By David O’Neill
This Welsh duet have been ripping up a variety of venues since 2008, with some of their music being used on things as varied as ‘I’m A Celebrity…’, ‘Love Island’ and Marshall headphones. This is the fourth CD with the others having been praised by a variety of music press pundits (including, of course, your ever discerning crüe here at Über Rock).
As a two-piece band, there has to be something different to the sound, as there is always going to be a little bit missing from a blues-based band with only drums and guitar…or is there? I’m sure people said something similar about Royal Blood and we know where they are in the music world!
I have seen HFS a couple of times around south Wales and you get a right royal ear bashing full of attitude and energy. Brennig’s drums are duly hammered throughout the set and this is led by the low throbbing guitar work of Aled.
‘Smartphone Rabbit Hole’ is not dissimilar to the previous offerings and I’m sure will get a great reception wherever they play it.
Blues-based rock is always going to have a place, especially when it’s as good as the stuff these guys produce. There are elements of Oasis’ bad attitude throughout, ZZ Top sounds (‘Damn I Mean It’, ‘Same Boat Different Sale’) mixed with low driving rhythms and riffage that are guaranteed to get crowds going. Sprinkled in with country style blues (‘Right Time’), this is a very good album displaying a wide variety of technical and compositional skill, nowhere more so than on the final, almost acoustic, track ‘Ball And Chain’.
Another great offering from HFS. Next time I see them live, it’ll be joining the other three in my collection.
- ‘Smartphone Rabbit Hole’ is released today (Friday 20 September). You can get your copy HERE.
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