An Axe
We were recently put onto Bristol based An Axe, letting us know about their debut album, She Is Dust, released on the 19th of November. Recorded and mixed at Toybox Studios by Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Perfume Genius) and mastered by Bob Weston (Shellac) at Chicago Mastering Service, the album is described as a strident rock record with elements of surf, rock ‘n’ roll, post-punk and crooner balladry – which sounds pretty good to me! They sent us through a link to check it out so I figured the best way forwards was to hit play and check it out for myself.
As Coax The Drowners gets things in motion we’re pulled into an upbeat melee of hammering guitar lines, rhythmic bass and drums, and an echoey sense that gives the recording a real feeling, almost like they’re playing in the same room as you. Upbeat and ‘out there’ as it progresses, this is a track which oozes with 60’s and 70’s style rock, the sort of thing which reminds you of the music you first heard as a child and reignites that passion you once felt for it – it’s a good start to things for sure. Big Cat continues this approach further, once again layering the sound upon us and allowing the track to naturally form around us as it grows. I love the beat that’s adopted through this track, it’s the sort of thing which makes you move along, almost the sort of music that makes you want to swing a beer glass and drink down the enjoyment along with the band. The key thing with both tracks so far has been the manner in which it’s been recorded and mixed, it’s got that classic feel throughout it, almost like an old record but with a new and fresh outlook on things.
Ink shows off a sludgier side to the band, this time throwing us into a surf style track full of heavy bass rhythms and urgent vocals, the sort of thing that you can’t help but move along to as it plays out. Keeping the sense of groove orientated beats flowing throughout the track, this is one which evokes images of sun kissed beaches, beach buggies and people dancing on the sound – another classic 60’s image but one which works with the track for sure. Returning to the darker approach for Sin & Sophia the album seems to move back towards the opening moments, returning to a sound which is going to envelop you in sound and work its way into your head, it’s one of those sounds which will accompany any particular mood depending how you’re feeling at that moment in time. This was also my personal favourite track from the album and one which I have a feeling has a sense of being a single, it’s got that single feeling written all over it as something people will connect with.
O For Oratory, Son Of Swan, The Approacher and The Emerald Locust all continue the progress of the album, each track allowing you to fully embrace the feelings behind the bands music and pushing things to a new level at each step of the way. It’s when She’s Too Busy Breaking My Heart To Notice You comes around though that another serious high point is achieved, moving towards an almost blues like approach for the track which levels out into a smooth and moving track, full of hooks and moments which will make you want to see them live. This is a track which is crafted for the live scene from the sounds of it, the sort of thing you can imagine playing out across a smokey bar as figures dance in the eerie darkness, one which you need to hear to fully understand, but one which I really like. It’s only then left to A Blooding At The Lodge to close the album, finishing on another melodic note tinged with darkness and hinting at more to follow. The closing moments here leave the door wide open for what is to follow, not giving away what they’re going to follow this album with but suggesting that what ever it is, it’s going to be damned interesting to hear.
I really didn’t expect an album like this when I went into An Axe, and in fact it’s been a pleasant surprise. I love that they’re out there doing something different, something unique, and something which will stand them in good stead moving forwards from here. If you’re looking for something different to crank on and sit back to then this could be it, get out there and check them out!
To find out more about An Axe, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As Coax The Drowners gets things in motion we’re pulled into an upbeat melee of hammering guitar lines, rhythmic bass and drums, and an echoey sense that gives the recording a real feeling, almost like they’re playing in the same room as you. Upbeat and ‘out there’ as it progresses, this is a track which oozes with 60’s and 70’s style rock, the sort of thing which reminds you of the music you first heard as a child and reignites that passion you once felt for it – it’s a good start to things for sure. Big Cat continues this approach further, once again layering the sound upon us and allowing the track to naturally form around us as it grows. I love the beat that’s adopted through this track, it’s the sort of thing which makes you move along, almost the sort of music that makes you want to swing a beer glass and drink down the enjoyment along with the band. The key thing with both tracks so far has been the manner in which it’s been recorded and mixed, it’s got that classic feel throughout it, almost like an old record but with a new and fresh outlook on things.
Ink shows off a sludgier side to the band, this time throwing us into a surf style track full of heavy bass rhythms and urgent vocals, the sort of thing that you can’t help but move along to as it plays out. Keeping the sense of groove orientated beats flowing throughout the track, this is one which evokes images of sun kissed beaches, beach buggies and people dancing on the sound – another classic 60’s image but one which works with the track for sure. Returning to the darker approach for Sin & Sophia the album seems to move back towards the opening moments, returning to a sound which is going to envelop you in sound and work its way into your head, it’s one of those sounds which will accompany any particular mood depending how you’re feeling at that moment in time. This was also my personal favourite track from the album and one which I have a feeling has a sense of being a single, it’s got that single feeling written all over it as something people will connect with.
O For Oratory, Son Of Swan, The Approacher and The Emerald Locust all continue the progress of the album, each track allowing you to fully embrace the feelings behind the bands music and pushing things to a new level at each step of the way. It’s when She’s Too Busy Breaking My Heart To Notice You comes around though that another serious high point is achieved, moving towards an almost blues like approach for the track which levels out into a smooth and moving track, full of hooks and moments which will make you want to see them live. This is a track which is crafted for the live scene from the sounds of it, the sort of thing you can imagine playing out across a smokey bar as figures dance in the eerie darkness, one which you need to hear to fully understand, but one which I really like. It’s only then left to A Blooding At The Lodge to close the album, finishing on another melodic note tinged with darkness and hinting at more to follow. The closing moments here leave the door wide open for what is to follow, not giving away what they’re going to follow this album with but suggesting that what ever it is, it’s going to be damned interesting to hear.
I really didn’t expect an album like this when I went into An Axe, and in fact it’s been a pleasant surprise. I love that they’re out there doing something different, something unique, and something which will stand them in good stead moving forwards from here. If you’re looking for something different to crank on and sit back to then this could be it, get out there and check them out!
To find out more about An Axe, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls