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Madam Tsunami - Man In The Middle Album Review

11 Nov 2014 // A review by Andrew Smit

A unique unplugged collection of tunes, which are refreshingly up-tempo, full of character and feeling, presented not in your normal laid back light acoustic mode, but played with a harder edge. It’s not dominated by placid acoustic guitar and vocals, there are drums that are clearly heard, full of rocking fills and driving beats delivered very adeptly by drummer Jonathan Wilson. The album is full of stirring tunes with strong themes and emotions, and a nice mix of tender ballads and great rocking numbers.

Song writer and lead singer Adam Usmani’s vocal is very strong and earthy, as he breathes through the tones his sound is reminiscent of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. Adam’s working class themes are undoubtedly delivered by someone who is struggling with it, his frustration and bewilderment of the daily grind are expressed very well in songs like Man In The Middle, Workingand Inquisition the later with sweet violin from Coralie Usmani.

Unproven and My Friend are great upbeat numbers with grungy funk rhythms and cool backing vocals, a nice soft pillowy bass from Ross Larsen can be heard very well driving the track Fast Lane.

The slower softer ballads like TryingTemptation and Day Before are worth an extra listen, I enjoyed Intention, a brooding and atmospheric piece, and also the intriguing Hurt Myself complimented with very nice violin string picking and serene backing harmonies.

In summary Man In The Middle is an interesting debut album full of emotion and atmosphere and even though it follows typical song structures, it is delivered with a fresh unplugged “live sound” that keeps it real and matches the core working class theme to a tee, and makes it well worth a listen!

Man In The Middle
View Track Listing
 

About Madam Tsunami

Madam Tsunami is an anagram of front man Adam Usmani ’s name. Born to father, Arif Usmani (a key player in the NZ Music scene, co-founding the radio station BFM and managing the renowned children’s performance group The Aunties) and with stepmother, Lynn Usmani being ‘Madam Salami’ of The Aunties, Adam grew up in a creative household filled with music and theatre.

Madam Tsunami is an Auckland alternative rock outfit reviving elements of 90’s grunge rock, albeit without heavy distortion.

The band consists of Usmani, Ross Larsen on bass, drummer and backing vocalist, Jonathan Wilson and violinist Coralie Usmani.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Madam Tsunami

Releases

Long Way From Home
Year: 2017
Type: Album
Man In The Middle
Year: 2014
Type: Album

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