If you haven’t checked out TaunTra by now, I suggest you jump aboard and do before it is too late. Because these boys are surely destined for bigger things, and at such a young age they have the UK scene at their feet and more recognition is surely destined. This six track EP is the follow up to 2004’s ‘This is my Heart in Sound’ and continues where the last left off with plenty of ska-reggae infused punk with elements of technical axe work which is pulled off seamlessly from start to finish.
Take ‘1000 Lines Unwritten’ for instance. Starting slow, it slowly builds as the song progresses and displays the mature sound which the band has crafted so well over the last few years. The gentle melodies are continued on the varied and soulful ‘Open Heart Surgery’ which stands out with its broken reggae sound while the most complex effort is reserved for the technically superb ‘3am Context’ which thrashes and throws before giving into moments of complete tenderness but always maintains the high standards of musicianship which has come to be expected.
So I have been full of praise, but are there any problems? Thankfully, no. All the areas you expect the band to fulfil are checked and there isn’t anything lacking for the package as a whole. Even basics such as song structure standout above many other bands efforts while the lead vocals of Iain Taylor are distinctive and give a certain gruff charm to the proceedings, not falling into the well tread trap of sounding to Americanised. As a whole this is a superb EP worthy of any ska fans collection, and if TaunTra continue this run of superb EP’s, then there will be many more stories to come.
Jay
www.tauntra.cjb.net
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