The David J Edgar Hoovers – The Debut – Bristol Export.
The David J Edgar Hoovers – Bristol, England, United Kingdom.
The David J Edgar Hoovers formed in Bristol in 2012. Not only did the band survive the end of the world, that we all know was prophesied for that fateful year but as a result, pieced a collection of audio tracks. Tracks that can also be referred to as songs and can collectively form an album.
Influences: ‘Weezer, Foo Fighters, Manic Street Preachers, The Dandy Warhols, Boston, Soundgarden, Queens Of The Stoneage, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Sex Pistols, The Beatles…’
As ridiculous as that sounds, they’ve managed it. A debut album of eleven tracks has surfaced. Grunge? Garage Rock? No bullshit Rock n’ Roll? Sound appealing? Yeah, you sure? Good, because that is exactly what you get.
‘Do You Believe In Me At All’ sounds like something The Hives would hurtle at you across the stage, with it’s strong Garage Rock riffage, finished off with TDJEH’s Grunge melodies it’s definitely a album highlight.
‘Fight Anyone’ is mid paced with a Post-Grunge make-up, it’s full of melodies and can’t really be faulted. Mainstream radio needs more Alternative Rock in this vein and the fact this was played on BBC Radio West means that someone, somewhere understands this.
‘Realise Your Shame’ rolls by in a similar fashion, a bit slower and more “Classic Rock” in it’s output, it’s another strong one.
There’s nothing wrong with track four, it just kills the pace a bit. As much I was expecting a track in this vein, I wouldn’t have placed it as high in the track listing. It’s chorus is redeeming, but the true redemption comes in the form of track five, ‘Protect Me’.
You get a real Queens Of The Stoneage feeling from that one. Onward now to ‘People Like Robots’, which is very much a sunny day number, it’s chilled and melodic but lengthy.
Normally, a number as stylistically orientated as track six wouldn’t suit such a long time frame, but that said, ‘People Like Robots’ pull’s it off. The simplistic refrain-riffage from 4:25 to 5.20 works well in adding some variety.
‘You still want me to want you, you still want all the time, you still want more than anyone that you’ve done, woahh-ah-oh-ohhh it’s love on the line’. The opening of ‘Love On The Line’, a more sombre track but another of the better on the album, particularly in the guitar meloides.
‘Keep On Running From You Babe’ furthers the Classic Rock appeal in the guitar work and has great sing-a-long potential, while ‘He’s Away’ brings it down again, but by now the harder-to-softer format of the album is well enough established, so it feels more at home.
‘You Will Always Be The One’ more or less drifts on by without too much of an impact, that said, if you’re into The Beatles or Beatles-esque Rock, it could well work for you. What definitely works however is the final track, ‘She’s Bitter’.
70’s Soft-Rock gloom with Grunge overtones are well laced with the ballad-ism every Rock album needs, ‘She’s Bitter’ plays us out as strongly as we were played in. Strong vocals and guitar work, with a slow but solid rhythm section – to be honest there isn’t much more I can say on it, it’s the best on the album.
Once again, are you inclined towards no bullshit Rock n’ Roll? Grunge overtones? Natural sounding music? The David J Edgar Hoovers not only have a daft name, but also encompass all of the above. Find them below.
- Social Media and News: Facebook, Official Website.
- Music: SoundCloud and bandcamp.
#StayFresh
