Toxic Pete Review

The Freeze confess, in their rather impressive looking and individually styled press pack, that, as a band, they are still in their infancy. Well, there's evidence here that they're actually pretty much together already and there's just a few minor 'issues' that may need sorting. The Freeze-ers bring individual influences to the musical table and this three track demo shows the diversity that those varied influences have brought about; they profess to be an 'indie/pop/rock' outfit and from what's on offer here I hear mainly 'indie/pop' - some pretty decent, thoughtfully composed, maybe just bordering on 'light-rock', songs and stylish and pretty nifty instrumentation that seems to build around some great 'twangin' bass lines bulked out by sympathetic keyboards, scissor-sharp guitars and solid percussion. So far, so good then!! The Freeze have put together a very workmanlike demo here. I'm not totally sold on the finished mix/production but in the main it all works more than adequately. As a demo it should prove to be a pretty good investment coz as an introduction to the band it's got some tantalising qualities; as I listen, The Freeze are winning me over even if they're not totally blowin' me away. Some of the short-comings of this demo seem to me to lie in the mix/production area and that can be quite easily remedied. And, if I'm gonna be critical which I think is the reason The Freeze sent me this work, I'd have to say that some of the vocals sound a bit 'down-sized'; it's as if the vocalist can't quite let go of his inhibitions or doesn't believe, wholeheartedly, in his abilities. What this demo lacks is some 'mighty oomph' - some of that can come from 'engineering' but some also needs to come from 'the voice'! The Freeze impressed me with this demo - there's a very small margin between getting it right and just missing - The Freeze should try to address that miniscule margin and I'm sure they'll then benefit from any soul-searching and effort they choose to put in. The Freeze show they've got the talent - now I think they've just gotta believe in themselves and 'let go' a bit.

Overplay.com

Bridging the gaps between twangy modern folk, hearty Britpop and pristine ‘80s sparkle like a ten-legged pair of comfy cords, Livingston quintet The Levings are all about putting a new spin on classic styles. This is an ep of clever songs, smartly played. An ep of quiet moments, massive choruses and lots of lovely piano bits. The first of which is the juggernaut riff that powers "Fundamental." Like Phil Spector on a budget, everything's pumped up to 11 on a swaggering groove that has all the showy attitude of classic Ocean Colour Scene or "Just When You're Thinking Things Over" era Charlatans. Frontman Colin Baxter's vocal feels understated amid this steamroller of noise, but it makes things all the more personal as we pan out into big wide power chords. Strident and stirring, this is a tune that slaps you in the face like a bleach and cappuccino cocktail. "Daylight Breaking" shows a far more sensitive side as acoustic jangles and shuffling drums evoke the blokey sensitivity of Wonderwall. Although, overall the delicate melody and sparing instrumentation have the clean, elegant feel of ‘80s brainiacs like Tears For Fears or Talk Talk. Closing number "Quiet Town" is just as simple, but it has the rough-hewn emotions of more up-to-date acts such as King Creosote or Elbow. It's a piano-led ballad that does a nice line in moodiness and shows that there's more to The Levings than big noises and epic choruses. They do large and loud well, but they're just as interesting at this more subtle level. Life, as they say, is like a box of chocolates and The Levings certainly know how to serve up a soft-centred caramel alongside a chunky nut cluster. Overplay.com