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ELECTRIC RIVER
The Faith & Patience

Cadiz Music (2014)
Rating: 5/10

Mmm. I’ve been hearing a lot about these guys with numerous critics claiming that Electric River is the next “‘big thing” when it comes to British rock.

I’m always dubious when I hear people make such claims about a band because as often is the case, so-called “next big things” often fritter away once their debut album has proven that they don’t have enough material to write an out and out classic. And so we come to Electric River, a quartet from my home county of Kent with a line-up consisting of Sponge (bass / vocals), Will Whisson (guitar / vocals), Chris Aldis (guitar) and Alex Mayland (drums).

The Faith & Patience is their new album and it’s one that, if I may say so, should please the “classic rock” crowd and even a few of those with their ears tuned toward a more stadium-oriented but not necessarily invigorating style of music. On first impression I’m reminded of a mix between The Clash and U2, or maybe a rugged Bruce Springsteen-styled grey haze that drifts by with a sort of rainy quality. But the big question is, “Am I impressed?” Well, I’m not too sure. When it comes to music I’ve always been a fan of attitude – bands that have swagger or a certain something – and I’m not convinced that Electric River has that aura or charisma, but there’s no denying their ability in writing catchy tunes.

I’ve never been a fan of bands like U2 and so to hear a few of those grainy jingles and jangles ringing through my ears is like a nightmare, even though opener ‘Calling Out’ does have a pinch of venom in its vocal tirades, but there’s just something so bleak about this which oddly could mean big things for this combo in the current climate.

When one looks at some of the biggest bands over the last number of years – Kings Of Leon, Pearl Jam, R.E.M. and U2 – I can see why Electric River are being heralded as the new force on the block, but having said that, I find all of these bands a tad miserable and there’s not really a lot on offer here from this debut platter that is going to have me frothing with excitement. Referring back to ‘Calling Out’, I hear some clever lyrics and a touch of angst in those vocals, but it all becomes rather dreary very quickly.

‘Chorus Of Fire’ is sub-standard traditional rock hinting at The Killers and, dare I say it, the Kerrang! generation, but maybe that’s what these guys were hoping for – if so, there’s nothing wrong with that if it pays the bills. Even so, The Faith & Patience is an album that remains vocally astute and gritty when other departments fail.

If this was the late 80s or early 90s I’d probably slot this sort of record alongside the likes of Claytown Troupe or Loud, because it’s an opus with promise yet lacking colour and one that is sort of drizzly in its appearance; lacking an overall punch, but no doubt something that should be found trundling along the middle of the road in the US.

With ‘Hold Your Nerve’ there is a soulful grunt about the vocal, but for me the music is just so flimsy and corporate, and whichever track I seem to pick this seems to apply. As the rainy 80s jingles of ‘Cold’ and ‘Happy’ (which it most certainly isn’t!) trickles in I’m absolutely depressed by this record and reminded as to what is wrong with modern rock music. Sorry guys, but I have little faith and no patience for such a bland affair.

Neil Arnold

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