UpBeetMusic - Album Reviews… Because That’s What We Do

Artist: Four Dar Hombre
Album: Experiments In Living
Label: Alamo Music
Purchase Album
Release Date: March , 2006
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Okay, let’s not beat around the proverbial bush and I’ll be really honest with you. I don’t really like much British music past about 95’. Despite coming from this little island in the sea.

I’m a perfect example of Americanisation, well the music side of things anyway.

75% of my favourite bands and artists are from across the pond, with a few places saved for some bands from Europe and other continents.
So with my oh so secret shame in mind let us begin.

After having nothing particularly interesting to do on a Tuesday evening, my friend and I managed to get ourselves in for free at a local music venue and we came across “Four Day Hombre�. A five piece melodic indie band from deepest darkest northern England. England eh? My semi-bias mind had partially already been made up, but after realising they had not one, but two keyboards in their band my judgemental little head decided to give them a chance.

And I have to admit, I’m glad I did. A 45 minute set and an album later; here’s what I decided.

All my silly preconceived notions of thinking that there are only about 9 decent bands in Britain was completely blown out the water

For a band that tends to play more down tempo songs, they still managed to have the same amount of energy as a faster group. And as I sat there with my friend in his car on the way home, I found that we were both nodding our heads and smiling at Four Day Hombre as they blazed (yes, I said blazed) through this cd.

The guitar work is very important to this band, as the lead singer often swaps between his guitar and keyboard and has quite a task on his hands, in order to still make it sound good with duel keys. Something that they managed to pull off quite well. Although during songs like “Mr M� and “Single Room�, whether or not it was just the one playing; I wondered why they didn’t turn the main keyboardist up just a little more.
The vocals although just a little bit much sounding like Coldplay’s Chris Martin; are defiantly very good and can hold both very high notes and low in equal measure.
You can tell they’ve been listening to just a little bit of Death Cab For Cutie as well and it shows itself in, “The First Word Is The Hardest�. Particularly in the bass and drums.

There are a few fillers here and there in “Experiments…â€?; “Flameâ€? and “Three Yearsâ€? being perfect examples of that, seem to pass by without obvious recognition to the listener.

And the similarity in some songs does feel a little too often, but tracks like “Inertia�, a beautifully crafted song full of haunting vocals and ever-so hopeless lyrics helps you forget about the flaws.

So, all in all I’ve learnt not to dismiss my British brethrens and was convinced enough to actually part ways with my hard earned cash.

Your turn.

Recommended If You Like: Death Cab For Cutie, Copeland, Coldplay, Manchester Orchestra.