31 Oct 2020
Curlys Jewels - EP Review: The Skin We Shed
08 May 2017 // A review by Paul Goddard
I had heard good things about Curly Jewels from gigs they have played up and done the country and even though I knew nothing about them I had an impression in my mind of a hard hitting heavy rock outfit who put on a great show. So the opening track Internal Cinderella didn't disappoint, it kicks in with a driving riff and the production is great. Then it all slows and Janelle's vocals float in until we kick back into that riff and a driving chorus.
Next up is Ridiculous which starts uptempo with a great melody and has excellent guitar work on the verses, but the chorus lets it down for me. Yes, it's catchy and I am sure people will be singing along to it at gigs but for me, it just doesn't work. At that point, the song loses me.
We have a change in direction with Bastard Fate, the intro vocal effects are a nice touch and this song has more of a southern fried rock feel. Janelle has a great ear for melody and we are back on track.
Next up is No Relief and this really kicks into gear with some killer opening riffs and the drums just keep pushing the song along, picking up the energy level and also pushing me to turn up the volume a bit more. It's a more experimental format than the previous tracks and probably my favourite on here. Should be awesome live.
Frantic is another killer track and the vocals in parts remind me of Siouxsie Sioux. The band is pummeling through the song and once again the riffs are huge. This EP gets better the further you get into it. Maybe the tracks should have been in the reverse order?
Final track Terror In Disguise moves back into more familiar territory and really shows how good Curly Jewels are at songwriting. None of these songs would sound out of place on radio and there is just the right mix of heaviness balanced out with some great singing.
Curly Jewels have all the ingredients to really make a name for themselves. If they keep going this way and try to push the boundaries, the heavy parts keep getting heavier, the melodies keep getting more experimental they will stand out from the crowd and they could end up being the Jewel in NZ's Rock crown.
I had heard good things about Curly Jewels from gigs they have played up and done the country and even though I knew nothing about them I had an impression in my mind of a hard hitting heavy rock outfit who put on a great show. So the opening track Internal Cinderella didn't disappoint, it kicks in with a driving riff and the production is great. Then it all slows and Janelle's vocals float in until we kick back into that riff and a driving chorus.Next up is Ridiculous which starts uptempo with a great melody and has excellent guitar work on the verses, but the chorus lets it down for me. Yes, it's catchy and I am sure people will be singing along to it at gigs but for me, it just doesn't work. At that point, the song loses me.
We have a change in direction with Bastard Fate, the intro vocal effects are a nice touch and this song has more of a southern fried rock feel. Janelle has a great ear for melody and we are back on track.
Next up is No Relief and this really kicks into gear with some killer opening riffs and the drums just keep pushing the song along, picking up the energy level and also pushing me to turn up the volume a bit more. It's a more experimental format than the previous tracks and probably my favourite on here. Should be awesome live.
Frantic is another killer track and the vocals in parts remind me of Siouxsie Sioux. The band is pummeling through the song and once again the riffs are huge. This EP gets better the further you get into it. Maybe the tracks should have been in the reverse order?
Final track Terror In Disguise moves back into more familiar territory and really shows how good Curly Jewels are at songwriting. None of these songs would sound out of place on radio and there is just the right mix of heaviness balanced out with some great singing.
Curly Jewels have all the ingredients to really make a name for themselves. If they keep going this way and try to push the boundaries, the heavy parts keep getting heavier, the melodies keep getting more experimental they will stand out from the crowd and they could end up being the Jewel in NZ's Rock crown.
About Curlys Jewels
The band has released a number or records over the years enjoying success on the Official NZ Top 40 Charts. The past 3 Curlys Jewels singles were recorded at Roundhead Studios with the legendary producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers) and mixed by Clint Murphy (Devilskin).
Curlys Jewels have supported several heavy weight New Zealand bands such as Head Like a Hole, Devilskin, and toured with The Feelers. They also supported international rock stars Living Colour at their Wellington concert.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Curlys Jewels
Releases
Other Reviews By Paul Goddard
Coffin Club - Single Review: Gaslight
08 Oct 2020 // by Paul Goddard
Gaslight (or rather Gaslighting) has become a bit of a buzz word recently and sits perfectly as the title for this short sharp shock of fuzzed up punk from Auckland three piece Coffin Club.Unlike a real Gaslight, this song is no slow burner.
Read More...
The Response - Single Review: All Of My Flaws
24 Sep 2020 // by Paul Goddard
Smooth.A word that sounds just as good as it looks.
Read More...
EP Review: Dick Raine and Dick’s Guns
08 Sep 2020 // by Paul Goddard
Lockdowns are shit. A few months ago, we didn’t even know what a lockdown was nor social distancing and let’s face it the world is pretty fucked at the moment.
Read More...
Big Scout - Single Review: Nothing Ever Happens
25 Aug 2020 // by Paul Goddard
There are ear worms.Then there is this little snaky bastard of a tune from Big Scout.
Read More...
Churlington - EP Review: ...Or That The Hummingbird Is So Seldom Seen
13 Aug 2020 // by Paul Goddard
Why?Why is music so important?
Read More...
Transistor - Single Review: Nothing New
30 Jul 2020 // by Paul Goddard
New single Nothing New from Wellington-based Transistor is a tricky, trippy, psychedelic aural beast. A snarly bastard of a song.
Read More...
Sit Down In Front - Album Review: Confessions of a Pie Thief
26 Jun 2020 // by Paul Goddard
Punk music means different things to different people. Over the years like most genres it has morphed, been watered down, kicked about and spat out.
Read More...
Repairs - Single Review: Cut To The Chase
23 Jun 2020 // by Paul Goddard
You know that feeling you get when you discover something you weren’t expecting? Not in a bad way, fuck that - we have all discovered too much badness lately.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- POSITIONS
Ariana Grande - MOOD
24kGoldn feat. Iann Dior - HOLY
Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper - LEMONADE
Internet Money And Gunna feat. Don Toliver And NAV - SAVAGE LOVE (LAXED - SIREN BEAT)
Jawsh 685 x Jason DeRulo - DREAMS
Fleetwood Mac - WAP
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion - HEAD & HEART
Joel Corry feat. MNEK - IN THE AIR
L.A.B. - WHAT YOU KNOW BOUT LOVE
Pop Smoke
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
