Room Service
Welcome my friends to my isolation, hunched over a laptop, absorbing what the Rock /Metal fraternity have to offer and today I have the new LP from my own Brummie heroes, Broken Witt Rebels. The title ‘Ok Hotel’ is a celebration, or commiseration if you will of the numerous dives/ dungeons/ places of residence that bands endure while out on tour. These lads have also been included on ‘Great Music Stories’, a concept built by Guy Bellamy who uses his profound and brain busting knowledge and experience in music to tell the story behind a band and what makes them tick. Head over to www.greatmusicstories.com for more information and enlightenment.
First up is ‘Running With The Wolves’ quite a modern rock sound, radio friendly and a video that is reminiscent of YMA6’s ‘Fresh Start Fever’, it is music for the masses, engaging and with the reach for the sky lyric ‘don’t let the green light go red’ you are under starters orders my friends to chase your dreams. Enter the bluesy, rootsy world of ‘Money’ with its ZZ Top feel and stance, so what’s your pleasure, honey? Life in a hovel is beautifully illustrated in ‘ Ok Hotel’ as the band roam around the world and lay their pretty little heads to rest in any establishment that will have them. Danny Core has a voice that coasts from light and airy to larynx erosion, he is the consummate vocalist. Drawing on personal experience, we grieve with them for the loss of a parent, to capture that vulnerability and create ‘Broken Pieces’ is no easy ask. The arrangements are varied from the usual verse- chorus-verse to the steady and smart ‘Save My Life’ that requires no distinction in the tempo. Like many bands they have given up everything and jumped into the proverbial lake of fire that is the music business, will you extend the hand of friendship and inclusion to these fellas? Maybe you will as they offer up a boozy, woozy, floozy in the jacuzzi love song next in ‘Love Drunk’ so fill up those empty goblets and let’s drink until dawn, wahey!
A song to commemorate my home- town completes this record. A Brummie born and bred I grab any opportunity to share my enthusiasm and ‘ Birmingham’ is no exception. A little potion for all those who remember home with some fondness and devotion. An exigency in the voice accelerates our heartbeat, and we succumb to the rhythmic drumming on our collective psyche.
This is a heady concoction of the blues, electric rock, and a whole lot of soul. Maybe they’ve got Southern Comfort running through their veins and maybe they have polished off too many fried chicken dinners, whatever the reason, this is wholesome, fulfilling food of the gods. Wading through Muddy Waters, they have sharpened their musical tenacity on the greats and are confident with the finished product which is a deep and enriching tapestry. Having the secured the monopoly on riffs this year it’s time to throw on your liquor stained dress and sway to the tunes that will save your life. Welcome home boys.
Azra Pathan
Broken Witt Rebels – OK Hotel out now via Snakefarm Records.