So, Taunton’s finest are back with album number three – following on from the sensational I Don’t Belong Anywhere comes Blame The Young. Usually, album number three sees bands go down the experimental route – not this quartet, they stick largely to the template that has served them so well these last few years.
The album opens with the title track, exploding into life with Kiran’s (lead vocals/guitar) vocal onslaught. He appears to want to stay constant in that single octave, veering only slightly. It’s an effervescent number with subtle drum tapping throughout. An appreciation of growing up/growing old maybe whilst retaining those searing guitar lines they have made their own. From the middle the song just seems to grow and grow, layer upon layer. Kiran’s vocal then becomes strained towards the latter part which only emphasises the passion in his delivery, setting out their stall early doors.
“Demons” takes proceedings up a notch before Kiran’s vocal tones once more make themselves known. One assumes the lyrics are from a personal perspective – ‘Lay all your Demons down on Me’, enough said! Chris’s (drums/backing vocals) thunderous hitting and Daniel’s (guitar) crashing chords hold the beat as one can imagine this being their new anthemic live favourite.
“Nothing Makes Me Feel (The Way You Do)” remains in a similar vein, like a love song or an ode to a lover. Brutally honest lyrically, one can imagine a significant other reading this in letter form. Gentle drum tapping sits behind layered guitars as they grow and grow. Latterly it finds the subject echoing their pain from within while the song comes to a sharp, abrupt conclusion.
“Wallflower” is steeped in 80’s Shoegaze as the keys and guitars gently weave in and out at intervals. The vocals are softer and more melodic and at a risk of upsetting the die-hards, Kiran’s vocal reminds me of Bono! The song itself is wonderfully mesmerising and I find myself listening to it on repeat.
“Don’t Care” with its shimmering intro broods into life from the outset. Alex’s (bass) throbs are prevalent throughout. This is classic Drift at their heaviest and will no doubt invite frenzied mosh activity in the live arena. Haunting, bellowing vocals fight for recognition against pulsating guitar chords and a heavy drumbeat in the chorus(es). And just when you think you’re in the moment, it ends sharply at a paltry two and a half minutes, leaving one just begging for more!
“Everybody Breaks” may just be the new outro song. Not quite spoken word, but softer and easier on the ear. It takes the tempo down although briefly rises during the chorus. The line “never gonna get it right” is (IMO) a tad repetitive, while the song takes on a whole new persona with the gravelly vocal slant towards the end and the violent scraping violin strokes, which remind me of “Infernal Love” -era Therapy?
“Borderline” – loud drums precede an echoey vocal which remains constant throughout. Kiran layers his vocal within the song while the chiming chords in the bridge are simply wonderful and become the star turn right up to its conclusion. Lyrically I’m guessing personal again, but that doesn’t detract from this great offering.
“Tyrannosaurus Wreck” was a recent single with an accompanying, entertaining video that keeps one guessing right up to the end. This is classic Drift at their very best – pounding drums, chiming guitar, a flabby bass and anthemic vocals delivered with power and passion, while retaining a sense of humour! Latterly Kiran’s vocals boom with intensity while those chiming chords elevate the song to a new orbit, with accompanying sampling that is more akin to a film score!
“Hollow” takes us right back down but those chimes remain. Kiran’s story-telling vocal gently builds then explodes into life. Layered scratchy guitars breeze in and out, allied to a subtle drumbeat. Mid-song the vocal becomes almost spoken word, only to erupt once more and keep us all guessing? The basslines are subtle, creating dark atmospheric soundscapes where they are joined by squally guitars. That bass then chimes to a dark conclusion.
A truly infectious drumbeat opens “Heal” – think Depeche Mode in their most Industrial phase. That clickety beat is ever present throughout while Kiran’s dulcet tones just hover above. Another observational tale methinks, it once again has the OD trademark of putting one in the mood before severely elevating into one of those raucous bangers you want to hear over and over again. The power literally just continues to rise right until the end where it just dissolves.
Album closer “Not Running Anymore” once more uses violin to literally set the eerie tone, before the song expands into positivity. Dual vocals give it that oomph mid song, but again those loud, searing soundscapes come to the fore leaving the listener literally floating.
So, the once feared “difficult third album”? No such worries with this Somerset quartet who stick to the formula while still managing to push the envelope somewhat. While most Indie/Rock hopefuls are still trying to be the next Joy Division, October Drift continue to plough their own furrow – taking snippets from the past but making them very much their own.
I have long championed this band for climbing to another level, however everything is in place as they continue to carve their own niche and build their following. Recent stadium-sized supports with “Archive” will have done them no harm, making them ring-ready for when their trajectory rises. Rome wasn’t built in a day and I feel October Drift may just be here for the long-haul.
Track Listing
Blame The Young
Demons
Nothing Makes Me Feel
Wallflower
Don’t Care
Everybody Breaks
Borderline
Tyrannosaurus Wreck
Hollow
Heal
Not Running Anymore
Band Members
Kiran Roy (Vocals/Guitar)
Chris Holmes (Drums/Backing Vocals)
Alex Bipsham (Bass)
Daniel Young (Guitar)
Links
https://www.octoberdrift.com
https://www.facebook.com/octoberdrift
Review by Ross A. Ferrone.
