 ELECTRIC TOUCH
Electric Touch
Justice Records
(Release Date: 8.26.08)
Formed barely a year ago, Electric Touch’s debut is hardly their break out moment. Well before their self-titled debut hit streets, the Austin glam rock power-poppers had already performed at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Coachella, and secured a prized set at Austin City Limits.
The four-piece got a big boost after performing a handful of shows at SXSW, and have been riding a wave of success ever since. While stemming from their energetic live sets, the wave was met with equal results on their incredibly ambitious record. Electric Touch sounds like seasoned veterans on their debut, cranking out easily accessible songs full of catchy melodies and hard rock riffs. One of the more endearing aspects of their music is that it accurately straddles the line between mainstream Brit-pop and American rock 'n’ roll machismo. There is no secret to this formula. Frontman Shane Lawlor (vocals, guitar, keys) is the real deal, a former Nottingham troublemaker who transplanted to Austin and quickly surrounded himself with quality musicians. Lawlor’s pop-inspired vocalizations get a serious boost of adrenaline from the hard-charging instrumentation laid down by bandmates Christopher Leigh (guitar), Ross Dubois (bass), and Louis Messina (drums). With songs like "Breakdown," where each member’s contributions share equal presence, one can see their chemistry is undeniable.
Electric Touch is the perfect length, holding ten songs that run for 30 minutes, leaving no room for repetition. The songs play seamlessly in a comfortable sequence, moving from the driving guitar and drum beat of "Call My Name," to the heartfelt balladry of "Don't Be Afraid," to the anthemic album closer "Who Put The Fire Out?" When looked at from afar, Electric Touch isn't doing anything that hasn't been done in the past, but the music retains an honest, refreshing vibe that stands up to repeated listening. When looked at with a close eye, it appears Electric Touch has taken over the genre of Brit-pop gone American, and in impressive fashion. |