Rock isn't Dead - 4/5
With five tracks bursting with energy and power, Darlington’s five piece “The Rations” have released an EP that asks the question that is on many rockers minds – “Is this the end of Rock ‘n’ Roll?”? Armed with guitars, drums, groovy bass lines and very catchy songs, “The Rations” have only one answer to present: “No it isn't”.
“Fools paradise” presents us with a full throttle charge of riffs and a feel-good vibe, and Jay Fawcett’s use of tremolo that does get a bit over excessive throughout the course of the EP. Even so, with tight rhythm section and the bass and drums of George Bainbridge and Matthew Jenkinson that performs solidly. “Flare” sounds like the main riff has erupted out of Pirates of the Caribbean, but regardless it’s still a strong track with Dan Hodgson being a superb frontman. “’94” is an anthem of a generation and full of infectious melodies and top form lyrics from Dan that make this stand out from the rest. “I don’t care (because I’m in love)” is a love song that doesn’t particularly follow convention; it’s one of those songs that would end up making over artists following that song instead, with Jay’s guitar in top form., and the rallying point of Dan being a rebel with no wannabe cause: it sounds like he means it. “Hands in your pocket” changes the course of the EP, it doesn’t sound as rocky as the other tracks, but more like Morrissey with music provided by The Ramones. A perfect end to a near perfect EP.
The unsigned scene amazes me. With a debut as good as this, “The Rations” have successfully answered the question to their EP. Not only is it that rock ‘n’ roll isn’t dead, but these guys are planning on bringing it back with style.
“Fools paradise” presents us with a full throttle charge of riffs and a feel-good vibe, and Jay Fawcett’s use of tremolo that does get a bit over excessive throughout the course of the EP. Even so, with tight rhythm section and the bass and drums of George Bainbridge and Matthew Jenkinson that performs solidly. “Flare” sounds like the main riff has erupted out of Pirates of the Caribbean, but regardless it’s still a strong track with Dan Hodgson being a superb frontman. “’94” is an anthem of a generation and full of infectious melodies and top form lyrics from Dan that make this stand out from the rest. “I don’t care (because I’m in love)” is a love song that doesn’t particularly follow convention; it’s one of those songs that would end up making over artists following that song instead, with Jay’s guitar in top form., and the rallying point of Dan being a rebel with no wannabe cause: it sounds like he means it. “Hands in your pocket” changes the course of the EP, it doesn’t sound as rocky as the other tracks, but more like Morrissey with music provided by The Ramones. A perfect end to a near perfect EP.
The unsigned scene amazes me. With a debut as good as this, “The Rations” have successfully answered the question to their EP. Not only is it that rock ‘n’ roll isn’t dead, but these guys are planning on bringing it back with style.