Play 90 second soundbite of 'No Thanks' @ 'CD quality'
Australian four piece Sharp Practise do the classic rock thing with great finesse and balanced aggression of the most subtle variety. Now, that Sharp Practise aggression is not yer usual howlin', wailin', ferocious kinda aggression - Sharp Practise rock through delicacy of touch, unity and controlled attack. I was actually reminded of the great, precise work that Toto came out with in the 70's; smooth, delicate rock, somewhat balladic but strangely raunchy. With beautifully crafted and superbly structured songs Sharp Practise come across more like the clever, Finn Brothers, Split Enz kinda rockin' outfit; mixin' it up but keepin' it real and homely. And the antipodean comparisons will continue to be made I'm sure; the lively side of INXS and possibly the slightly off-the-wall side of Midnight Oil could just as easily be brought into the equation. Starting to get the idea? Sharp Practise have the same infectious way about them as those aforementioned but Sharp Practise aren't like any of them in particular - they are simply Sharp Practise, pure and simple.
'Radiocity' is very easy to get into and enjoy but at the same time there's an awful lot to listen to; as you let yourself dissolve into their world you constantly find new things that seem to slip gently out of the mix, things you didn't notice, things that make you stop and listen harder. Sharp Practise throw in a few surprises as they chug effortlessly along - the occasional introduction of sensual horns, a sprinkling of classy female backing voices, unexpected tempo changes, bold arrangements and lots more. Without knowing anything about this outfit it quickly becomes obvious that Sharp Practise are not a bunch of youngsters - their whole essence is one of well practiced, experienced musicianship and worldly-wise writing. These guys have been around the block a bit and it shows!
Sharp Practise are a cool and inspiring outfit. They are doing the whole rock thing just as they see and feel it. These guys aren't just following trends, they're setting their varied stall out and saying 'hey, we're Sharp Practise, come inside, sit down, relax and enjoy what we do'. Well, I'm really enjoying 'Radiocity' - to some it might seem a soft option but at the end of the day it's hard to fault and easy to comprehend and enjoy. 'Radiocity' by Sharp Practice is an excellent voyage through the world of expressive soft-rock - cool but exciting, relaxing yet foot-tappingly compelling. Nice, very nice!
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