‘Far From Silence’ is the new EP from Dublin indie-band The Kartels – and straight from the get-go I’m giving this one two thumbs up. It was launched a few weeks ago in Whelans and I’m gutted I missed the chance to see them live, because they’re the latest in a long list of Irish bands I genuinely adore.
‘Far From Silence’ is a fairly generous four track EP that will draw you in like only the greats can. It kicks things off with a fast moving song called Higher, which as far as I can tell is about as self-explanatory a title as you can get. The two guitars are in such good harmony and paired with a bit of light drums, good lyrics and a nice selection of bass notes it makes the perfect recipe for a good song. It has a real defined Americana edge to it that I love. For me this sits right up there next to Bat Out Of Hell as a perfect driving song. Listening to it makes me wish I was driving a Corvette Stingray drop-top along some great pacific coastal road.
Then, just as Higher ends, you’re treated to Thundercloud. The pace doesn’t drop between songs, which I think is very important aspect of this EP. Getting your audience in a certain mood and keeping them there is key, and Thundercloud does just that. The music is kept simple and uncomplicated, and I beg of you not to think that has a bad thing because it’s actually the opposite. It’s a very relaxed indie song in-keeping with Higher‘s zippy pace, and it really is a nice song.
By this point on the EP you’ll already like the band, things just keep getting better. I Waited For You is where things get a bit mellow. You can tell it’s still the same genre, but by now I’ll have turned off the coastal road and onto the beach, because I Waited For You is such an easy listening track. Soft chords and up-beat lyrics make it a song you can really kick back and enjoy.
The last song on ‘Far From Silence’ lets you slip even further into the comfort zone – No Surrender. It’s the kind of song that you’d see people holding lighters up to at concerts, if health and safety will allow it! It starts off very slow with the intensity increasing with the minutes. By the time the song reaches its last chorus you’re left begging for more. At a spot on 16 minutes it is indeed a very generous EP.
It’s yet another great example of the talent within our shores. It’s everything a small Irish band should be at this point in what will hopefully be a prosperous career. While a lot of the music we listen to today is from further afield, it’s always a great feeling to find an Irish band that are just as good as the big hitters. The last small Irish band I though could make it big where a relatively unknown group called Fight Like Apes at the time. If I’m as right with these as I was then, I won’t be too surprised.