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| Soeza
"Why Do You Do" reviews | |
Decode
June 2005 (Theo)
Right
from the rumbling drum intro it was obvious that Soeza’s first album for
Nottingham’s Gringo Records was going to be a goody. It is. Jenny’s
soulful voice is used to add sublime harmonies as well as evocative, breathy vocals.
The trademarks are all here – multi-percussion, signature shifts, French
horns – this is an interesting album that may well become teaching material
on a thousand music courses at ex-polys. Don’t let that put you off –
it will treat you well not matter how cursory your understanding of the mechanics
of music is. Try it; you’ll like it. It’s good. It’s more than
good – it’s clever too. | Play
Dead Spring 2005 (Marc Bird)
If you are familiar with the Gringo label
then you'll no doubt know that their love of eclectic, experimental rock knows
no bounds, and if there's one label that's gone on to document the real underground
of UK alt rock, then forget Fierce Panda, forget Domino, hands down it would be
these guys. So what of this CD? Well Soeza mould together male female vocals over
the top of some eclectic stop-start up-down (left right fire) indie rock, occasionally
flipping the coin by throwing the odd quirky instrument (trumpet) to spice things
up. Comparisons? Well, if you could imagine a cross (shoot me down for being rubbish)
of a band like Belle and Sebastian mixed in with a bit of early Seafood, a bit
of second album Anniversary and hey, who knows, maybe even some Sweep or Dc inspired
alt rock every now and again, then you may come up with something close to Soeza.
There are probably not enough tunes on show here for my personal liking, but when
they have their moments, they really work. and as with most things on this label,
they're definitely worth a good hard listen. | Last
Hours Summer 2005 (Natalie)
I really enjoyed the soft, low rumblings
of vocals and experimental instrumentals in this complex and striking post-hardcore
music from Bristol. Personally I preferred the tracks which featured the female
vocals over the more abrasive males but overall I've been really taken by this
records poetic qualities. | Crookedcamera.net
Summer 2005 (reviewer unknown)
Soe'za is an English band with PHD's in
the art of the relax. Post-hardcore melodies dabble in and out of consciousness
while the male/female dual vox hold you up by the fringe of your t-shirt. This
is a case of tons of influences actually working out, this record is all over
the place, but I dig it, for the most part. If you like the lyrics and austerity
of Sweep the Leg Johnny, and the calm meets crazy bombast melodies of Deerhoof
or maybe Aloha, then you should check this out. This has some potential for our
"best-of '05" list. | Nottingham
Sandman May 2005 (reviewer unknown)
You’ve got to love the people
at Nottingham label Gringo Records as they’ve managed to add another top
band to their already stupendous roster. “Why Do You Do?” is a hard
record to pin down as it twists and turns through a maze of genres and styles.
First track “Brackish Waters” is absolutely riddled with melody and
energy and at times verges on being danceable. Though initial reaction to the
album was one of bemusement but the more you listen the more you begin to understand.
This is a record that needs to be worked at. Those wanting an instant hit of indie
classics will find themselves struggling but for those who have the time to give
this record a few spins then you are in for a treat. While there is no single
track that stands out from the album there is an overall unique mood that emerges
from the confusion. There is a slow brooding sense of post hardcore urgency where
there seems to be a constant suggestion that the band are going to explode into
something huge, something completely overwhelming but this never comes. Instead
this is the sort of record that a Lightning Bolt fan should listen to when they
want to relax and get away from the reckless audio assault of their heroes. |
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