Reviews roundup – Second Hand Heart vs. Philip Sayce vs. Larkin Poe vs. Oughton Tanera

Reviews roundup – Second Hand Heart vs. Philip Sayce vs. Larkin Poe vs. Oughton Tanera

SECOND HAND HEART
Tides
independent

Alternative Indie Folk/Rock from the mythical Kingdom of Australia. I’ll get me coat.  Mainly because I can’t sniff the folk in amongst the indie.  I mean they’re good at what they do, they just don’t do what they say they’re going to do. I t’s like opening a packet of Weetaflakes only for a bloody Shredded Wheat to fall out.  You’ll eat it, but you won’t be happy.

Meanwhile over in the real world, Second Hand Heart purvey some mainstream indie rock with rather nice female vocals, and a nice turn in backing vocals.  If there had been a tune I could whistle, I’d have been a happy bunny, regardless of their indiedom.  But then they try and go a bit prog.  And by prog I mean indie prog. And by indie prog I mean awkward time signatures and not tune.

On the plus side, it barely tips over thirty minutes, which is a proper length for an album, and there is a market for This Sort Of Thing.  People who buy Radiohead and Coldplay albums will like this.  As will people who read Uncut magazine.  If you want a try before you buy, take a listen to ‘Don’t Look Away’.

http://secondhandheartband.bandcamp.com

PHILIP SAYCE
Influence
Provogue

Off to the Canadian colonies now to catch up with Welsh born Canadian Philip Sayce.  I’ve held him in high esteem ever since he covered ‘My Pearl’ by Automatic Man on his “Innerevolution” album.  A man of taste.  And blow me down, if he hasn’t dug out my favourite Little Richard tune, ‘Green Power’ for this one.  Well done, that man.

In amongst the originals he’s also dipped into the Graham Nash songbook as well as ‘I’m Going Home’, originally recorded by The Sonics. He’s still churning out some great blues rock riffs along the way, and seems to be getting heavier as time goes on.  Take a listen to ‘Tom Devil’ and tell me I’m wrong.

But he can still dip into the deep well of the blues, no more so than on the slow blues ‘Blues Ain’t Nothin’ But A Good Woman On Your Mind’.  But he seems to be turning into more of a seventies styled classic rocker these days, something that is always welcome round my way. He’s also singing better than ever, and the production, courtesy of
Dave Cobb (Rival Sons) is absolutely fantastic, as the music comes leaping out of the speakers.

Mr Sayce doesn’t make bad albums, and this is probably the best so far.

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LARKIN POE
Kin
RH Music

After a handful of singles and EP’s, Atlanta-based sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell have finally got round to releasing their debut album.  Back when they were wee girls, they performed with their elder sister in the bluegrass and acoustic outfit, the Lovell Sisters, but now they’ve grown up, they seem to have put those things aside, in favour of a more pop / rock direction.

For sure, there is some mandolin and lap steel on offer, but their country fiddling days are just a memory as they head for the mainstream with songs like ‘Sugar High’ and ‘Crown of Fire’.  The latter is one of a few songs that could easily see them in the charts.  Something that explains the production input of Chris Seefried (Lana Del Rey), and Damien Lewis (Rihanna and Rita Ora).  And there is nothing wrong with a bit of ambition.

Thing is, some of the songs aren’t strong enough or identifiable enough to stay in your brain once you’ve had an initial listen.  There is a cracking ballad in the shape of ‘Overachiever’ which has had a few repeat spins, and ‘High Horse’ builds up into a memorable offering.

It’s understandable that they want to go their own way, but considering they make so much of their uniqueness, a lot of this is bland and uninspiring.  Maybe they should have made another EP.

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OUGHTON TANERA
Leave The Marked Path
independent

Finally, for today, we’re off to Germany to catch up with Oughton Tanera.  His thing is melodic rock with prog tinges, the kind of thing Genesis did between the departure of Steve Hackett and their big pop hits.  And there is some enjoyable listening to be had here.

Of course, you have to get past the X Factor style sob story, which saw him having to learn to play the guitar again after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013.  He developed new techniques to be able to play again and started writing songs inspired by his struggle.

Some of the songs are certainly well worth hearing from the proggy ‘The Storm’ to the more mainstream eighties rock of ‘All In Vain’.  It’s well produced, well performed and definitely worth a listen.

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