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Humanity Deluxe: Elements

A duo consisting of instrumentalist Gavin Joyce and drummer Carlos Marin, Humanity Deluxe are a melodic rock band hailing from Scotland and one, it would appear, who completely understand what made this genre so exciting in the first place. Pinning down exactly which era of melodic rock they pull from, however, isn’t quite so easy - one moment you think you’re safe in the hands of a 70s juggernaut powering ahead at a great rate. But twirl on the spot and pout your lips and the next thing you know there’s a slither of sleaze licking you into shape before it too makes way for something smoother, more 80s airwaves friendly and catchy as hell. Mix that pot up and you have a whole load of Elements, so maybe never better an album title than this one here?

What’s immediately clear is just how much this pair love the music they’re making, with an honesty and straightforwardness given to music that in the wrong hands could have been obscured by smoke and mirrors. Instead, the title track here builds a flowing groove that really shouldn’t have the ability to pull you in, but it sure does and when the guitar solo stings in a manner you hadn’t expected, the deal is signed, sealed and sold to the devil. Joyce here has a slight Paul Stanley inflection to his vocals but with the smarts to avoid the KISS man’s histrionics, not once does it sound forced or false.

The album begins with space-age sweeps and swooshes and a few bleeps and bloops that might have Lucasfilm scurrying to see if Artoo hasn’t just Deetoo’d his way right into Humanity Deluxe. And when the “Naked Flame” burns with a 70s sheen that simply drips with melody, you presume that this HD vision has its sights set firmly on those Cats In Space. However, when “Look Out” decides to lean on Joyce’s vocal style to sit in a sparkling 80s KISS situation, you’re already left with little doubt that Elements is set to cover a lot of ground. More importantly, however, everywhere you turn, this twosome have the goods at their disposal, the 70s shove of “Here Lies Rock And Roll” having you wondering when these stones were last rolled, although when they were they might just have had some Black Crowes atop them. And we’re just scratching the surface here, “Understudy” a beautiful piano ballad that avoids the cheese these moments so often supply, while “Last Great Rock And Roll Band” is just a cracking, but cleverly restrained, glam anthem.

Elements really is a great debut and while, as you’d maybe expect from a little independent release, it doesn’t quite have the bells and whistles production to truly make all of its nuances shine, that they are there is beyond question. Hopefully with such an accomplished introduction under their belts, someone with the clout to add that missing link to their sound might be persuaded to get involved. If that can be achieved, Humanity Deluxe might just have all the Elements required to go the distance.


Track Listing
1. Awake 2078AD
2. Naked Flame
3. Look Out
4. Last Great Rock And Roll Band
5. Elements
6. To Be Alive
7. Perilous
8. Battle
9. Here Lies Rock And Roll
10. Understudy
11. Invisible Architect

Added: October 20th 2021
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Humanity Deluxe on facebook
Hits: 1181
Language: english

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