Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Good things come to those who wait…so it is said. Like a punishment handed down from your parents or school teachers as they try to impress upon you the art in queuing, a particular skill that is required to be British it seems, waiting is a virtue.
However, waiting for a band to release their new album, especially a band that has impressed all that have found their way to the venues to take in the sheer power, passion and anger that resides within each member of the group, can be interminable. It is akin to being told stories of a far off land when you are a young child and knowing you won’t see it for yourself till you are in your 20s, all in all though, it will always be well worth the wait.
The Shadow Theatre are more than worth the wait, they ooze the feeling of youthful anger in their live sets and now their album Voices carries on this fine start that has been burrowing away underground like a zealous mole out to prove that by stealth that there is a fire of indignation that burns through the young of Merseyside.
When watching The Shadow Theatre live, there is not just a tingle of excitement that runs through the veins, it is a full blown surge of electricity pumping through the system and any ideas of prisoners being taken is shelved, you are either converted to listen and enjoying the pulse of Andrew Gorge, James Dalziel, Mark Manning and Shaun Parker or you turn away and find something ‘nice’ and dull with no spirit to hang onto.
With Elevator opening up the album like a hungry lion whose stomach is empty and whose roar of discontent can be heard throughout the land, Voices starts in a fashion that it is keen to show through each track that the anger is real, that Andrew Gorge’s vocals growl in resentment for those that feel they have been left behind. Violent Whispers, Conscious Dreams and Opinions all carry the same incredible fire and spark that is needed to set alight the dreams and hopes of others. The depth of music ability is very cool and it shows on each track.
Voices need to be heeded. The lone opinion in the crowd may speak the voice of sanity but the quiet determination of many to make serious rumbles of discontent and make a noise that can be heard everywhere is what is required. The Shadow Theatre speaks for many and their voice is the start of great things ahead.
Voices can be purchased from the website link http://www.theshadowtheatreuk.co.uk/
Ian D. Hall