Vessels - New material

A while back I attended the Live at Leeds festival and discovered local experimental-rock band, Vessels. Thanks to Ben from Cuckundoo Records I now have a single and it is seriously impressive. I mean, seriously.

'A Hundred Times In Every Direction' is best described as a journey. There are subtleties here I never realised in the live setting and I can already see the progression the band is making. Bands like Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky have pushed themselves further into the record collections of the average muso and people are no longer scared of those long and intelligent song structures that such bands bring to the table.

Vessels manage to pack a lot into their 6 minutes and 24 seconds but this isn't one of those 'epic' songs that really leaves you waiting too long. It hits the spot, right from the first bar. Beginning with light percussion and subtle noodling the track explodes around the 90 second mark. Hello Deftones fans. I think I've found something. After we're gently eased out of the madness, the real genius begins. Harmonised vocals, a beautiful lead melody and the super technical rhythm section is tight as always. I have to say, the vocals remind me a little of Biffy Clyro circa 'Infinity Land' but this is by no means a bad thing.

Anyway, this is a really promising song from a band that needs attention. Make sure you check them out or see them live in the coming months. Check the label page for gigs and the new album.

Vessels - 'A Hundred Times In Every Direction'

Richard Hawley

Recently, I have been listening to the albums 'Late Night Final' (2001) and 'Coles Corner' (2005) a lot. I cannot get enough of his classic voice and the lush arrangements. The latter album gained a, rather late, nomination for the Mercury Prize in 2006 but the award in question was won by the Arctic Monkeys, then fresh faced and new on the scene. Hawley's fellow sons of Sheffield were quick to make a nod of respect his way with Alex Turner announcing, in his acceptance, that Hawley had been 'robbed'. Enough of the interesting facts though, here is a track from that album. Remember, Alex Turner likes it!



Richard Hawley - "The Ocean"