Sep 01 2008
Chasing The Comfort
A few times over the years friends have handed me their CD/their brother’s song/their friend’s album/their girlfriend’s music and most (not all) of the time the result is very poor. In one case all of my powers of diplomacy had to be called upon because it was that bad.
Recently however, I was given Chasing the Comfort, a CD from The Juice, a Dun Laoghaire/Bray three piece consist of Andrew Dixon, Niall Murphy and Stu Hennessy. After uploading it to my iPod (I’ve long since abandoned listening to CDs – probably because my CD player is broken), sceptically I pressed play on the first track, Fast, and the opening guitar riff had me hooked. As soon as the lead vocals from Dixon kick in I realise this is very different to any of the other albums I’ve been handed over the years.
The first thing that hits me is the professionalism of the sound. It’s polished. This band has its own sound and it’s damn good. With the second track comes a hint of Tracy Chapman, with a more up-to-date twist. Spanish Thighs doesn’t have the same pop-like grip of the opening track but instead it shows some great song writing skills. This continues through The Problem With Life and the anthemic Take Me Back.
At this point, the album takes another surprising turn. Pimped has a wonderful rhythm throughout that is reminiscent of some traditional Irish tunes. But, once again, this band has added their own edge to it. I can see crowds of people at their gigs singing along to the catchy chorus – “I could still see you, You were fixed on me“. From this song onwards, I began to imagine the band on stage – there is an energy to the second half of the album that makes you want to dance.
There is an influence from Nickleback on Don’t Force It, proving that they are not lying on their MySpace page when they claim their influenced by “ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING”.
If I was to find a negative it might be that the band don’t seem to know what style they want to settle on, but when you hear the desperation-filled love song, City Love, it really doesn’t matter. Variety is the spice and The Juice do not want to be pigeon-holed.
Check out their MySpace and Bebo pages and, if you like it as much as I did, go buy the album from Road Records.
They are pretty nifty alright. Damn you for reminding me that the CD player is broken. I should get that sorted.
I think I have about 347 CD players if you’d like one…
I think I actually know these lads. Stu was in ‘The Finest’, a few of which I met at Oxegen in 2005. I think the other lads used to play support to them a few times.
I went to see them myself and of course i have their album too,seeing them live in baker’s corner i have to say it was amazing and some of their songs are so real that they hit you at some point and makes you say”Oh my god,That was me few years ago”and in my opinion i see them as famous in the very near future.I am from Malta Myself and i have been in Ireland for the last 9 Years and i have seen some many Bands all over ireland from Kerry to Belfast but this is just amazing and if you get the chance go and see them for your self and you’ll see!
Go on the Juice:)
I too have seen this band “live” several times and they always finish the night by making you feel like you want more. A great band and a great CD.
@Andrew Yes please!
@Anto No way. ‘Tis a tiny little world.
@Alan Really looking forward to catching them live alright.
Go on The Juice, indeed! Get it into Ya!