Exit Calm by Exit Calm, Album Review

Review by John West

If like me you have been waiting for a band to come along to help restore your faith in the true spirit of rock n roll then Barnsley’s Exit Calm have done exactly that with this, their self titled debut album . It is a swathing mass of psychedelic grooves and ambience delivered by this extremely talented quartet - from the anthemic opener “You got it wrong” to the final moments of the acoustic bliss of “Serenity” this album totally delivers on all fronts, there is no filler here .You will always hear about the contenders for album of the year from the music press, however without doubt this is THAT album for me and has been a permanent fixture on my biscuit player for the last few days - it really is that good. Personally they’re a recent discovery having been sign posted not from the regular music glossies but from “Guitarist” magazine (June 2010 edition) and from that I just had to check them out. So far it appears that they have yet to be picked up by the main mags as a feature, but I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before they wake up to them and be blown away by their music.

So who are they? Nicky Smith is the voice with just a hint of the Ashcroft, Tom Meehan, Bono esque delivery about him, then there is Rob Marshall on guitar, who shimmers his way to crescendo like epic proportions, and finally there is the powerful hypnotic rhythmic grooves of Simon Lindley and Scott Pemberton on bass and drums respectively holding it all together.

This is a powerful debut and a true tour de force on the ears allowing the listener to engage with their aural epic trance like musings as the band take you on a majestic symphonic journey with their very own special full on “wall of sound” handling the lyrical content of love, loss, despair and isolation. This band are the real deal, they’re certainly not twangy light weights who seem more concerned with style rather than substance which sadly reflects too many new bands at the moment. Exit Calm yield qualities of both honesty and integrity about their music yet at the same time they’re not afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves. If you think early Verve, the “Storm in heaven” and “A northern soul” period then you have it; but also there are echoes of the Cocteau Twins, particularly guitarist Robin Guthrie with also a nod to the Chameleons at times echoing the guitar sound of both Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies on “Reference” and “Atone”.

Guitarist Rob Marshall creates some wonderful musical landscapes with his vibrant soporific textures, echoing Nick McCabe (the Verve) who is a fan and friend of the band by the way, and if you admire him then you will lose yourself in Rob’s playing from full on reverb swampiness to almost feather light touches. He is certainly up there with McCabe and John Squire as a talented musician and if your bag is listening to guitarists as I do, then you’ll want more. The influences on the guitarist does not stop there as he cites Hendrix and John Martyn particularly Martyn’s use of echo delay as well as the looseness of the legendary late 50s early 60s wild man and pioneer of distorted guitar- Link Wray.

This record is pure quality throughout and if you admire the works of The ‘Roses, The Verve and Kasabian then you definitely need this adding to your collection. There are elements of light and shade which a certain Jimmy Page will often talk about when discussing the mighty Zeppelin - its all in there .Simply close your eyes, listen to the soulfulness and meaning of the music, embrace it and let them enter your “Hearts and minds” . If you purchase just one record this year make it this one, it is a remarkable recording and one you’ll keep returning to. Exit Calm have yielded a contender for album of the year here and I’m sure it will feature high on many lists come the annual roundup it is an impressive classic debut. They have utilised their influences to great effect creating a monumental musical landscape which is very much their own. This is 21^st century psychedelic groove rock for the people and comes highly recommended.

Exit Calm are currently on tour playing Wolverhampton Little Civic, Manchester Fac251, checkout the venues and the band’s MySpace for further details.

Listen

Exit Calm

Recommended Listening:

John Martyn – Solid Air

The Verve – A Northern Soul

Cocteau Twins – Garland

The Chameleons – Script of the Bridge

Kasabian – Kasabian

Link Wray – The King of the Wild Guitar