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Album Details
- Artist: Little Barrie
- Album: Stand Your Ground
- Label: Genuine
- Year of Release: 2007
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: dadair on 2007-02-02
RecommendSlowly but surely, since the release of their understated debut album around a year ago and on tour long before that, Little Barrie have been preaching the virtues of the retro scripture through funky vibes and an appreciation of The Who and The Cramps. Via opening double whammy of the blues rushed 'Bailing Out' and the aching whine-out of previous single 'Love You', they add more potency to their cause. 'Pin That Badge' uses some Red Hot Chili Peppers style funk rock, to draw out feeling and highlight the vocal versatility of the earnest Barry Cadogan. This signals a turn into emotion building, as the tracks start to get more drawn out and a bluesy drive comes out in the backing range.
The moody feel helps the band produce their full range of fuzzy instrumental skill and it suits Cadogan's range, standing out in the forlorn 'Green Eyed Fool'. The percussion rumble, sliding and aching guitars along with the hurried, slightly disco vocal push gives 'Pretty Pictures' heart, soul and true emotion. This is what retro music should truly be about. The album tends to reach plateaus and then maintain the same momentum, something that can be a little grating, as you get the impression that this outfit has the ability to keep climbing. However, there is nothing wrong with reaching a groove and keeping it, especially when authenticity is prevalent throughout.
With this second album, Little Barrie has added a solid The Who lauding instrumental base to their armour and a more groove friendly slant. However, their doubters will continue to argue that the range is still limited, despite a very promising start. The early funky exploration renders this offering a step forward. This is something that if built upon, it could help Little Barrie to produce a third album, in a year or so that pushes them through to the sort of recognition that many thought they were destined for a while ago.
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on 2007-02-28 hstisgod Said:
ooo a bit of bull like activity. Either way, both of ya say this is avg, therefore, prolly not worth the time. RAting is for expecting an average album, not the review. Nice job Dave
Rating: 5/10
Review:
on 2007-02-28 mschmitt Said:
All fans of jam bands, Traffic, Cream, jazz-rock, blues-rock, and even Led Zeppelin and Hendrix listen up: Little Barrie is playing for you. A warm modern-day jam band, Little Barrie follow-up their We Are Little Barrie 2005 debut with Stand Your Ground, a slow-moving album of excellently vintage guitar work, easy-going lyrics, and a classic attitude. Songs such as "Love You" and "Pin That Badge" immediately evoke memories of Cream, Traffic, and other classic ‘60s jam bands. Little snippets of a guitar riff here or vocal croon there remind one of Hendrix’s guitar style and Led Zeppelin’s heavy blues roots. "Green Eyed Fool" could divert into a Stooges song from the overly distorted Iggy-like intro, but quickly declares (by use of a scratchy vintage guitar solo in the spirit of The Eagles) that Little Barrie is firmly rooted in the classics of yesteryear. Song after song provide new jams, each with simple lyrics but wonderfully diverse guitar work. Indeed, most of the album is Little Barrie’s superb instrumental work, establishing a groovy beat backbone and laying intricate lacings of guitar work over the top like sonic icing on a cake. The guitar solos in "Why Don’t You Do It?" smash Clapton, Page, and Hendrix into one. While it may not be as good (and what could be better than a Clapton-Page-Hendrix guitar beast?), it sure is refreshing to hear this sort of music played so well nowadays. Little Barrie have put together an excellent album for anyone who enjoys the sound of a scratchy vintage guitar cranking out a good ‘60s jam.
Rating: 7/10
