Play 90 second soundbite of 'Mona' @ 'CD quality'
For the older amongst you readers - it took me a while to remember what or who Captive State reminded me of - eventually I got there though - The Moody Blues; that same gentle, very fluid style; melodic and harmonious yet somehow bordering on soft-rock and with one eye firmly on commercialism. Those who don't know what the hell I'm going on about, suffice to say that Captive State are doing something very very special here!
Captive State is an eight-piece ensemble from London; their Myspace blurb suggests what they do is 'Alternative / Electronica / Acoustic' and I suppose that's loosely what this is all about. But, even that wide-ranging description fails to hit the mark; Captive State produce a sound that's rare nowadays; their is an almost understated kind of alternative soft-rock; pop with a lot of finesse and a little well proportioned attitude. Not bad attitude I hasten to add; oh no Captive State's attitude is artistic attitude, compositional diversity, musical reconstruction. And hey, it's bloody good!
'Elmore Grove' came as a bit of a surprise; I wasn't expecting what I got but what I got I thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy. 'Elmore Grove' is in a space and time all of its own - 'Elmore Grove' takes modern music to a place that's nicely different - not exactly experimental but certainly well removed from the indie norm! Captive State blend elements from several genre to make their brave and exciting sound. Captive State bring in instruments not normally associated with modern 'pop' culture and make them work and feel just right somehow. Captive State's 'Elmore Grove' is a twenty minute worth of pure pleasure, time well spent, educational time, rewarding time. What Captive State do here is very nearly re-write the rule book - this is one stunning EP; just four tracks - 'Mona', 'China White Doll', Weatherman' and 'Lost' but four quite exceptional pieces of modern music that ought to challenge most people's understanding of what makes today's music scene so exciting and refreshing.
'Elmore Grove' by Captive State is pure genius - all too short methinks - can't wait to hear a full-blown album of work from this brilliant band. Special stuff this, special and very very smart!
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