Houdini, 'Hold Your Own'
Info: Dublin band Houdini release their first self-titled E.P. following regular airplay on the likes of 2FM and preceding their debut at Electric Picnic in September next year. The band are a four-piece from Tallaght comprising Aaron Cranley (lead vocals / guitar), Shane Cranley (bass / vocals), Ian Cullen (keyboards) and Ciaran Higgins on drums.
The E.P. kicks off with 'Friendly Fires' which get's you nice and comfortable and you're thinking not bad, you smugly nod and prepare yourself for what might be an electronic based E.P., you have just fooled yourself as you turn the corner into second track 'Colder'. Instantly appealing and dramatic, vocally it's a bit like Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet and then turns into some great late 80's / early 90's rock power ballad, think Queen (music) meets Kix (vocals), I really loved all of the elements and energy of this track.
'Hold Your Own' is also vocally powerful, unblemished by influences and very clean. Again it's 80's rock influenced but also draws on bands from the last few years such as Wild Beasts and Owen Pallett to name but two.
Finally, the E.P. closes with 'Nothing Here', (incidentally a track that would be ripe for a DJ to get their hands on and remix) which reminds me of bands like Europe and Def Leppard (Pyromania), but without the obvious silliness of either, and is also infused with a good dose of contemporary alternative rock.
Houdini are a curious thing, while my references may indicate a heavy rock group, they are actually nothing of the sort. Sure there's plenty of classic rock guitar-playing and drumming but there's also a strong layer of their own modern sound to be found as well, there's a lot to enjoy here, and remember to play it loud.
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