The Almighty Groove offers Colombian rhythms and African roots on debut EP Frère d’Afrique
The Almighty Groove is the new production imprint of long-time musical adventurer, John Hollis.
Fri, 15 November 24
Released 04 April 2010
Liner notes
Following the success of The Black Swan Effect’s debut single ‘In The City’, and follow up ‘Winter Sun’ comes their highly anticipated debut album Admission.
From the driving drums on opener ‘Falling Down’ to the campfire sing-along on the final track ‘Please’, there’s a sonic nod to Muse, perhaps an echo of Radiohead’s Street Spirit, with Gareth Hale’s yearning, passionate vocals suggestive of Jeff Buckley, a fresh urgency reminiscent of The Jam….. But comparisons aside, the dynamic sound of The Black Swan Effect is all their own. ‘Admission’ carries classic, spine-tingling rock tunes, crowd-pleasing singalongs (as anyone who has seen the band live will agree!), intimate ballads, catchy pop melodies— showcasing their powerful song writing, passionate playing and attitude.
"Just when you think you've heard it all before, along comes an album that demands the hairs on the back of you neck stand to attention, proving once again that we underestimate the emotive impact of a guitar band with a twist of 21st century angst at our peril." Classic Rock
At the heart of The Black Swan Effect is the songwriting duo, Dominic and Gareth. Friends for fifteen years, while Dom found success travelling the world with his band having numerous Top 40 singles and a double platinum UK number 1 album alongside playing on the main stages at Glastonbury, Reading and V, in stark contrast Gareth put the dream to one side and stepped away from music. After a chance meeting earlier last year the two vowed to work together again. The opportunity arose with the soundtrack to a film documentary, Rock Star. Subsequent sessions went well and an early demo found it’s way into Peter Gabriel’s hands, who immediately signed them up to Real World Records. All this before the band had played a note live!
John Hogg joined to play guitar, and Jesse Wood to play bass; Martin Wright co-produced with Dominic, and Sean Genockey (Manic Street Preachers, Suede, Tom McRea) engineered and mixed the project. 11 tracks formed the album. Next thing they were on tour in South America with Peter Gabriel (with old friend Kenwyn House replacing John Hogg on guitar for live work). Until that time, Gareth had never performed in front of a live audience, so naturally his first shows with the band were playing a rousing stadium tour of South America to crowds of tens of thousands!
Admission is an impressive debut album where even the quietest of compositions is big enough to fill a cinema, or a stadium, and the sound can only be described as, The Black Swan Effect.
Further Listening
Released 27 September 2017
Released 27 September 2009
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