Ballsy blues rock
The Redwalls instantly have a big American bluesy rock sound that bounces round in your brain. With Oasis support slots coming up I'm expecting some raw attitude like that of the Gallagher's, but The Redwalls' tunes are actually slick and even their expletives sound smooth and rounded.
Politically minded 'Falling Down' is one of the strongest tracks with jangly guitars meeting the young singer's rough and ready (think Kings of Leon, but with clearer lyrics) vocals. 'Thank You' is laid back and rolls along as a brass-based tribute to "the queen of all [The Redwalls] dreams". Both guitarists and the bassist chip in vocally on this album, providing a united front and keeping the listener alert, this is especially evident in the warm, musty harmonies on this track.
'Love Her' features a chirpy walking guitar sound and is indubitably positive like it's been around a sunny barn dance doused in punch and is now simpering in the hay. 'Build A Bridge' has a soulful bumbling bass, twinkling jazz piano and soulful tune, making it one of the more outstanding songs. The simplistic lyrics, "Build a bridge and bring both sides together" make it very much like the classic twelve bar blues melodies that first launched rock n' roll decades back, but in using these well-proven building blocks the album is lacking slightly in positive direction and modernity.
'Hung Up On The Way I'm Feeling' has more ethereal vocals and a lighter, ultra-mellow feel where the guitar is unleashed to play a snazzy solo, enforcing the slightly psychedelic sound. 'It's Alright' has an overriding get up and go about it, with a cascade of driving guitars and offbeat punk vocals, it's like something has suddenly been unleashed within the band and the guitar is finally out in the wild, rather than fitting in with the brass section.
'Front Page' starts off with a striking section of effects-driven vocals and tinny keyboard, letting the sorrowful vocals ring true before the rest of the band chime in. It's an atmospheric tune with plot and again, the guitar is allowed to ring true with an overdriven solo snarling. Slightly more edgy and rock, this tune is one of the most indie-friendly on the album and by far the most fitting for our current charts.
'Back Together' is crisp and distinctly rock with a Bob Dylan-esque drawl that's still got the central blues influence, but is far more cutting. 'Glory of War' is quintessential Dylan with its easy pacifist lyrics delivered over a simple pattern of guitar chords, while 'Rock & Roll' is a big slice of classic rock n' roll by numbers, but these more exciting tunes come a little late in the album.
'De Nova' has some great tunes, but a lot of it is painfully mediocre, which leaves me thinking that the 13 tracks could easily have been trimmed down to 9 or 10 really snappy ones. This is sad because The Redwalls really have proved that they can rock.