Four years ago, AMC and BBC America took a selection of songs from a little-known band and used them heavily throughout a strong summer campaign to tout their programming. The band, The ColourSound [MySpace], sounded more English than a Thomas’ English Muffin commercial and, as it just so happened, created really good Brit-pop/rock. Actually, their sound was more like an approximation of a Western-influenced Starsailor, but since I have an intense affair with that band, that is a good thing.

With this particular EP, I have to say that nothing held me stronger than the opening notes of “Slow Down” – that intro might be among the most refreshing bits of music that I have heard this year. Sure, there have been better albums and EPs, but over the last 12 months, I have been going through a pop radio renaissance in which I want – no – NEED to listen to what’s on the radio.

I blame Lady Gaga and “Pokerface and FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance”.

That being said, it reminds me of a period in time (‘94-’96) in which I could listen to the radio and hear good rock and laugh and enjoy myself and not over think everything. Here, I am presented with something incredibly “Filter-esque” and because of where I am right now musically, it’s fine. I’ve mellowed a bit in my taste. Upon hearing this new material, I realized that I had forgotten how very much I liked the sound and story (the band was formed from two previous efforts, Velvet Elvis and Motherwell) and now, I feel a bit prejudiced in saying that you’d be nuts not to check them out. You should, though.

It is obvious that the band still listens to The Charlatans and Led Zeppelin and Oasis, which is all very obvious in their music, but Ocean Colour Scene and Australia’s Eskimo Joe are incredibly similar in sound and I like them both very much too. If you’re fans of any of those guys, The ColourSound are definitely worth a listen. If you’re not, I have NO idea how you ended up at my site, but “hi!”

[mp3] The ColourSound – “Good Life” from Good Life EP
[mp3] The Coloursound – “The Doctor is In” from Good Life EP

Last 5 posts by Shawn M. Smith

• Video Hook-Up: Pomplamoose - "Telephone" (Lady Gaga and Beyonce Cover) - March 16th, 2010
• Mystery Roar Unleash "Mayhem" With Debut EP - March 16th, 2010
• Video Hook-Up: The Lonely Island - "Boombox" (feat. Julian Casablancas) - March 15th, 2010
• Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Reveal First 4AD Single - March 12th, 2010
• If You Want Free Music, You Can Go Masterbeat - March 11th, 2010