This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
1. Can’t You Hear It Call
2. Devil’s Got A Holda Me
3. Save Yourself
4. Silver Meadows
5. Our Children Were The Stars
6. Black Summer
7. Just A Taste
8. You’re A Treasure
9. Kill The Lights
10. Salt The Earth
11. Bearded Lady
12. Dirge To Earth & Sky
The first time I heard of The Colour was when their cd landed in my lap for review. It gave the ole saying “good things come in small packages” quite a literal definition. The band (Wyatt Hull on vocals, Davey Quon on guitar, Derek Van Heule on bass and Nathan Warkentin on drums) met when they were art students in Los Angeles, CA. Having different tastes and music styles, it all came together to create the band that they are today.
The disc “Between Earth And Sky” was produced by Jacquire King who’s worked with the likes of Tom Waits and Modest Mouse. The overall vibe of the cd is warm and inviting while giving you a sense of being transported back to the seventies, almost as if you’re hanging out with friends you’ve known forever who are playing for you in the background, a sense of ease if you will. Raw, pure music that is not compromised by modern technology.
Once you start to break down the disc on a closer look, the lyrics are a bit heavier than that and Wyatt Hull’s vocals ooze of sexy soulful vibes. Of my favorites are Our Children Were The Stars, Silver Meadows and Devil’s Got A Holda Me. Hull’s vocals in Silver Meadows are haunting and cut right through and I’ve never believed anyone more when they said “You must numb the pain”. The song is beautiful and as visceral as it can get.
According to the band “the songs are lyrically filled with a dark satire on the human condition, touching on the follies of religion, a futile search of satisfaction, a generational yearning for a return to nature, an apparent yet unseen spiritual tension between soul and felsh, an experiemental journey through mystical eyes touching on teh deepest depravity of humanity” Something tells me sitting down for a conversation with these guys could be life altering!
Reminiscent of so many sounds and stylings, it’s hard to compare them to any one band or artist specifically. Influences of seventies rock bands and bluesy soul shakers come to mind. I think they really bridge the gap between young and old by sticking to a non-formulaic approach to song-writing. In essence they can’t be labeled as a one trick pony but at the same time they are just being who they are. They really put it all out there and its up to music fans to take it - all or nothing, and I for one, find that refreshing.
Reviewed by: Mary Ouellette | February 2007
