No cover.
Unreleased, I believe.
Available for download at [url]www.newbootsandscanties.com/diesel[/url] (the three tracks on the end were added sometime after this was declared as The Vertical Light Project. I haven't had time to download them yet).
Ty - all instruments
Craig - vocals
This'll be a slightly odd review. As some of you may know (not many though, I'd guess), I'm a rather fanatical fan of the Wildhearts, so naturally, I'm on the Wildhearts mailing list. Unlike many mailing lists, the LiST (as it's commonly known) isn't just a system for the band to give the fans announcements - in fact, the band are hardly a part of it at all. It's all fan-driven, and isn't even all-Wildhearts - numerous OT topics flying about, and a great sense of community. Basically a messageboard/forum, except all in email.
The List was where I heard about Diesel (from a guy called Sturge, if you must know). Two of his friends, Ty and Craig, comprise(d) the band, and recorded several songs in a room of Ty's house. I don't know if The Vertical Light Project was ever released in any way, shape or form, only that I have it because the whole thing is available for download, as Ty and Craig wanted some feedback from the Listees (Wildhearts fans, and therefore clearly people who know their rock).
Anyway, the music. It's surprising, in more ways than one. Firstly, the production is one that would be good even for a professionally recorded release; when you consider it was more or less recorded in Ty's front room, it's incredible. Clear and crisp enough that all the instruments are well-heard, and the vocals sound as I imagine they would coming straight from the guy. Total opposite of the muddy production you'd likely expect, having heard the recording's origins. The guitar tone is also something of a shock at first; it took me a while to get used to it. It sounds very "mechanical"; the closest comparison I can make is At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul (though definitely only in guitar tone). The vocals always sound somewhat strained; not in that he's struggling to keep his tone or whatever, but that that's just his singing in the first place. I actually really like his voice, I find it somewhat addictive throughout the album, but it's not like he'd win any prizes for technical skill.
Speaking of technical skill, Ty seems to be a pretty good all-round musician, competent on bass (though the bass playing throughout is limited to just following what the guitar plays, I think) and somewhat proficient on both guitar and drums. The drums especially took me by surprise by being interesting, and not just monotonous "dum-tish, dum-tish" rock drumming (*spits on Meg White's name*). Don't expect any Dream Theater theatrics on guitar (although both
Bleeding and
Holy Road have nice solos), just, for the most part, solid, catchy rock riffing, which I like very much.
In terms of songwriting, the guys cover a tremendous amount of ground for a 23 minute EP.
Falling In is a straight up rocker, whilst both
Bleeding and
Holy Road take a slower approach (the latter being complete with a cool, prolonged intro).
Take has a slight mellower, somewhat bluesy in parts, while
All About is 3 minute instrumental outro, which uses light percussion, a lot of piano and some very nice acoustic guitar. These differences aren't so great as to make the EP as a whole feel bitty - they're all (with the exception of
All About) clearly by the same group.
Overall, a shockingly good effort, especially considering it's home recorded, and the work of only two people. And it's free!
Recommended track:
Falling In. A few seconds of silence, followed by a guitar and vocal performance which are both supremely catchy and more up-tempo than a lot of the other tracks, make this my favourite song here. Then again, they're all up for download for free anyway.
3.9/5
If you'd like to give the band any feedback, positive or negative, email your comments to [email]ian@newbootsandscanties.com[/email]. Despite Ty now being in India (because of his job), they'd still appreciate feedback.
