| Marshmellow Overcoat - 'On Safari' (Self Released) |
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| CD Reviews |
| Written by Dom Daley |
| Monday, 21 February 2011 05:30 |
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Citing the 60s and 70s as the place where these cats are musically would just be about right. With a largely acoustic sound that complements a pretty soft rock sound with big melodies and the emphasis on the song writing, that much shines through, the band's sound wouldn't be a million miles away from someone like The Seahorses from the modernish era but the 60s is where their feet are firmly planted.
When 'On Safari' gets going there are some pretty decent songs on offer, 'Nothing's Ever Been The Same' being a good example of a well written song but, whilst the sound is well delivered, I'm having a problem with some of the vocals going from low to high and fluctuating throughout songs like 'Over Me', tending to detract from the finished track. The same could be said for something like 'Girl With Red Hair' as having two lead vocalists in the band doesn't seem to help things, maybe if there was someone with a stronger voice leading the band then Marshmellow Overcoat would be onto a bit of a winner and ready to take the step up in the roots rock genre. 'Goin' To Williamsport' reminds me a little of someone like Pavement but it just sounds a little amateur or demo-like. I guess for me there are the germs of some good songs here but the delivery lets them down a little and, for a full album, it sounds more like a set of demos which could turn into something much, much better. 'She's A Winner' is a great pop rock song but is a great example of not quite being there. The piano and acoustic guitar works well on 'Around Here' but it just doesn't hit the spot, sorry to say, and lacks that something special, maybe in the recording, to really lift this album.
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