EP – RISE
REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT
Fireheart has already released the song of the year in my book, which was ‘Staring At The Sun’, which hit the streets back in April. The band themselves are sort of a supergroup in my eyes, featuring two of my favourite musicians, Russ Grimmett, the singer of Sons Of Liberty, and Kev Baker on rhythm guitar, who formerly trod the boards with The Hot One Two. The other guys in the band are no slouches either and are ex-members of The Whisky Syndicate, Kira Mac, and The Gipsy Pistoleros, respectively. There’s been a big buzz around the band, and they already have a loyal following even though they are yet to perform a live show!
There has been a lot of anticipation around the release of the new EP ‘Rise’, so let’s cut to the chase and have a chat about the songs held within. Oh come on, what did you expect with this kind of pedigree? Five absolute bangers that will blow your socks off and leave you licking your lips in anticipation for the band’s first full-length album, which hopefully won’t be too far down the pipeline.
‘Wild Hearts; Wild Nights’ is a raucous opening to the proceedings. It’s high energy, thunderously played and is an old-school rock and roll banger that is all about partying, having a good time and most of all feeling alive and free. It’s the kind of song I expect to go down a bomb live, which we will be able to experience soon enough as the band are out on the road next year. ‘I Don’t Need A Best Friend’ is an emotionally charged tune about being all-in within a relationship but that love and trust are not being reciprocated. Russ Grimmett has a voice to die for, and he’s at the top of his game with this one, reaching dizzy heights as well as having a range that is simply unachievable for 99% of singers currently plying their trade.
‘Good Is Good Enough’ is a slower-paced song, and it is a highly personal track that examines the expectations we have of ourselves and not being able to deal with things when you don’t meet your own impossibly high standards. Anybody who has followed this band and its members for any length of time will know the struggles people can go through, and it’s emotionally moving to hear such an obviously cathartic song. ‘An Hour To Forget’ picks up the pace, and while it could be seen to be thematically similar to the previous song, it takes things one step further, as it tells us to embrace our imperfections and to live life to the beat of our own drum. It’s another moving track, but as with everything else from this band, it never loses sight of the fact that music should also entertain, and this record does that in spades.
‘I’m Not Dreaming’ closes the EP, and it’s an emotional rollercoaster which ends proceedings in fine style. A great singer, exemplary musicians, a huge heart and a willingness to make a real difference to people’s lives – what’s not to like here? Please support this band, buy their records, engage on social media and get out to see them next year. You won’t regret it.
BAND
Russ Grimmett – Vocals
Kev Baker – Guitar
Neil Hackett – Lead Guitar
Bret Barnes – Bass Guitar
Chris Hopton – Drums
ALBUM TRACK LIST
- Wild Hearts; Wild Nights
- I Don’t Need A Best Friend
- Good Is Good Enough
- An Hour To Forget
- I’m Not Dreaming
+ There are no comments
Add yours