Reviews
Up-Lift - The Prometheus EP
'The Prometheus EP' from Up-Lift mixes pop and rock with funk and a touch of electro as they endeavour to bring a 'spacey' aspect to their unusual brand of pop/rock. As a concept, I feel Up-Lift could be onto something that's just that bit different and I praise them for that.
Up-Lift comprise Richard Dixon (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards), James Roberts (bass, vocals, keyboards, ocarina) and Andrew Hawksworth (drums, percussion, lip organ). Instrumentally, Up-Lift sound damn good; they pack quite a punch and have some very cool ideas that set them apart somewhat from many of the more straight-laced 'indie' bands around at the moment. Vocally though, things are slightly wayward - this is perhaps not their strong point but they still give it a go. Saying that, the looseness gives a slight flavour of punkability, a sort of back-handed swipe at vocal normality which in itself says something about Up-Lift's attitude and approach.
The overall feel of Up-Lift is still very much one of indie rocksters. They definitely know what they're doing instrumentally and their song writing is expansive and quite impressive - there's some very good material here with good variation both within and between songs. The arrangements are at times innovative and pretty impressive. For me, I keep coming back to the, slightly discordant vocals; this is definitely an area that still needs work - perhaps they should consider bringing in a vocal specialist to really finish off what is essentially a good unit.
Up-Lift show great potential with 'The Prometheus EP'. Strong songs that are well crafted overall and distinctly fresh and inherently likeable. I don't think they're quite 'there' yet - but not far off!
Rhythm & Booze rating: 7
27 September 2007 / The Castle / Oldham
You know sometimes, some things are best written in a haze, whether alcoholic or through a pierced curtain of disbelief. Tonight’s Revolution showcase is celebrated by the fact ( an issue we were quizzed on by punters) that for the last six months no-one from Revolution has actually attended. It's certainly a hit miss affair, especially if you think that tonight we may have experienced a motorway pile up. Or a close shave at the very least. Underpants now firmly changed, I can recount my tale..
First up are the most entertaining band I think I may have seen in ten years of on-line reviewing. UP-LIFT are certainly a motley crew. Think Robbie Williams out on licence, accompanied by a musical cast of One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest . It’s mad , it’s bad, it’s most likely fucking dangerous. They term themselves as prog’ rock ; I’d say they are three shades off the scale of Day Care Centre Rock And Roll. They take themselves seriously and so they should, because beneath the veneer of disaster and their slightly frightful, lyrically barren musical wasteland , they do actually have some half decent tunes. The fact that listeners have to literally peel the skin of their ears to hear it, is maybe to their credit. It’s the craziest band I’ve ever seen and you know what ? – If they got signed I’d be deliriously happy because innocently they have more guts than fifty other bands I could care to mention. In fact, I think Up-Lift should be championed by this very site as the anti-heroes of the unsigned scene.
The Mekkist are missing – and they’re missing the party.
Instead we get the Boomtown Rats- Sorry the DOWNTOWN RAG. Anything to report ? – Well they attract a crowd of at least 30 young girls and sound like the Coral but without any indication that they might have a hit record under their belts. They do a cover of the Special’s cover of the Toots & the Maytals track “Monkey Man”. That's the highlight. Along the way their ska does hook and lock into your head and despite a bass player that’s two paces behind everyone else, there’s a very satisfied, crowd. They may sound good on the radio, but live it’s certainly a different kettle of fish, yet reasonably entertaining all the same.