Festival heroes cause a riot with second offering
FIVE-PIECE RISING HIGH WITH COLLECTION OF NEW TRACKS
Wednesday February 03 2010
DUBLIN'S Hard Working Class Heroes festival has become a regular breeding ground for talented emerging artists, as this year's line-up proved no different, Verona Riots being a case in point.
The five-piece, comprising of young Swords and Blanchardstown gents, launched their second EP, 'The Sunken Romance' late last year to esteemed acclaim, which is as fitting as their finely-honed vocal harmonising.
Indeed the four other members - guitarists Rob Vipond and John Lynch, pianist Ger Cunningham and drummer Tommay Grogan - each lend their voices, supporting frontman and bassist, Ciarj Vipond on singing duty.
Totalling seven tracks, 'The Sunken Romance' is more mini-album than extended single and offers a welcome mishmash of tunes, though each firmly stamped with the band's own fully-fledged style.
Opening with the jumpy beats of 'Heart Attack Coming', its jingly guitars evoke echoes of the Arctic Monkeys, while at the same time, it's wonderfully refreshing to hear an Irishman sing in his native accent.
The Smiths-eque 'Strange' sees Vipond C reflecting on the changes over time, noting how 'memories are just mistakes, they're easy to erase', while 'Craters & Dust Clouds' cranks the record up a notch.
Haunting
The stripped-back composition of the chorus and reverbing piano are swiftly washed over with the haunting, layered levels of vocals on one of the highlights of the release. The band themselves pointed to the fourth number, 'That's What We're Here For' as a 'key track' and it's easy to see why.
From the chilled vibe, dreamy floating guitars and sweet vocals, to the poetic wonder of its love-inspired lyrics - a lament to the subject matter's 'cinematic cheekbones', who herself is a 'knockout in a title fight' - it's an offering Gary Lightbody and co would be proud of and should really be making more of.
The catchy chorus of 'Signal Noise' lingers long in the ear, a cleverly summed-up reflection of modern living, while the title track, another 'fact of lifer', is written on the pros of amour itself. Closing with the snappy, subtwo-and-a-half minute gem that is 'This New Age', Verona Riots clearly saved the best until last.
A fresh, driving belter, with the slightest tinges of Elvis Costello, it wouldn't be out of place on the opening credit's for the latest E4 drama - and that's by no means an insult.
With an output as individualistic and yet at the same time wide ranging, it's safe to say you won't find Verona Riots sunken anytime soon.
Have a listen for yourself at www.veronariots.com.
