Play 90 second soundbite of 'It's All Good' @ 'CD quality'
They give themselves the tag of 'alt/pop rockers' and describe this new EP as 'a four song tale of porn, evil women and heavy metal'. And who am I to argue? This is a punchy work that cries quality. It's well put together, the playing's tight, the songs are varied and have a commercial appeal.
Opening with the title track with it's impassioned vocals over incessant drums and twangy bass nicely woven together by simple but effective guitar work, Instant Species instantly sound good. There's some great supporting harmonies bolstering the catchy chorus and the thing just drives along at a nifty pace. 'Andrea' continues in the catchy mould; a simple repetitive guitar loops in and out of the verse as the rhythm section holds everything down with a solid performance. 'I've Got A Lot Of Rock' follows and there's more of the same; a rockin', raunchy and infectious chorus', hand clappin' aplenty which results in a bit of an anthem feel. 'It's All Good' is a belter. Evidently a live favourite and you can see why. There's more great riffs and another chorus to store in the memory banks here.
This EP then, my first encounter with Instant Species, has left me with some interesting things running around my head. For me it's on the 'poppier' side of the alt/pop genre because of its softer feel and its generous helpings of the sing-along chorus'. It's not really my bag but it shouldn't have to be. Perhaps it's just a little too twee sounding at times for me, not contrived just poppy. But, having said that it's an fine example of its genre. It's certainly got many commercial aspects which is probably where it looses me a little. Nowt wrong with commercial though! That's where the big, quick money may be waiting. Certainly, Instant Species are an talented crew; I can't fault their musicianship or there performance here. I can easily imagine them rockin' things up big style with their live work - it's got that 'must be great live' feel to it. I certainly wouldn't object to hearing more of this fine sounding unit
Instant Species are Rick Garnett - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica and percussion, Bob Spencer - lead guitar, backing vocals, trumpet and keyboards, Stu Criddle - bass, keyboards and backing vocals and Alan Booth - drums, percussion and backing vocals.
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