In my book, music is supposed to be fun, and why not. But it also should reach out and grab my ears, arrest my attention, lock in and not let go until its finish. Much like a growling dog biting down on the leg end of your jeans, it’s music that must be attended to.
For too long now the market has been jammed by a mass of acts from nearly every conceivable indie movement and derivation, and few of these bands have really delivered what I’ve needed most. Sure, I could name the bands and many were sweet like candy, but I needed that damn dog at the end of my jeans leg.
Then it happened again — that damn dog showed up in the form of a trio from Wales called The Joy Formidable. Part dreamy indie shoegaze, part primal sonic attack, part coronal mass ejection, The Joy Formidable has me in rapture. Lead by the extraordinarily talented and beautiful vocalist/guitarist, Ritzy Bryan, and backed by bassist Rhydian Dafydd, the trio is completed with Matt Thomas on drums.
The band’s sound is a curiously lush and pulsating mixture of buzzing guitars, punctuated bass and percussion, and Ritzy’s clarion voice. The interplay between bass and drums evenly and expertly supports Ritzy’s guitar and vocals. Matt’s work on drums is remarkable as he drives the tempo and controls the dynamic range.
In fact, many of their recordings are a study in the power of dynamics. Most bands can’t maintain their tightness when playing loud, but this band does it with ease. Then suddenly, their wall of sound pulls back, revealing a quiet character just beneath the din. But you can’t let down your guard as the sound rushes back at you like that attack dog. Instead of having a few holes in your jeans, you begin to worry about losing flesh. After a single listening my joy was formidable, and my first impression of this gargantuan sound was also exhilarating, petrifying, terrifying.
That’s The Formidable Joy, and I can’t get them out of my head. Their first release in 2007 was Balloon Called Moaning, a mini-album with 8 songs. Highlighted by songs like “Cradle” and “Whirring,” their sound and potential greatness were immediately evident. On stage, they are an incendiary live act, delivering unique, interactive and passionate performances. The live mix is a little less defined, but it’s only a matter of time before they find a refinement sonic mix that doesn’t temper their savage attack.
There’s a full album release on the horizon, but for this review I’ve decided to showcase their single “Greyhounds in the Slips.” Produced by and featuring ex-Mansun frontman Paul Draper, this song is overflowing with immense waves of sound that crash all around. That damn dog is back again and so is my love of rock. Catch The Joy Formidable on their US expedition now. You’ve been warned.
– Peter Dysart
Previously on East Portland Blog:
Love Will Make Our Ears Bleed, Again: The Joy Formidable, “The Big Roar,” by Peter Raffington Dysart
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