Rhythm Method EP Review
WORDS: Yasmin Begum (Youth Editorial Group)
The Rhythm Method are a five-piece band from Cardiff who have recenty recorded their debut EP, The Front. They have been together since late 2007, and their melting-pot of sounds such as drum and bass and funk have made them totally unique in their sound.
First track Sunshine Lazy is a great opener with electronica drums, dynamic vocals and a crunchy bass-funk feel to it that is, to say the least, impressive. It's such a mesh of genres but works so well together, the bridge builds up well to a psychedelic guitar solo. It's hard to imagine how they can bounce back with a song just as good, if not better.
Second song Bow Down Selector quickly banishes any such doubt and keeps the pressure up with it's addictive keyboard introduction. The drum and bass feel of the percussion and instruments gives this song a house vibe that I would imagine to be killer live, with soaring harmonies and catchy hooks.
Time's Not Waiting opens with a blast of almost vaudeville piano that fits in well with the funk/indie/electronicia feel of the EP. The huge beats with the the guitar effects builds the excitement for the title track, which is by far the highlight of this release. The spaciness of the intro riff that's played throughout gives the listener time to appreciate the lyrics of the song rather than the music. There's an electro-funk stripped down vibe to the verses in The Front; the vocals are interesting, so are the breaks. Showing themseves as being versatile, it's hard to give them one specific genre usually assigned to pigeon-hole bands, but this is the best part of The Rhythm Method.
As the EP comes to a close, final song The Crusaders is a 'love' song for George Bush, opening in signature style of distorted/synthy drums and space-age keyboards. It brings the EP to a close, but leaves the listener yearning for more.
The Rhythm Method are hosting a launch party for their EP and a label showcase on Thurs 30 Oct at 10 Feet Tall. This party will also mark the beginning of the band's full UK tour with Irish electronic hip hop band The Informatics.
For more information, go to www.MySpace.com/TheRhythmMethodOfficial.
