Recorded Music Reviews

Ethel - Gods Of TV

This ain't rocket science. A simple rock formula of guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Those whose musical bag is something a little more leftfield or experimental might want to steer clear, those who like straightforward riff-heavy rock with strong hooks and catchy choruses might just love Ethel.

Their new ep 'Gods Of TV' has six tracks featuring a chunky throbbing bass as prominent as the guitar power-chords, with yer pounding rock rhythm this is basic stuff, but the simple fact is that three of these track are superb. The other three aren't bad either. Whilst this isn't musically groundbreaking these boys aren't short on talent: this rock is tight, occasionally bluesy, slightly funky, but it is their ability to write razor sharp hooks which is where Ethel win.

The three winners are 'Boy Genius', 'Gods Of TV' and 'Agoraphobiac', primarily because they are not only excellent musically, but they're just so damn catchy. These guys know how to write a quality hook. Not a simple art. At its heaviest (and best) this approaches the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age and Foo Fighters, with a sound so simple you could add a hundred others. Lyrically it's okay, we're not talking Dylan here but these boys play with smiles on their faces, and the lyrics suit the smiles.

The other three aren't quite up to the standard of the others, 'Chemical' just isn't as memorable, 'You Will Learn' sees them trying to write what appears to be something a little more 'serious', and it doesn't really work, whilst 'Kryptonite' is a little too cheesy, a little too Busted. These three aren't bad songs, far from it, but the appeal is in the hook, and these ones just aren't quite as sharp.

'Gods Of TV' does a pretty good job of replicating Ethel's excellent live sound. It's extremely well produced – clear and polished, but with enough dirt to make it rough around the edges. Ethel make rock fun, but lightweight this ain't. ‘Tis a good ‘un.

Tony Foster - 11/05/2007