Born in the Autumn of 2003, Edinburgh-based GRAYSTAR are a five-piece outfit who, at the moment, are creating some of the most atmospheric and intelligent music to come out of the capital in a long time.
Liverpudlian Dominic James, after writing an album's worth of material, took up residence in Auld Reekie and began to recruit like-minded musicians to complete his vision. In a similar vein to Glaswegian band Unkle Bob, or the Brighton-based duo Lucky Jim, Graystar reek with country/pop sensibility. And proudly so.
This year has seen the band's ambitious project of self-releasing a new track, via their website, every month become a great success, while the band's two previous singles, 'Life Support' and ' Satellite', have seen much of the local music press sit up and take plenty of notice. 'Cry No More' can only enhance that growing reputation. All the songs listed here are available for download at the band's website.
The new single, the lovely acoustic ballad 'Cry No More', combines Spanish guitar, a deep resonate bassline and a smooth vocal, with the track beautifully underpinned by Tim Dyer's subtle piano playing. Undoubtedly, this third single sees Graystar produce their best work to date. The second track here, though, is an unneccesary live version of the same track.
|
Vocally, James has a hint of Tim Burgess about him, but, thankfully, unlike the Charlatan's main man, it seems he can also produce in a live setting. And with more singles due, and an album promised for the end of the year, this should be just the beginning of a very special twelve months for Graystar.
(www.graystarmusic.com)
|
