Millsyeck: Millsyeck

It's not often that a visit to the phone store to try and get my vintage BlackBerry sorted results in an album review. However when the chap behind the counter turns out to be the bassist in local band Millsyeck, who happened to playing a show in their home town of Dundee that weekend, then the opportunity to check them out was too good to turn down. After a storming performance, I left clutching the self titled debut from the band, full of hope and anticipation that their live energy and blues infused, guitar driven hard rock would be as infectious on disc as it was in the flesh.Thankfully disappointment appears to missing from the Millsyeck vocabulary, the eleven tracks served up here fiery outbursts that find a young band deservedly brimming with confidence.

Based round the guitar and singing talents of Alex Mills ('Eck to his mates, hence 'Mill-sy-eck') what this outfit do extremely well is craft songs that instantly catch the ear and stick around in the mind for a long time after. Comparisons come in the shape of the grittier end of Little Angels, or Toseland, Mills flashy fret work adding a real sense of urgency that neither of those bands ever particularly utilised. And it serves opener "Looking Out For Number One" and single "It's Not Right" extremely well, the marriage of sing along chorus and dextrous guitar work never short of captivating. Add in the harmony vocal laden "Dirty Girl" and the funky "Not What You See", where the bass work is impressive indeed, and Millsyeck also prove not to be a one trick pony, a variety of attacks making for an extremely rounded album. However as if that wasn't enough to grab the attention, the lengthy "Pretend I'm Brave" suddenly demonstrates a maturity and refinement not otherwise expected from a fledgling act offering up their first, self recorded, effort.

As you'd expect from a band putting all of this together under their own steam, it would be hard to suggest that this album has the most cutting edge production standards you'll ever discover and yet, the gritty, bluesy style simply thrives on the darker edge this brings, while Mills' vocals can, when he reaches for the heights, prove just a little on the over exuberant side. However, when those are the only real complaints, then you just have to sit back and soak up the hard rocking goodness this lot serve up. It's early says for Millsyeck, but if this debut (and their live show) is a sign of what's to come from this Dundee outfit, then it's a matter of time before they begin to gain wider recognition.

Track Listing
1. Looking Out For Number One
2. Hell Hath No Fury
3. It's not Right
4. Jumping In The Grave
5. Not What You See
6. Broken Vows
7. Dirty Girl
8. Pretend I'm Brave
9. Love Is All You Need
10. Get Some
11. Set It Alight

Added: August 4th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Millsyeck online
Hits: 1633
Language: english

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