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Review: Rock4's "Crazy English Summer" |
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Written by Peter Hollens
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Wednesday, 26 October 2005 |
 Rock4's new CD "Crazy English Summer" is a hybrid — an odd cross between a studio-produced album and a live show. Although the group has no problems with intonation, blend, and rhythmic accuracy, this album's awkward blend of live and studio performance is far from successful.
Luc Devens' unique soaring tenor is the highlight of "Crazy English Summer." He carries the weight of this CD on his shoulders. The other three Dutchmen can sing as well, but Rock4's thoroughbred is front and center. The group's creative-yet-simple arrangements allow Devens to grab the listener from his first note through his last screamin' high E in Phil Collins' "Mama".
Looking past the English-Dutch accents was difficult for (this American rock/pop listener). Luc's accent was tolerable, but some of the descants and duets by the other members of the group were distracting to an American ear.
"Crazy English Summer" is a recording of the best from several concerts performed during Rock4's 2003-2004 European tour. Dylan Bell's studio wizardry adds life to the straightforward live sound, but at times the performance is covered and muffled by overuse of delay, reverb and vocal distortion. Compared to the House Jacks' live album "Drive," Rock4's new CD is inconsistent in quality. Despite masterful mixing, excessive amounts of reverb, delay and flange detract from the attempt at a true live sound. It seems at times the group is stuck somewhere between live sound and a fully produced studio album. The applause seems artificially inserted for dramatic effect, and is simply awkward and hurts the continuity of the album.
I would like to hear what this group could do in the studio given their obvious talent and vocal abilities.
Rock4 is a cover band; nothing that I could find on the group's website nor from their upcoming all-Queen cover show leads me to believe otherwise. I'd like to see this group push themselves to write some of their own music in the near future.
If you have never been treated to the talented tenor voice of Luc Devens, this CD is worth your money. If you are looking for a great live album, go out and grab the House Jacks' live album instead and wait for Rock4's next studio product.
www.rock4.nl
What RARB reviewers had to say about Rock4's Crazy English Summer
Peter Hollens received his Bachelors in Music from the Univ. of Oregon and is a part-time recording engineer and voice coach. He was co-founder of UO's On the Rocks and also a member of Ball in the House (Boston). He recently finished recording and producing UO's Divisi's 2nd album and OTR's 3rd album; both captured spots on Sing 2: eclectic boogaloo.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 October 2005 )
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