NATIVE ALIEN - Dead Skin CD-EP

Despite the fact that this is absolutely impossible to categorise, there's an hypnotic quality to the writing and playing throughout, which means that you're hooked from the start. If anything, you could bracket the first two tracks as “Dundee's answer to Crosby, Stills and Nash” only with more teeth. In keeping with that analogy, the title track delivers sublime vocal harmonies, Americana lead vocals, chunky bass, delicate percussion, strummed acoustic guitars and a song that simply flies into your head and heart, occupying a place marked “repeat plays, please” as its addictive hooks and insistent rhythms provide a mix of lightness and strength that separates itself from any other band on the Dundee scene. But if you thought that was good, “Invisible Sun” is even better. With added electric guitar to give it more bite and purpose, stronger rhythms, a sense of psychedelia in its arrangement, as the flowing lead vocals soar into some high-flying, addictive harmonies that just hit the right spot, time after time after time. It's like a cross between The Police and Crosby, Stills & Nash with touches of Flamin' Groovies chucked in for good measure, a bizarre comparison perhaps, but the result is a track that's got real heart as well as a commercial awareness that makes it instant and yet long-lasting enjoyment. “Still Love You” is more of a ballad, with lilting piano, deep bass undercurrents, impassioned vocals, more sublime harmonies, and another song that is simply gorgeous yet in no way vacuous or overtly “fluffy”. This band know how to deliver a harmony-laden slice of Americana with an identity of their own making running through its centre. Finally, “Subtle Panic” surges into life and completely confuses you, with its rough-edged rockier delivery, wickedly funky bass, more aggressive vocals, surging keyboards, riffing electric guitar and shuffling drums. Yet, quite unexpectedly, it fits – after the warm California sun we have the wild western winds, as the strident offering races ahead in a hail of electric guitar work and impassioned, hard-edged lead vocals, hardly a harmony in sight, and yet they do it so uniquely and so well. Overall, this is a treat, and yet another new and unique talent on the scene.

CD Reviews Main Page
Home Page
Dundee Bands Info
Email Andy G