side of things and allowing the track to build naturally. The vocal line which comes in may well come as a shock at first, but if you’re anything like me then soon enough you’ll find yourself listening intently to every single word, the soothing female vocals coming across like the voice of an angel and pulling you into hear more. Contrasting the soft vocals with the raucous backing music and occasional gang vocal leads this track to become one which is going to be anthemic on the live scene, the sort of track which crowds beg them to play so they can all join in. Blind Love seems to follow much the same sort of recipe, once again opening with a hammering guitar line before ushering in the singing. Another track which stands out as a live track in the waiting, this is another moment on the EP which is suggesting good things are to come from these guys – and we’re only two tracks in!
Blame Yourself seems to mark a slight change in the progression of the EP, this time opening much softer through a soft guitar line, almost sounding reflective at first, but soon returning to the distorted hammering approach of the previous tracks. This contrast to get things going adds a sense of emotion to things here, turning this track from a relatively simple track into one which has more depth and is evidently more carefully crafted, it’s a well achieved mixture of moods. Second Chance on the other hand doesn’t make any preconceptions about what it’s going to be like, this time opening in a more conventional punk-pop style before the emotionally laden vocal line comes into take the lead. The conventional chord progression of this track may well lead some to suggest that this track is just another pop-punk style track, but I don’t think it matters – it’s a good track which works well and is bolstered by the different elements such as a piano which the band have incorporated into it.
Broken Fairytale ends the EP but leaves me wondering how on earth the band are going to keep up this style in their follow up. Not following any conventions here, this track may well close the EP but it opens up a lot of questions as to what’s going to come next. Restrained yet raucous and powerful, the sense which flows out of this track is one which is going to pull you in, make you want to hear more and make you want to get out to see these guys on the live scene – it’s got the right combination of emotion and power which is so enthralling.
I don’t really know how to summarise what these guys have done here as personally, I think the music does all the talking which is needed. There’s bound to be people out there who say this is clichéd or simplistic, but I think the simplicity of it is what makes the EP so enjoyable. Whilst it’s not the most complex EP in the world, it simply doesn’t need to be! What you’ve got here is an EP which will happily compete with bands of the same genre, and a band who with a bit of work, are going to be a force to be reckoned with on the live scene – as such – shut your whining and just enjoy it!
To find out more about Alice Can’t Turn Left, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls