Some Velvet Morning – Silence Will Kill You
Rhythm Bank (10/9/07)
Rock / Alternative
I haven’t heard a British rock band sound so good in years; Silence Will Kill You, released last fall is a strong, energetic release by a band named after a psychedelic Nancy Sinatra track from the ’60s. But don’t let that give you the wrong impression of this band, whose foot-stomping rock-‘n’-roll-meets-indie sound will give you a swift kick in the ass. The eleven songs on the album are full of emotionally driven, catchy lyrics that urge the listener to join in and participate in human history.
The content found within Silence Will Kill You encourages human/political involvement, and there really is no excuse to be passive after hearing this record. This is more than just a rock ‘n’ roll album put together to have some fun on a Saturday night; it’s music that wants you to think.
Album opener “Let The Good Times Come My Way” creates some fresh optimism to kick things off, and the up-tempo single “Losing My Mind” is relatable as it speaks of freeing personal expression of desires and creativity as an answer to personified chaos. I’d be interested in hearing the song that speaks for itself, “One Day You’ll Love The Things You Hate,” done acoustically, as it would strip the track down to its bare bones and really make the lyrics stand out even more. “Pretty Girl” is radio ready, and a sure hit, as it’s catchy, sexy and upbeat (this was the song that made me want to check out the band in the first place).
“Stolen Love Song” is bluesy and tender, and it’s a nice change of pace (introducing an element of vulnerability) on such a definite rock record. In “Propaganda”, the focus is on the current erosion of freedoms and what it could lead to, and is one of my personal favorites with the lyrics: “The close-up, the sound bite / The replay, the gunfight, it’s all propaganda / The tax cuts and think tanks / The loopholes, the World Bank / Oh take a look around you, it’s all propaganda”. This is another song that should be on radio playlists, and will still be very relevant down the line.
“Settle Down” is about wanting to slow down and settle but knowing that you can’t, and is followed by the very poppy, U2-ish “The Nightshift”—which is just gorgeous to hear—about being apart from the one you love. The album concludes with “The Madness of Crowds” which utilizes a refurbished Beatles sound with the mic echo, and is a nice complement to a song about being different and being heard.
This is definitely a must-buy album and needs to be on the radio. This band will inspire you, get you dancing, get you to break the silence and get you moving in the right direction.
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