Play 90 second soundbite of 'Can't Hold Me Down' @ 'CD quality'
Montague's direct approach here makes for a fantastically radio friendly work that'll surely pull in loads of punters that've been knocked sideways by the songs' up-frontness! Montague has a rich sounding voice and there's certainly some power in there which he seems able to control and direct. 'Can't Hold Me Down' is Montague's debut EP release and although there are just two tracks, the title track and 'Haunted', it definitely demonstrates Ben Montague's range and ability.
'Can't Hold Me Down' is an out and out pop-rocker that's just about as instant as it gets, maybe a bit Mike And The Mechanics/Paul Carrack in its way but with that certain timelessness and retro soft-rock fire that always seems to do well. Montague blasts his way effortlessly through the song which is, in itself, some feat cuz the backdrop is absolutely massive but the main man cuts through the 'orchestration' with room to spare. 'Haunted' is a just about as far from its bigger 'brother' as it can get; a ballad that has Montague crying out with impassioned tones that are sensitively caressed by some great empathetic 'strings'. 'Haunted' shows that Montague isn't simply a pop-rocker and that he has both feeling and controlled power that he can hold back on if necessary but, given the chance, he can cut loose with. So, Ben Montague has contrived to cover two far-reaching bases with this well put together EP. Perhaps another couple of tracks would make the EP a little more enticing and further show the guy's talent but hey, tracks is time and time is money and there's a recession... blah, blah. But seriously, I really think Montague's come up short here, two more songs, not just to offer better value for money but, more importantly, to sell himself and get that big voice out there for all to hear.
'Can't Hold Me Down' by Ben Montague is a workmanlike EP that should get plenty of radio air-time. For me, perhaps a little too staid and unadventurous but very well handled none-the-less. 'Can't Hold Me Down' by Ben Montague says masses about this talented power-house young man; I see this being just the foundations onto which Ben Montague will build and grow. Great work but maybe just a little bit too 'middle of the rockin' road'! One for the ladies methinks!!
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