Band: The Graveltones
Release: Don’t Wait Down
Release Date: Out Now!
It’s no surprise that The Graveltones were nominated for Best New Band at the Classic Rock Awards 2013. Comparisons to The White Stripes and The Black Keys are inevitable but they sound as rocking and soulful as their peers while maintaining and edge and originality to their music. There’s plenty of room for an album like ‘Don’t Wait Down‘ in the genre despite plenty of bands nudging each other for a slither of the limelight.
The kind of band that only rehearsed twice before their first show at London’s 100 Club, their album has all the charm of a garage band your mates are in with the irresistible instrumentation of some of the greats. ‘Crime To Be Talkin‘ sounds like it’s straight out of the 70s and wouldn’t be out of place amongst rock’s greatest, chock full of slowed down drum beats and strong, no nonsense vocals.
‘Lightning Bolt‘ is far better than any other tracks of the same name (sorry, Jake Bugg) and has an ending worthy of any Rock Band ending bonus, while ‘I Am A Liar‘ in comparison is quiet and gentle. ‘You’re No Good‘ packs a hefty punch and ‘Catch Me On The Fly‘ is rock and roll at its finest, reminiscent of dirty old bars and dancing couples.
Channelling the mastery of Led Zeppelin and the youthfulness of Cage The Elephant, ‘St Lucia‘ is another highlight of the album, bluesy and heavy at the same time. It’s hard to pick a fault with any of the tracks The Graveltones are giving us and album opener ‘Bang Bang‘ has no trouble jumping right in your face and showing us all how music should be done.
How we haven’t heard that much of The Graveltones yet is a mystery but, now that we have, it’s gonna be tricky finding time to listen to anything else.
8/10
Review by: Kathryn Black
