|
There are a number of ways that a relatively new band can get noticed. Selling
bucketloads of CD’s, shifting plenty of merchandise or touring until the
inside of a tour bus becomes home sweet home are the more conventional ways
of getting known, but there can’t be many better ways of turning heads than
blagging an exposure-guaranteed part in 'The Sopranos', as New Jersey natives,
No Soap Radio, have recently managed to do.
For most indie bands, convincing the general public to part with their hard
earned cash to buy CD’s and concert tickets is an achievement in itself,
but to have TV super-exec David Chase personally get in touch to ask if No
Soap Radio’s music could be featured in the brilliant HBO gangster show is
a fairly good sign that in Mob lingo, this quartet could very well be a 'made'
band.
The name is admittedly a bit of a mystery, but after one listen to the nine
tunes on No Soap Radio’s debut CD what becomes even more puzzling is how
they are not currently riding around NYC in a Limo toasting a major label
deal. Actually, the band briefly had a deal with the now defunct indie label
Open Door Records, but shortly after dissolving their agreement with the
label, their ultra-catchy song 'All About You' caught the ear of Mr Chase
and before the guys knew it, they were given a cameo part as a bar band in
Episode 4 of the most recent series of the Mob drama.
 It’s not hard to understand why ‘All About You’ has garnered such high profile
attention; an edgy, rocking and undeniably melodic punk/pop tune in the vein
of bands like Lit, it is the highlight from an excellent collection of tunes
that grab your attention quicker than Tony Soprano grabs Jackie Jnr. by the
throat.
Opener ‘Undone’ is a case in point with a razor sharp riff, commercially-minded
melodies and a solid production job that set No Soap Radio apart from a lot
of currently unsigned (and even some signed) bands. Vocalist Danny Roselle
has a real presence in his impressive voice, and it bursts into life on bouncy
second track 'Don’t Start' and the quite brilliant modern rock of 'Fade In'
which is as good a rock song as you’ll hear this year.
The curiously titled ‘Christina Ricci’ demonstrates No Soap Radio’s songwriting
skills still further with a really subtle hook in the chorus, as well as
showcasing the talents of guitarist Jimmy Farrell whose axe-work is superb
throughout. The pace quickens again on the throbbing pop/punk of ‘Happy’,
but yet again it’s clear that these songs wouldn’t sound out of place on
current rock radio so good are the melodies and musicianship.
The two closing tracks are further evidence that No Soap Radio are one of
the most exciting and talented new bands to surface in the past 12 months,
and show they have a tightness and unity gained from numerous slots supporting
the likes of the Clarks, Push Stars and the Tories.
‘Way Back Down’ in particular is another kick-ass tune with a real modern
sound, whilst ‘A Word Behind’ is probably the most restrained tune on the
record and has a definite Beatles influence in the mid section to add another
twist to No Soap Radio’s sound.
Even without their appearance on 'The Soprano’s', the songs, attitude and
all-round talent No Soap Radio display on this release proves the band have
what it takes to make the step up to massive success. So whatever you do,
don’t fuhgeddaboudit otherwise No Soap Radio will have no option but to send
Tony and the boys round to make sure you DO hear their music. With such friends
in high places, you have been warned...
(Ed Note: Andrew will be whacked, er I mean, punished for all those mob puns.)
Band Website | Contact Band | Give Us Feedback on Review
|
