Falmouth Sound

Over the last few years, Falmouth has quietly been the stomping ground for many a young band. Thanks to a mixture of inventive locals and students alike the Cornish coastal town is growing into quite the hub of live music, and thanks to the towns plentiful pubs there's plenty of venues to check out the latest fresh new talent live.

Three of the bands that have really been causing the ears of the music press to prick up over the last couple of years are featured here on this compilation which was recorded at local recording studio / venue, the Troubadour earlier his year.

The album kicks off with Intro-No Place by three piece The Red Cords. The melodic Intro part of the tune pulls along nicely whilst lulling you into a false sense of security as No Place kicks the doors in like Iggy Pop gatecrashing a Clash gig. The Red Cords contributions to this album are punk infused garage rock at it's most energetic and in your face. The deep rattling bass intro of Vile Guy is the kind that drags you into the moshpit before you the guitars have even kicked in. And album closer Green Sister has in infectious chorus that will have you singing along after the first listen ( even if you're not quite sure what lyrics you're shouting! )

Lost Dawn quite clearly draw their inspiration from the psychedlic era. The lazy bluesy Intro Jam gives you the feeling of wading through a smoke filled room only to find Jim Morrison spouting vitriolic peotry over the top of this Instrumental piece. Live favourite Blog Baby Blues is classic Bluesy rock with a lightning pace and just a little hint of Jack White in the vocals, and The Fall sounds a bit like The Jimi Hendrix Experience just decided to have a little jam with Jefferson Airplane. These guys bring Psych rock into the 21st Century stamping their own sound on some great original tunes with superb technical ability. Check them out live, frontman Stanley looks like he was born with a guitar strapped around him.

The Black Tambourines complete the trio of sounds on this album. And although all three bands have a rough, dirty garage edge to their sound which links them together, and an obvious energy and excitement for the music and performances they produce, the Black Tambourines, like the other two are instantly distinguishable from their label mates. Whist still holding onto the surf guitar tinged garage of their early EPs ( check out the awesome Chica EP ) the material on this collection has a slightly more punk edge to it, in particular Repeaters and Who You Talking To. Having said that, this band seem to be able to make each track sound very distinctive from the last, no doubt helped by the fact the two guitarists and the bassist share lead vocals and song writing duties.

Hurricane is the stand out Black Tambourines track for me here. The loose guitar hooks and infectious chorus creating a delicious meld of Sonic Youth vs Teenage Fanclub and is a track I just can't help pressing repeat on over and over again. This band have something special for sure.

There are still a few dates left on the UK tour of the Falmouth Sound Volume 1.

Any of these three bands are worth going to see live, but if you are nearby then go and check them all out at once on this tour, after shows in Exeter, Bristol and London there are still a few Cornwall dates left. They won't be playing small venues much longer.

Tour Dates - Falmouth's Beerwolf on December 4, Penzance's Studio Bar on December 5 and The Speakeasy, Mustard & Rye, Truro on December 6.