Flight Brigade: Chased By Wolves

Electro-pop? New Wave? Hi-Tech AOR? Are ‘indie band’ Flight Brigade any of these things or all at the same time? Right from the short opening intro of “Monsoon� that soon breaks into the glimmering shimmer of austere, clipped beats and melodies of “Heartbreaker� these are questions you’re posed as Flight Brigade warn us about being Chased By Wolves. Even as early as this the gently persuasive highlight is the clean 80s pop vocals of Ollie and Miriam Baines - the former also handling guitars while the latter adds layers of synths. In all, this band are seven strong, the usual, expected keys and bass augmented by drums, violin and those ever so cleverly layered vocals, which are also bolstered by the voice of violinist Dorry Macauley.

Influences are sprinkled liberally as you dart from the Killers-lite of “Chased By Wolves� through the contained Muse-isms of “How Your River Runs�, which also show up more overtly and forcefully in “Brainwave�, a cleverly constructed song about the effect of epilepsy on the brain. Vocally Ollie reminds at times of Nik Kershaw and as such there’s no escaping the 80s undercurrent that runs through much of this clinically crafted but still atmospheric fare. “Alligators� is a prime example, strings laying the way for the muted roll of toms and ever impressive vocals to provide possibly the most heightened pull on the emotions this album provides. Ultimately what stays with you on the likes of more modern/current clattering “Tinderbox� and guitar led foray down “Fury Road� are the catchy hooks and stick in the mind choruses. For even as Chased By Wolves seems to seek to hold you at arms’ length, so it still hopes to pull you in tight and stay long in the mind. And for the large part that’s exactly what happens.

Calling Flight Brigade indie rock, as they seem to themselves, certainly sells what this band do decidedly short but then, while it’s unquestionably crafted accessible music, so does any suggestion that this is mere pop. As for the Hi-Tech AOR, in truth that’s a stretch and yet, when those guitars truly burst to the fore… well, decide for yourself. I’d wager you won’t be disappointed.

Track Listing
1. Monsoon
2. Heartbreaker
3. Chased By Wolves
4. Tinderbox
5. Fury Road
6. Sirens
7. Mutiny
8. Stranger Things
9. Silver
10. Where Eagles Dare
11. Brainwaves
12. Alligators
13. How Your River Runs Through Me
14. Creature

Added: September 7th 2019
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Flight Brigade online
Hits: 724
Language: english

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