oceansize

Crud World Domination Enterprises give you

Oceansize / Amplifier / Martin Grech

@ Cardiff Barfly

19/08/05

Reviewed by Guy Salvador

A packed Friday night Barfly greeted us tonight with surprisingly, Martin Grech, already on stage. Tonight he is doing his solo acoustic set which is, in my opinion the best way to see Mr Grech. I reviewed him a few month’s ago with his full band & felt that he didn’t really fit in with the predictable rock format that he was operating in, even though he has an excellent band it just doesn’t allow his full talent to come through. With the solo acoustic slots he really does get an opportunity to use his sometimes amazing voice. By the reaction of tonight’s crowd they agreed as well, he went down very, very, well. Used as an instrument as much as a vocal his voice compliments the acoustic guitar perfectly. Also, visually it works with his shock of black hair invariably hiding his face, there is a shyness & humbleness to Martin Grech that is a contrast to the sound he is capable of making more classical than rock & inevitably, a slow burning genius awaiting his finest hour, there is maybe only one comparison, that being Jeff Buckley, watch with intrigue…..

Second up tonight were Manchester’s Amplifier. This is definitely rock with a capital R but, as a pleasant surprise it is more old style Brit rock than the new detuned racket that is too often churned out nowadays. Even with the sometimes atrocious sound problems they had tonight, they still managed to deliver a good set. There were hints of Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Who & Pink Floyd at their noisiest & also US bands like Nirvana & Metallica. Some great guitar work from Sel Balamir & a good rhythm section dished out by Matt Brobin & Neil Mahony. They have a self titled album out on “Music for Nations”, which if you are of a “rock” inclination I’m sure it would be worth a listen! Headliners tonight were again, Manchester’s, Oceansize who come with major plaudits from the music press & are obviously popular, hence the sold out show at the Barfly tonight, that must be at least 35 people! Unfortunately I struggle to see the appeal…… They are heralded as the bastions of the new progressive rock. Yes, there is some good stuff but in comparison to the likes of “My codename is Milo” they don’t for me, really cut the mustard. Also thought that some of the songs seemed incredibly long. In fairness to the band maybe there are subtleties to the sound that we could just not hear @ the Barfly & their audience obviously loved them. Maybe there’s something I am missing but, left me a bit flat & disappointed, Martin Grech & Amplifier were good though!

All the best

Guy Salvador

E mail: GuySalvador@southerndownrecords.co.uk

www.southerndownrecords.co.uk

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