Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
If ever there was a group of musicians that you found out had played in the city you live in within a few weeks of receiving their debut E.P. from 2012, the decidedly catchy and intolerably superb Nowhere I’d Rather Be, then Melic from London is such a band.
Infectious and full of self-confidence; the music supplied by the rightly titled Melic rolls around the forecourt of an industrial yard in a ten tonne truck, yelling loudly to get out of its way but also blaring its horn and inviting you along for a hair raising adventure and turning up the sound system all the way up. Nowhere I’d Rather Be? The four songs that make up the E.P. surely beg the title of nothing I would rather hear playing in my ears at 4am in the morning. The E.P. is that perfect combination of rock/funk and the slight edge of classical that make them stand out in such a way that is reminiscent to an extent of The 286 or Liverpool’s own The Mono L.P.s.
It is also has the honour of being one of those peculiar albums/E.P.s that you find listening to a few times, concentrating on trying to find even one thing wrong with it to make you question your gut feeling, that impression any fan of music gets when they want to self-doubt the feeling of satisfaction that tingles and tickles away leaving a broad smile in its wake.
Aside from the splendid opening title track, the three remaining songs are no shoddy afterthought; they too hum and play with great aplomb. Followers is a timely song about following your own way and going against the grain and flow of life, whilst Cemetery and Tomorrow We Roll Again both have the quality and musical comprehending of knowing they will be great set additions in years to come.
If ever there was a band to have caught live at The International Pop Overthrow in Liverpool during 2013 then Melic are that band, for now and until or even if they come to Liverpool again, play the E.P. for no other reason that it is so smart and sophisticated it could wear a tuxedo and apply for a job at M.I.5.
Ian D. Hall