The first few lines were written by Tom Cope, my long-term male companion (six months is a long time, right?) and partner-in-crime in what we jokingly refer to as 'The South Coast's Premier Review Team' (I do words, he does pictures). He was meant to be writing the whole review but put so much effort into the opener he wore himself out and I had to finish the rest.
Previously published on mINtSOUTH.com in June 2009
Words - Suzy Sims
Editor - Rob Ball
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
EP REVIEW - JAZICA 'ILLUSIONS'
The year: 1982. Across a smoky, sweaty bar, an electric guitar and a synthesizer lock eyes...
Fast forward to the present day. The product of that unholy union is Jazica, a confusingly named pop quartet based in Southampton. Jazica display good timing. Not only has their profile been raised with their entry into the Road To V competition, but my copy of the 'Illusions' demo mini-album arrived on my doormat on my birthday. Thanks guys.
There are two sides to the Jazica coin – the soft acoustic thoughts of the singer/songwriter, and the frenetic electro pop charging headlong synth-first into things.
The title track is a surprisingly downbeat electro with Frankie sounding quite angry in places. 'Come, come, come, stay over'. It’s very frothy in the chorus, with wailing synth sirens and unexpectedly raw rock guitar. The band might be labeled as ‘pop’, but that doesn’t mean they’re wet, and this guitar line stamps its feet and demands attention.
I’m a big fan of the delightful rainbow electronics present on 'Arp Attack' with softly sauntering vocals. However I wasn't too big on the Rhys-mix version for a couple of reasons, a) I don't really like remixes. Sorry, and b) there wasn't any major difference to the original. Also 'Keep Up' doesn’t quite hit the same mark. It’s a bit all over the place, with rushed sounds and densely huddled keyboards which sound slightly out of step. 'Flash Flash' has a very Eighties power ballad start and dark overtones countering the colourful hyperactivity.
The gentler sounds include the looped vocals over and over in ‘Boy’, with its soft percussion and childishly naive keyboard hoops. 'Never Never Never' is a sort of personal note, almost like the band aren’t expecting anyone to be listening in to their inner musical thoughts. 'Dreamer' is relaxed summer pop, fluffy clouds held down by the gravitational pull of the deep bass; the sort of tune you listen to while slumped in the garden not doing very much, watching the fluffy clouds overhead.
‘Illusions’ is primarily charming and innocent electro pop, with some raucous anger and a bittersweet slice of melancholy pie. The ‘Illusions’ mini album isn’t an official release, but it can be purchased at gigs. With their entry in The Road To V competition the band is pretty much jumping up and down waving while trying to bring attention to the South Coast music scene, and may they get everyone’s attention doing so.
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