Review by Gary Spiller for MPM
Llanelli’s very own Scarlet Rebels have just landed their fourth single from the forthcoming ‘Where Colours Meet’, the much-awaited follow up to 2022’s top ten-busting ‘See Through Blue’. The trickle has now expanded voluminously to a torrent with each single possessing a unique individual character. Each undeniably harnessing the Rebels’ trademark DNA but each giving clear indication that this is a band not content to rest upon its laurels.
From the widening expansiveness of the hard rocking ‘Secret Drug’ to the rabble-rousing of ‘Divide and Conquer’ via the Stateside freewaying ‘Grace’ the die has been cast. It’s a simple application of heat and songwriting ‘nous’ that Scarlet Rebels have patented; their individual high-grade mould crafted over the course of several years with an extra arc of augmentation for good measure. The indications of progression and evolution are becoming ever clearer.
Wayne Doyle, the band’s frontman, explains, with an ever-keen eye, “‘Streets Of Fire’ addresses the sad state of the world, where we lurch from crisis to crisis, be it environmental, financial, or even reputational for some of our so-called leaders of industry. These distractions can overshadow what is really happening in people’s lives.”
With an intro six-stringing tone pouring, for me, a seemingly unlikely alloy of Paul Weller and Billy Duffy into a patriotic Welsh cast with a dash of Stuart Adamson works an absolute treat. A pounding beat melded with rhythmic basslines assures a clean and direct ascent before, just over half a minute in, Wayne’s distinctive vocals take us firmly by the hand “Walking down this empty street.”
Evocative imagery and dynamics driven from the heart surge forth as one in an unstoppable flow. If further kinetics are required then they come parcelled in a sensual solo, quite possibly one of the finest laid down by lead guitarist Chris ‘CJ’ Jones. A solo that is opulent in it’s succulence and a seamless moment whose purpose is to dwell so very comfortably herein.
The Rebels have now provided four tantalising glimpses into the twelve golden bestowals contained upon ‘Where Colours Meet’. To think we have yet to have the band’s collaborations with Elles Bailey and Ricky Warwick unleashed upon us and there’s the intrigue of re-imagining of the V0id numbers ‘Let Me In’ and ‘Practice Run’ to further increase the levels of expectation. Straightforwardly mouthwatering in the humblest of my opinions!
This Thursday – 20th June – catch Scarlet Rebels in headline action at Dorset’s Love Rocks Festival which serves as the appetising pre-cursor of three dates supporting Mr Big in Dublin, Belfast, and Newcastle.
All ahead of appearances at Maid of Stone and Nozfest. Intimate shows at The Bunkhouse in Swansea and Exeter’s Cavern venue kick off the celebrations of ‘Where Colours Meet’ release week before a suite of several instore acoustic shows is rounded off with a tasty slot at Stonedead’s Monster Friday Party.
Where The Colours Meet’ will be available on limited edition vinyl, signed CD, and collector’s bundles.
Pre-orders are now open at earache.com/scarletrebels.
Follow Scarlet Rebels:
Official site: http://www.scarletrebels.com
YouTube: @ScarletRebels
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gVWb…
Facebook: / scarletrebels
Instagram: / scarletrebelsofficial
Twitter: / scarletrebels
