Flicking The Bean (Solstice Rise - Whitmore)

Member Name: rleigh

Product:	Solstice Rise - Whitmore
Date:	31/01/08 (108 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some decent tracks present on the album.

Disadvantages: A little inconsistent and nowhere near as good as the band were live.

I have to admit I had never really been a very big fan of Whitmore before listening to this album as in the past I had always found them pretty cheesy and wasn't at all impressed with the album before this one that the band released on Moon Ska. The album was called 'Smoke The Roach' and quite frankly it was awful. Having said this, I did find myself quite enjoying them a few years back at one of their gigs and they were sounding pretty fresh so I went into listening to this album trying to forget my previous judgements of the band. It wasn't easy to do given just how much I disliked their 'Smoke The Roach' album, but I did it and I'm glad that I did.

For the most part this is quite a good album with a lot of good tunes and a few I recognise from their live shows and the good points definitely outweigh the bad points. I have never really liked the bands drumming as to me it has always been quite sluggish and poor, but on this album it really seems to shine through and sounds amazing. He has definitely upped his game and is now drumming confidently and sounding sublime for it. This is definitely an area the band improved on compared with their earlier material for this release and they deserve huge credit for it as the first few times I saw them live I felt that the drumming was really letting the band down and making them sound worse than they really were. One of the tracks I feel has really come together well on this CD with drums, guitars, bass, and vocals all sounding perfect is 'Flicking The Bean.' This track has a bit of a Ska vibe and the band drive through it frantically making way for an awesome tune that would definitely get the pit moving and the Ska kids skanking. I like the feel of this tune and think that it is probably one of the greatest songs the band ever produced.

The track that kicks the CD off, 'Too Long Too Late' is another great tune. It has a superb vibe, and could easily have become a hit with its extreme bounce and exciting feel. It is an energetic opener for the CD and really gets you in the mood for more Whitmore. Again, the drumming on this track is awesome and the band really are sounding a lot better for their new found drumming ability. Whitmore probably couldn't have picked a better tune to kick start the CD as this Punk little number really hypes you up for more. Another one I feel has come out well is 'Fighting For Today.' This track really does sound excellent and it definitely feels like the band are putting their all into it. Whitmore really seemed to be enjoying their music in this album and their music was definitely given an injection of life and excitement.

Having split up in 2005, sadly you will be unable now to see the band live in concert and in truth it was there that the band would truly come alive. Whilst their albums never captured the energy and passion of their live performances, 'Solstice Rise' is the best thing you've got if you wish to check out the music of Whitmore now. It's a shame that the band had to split up when they did, but there's only so much you can take of playing your heart out every night to no serious commercial avail I'm afraid. Give 'Solstice Rise' a listen, it's not great but it's still worth listening to.


Label: Moon Ska Europe
Release Date: 18th October 2004


Originally posted by me on my website Alt-UK.com
Source: http://www.alt-uk.com/modules.php?name=Reviews

Summary: Whitmore have now split up but 'Solstice Rise' is the best album they ever released.