Guile - Alone On The West
Guile is a Midlands four-piece with a passion for loud and noisy psychedelic alternative rock that is full of attitude and has a drizzling of heavy country blues. The current line-up has been together for the better part of two years which has given the quartet time to fully grow as a band, find their niche in the industry and prepare for the release of their debut album Alone on the West.
When it came to recording, a toss-up between recording in digital or analogue couldn't be decided, which resulted in the lads recording their debut album using both methods. The sound devised by the band is a fusion of psychedelic noise and country blues with some garage rock n' roll. Reprobate Lover is the powerful sixties inspired opener and gashes a hole for the remainder of the album to drag its way through beginning with the single Deep by the Dockery and the less frantic Somewhere, Sometimes, Someone. What comes next are tracks with a unique and zealous sound. I Walk Alone has a devilish country tone, Love Around Here has some forceful drums and a frantic disposition, while Devil in Black and its title track neighbour blows a fuse.
Throughout the release are the dark, anguished vocals of Neal Sawyer; sometimes becoming light hearted at other times darker such as on 140 Hurts, where a quiet and fairly mellow country song can be twisted due to the dark natured vocal capabilities.
Guile is committed to making a raw, gritty yet unforgettable music and is on the right track with this album; these guys are on a path to create something extraordinary. Combining menace and melody into a 47 minute album, Guile make for an interesting listen.