GRACE EMILYS - On Jamaica Street CD Single

Two distinct sides of one of the fastest rising bands on the Dundee Scene right now. "On Jamaica Street" starts deceptively with ticking percussion and guitars as a ringing lead guitar sounds out, the rhythm section drives solidly and slowly along and a half-sung vocal darned near recites the lyric over the gorgeously lyrical backdrop of cascading guitars and gently solid rhythms. Then, just as you're wondering where all this is heading, cue a drum roll, a soaring lead guitars and then stand well back, as the band accelerates the pace with strident beats, surging guitars, urgent vocals from a different lead vocalist, backdrop harmonies and a soaring chorus. The song itself has a charm at the same time as a pop-punk spirit, while the delivery is spot-on as it drives, twists, turns and finally returns to its sonorous beginnings before the wordless chorus combines with harmonic lead vocals and the band whips itself into a gloriously catchy frenzy for the real final part of what is a totally infectious and quite unique sounding track. "Falling Down The Stairs" begins at the accelerated pace with soaring fx over strident drums as ringing, cascading electric guitars dance and jump and the dual-lead vocals come in with a lyric that's as catchy as it is spellbinding, the whole thing daring you to dance but staying firmy in its indie roots. In fact it becomes so infectious, you virtually have to be strapped into your chair to prevent the urge to leap up and around the room to its heady qualities. It's a simple but 100% effective slice of punk-y indie pop but with intricacay, invention and an arrangement that belies its deceptive simplicity, with actually plenty of things going on in the mix onto qwhich your attention remains focused, play after play. It's that rare gem of urgent, dynamic, daring and addictive, something you'll just keep on playing, day after day after day. If these are just two tracks that show how different and yet spellbinding this band is, I for one, can't wait for a full album. In the meantime, this will do nicely!!
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