When lead vocalist, Jeremy de Tolly, was interviewed by Muse Magazine he intimated that fans would be in for a surprise when Lost In the Fall dropped. He wasn’t lying. As a first test I played this, their 3rd album, to several knowledgeable SA music fans to a) see their reaction but b) – and of more interest to me – to see if they recognised who the artist is. Nobody could guess upfront – it took a few listens to various tracks for the bewildered sort of half guess-not-too-sure suggestion of “is this the new Skirts album?” So what does it sound like? Heavier! From the opening chords of Rebellion the statement of intent is one of a heavier, more complex sound. Let’s face it; the Skirts were our very own Indie poster boys for a while. Unfortunately all the influences they seemed to draw on when they burst onto the scene were already going out of vogue, so what to do? Go back to the drawing board and re-create your sound? A bold step for any band but one that sees them come out of it with something far meatier, far more layered and meaningful – a sound they can now call their own although distinctive influences (Radiohead specifically) do shine through from time to time. Witness We’re All Gonna Die, a kind of Guns and Roses’ish type vocal delivery or You Are The Machine a detuned ode to how our minds are controlled. But it’s not all on the heavy side; there’s still a hint of familiarity on tracks like Evil Comes – a clear contender for a radio single with its upbeat happy chords and strong radio-friendly hook – but even here de Tolly manages to add a really interesting twist to his delivery on the chorus. Lost In The Fall is better than anything the band has done before, in my opinion, and I think other SA music critics may agree. Now let’s hope the fans like their new sound!
REVIEW: Dave Mac
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