AustinExperience.com - Electric Touch

Electric Touch

When reviewing a new CD, I always take a few days to listen to it before I look at any of the press materials. I want to form an opinion without influence of the PR company. It's the job of the PR company to get the word out and "sell" a band or artist. As interesting and as well written the PR materials were, there was no need. Two days after receiving their self-titled CD in the mail, I was pushing it on friends, making them listen to it in my car or while at the office. Having an opportunity to listen to these guys before they become a household name is like having insider information before the stock market bell rings.

Love In Our Hearts opens with hard-edged vocals--very measured and punctuated, then transitions into big chorused harmonies proclaiming We can take the world on/we can make it, just stay strong/we can turn them all on/if love is in our heart. The verse and chorus sound like they are sung by two different bands, but the band marries these two styles together and end up with a brilliantly written song.

Rather than going through each song one at a time, let me simply say that this debut is very solid. It is well written, well executed, and masterfully produced. The CD has enough variety that you can tell this band is not a one trick pony. Although I suspect Love In Our Hearts will be the first single pushed by the record company to introduce the band, it won't be because they don't have choices. I imagine that this band will see several songs getting radio play. Lines and Saved are both worthy contenders for best song on the CD. Both songs take advantage of great melodies with strong guitar work and perfect piano accents. Lines is addictive. I found myself rewinding repeatedly, listening to Lines four or five times before continuing onto Don't Be Afraid.

The lead singer, Shane Lawlor, found his way to Austin in pursuit of an American girl. Fortunately, for us, he also eventually found three Texas musicians to form Electric Touch. Bassist Ross Dubois, guitarist Christopher Leigh, and drummer Louis Leigh round out the band. Although the band is three-quarter Texan, Shane, a native of Nottingham, England has definitely put his stamp on the band's sound. Electric Touch has a European feel, with touches of Coldplay, Oasis, the Beatles, and maybe a hint of Billy Idol attitude. It's a little unexpected coming out of Austin. The only thing coming out of Texas that comes to mind that I could remotely compare Electric Touch is Endochine.

To sum things up, I fully expect to hear Electric Touch's music featured in an Apple commercial at some point in the future. And if anyone is wondering, I mean that as a compliment. My best advice is to catch these guys while you can still see them in Austin. Even before having an album hit the streets, these guys have managed to line up gigs for SXSW, Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and the Austin City Limits Festival. Obviously, I'm not the only one who has been impressed.

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