Wellington band The Outsiders are relatively new out of the gate, but the pedigree of the members is extremely well-established. It is unsurprising, then, that this supposed demo is far more polished in all respects than most full releases seen in this country.
The Outsiders is a five-song demo that serves as an introduction to the band that features ex-members of such bands as Ritalin and Sommerset. Production quality is excellent throughout, as is the musicianship. Indeed, it feels like selling the CD short by calling it a demo as this is, for all intents and purposes, a debut EP.
Perhaps the reasoning behind the ‘demo’ label is the sound of the band itself. The influences, particularly of bands like Hot Water Music, lie heavy on the music, right down to the inflections of country on tracks like, “Bonships and Friendships“. Whether this is a bad thing naturally depends on your feeling of the likes of Hot Water Music, The Draft, et al, but when the band strike a more original line such as on closer “Sleeper” that straddles the lines between 90s pop-punk and latter day post-punk with a touch of melancholy, they are far stronger. Indeed, a full CD of this more unique voice would have been a spectacular opening salvo from any band.
But The Outsiders are clearly a class act. The songs are strong in every case, with a clear appreciation for layers in songwriting to provide depth beyond simple hooks. This is extremely promising stuff and could well herald the arrival of a significant new voice on the national stage. In addition, with both The Outsiders and one of the other shining new lights this year, The Rocket Jocks, being signed up to new label Deep Red Records, there may also be a new outlet of note rising up. Definitely two to watch out for…
Matt Barnes, Punkas.com
| Released | 2008, July 11 |
| Label | self-released |
| Formats | CD/ DL |
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