23-12-2009Album reviews - Outcry Collective

The sound of something is calling

Outcry Collective have been swimming around in the murky waters of the underground for some time now and their penchant for the Southern style groove a la 'Everytime I Die' and its subsequent popularity has seen the band begin to make the move into the next phase of their careers. Signing to Visible Noise has clearly given their touring and live shows a kick up the arse as the band now are playing to the kind of crowds they should be and getting a recognition they deserve. The band themselves have completed their end of the bargain by putting together an album of impressive quality for a band with such a diminutive stature.

Unique and insightful in its derivation from the standard hardcore tact the hard rocking elements seep through the more traditional styling's and enable some damn good listens. 'A Great Day For The Crows' is as relentless on CD as it has become on the live circuit and showcases a penchant for the heavier side of life. However it doesn't confine itself to one particular tempo, speed or formula and songs such as 'Crystal Clear' and 'Moonlight' which even derivates to a slight blues tone.

The album never really gives you the chance to break away from its 'grab you by the ball's and shake your body constantly' shackles during its entire 36 minutes of playtime. It is more solid than most first releases of this sort but the band still have a way to go if they want to progress to a totally new level. The directions they have started to at least map out on 'ARTICLES' provide a great blueprint that the band can dip into and I'm sure it won't be too long before were hearing even more from these likeable lads from Surrey.