Downeast Record & CD Review****FOUR
Downeast Record & CD Review Info.Page
How we rate the songs:
A=Awesome B=Beautifully Done C=Could Be Better
D=Damn it's getting bad E=Enough already F=Forget
it,Flush it,or just F##K it.
ONE
LEFT
"THE NATURE OF THE BEAST"
This band,described as "Dark Pop" has received
air-play in Romania,France,Sweden,Canada,Ireland,
Poland,and some college stations stateside.They have
also been getting some rave reviews in a number of
Music-zines.They have been described as a combination
of Leonard Cohen,Dire Straits,and Velvet
Underground,if you can fathom such a band.
I certainly couldn't before I heard this CD.Now I not
only can fathom it,I've heard it.One Left has a new
CD coming out anyday now.We'll keep you posted and
let you know as soon as we get it.It will be featured
in the Special Edition.
The members of One Left are:
Rick Rowland-Guitar,Vocals
Riley McMahon-Guitar
Donovan Marks-Bass
Sven Abow-Drums
Guest appearances by:
Diedre Pascale-Organ(T1),Cello(T2,4)Backup
vocals(T1,2)
Frank Agbro-Bass(T1,2,4)
Lisa E-Backup
Vocals(T3,5,9,10)
TRACK 1
Through Galileo's Eyes
Opens with some excellent guitar work,when the bass
and drums kick in we're off on a hypnotic musical
journey.Very tight well engineered sound,
with solid harmonies.A top notch song as an
opener.(A++)
Chris:Nice guitar tone on the intro.This song is
extremely catchy.It has "HIT" written all over
it.(A+++)
TRACK 2
"Silver Stones"
I had flashbacks of listening to the Beatles doing
"Dear Prudence",but it had too strong a drive.Great
lead guitar with a strong rhythm foundation by the
bassist and drummer.These guys are unbeleiveably
tight and Rick's vocals are raucous
but yet soothing in abyss.(A++)
Chris:This song has a midieval feel to it.The strings
add a lot of color to the song.It's nice to hear a
song written well in 6/8 time.The bass and drums
really do a good job of keeping the feel and timing
of the song.The guitar solo screams in this
one.(A+++)
TRACK 3
"The Demon Haunted World"
I felt this one started a bit weak,but progressed
into a definite rocker.I think it's the choppy bass
riff,that shows me that One Left will go where the
path is least traveled.They have shown that
originality is in the forum.(A+)
Chris:This band is amazing!They really know how to
produce hits.This song is another catchy one.It has
an excellent bass part laying down the groove of the
song.The drummer plays like a metronome,"PERFECT".The
guitarist does a good job of lying back and just
adding color to the song.The lyrics are soulful and
poetic.(A++)
TRACK 4
"Alexandra"
No doubt about a Dire Straits influence here.You can
also feel a country style in the rhythm.This shows
the extreme dexterity and proficiency in this
band.Quite a beautiful song,which got me curious as
to who Alexandra is.(A+)
Chris:The band really shows their diversity with
these songs in 6/8(or 3/4).This song is an
excellently written ballad with an interesting
harmony part while singing the chorus parts.They have
two voices(it sounds overdubbed)and a violin
harmonizing.A nice effect.(A++)
TRACK 5
"The Nature Of The Beast"
This is the title track of the CD.It shows that the
band is as meticulous with their lyrics as they are
with their music.The song contains all the
ingredients for a sure hit.(A++)
Chris:This album just doesn't quit.Another song
screaming "RADIO PLAY"!! This song is very Beatles
like.It's very "poppy" with a Dylanesque voice and
writing style.(A++)
TRACK 6
"Mi Carino Girl"
Starts off acoustical,then adds the bass and drums
pulsatingly.As much an act of storytelling
as it is musical in essence.Poetry set to a rock 'n
roll beat,sure to make this another hit.(A++)
Chris:I like the verses to this song.I also like
the pyramid effect.It starts off with an acoustic
guitar,voice and some percussion and gradually builds
adding the bass player,more drumming and more
guitar.It also adds the additinal organ for
color.Very cool.(A+++)
TRACK 7
"The Walls Of Babylon"
Give it a listen
Has a spanish style of rhythm,with a beat that makes
you want to get up and dance.I found it totally
engrossing.The lyrics and the music are just "great
entertainment".It kept me glued to the speakers.(A++)
Chris:Excellent guitar work on this song. Extremely
catchy riffs and chord work with an exotic feel.The
vocalist does a good job keeping the straight 12/8
feel of the song.I like the way the bass doubles up
on the main guitar riff.It adds a lot of low end
making the riff much more powerful and
effective.(A+++)
TRACK 8
"Gypsy Wine"
When the song started,the chord progression sounded
like a band out of the 80's.I thought that One Left
had just lost my interest,but they were only tossing
in another tid-bit.They came out stronger and bolder
than before.It turned into another smash hit.(A+)
Chris:I like the descending dyads that the guitarist
uses in the intro.The bass and drummer are also very
tight on this song.Both of those
players really know how to add a lot to a song by
being very constructive yet efficient.
Actually,that's the route the whole band takes. Pure
Talent.(A++)
TRACK 9
"Something More"
Great harmonies give this song its tremendous
sound.The guitar work done by Riley accented nicely
by Sven and Donovan,is all to enhance the lyrics and
vocals by Rick and back up by Lisa E.Super
composition.(A+)
Chris:This song has a "House of the Rising Sun" feel
to it.Long drawn out arpegiated chords with powerful
vocals leading the song to mainstream radio,waiting
to be played frequently.I felt this song ran a tad
long.(A)
TRACK 10
"Sail Away"
The versatility of this band really intrigues me.None
of the songs are the same,but yet there is a tiny
strand of semblance that keeps them all meshed
together to form a unique album.This song was the one
that really spotlighted the talent encompassed in
this band.There is no one member that overshadows,the
band as a unit glimmers.(A+++)
Chris:This song has a cool "live" vibe to it.I like
the guitarists colorful and generous use of bends and
slide work.This is another well-written ballad with
lots of appeal.(A)
TRACK 11
"Calle Ontario"
This one has a calypso flavor,which makes it unique
as it is about Ontario.At the end the band goes into
a full blown calypso beat,complete with bongos.I love
the originality and inventiveness of One Left.(A++)
Chris:This song shows some country roots from the
band.With a twang like guitar tone,the bass player
playing in the 4th and 5th degrees of the major
scale,the drummers effective rimshots and the
vocalists strong raspy leading the way.All of these
players are extremely talented.This song also has a
nice surprise.An excellent up-tempo,carribean style
outro.Amazing!(A++++)
Chris' Overall Impression:
If you like "The Wallflowers" you'll LOVE "ONE LEFT".
This band is so talented.They have a very tight
rhythm section (Drums and Bass),a talented guitarist
and soulful and Dylanesque vocals.This band has
excellent musicianship with effective and efficient
playing.With that formula,this band can't lose!This
band is also very diverse.I really can't say enough
about them.BUY THE CD!!!!!(A+++)
My Overall Impression:
This is one CD everyone should have in their library.
If your a fan of Dire Straits,Velvet Underground,or
Leonard Cohen I'm confident you'll enjoy listening to
One Left.In purchasing this CD you are going to be
getting an album from a band destined to be around
for a long long time.Its rare you find a band with
such a diverse sound,and so much talent.I am sitting
on pins and needles(no,its not hemorrhoids)waiting
for the release of One Left's next production,Foreign
Country.You had better rush to your phone and place
your order for the CD's.It would be a terrible
disappointment if you called and found out that there
was only ONE LEFT and I got it!!(A+++)
Until next time keep your ears to the tunes,keep your
eyes on the road,and keep in touch with us...Donna &
all the crew at Downeast Record & CD Review
ONE LEFT
5163 Fulton St.NW
Washington,DC
20016
Tel:(202)237-2733
Visit ONE
LEFT's Website
Email Downeast Reviews
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