Album launches must be one of the most stressful experiences a band can go
through. What with all the added pressure that goes on behind the
scenes, with the guest list, merch, and promotion, suddenly taking on
equal importance to the show itself. Far too often the gig suffers as a
result. The bands who crumble under this pressure are usually not that
good to begin with. The good bands step up and push themselves to the
limit. The Quicksand Band delivered their personal best.
Support act Fear of Folk, delivered a fine set of
mid tempo acoustic rock numbers, think Travis at their best, with added
pedal steel and you wont go wrong. Several of their songs were of an
extremely high standard. Which indicates that they are well ahead of the
curve, for a relatively new band on the scene.
It was standing room only as The Quicksand Band, cemented their live
reputation in front of a buoyant crowd, at the launch of their debut
album Approaching Rain, upstairs in Whelans. Hailing
from Tallaght, this alt country rock quartet, follow in the dusty
footsteps of Neil Young, Tom Petty, and Wilco. Delivering a range of
material from breezy, feel-good, 60′s folk tinged Cali-pop, to brooding
grungy premonitions of death.
Lead singer Justin Corr, has a powerful emotive voice capable of belting out big luscious notes with ease. The Quicksand Band, are very much a vocal-harmony group and the interplay between Corr and lead guitarist Phil Clarke, is at times exquisite. Clarke’s
guitar riffs in the main, are classic meaty country-style riffs. But he
is not afraid to delve into Harrison-esque blues territory, on songs
such as “Beaming Out”. While his solos have an alt rock guitar hero feel to them. The rhythm section of Shay “sex-face” Cosgrave (drums) and Bonezz (bass) is accomplished.
The murky, Neil Young style “Stars Appear” is an early highlight, built on a crunchy swamp riff. Forthcoming single “Learning”
is a breezy radio friendly jaunt, set somewhere between early Fleetwood
Mac and Nilsson, which extends into a long expansive guitar solo.
Expect to hear this track on the radio next summer. Clarke, takes lead vocals on several songs “Bury My Bones”
sees him deliver his finest vocal of the evening. This song, must
certainly be in the mix for single status. Having a distinctive sound,
with an old west gold-rush feel to it.
The album’s title track “Approaching Rain” is another highlight. It showcases Corr’s gentler side on another radio friendly number. Midway through the track Clarke enters with a highly hummable melody line, which sets the song up for a lighter in-the-air extended finale. Songs such as “All The Love” and “Time” further showcase the bands diverse sound. A cover of Van Morrison’s “Warm Love” caps of an excellent performance.
Approaching Rain, is available from Tower Records and Bandcamp now. With an itunes release to follow shortly.
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