Label: Maverick Records

Release Date: 2004

The Shore - Firefly EP
Matthew Ralph

With the recent surge of marquee British acts releasing new projects stateside, it's only appropriate that the American labels would be preparing themselves to follow suit with their own American bands influenced by the Brit-pop sounds of Coldplay, Elbow and Starsailor. It's a predictable trend that must work somewhere along the line or else it wouldn't be so easy to forecast.

With this promotional 4-song live EP, recorded at the Knitting Factory in L.A., this new group The Shore should be right about now capturing quite a bit of hype. That hype like most is probably too good to be true, but the four songs on this little CD are definitely worth getting excited about the full-length due out this June. Swirling guitars, emotive vocals that bring to mind Richard Ashcroft almost the minute the guy opens his mouth and pulsing beats a la The Doves, these lads have been studying up their pop from over the pond and spending many a late night perfecting their sound.

It's not hard to believe listening to this piece of candy why Maverick has snagged this up and is confident they will be the next big something stateside. Time will only tell if an opening slot for the Richard Ashcrofts and the Coldplays of the world is enough to earn them a big break or a cold reception by American audiences accusing them of simply cribbing a style those with bad teeth and a devoted hatred for their prime minister were born to manipulate.

posted 02.29.03

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Matt Ralph has bags full of bad CD's. Add to his collection at matt@tangzine.com

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