Spring Reviews of Radiocity
Reserved undertones but good rock tunes? Check. Sounding like more members than there probably are? Check. Big atmosphere from a simple band combo? Check. Songs to back it up? Check and mate. Sharp Practise are a classic rock band but not an over the top screaming yelling rock n' roll monster, this is the sound of a band who like to keep things quiet and wouldn't say no to an acoustic set, but not tonight: tonight they wanna rock. And rock they do. Songs like "Bridge Across The Harbour" have occasional guitar licks to make you smile and lift the soul, while "Morgan's Creek" is slower, softer but not necessarily sombre, unlike moody closer "How Do You Take It?" and "How Katie Feels". The titles say it all, but you need to hear them in person to appreciate the band's style. "Bed Of Rhythm" is catchy with backing vocals and a sneering guitar sound, and could be the anthem of the summer radio.
The Dukester
The songs are very melodic, with strong catchy choruses and impressive vocalwork as well as some high quality guitarwork, so all together this is a highly recommended to anyone who wants to hear how Rock used to sound before Grunge destroyed all that was good Rockmusic. Anyway, it is a good thing to see new UK bands popping up making good decent original Rockmusic. The band also reminds me very much of JADIS, especially on a song like “No thanks”. One of the best songs is definitely the catchy uptempo melodic rocker “Choice not freedom” which should be an instant hit here in Europe! No fillers included here, just a great original Classic Rock record.
Strutter Magazine, Holland
"Loaded with fresh pop hooks and good vibes, England’s Sharp Practise may be the re-introduction to Brit-pop that America needs."
Derek Blackmon, indie-music.com
"Radiocity" showcases a tight and focussed band with an unfailing ear for classic radio-friendly tunes. "Radiocity" features ten extremely well-crafted tracks written by vocalist/ keyboardist Nigel Clothier and his cohorts get into all the required crevices as they fill the sound out impressively. Opener "Bridge Across The Harbour" gives you some idea of the area Sharp Practise are working in. It's emotional, well-played music for adults that brilliantly never lapses into AOR territory. It's driven by yearning, commanding vocals and some slashing guitar work and builds meticulously to a memorable chorus. As the album continues, Sharp Practise prove themselves to be adept at loud'n'hooky rockers ("Bed Of Rhythm"), brash and moving anthems ("How Katie Feels", the showstopping, windswept closing "How Do You Take It") and plaintive guitar pop, like on "No Thanks" - which with its' acerbic lyrical stabs (e.g: "I've been in tighter spots than this/ falling out with you is a lifetime study") - is the kind of thing Neil Finn has made his trademark over the years. It's all generous on the ear, and overall "Radiocity" stands as a very strong album, though if push came to shove, your reviewer would probably choose "Family Of Nations" and "Paint My Dreams" as the stand-out tracks. The former marries an excellent lyrical call for understanding with dramatic Who-style powerchords that come full circle. It's neat, powerful gear, as is "Paint My Dreams", which - with its' funky wah-wah and furious discoid drumming - recalls INXS before they got bloated. Urgent, in a word. Sharp Practise are a talented band, more than worth keeping an eye on.
Whisperinandhollerin’
.Well worth a listen - an example of where the quality speaks more than the label.
Reviewed4u.com
From the big chorus sing-along of upbeat opener ‘Bridge Across The Harbour,’ with lines like “I get the feeling I am real again / And I belong to everyone,” to more bittersweet tunes such as ‘No Thanks’ (with the outstandingly sardonic: “Liar, liar, pants on fire / Why don’t you look up ‘commitment’?”), this is a mostly feel-good record.
The raunchy funk-rock of ‘Bed of Rhythm,’ with its solid riffing and tight rhythm section, could very well be the North-West’s answer to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, though fronted by spectre of Michael Hutchence, and with some female backing thrown in for good measure. You can see just why this band go down well in Australia. A distinctly Aussie flavour permeates much of ‘Radiocity,’ recalling not only INXS, but Crowded House and even current stalwarts Powderfinger as well. Clearly, this is a band that, like our antipodean pop-rocking cousins, isn’t afraid of the three M’s: Musicianship, Mateship and Mellifluousness. There’s a strong sense of universality and relatability on here which draws you in.
Glasswerk
Radiocity is their ten-track epic of travel on various levels. Sharp Practise's lyrics are filled with imagery and their production is crisp and clean. Sharp Practise's music is focused and the band is well rehearsed to take the UK and the world by storm!
Laura Turner, Kweevak.com
As a fervent metal fan, it often surprises people that I have a soft spot for bands such as the Chili Peppers and even Counting Crows. I make this comment because the easiest way of describing “Radiocity” is simply as somewhere between the outputs of those two bands. “No Thanks” has a heavy CCs sheen to it, with the vocals in particular reminiscing of Adam Duritz, whilst other tracks on the album have a much more mainstream rock feel. Special mention must go to album closer “How Do You Take It” which manages to successfully marry both styles and end the album on a beautiful note. If you like melodic soft rock then this will be an album you shouldn’t ignore.
Rock Something
“Saw Sharp Practise on their recent tour and was very impressed. Great album that doesn't let you stand still. More please.”
Ian Hollis
