We review UK Band active-M mp3's!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 23, 2004 -- active m are a breath of fresh air on the contemporary music scene and are working hard to finish their debut CD 'OCTOPUS'. The band have been together since the Autumn, and recently completed their live line-up. They have attracted bizzare interest, from working with the Gorillaz on one track, 'maladaptive' to the League of Gentlemen players, and acclaimed lesbian film-maker, Cath Le Couteur.



The bands official website, www.activem.cjb.net hosts 3 advance recordings: jitterbug, stuntman & maladaptive, which I review here.

Listening to Jitterbug, which clocks in at under 2.50 - it's evident that active-M are up up up and exciting, and there is a nice familiarity about their sound. Not in an obvious way, but more that they employ great 'hooks' that resonates in your psyche for days afterwards.

It begins with a didgereedoo(!) and fuses dance elements with sharp axe work from JC Connington and Paul Wheeler, the bands frontman and guitar/keys man respectively. Crisp and sweeping, it's a surefire single choice and one that might hint at a new direction for bands who have run out of ideas - something the actives possess in abundance.



Stuntman is a completely different sort of song - an almost dirty funk track that pulls in the Dandy Warhols, AIR and uses a rusty trombone solo section full of discord. It's pop, but highly charged with the sexy whispers of singer JC Connington - more of this, please!

As for maladaptive - it's more guitar pop - more cutting than Feeder or other melodic guitar bands, more interesting than the dreadful Coldplay and Muse scene and hints at thoughtful yet arrogant song creation. It pumps with a groovy bassline, and features Noodle from the Gorillaz child-like vocals which add to the slightly retro vibe of the track. We're talking T-Rex, Faith No More and the Dolls.



This band surely will be getting more exposure soon - I thoroughly recommend you check them out now and download their MP3's - it'll be worth it!



L. Jackson.

DIRGE online review.