Violet Gibson
We were recently sent through a copy of American Circus, the upcoming album from Violet Gibson, to see what we thought of things. Formed in 2007 under the name of Last Vegas, the band finally decided on the name Violet Gibson and completed their line up, presenting us with what we see in front of us now. The album itself was recorded at Studio 73, mixed at MB Studios and then mastered back at Studio 73, so after all of this work, we thought the least we could do would be to check out what was on offer from the guys!
Go Ahead gets things going and straight away suggests at a dark and mysterious album to follow, opening with vocal effects before launching us into a bass and vocal combo, getting things moving from the word go. Throwing out a classic rock sound combined with a hard hitting edge to things, this is catchy rock from the off, the sort of thing which is going to have you singing along, joining in and wanting to hear more. Gravelly vocals, hammering guitar riffs, intricate lead lines, pounding drums and rumbling bass rhythms, this track has it all, and gets the album going in style. Title track American Circus leads straight on, this time moving away from the upbeat and hard hitting approach and instead opting for an acoustic and laid back approach to get things moving. Not content with the slow approach for too long we’re soon thrown back into the upbeat and rock orientated feeling of the band, showing why this is the title track and once again presenting us with a track which will get you singing along for sure. To me this is live music, the sort of thing which is going to get a venue pumping from the word go and will hook people in whether they’re ready or not, it’s got that familiar and accessible sound which people are sure to connect with.
Original Sinner once again presents us with a different side of the band, this time showing off a more upbeat approach and the bands heavier roots. Upbeat and almost punky in some ways, there’s a sound on offer here which combines classic rock and metal with a fresh feeling , showing off the bands ability to draw influence from around them whilst still managing to form their own sound out of the mix. Listen through the track and there’s movement after movement of different styles, each one presenting a slightly different take on things but the whole time letting us see that sense of continuity between them. Moving on to She Feels Alive we’re once again shown the softer and more melodic roots of the band, once again opening into an acoustic number filled with emotion and melody, the sort of mix which will get lighters in the air and people singing along. Soft, soothing and laid back throughout, this is a stand out track from the album as it’s one which will smash you in the face with melody and an uplifting feeling, laying off the distortion for a moment and instead showing us what melody can mean.
Superstition, In My Head, Forget About The Rain, Game Of Sorrow and I Wish I Could all continue to push the boundaries of what you’d expect from an album like this, each track presenting a rock orientated approach but with the bands unique take on things stamped all over it, keeping us aware of what we’re listening to. Catchy choruses combine with hammering riffs, acoustic soft moments and a real sense of damned good music to keep you listening. Moving on to Parasite the approach continues once again, this time moving back towards the more metal orientated riffs and hammering out something which personally, reminded me of a RATM style riff. Groove orientated from the word go, this is a track designed for the live scene for sure, and the sort of track which is sure to get everyone moving, jumping and joining in. It’s a stark contrast then when From The Moon To Your Feet once again returns to the soft and acoustic approach to open things, this time presenting us with a Muse like opening full of melody and emotional power. This is another stand out track which will shock as well as please, the sort of track which keeps you intruiged as to what’s going to come next, and exactly the sort of level of accomplishment I’ve come to expect to hear from these guys.
Your Balls On Fire presents us with the penultimate track on the album, this time throwing down with a funky track laden with hammering riffs, soaring lead lines and urgent vocal lines. This is the sort of mix which is once again going to get people dancing and moving, the sort of thing which harks towards the likes of Slash in the guitar work, but doesn’t move too much towards the commercial market which the top hatted wonder seems to appeal to nowadays. Standing out as another serious high point on the album, this is another track to make sure you check out, and a track I’d like to see live as I imagine it would be a hell of a lot of fun! Closing with The Reason To Be God the band close things on another upbeat and hard hitting note, closing the album with a real sense of achievement at reaching the end, the sort of track which rewards you for listening all the way through but at the same time, encourages you to go back over the album just to make sure you didn’t miss anything, heavy, raw and powerful, this closing track is one of my personal favourites from the album and closes it in style, another one to make sure you check out.
I didn’t really know what to expect from Violet Gibson as to be honest, they don’t give a lot away about themselves in their one sheet. What I’ve found though is a band that can combine melody, power, a sense of old school rock and an upbeat sense of modern rock – and it’s awesome to hear. This is a band that you’re going to have to get out and see, so get on it and show them some love!
To find out more about Violet Gibson, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Go Ahead gets things going and straight away suggests at a dark and mysterious album to follow, opening with vocal effects before launching us into a bass and vocal combo, getting things moving from the word go. Throwing out a classic rock sound combined with a hard hitting edge to things, this is catchy rock from the off, the sort of thing which is going to have you singing along, joining in and wanting to hear more. Gravelly vocals, hammering guitar riffs, intricate lead lines, pounding drums and rumbling bass rhythms, this track has it all, and gets the album going in style. Title track American Circus leads straight on, this time moving away from the upbeat and hard hitting approach and instead opting for an acoustic and laid back approach to get things moving. Not content with the slow approach for too long we’re soon thrown back into the upbeat and rock orientated feeling of the band, showing why this is the title track and once again presenting us with a track which will get you singing along for sure. To me this is live music, the sort of thing which is going to get a venue pumping from the word go and will hook people in whether they’re ready or not, it’s got that familiar and accessible sound which people are sure to connect with.
Original Sinner once again presents us with a different side of the band, this time showing off a more upbeat approach and the bands heavier roots. Upbeat and almost punky in some ways, there’s a sound on offer here which combines classic rock and metal with a fresh feeling , showing off the bands ability to draw influence from around them whilst still managing to form their own sound out of the mix. Listen through the track and there’s movement after movement of different styles, each one presenting a slightly different take on things but the whole time letting us see that sense of continuity between them. Moving on to She Feels Alive we’re once again shown the softer and more melodic roots of the band, once again opening into an acoustic number filled with emotion and melody, the sort of mix which will get lighters in the air and people singing along. Soft, soothing and laid back throughout, this is a stand out track from the album as it’s one which will smash you in the face with melody and an uplifting feeling, laying off the distortion for a moment and instead showing us what melody can mean.
Superstition, In My Head, Forget About The Rain, Game Of Sorrow and I Wish I Could all continue to push the boundaries of what you’d expect from an album like this, each track presenting a rock orientated approach but with the bands unique take on things stamped all over it, keeping us aware of what we’re listening to. Catchy choruses combine with hammering riffs, acoustic soft moments and a real sense of damned good music to keep you listening. Moving on to Parasite the approach continues once again, this time moving back towards the more metal orientated riffs and hammering out something which personally, reminded me of a RATM style riff. Groove orientated from the word go, this is a track designed for the live scene for sure, and the sort of track which is sure to get everyone moving, jumping and joining in. It’s a stark contrast then when From The Moon To Your Feet once again returns to the soft and acoustic approach to open things, this time presenting us with a Muse like opening full of melody and emotional power. This is another stand out track which will shock as well as please, the sort of track which keeps you intruiged as to what’s going to come next, and exactly the sort of level of accomplishment I’ve come to expect to hear from these guys.
Your Balls On Fire presents us with the penultimate track on the album, this time throwing down with a funky track laden with hammering riffs, soaring lead lines and urgent vocal lines. This is the sort of mix which is once again going to get people dancing and moving, the sort of thing which harks towards the likes of Slash in the guitar work, but doesn’t move too much towards the commercial market which the top hatted wonder seems to appeal to nowadays. Standing out as another serious high point on the album, this is another track to make sure you check out, and a track I’d like to see live as I imagine it would be a hell of a lot of fun! Closing with The Reason To Be God the band close things on another upbeat and hard hitting note, closing the album with a real sense of achievement at reaching the end, the sort of track which rewards you for listening all the way through but at the same time, encourages you to go back over the album just to make sure you didn’t miss anything, heavy, raw and powerful, this closing track is one of my personal favourites from the album and closes it in style, another one to make sure you check out.
I didn’t really know what to expect from Violet Gibson as to be honest, they don’t give a lot away about themselves in their one sheet. What I’ve found though is a band that can combine melody, power, a sense of old school rock and an upbeat sense of modern rock – and it’s awesome to hear. This is a band that you’re going to have to get out and see, so get on it and show them some love!
To find out more about Violet Gibson, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls