Ferris And The Wheels: Ferris And The Wheels

To call this self titled effort from the Nashville four piece, Ferris And The Wheels, a debut full length effort, wouldn't be exactly accurate. For while the band call this follow up to their Hollow debut EP an album, anything falling under the 30 minute mark doesn't really deserve that accolade. And yet it's hard not to end this short sharp ride with a massive grin on your face, for what this release lacks in length, it makes up for with a ton of effort, sacks of fun and a few beads of sweat (a message for the less blessed out there…).

"Stuck In This Dam Hole" is exactly the track that all albums (it isn't really an album...) should start with, the loose riff instantly raising hopes, the reverberation of snare smacked in anger backing up the bluster. However it's the sheer bounciness and boisterousness which grabs you firmly and whisks you along for the ride. It's like someone took Midnight Oil and shoved them deep down inside Ned's Atomic Dustbin, a rocking, indie, pop blast clean tearing you from your already soiled trousers. "I Got Something" rushes to back up the good times, a mid paced stomp raised through the almost out of control vocals from Geoff Ferris, while Jake Lerner's guitar stings as at swings. That swing is delivered with a Latin wink during "Typical", the brothers Ayers – Dylan on drums, Josh on bass – bop-de-bop-de-bopping without stopping, as that 'typical' girl Geoff is telling you about goes through all sorts of scenarios you can immediately relate to.

After a chucklesome little intro, "Mania" puts its hands on the (ferris) wheel and swerves it clean out of the funfair, a power-pop shout along delivered with more melody than a dawn chorus, but always with the threat that it might just scare your friends off with its madness. Leaving "Last Parade" to bring a quirkiness that never quite whisks the Ginger meets Neil Young at a swingers party too deep into niche territory, but sure ain't 'normal' (thank goodness), and "Found It", which suddenly goes all grown up and sophisticated on us through a superbly crafted guitar line, to close the deal with a flourish.

Give me a brief release (pun intended) like this, over a lengthy and over earnest album any day. This little release may be short, but it packs a gigantic punch.

Time to board the wheel, you'll love the ever changing view.

Track Listing
1. Stuck in This Dam Hole
2. I Got Something
3. Typical
4. Mania
5. Last Parade
6. Found It

Added: December 6th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Ferris And The Wheels online
Hits: 1422
Language: english

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