Eyelash 'Album Sessions 1'
Reviewed by Steve Norman
For several years I’ve been waiting for an excuse to share with the world what I’ve been told that Eyelash’s guitarist, Ru, was doing in the back of a coach leaving my wedding at Woburn Abbey…
I’ve also wanted to publicly complain about one of the band fixing a promo sticker in the gents’ toilet at Bedford’s Esquires venue; you see, it’s right in your six-feet one eye line when you’re standing at the urinals, and the sight of the aforementioned Ru’s mascara-caked, deviant stare at such a time really does nothing to put you at ease…
So, when I was given the opportunity to review the new Eyelash CD, I jumped at the chance! However, in the interest of fairness (to the rest of the band), I’ve decided to put these titbits to one side for a few minutes at least while I address something else that came to me as soon as the copy of ‘album sessions 1’ by Eyelash - a band with a lot of links to my home town, as well as me personally - was thrust into my hand… How will a consistently well executed, and more importantly, highly energetic and visually appealing live show translate to CD?
The album kicks off with one of the band’s more distinctive live favourites ‘What is it you need?’ and the immediate impression is that none of the energy of their gigs is lost in what is a highly polished, well produced record. In fact, there’s almost too much energy there bursting to get out – like your best Friday night trousers that are a bit too tight now - and you’re left wondering whether the next twelve tracks are going to be a bit intense for the casual listening experience.
‘I was born the year punk died’ dispels this worry instantly though, with its raunchy, loose guitar licks and effortless drumming, reminding me of Ghostdance crossed with Crue with a bit of Rocky Horror thrown in. Which kind of neatly sums up the rest of the album, with a bit of something for almost everyone vaguely rock-minded to enjoy! Tracks like ‘put your faith in me’ and ‘overkill’ are really given the opportunity to shine here, with the production highlighting the skills of the band in subtle ways that a live show can’t.
It’s not all total rawk though, with ‘Poppy’s song (white trash)’ sounding like Skunk Anansie covering a ‘Banshees ballad (which means I like it, by the way), intelligently avoiding any cheesiness and providing a well-timed, thought-provoking low tempo break that works really well in the context of the album as a whole.
The CD closes with what for me is the standout track, ‘sleeping alone’, which gradually builds into what I can only describe as an anthem that Bruce Springsteen would be proud of! This song really captures the essence of Eyelash, as well as the rest of this album, in all their sleazy pomp - clever lyrics delivered by a voice that was just made for this; guitar and drums that, quite simply, sound like they’re being played by two very talented musicians that seem to have ‘found home’, and a layer of bass, backed by some well-placed electronics, that constantly lurks behind, always complimenting without overpowering.
If I had to make one criticism, it’s in some excessive use of dual female vocals. Don’t get me wrong, on the whole it’s incredibly effective and gives the band a real style of their own, but the words can become hard to distinguish from the pure strength of the vocals (if you get my meaning). Maybe I have an unconscious obsession with Abba or something, because really I’m just picking hairs.
Overall, this really sets out the stall for Eyelash, as well as any other bands that have been around for a similarly short space of time (or a lot longer, as the case may be)! It’s a lesson in musicianship, how to have a great time playing in a band, and most of all, is a pleasure to listen to. Top stuff guys!
As for Ru and the coach incident… I’ll save that one for the second album!