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I’ve been looking forward to popping this album on for some time – I think it has been the heady mixture of media hype, great live performances and solid singles releases that have grabbed my attention.
‘Take Me There’ and ‘What You Heard’ start things off in great style. A rock double act, with guitar riffs a plenty and Ed Knowles vocals channelling a seemingly bygone era. These tracks make for a tough act to follow...
But I must admit, by the time the dirty, blues rock of ‘Terribly Easy’ had slithered its way round the room, I was a convert. You will be a long time searching to find a better ‘rock groove’ than this.
In fact, across all of the eleven tracks on The Checks debut album there is an irresistible swagger, a confidence not often seen with New Zealand bands.
The only real downside with the album is a feeling that the momentum couldn’t quite be sustained. This is an inevitable result of loading the strongest tracks at the start of the record - it was always going to be hard to keep the energy levels up. This is a minor quibble though.
Instead, let me leave you with a recommendation... these guys are going to be coming back from the UK at the end of October for a series of concerts... so the album decision is up to you, but don’t miss them live.... that would be a mistake.
Essential Tracks
Take Me There
Where Has She Gone
Terribly Easy
Full Track Listing
1. Mercedes Children (4:12)
2. Take Me There (2:42)
3. What You Heard (2:53)
4. Tired From Sleeping (2:58)
5. Where Has She Gone? (3:19)
6. Terribly Easy (3:32)
7. Honest Man (3:06)
8. See Me Peter (4:18)
9. Don't Wait (2:55)
10. Hunting Whales (2:59)
11. Memory Walking (3:06)
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