The Silence When You Walk Into the Room (Holes In The Wall - Electric Soft Parade)

Member Name: Padds2

Product:	Holes In The Wall - Electric Soft Parade
Date:	13/01/04 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice to hear something slightly different, some really outstanding tracks and good promise from the band

Disadvantages: Few tracks lack the overall quality, room for improvements, need to deliver a really good album now

Two brothers from Brighton decide to make their own music. That is simple how the Electric Soft Parade came about; long hours in the studio and at home playing with special effects and guitars, plus a strong live reputation led to this their debut album Holes in the Wall, eventually nominated for the Mercury Music prize. Not a bad effort all considered.

Both the White brothers were teenagers at the time of this albums release. At just 17, (Tom) and 19 (Alex) their young years hardly seemed to matters as they made an impressive debut onto the musical scene. In fact their ages perhaps give them a fearless approach, and the band are clearly not afraid to be a little different on the album. The band comprises of just the two of them, each doing a fair share of the vocals, guitars, synthesizers, bass, piano and drums. Although the album contains many tracks that are simply rock and roll numbers that fit in well with the current indie scene, the band do have a refreshing feel to them. There is something about them, nice to see this sort of music being made and especially getting some interest. It is certainly an impressive debut by the band, and one to look out for.

1. Start Again
The album thunders in with some style as a crunching guitar line announces the start of it all. It is an impressive and clearly distinctive intro with a strong guitar riff, going on for over a minute with some effects, before the vocals enter. The vocals have a slightly electrical distorted effect, something done across the whole album. A nice track to begin with, easier to get into and catchy parts throughout the song.

2. Empty at the End
The song is really controlled by a great little drum cycle pounding throughout the whole track. The chorus sees a stronger guitar led part, while every so often in the verses there are little effects playing about. Moves along at a great pace, pulling you along with it. One of the best tracks of the album, and possibly one
of the most well know.

3.There?s A Silence
Another fine track in the opening three, it starts out with a softer beginning, and finally emerges into a real rock number. When the chorus really kicks in, it is a really emphatic moment, full of energy. Like many of the tracks the song is nicely layered with the drums, guitars and general additions from the synthesizers, complementing a slick production.

4. Something?s Got to Give
A more relaxed pace with an acoustic guitar leading the intro, but contains a slightly darker bass line and guitars creeping in. The guitars are done very nicely in actual fact, keeping the overall tone of the song and moving into a few solos and riffs. It is clearly different from the other rock tracks out and about, with all the noise and effects they are able to create in the background.

5. It?s Wasting Me Away
This track is another more relaxed track, with a very laid back approach and wandering sound. Acoustic guitars are used more than the electric variety, and less overall noise. The vocals work really well fitting in with the sound of the song, and it is a nice easy listening track.

6. Silent to the Dark
Caught between a quick rock song and a smooth acoustic song, this track manages to do both. With the chorus it comes to life within the song with the whole guitar thing, but it also has the quieter moments. The song continues for some time after you think it is about to finish, and finally leads out at the nine-minute mark. A brave attempt to put this length of track halfway through your debut album, and it is a great track.

7. Sleep Alone
A super drum intro, this song is kept reasonably simple overall. The vocals work well with each overlapping, and the song is lead by an acoustic guitar. Nice little lyrical touches here and there on the song, as a whole the album is solid in this respect. Every so often a line does catch you for being good, out of the ordinary.

>8. This Given Line
A few careful piano lines lead into an uplifting general riff. The track seem to sum up the general feel of the album. It is a nice upbeat number with a tune that can carry you away. The guitars lead the song, with the classical distortions played on the vocals and instruments that give the good sound. Nice song, giving the album a good pick up.

9. Why do you Try so Hard to Hate Me
Pulls off the usual teen dissatisfaction track, as a few of the others with some style. Manages to keep the tune alive with poppy guitars and some depth to the track. Like a few other tracks the underlying beat to the song is the drumming, which really does lead the whole number here. Another fine track doing more than padding up the tail end of the album, very good.

10. Holes in the Wall
A much softer introduction to the song with a slower pace to the whole track. Takes a bit of time to really get into the swing of it, but it is a nice enough track. More emotional, behind the vocals and music it is a good listen. A change to some of the sounds of surrounding tracks, but a good quality track.

11. Biting the Soles of my Feet
One of the best tracks on the album overall with the penultimate track here. Like Silent to the Dark not afraid to put in a long song to keep the attention, here it is six and a half minutes. It is another track where the quality of the song writing really comes out. It has shades of the upbeat moments, while having a nice catchy chorus and easy to approach tune. Generally just a really good track to get into, good work.

12. Red Balloon for Me
The album is finished off with a slower number but still a feel good song. The vocals create the track as there is really little else to it, though the song is made in layers like a few others here. Has a nice mixture of piano and guitars throughout the song, as well as a good guitar solo, although a slightly strong ending with the distortion. A few good
names for songs on the album, the title here rounds it off nicely.

Overall this is an album worth investigating. If you have not heard of the band Electric Soft Parade this would be the best place to start from after a slightly disappointing second album from the pair. This is a really fine debut effort, showing the bands potential with a range of songs. More importantly the music here is really good, with some outstanding tracks.

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