Ryan's Gig Guide - October 2018

The Verdict Reviews by Nick J Townsend Where do I begin? Eleven track debut from energetic blues funk rock unit The Zoe Green Band and it's faultless.Well, the only fault I could find with this album is that 3D glasses have no effect on it but it's one of the most powerful CD's we've received this year and I can't stop listen- ing to it. Perfection. Highlights include the end of the road narrative 'How To Love', then there's the "oh my god how can you not worship this?" masterpiece 'Catch A fall' which is now one of my favourite songs; the entire band on this just shine like blues rock legends and Zoe Green sings like she's possessed by Tina Turner. 'Bein The Blues' is like what Radiohead would sound like if they were fronted by Bonnie Raitt and only played the penta- tonic scale.There's amazing musicianship throughout this record; no bullshit.A wealth of soulful styles, every song's memorable and Zoe Green as a singer is simply fantastic; musicians must be forming a mile long queue to work with her.This could well be one of the most important singers this country has ever produced. For real. www.zoegreenband.com ALBUM of the month The Zoe Green Band by The Zoe Green Band Blackcountry three piece power pop and new wave punk rock band Flashhearts release the Fear EP and it's a to- tally addictive record. Highly recommended for fans of Simple Plan, Foo Fighters, Queens Of The StoneAge and maybe even a little Misfits but this is no carbon copy at all.Vocally I hear all kinds of influences; sort of Pulp meets Meatloaf meets Ramones and something else; guitar wise there's a whole full tank of classic styles that I can't really just nail a name tag on; it's just top rock guitar playing. Highlights are the vocally high pitched and chug riff roar- ing song 'How Come' which just oozes superb rock n roll and 'Lonely' which possibly is the most pop punk sounding tune of the EP. Overall this a strong debut and I loved every second of it; the songwriting is remarkable and I look forward to hearing more. Excellent. www.facebook.com/flashheartsofficial EP of the month Fears by Flashhearts 12 rgg Oct 2018 www.ryansgigguide.com