Charlie Mayfair - Fall In Time EP (29/06/2012)
Brisbane’s Charlie Mayfair has had a slow rise to the top of the local music scene since forming in early 2010. After having released their debut record last year, the Fall In Time EP sees a darker and more mature sound whilst still drawing from their folky and dreamy roots.
Waste Me starts out in an attention-grabbing and fascinating fashion, Hannah Shepard’s vocals being disjointed and stuttered. However, once the frenetic percussion section starts, her voice is transformed into a beautifully powerful instrument which soars over the keyboards and guitars.
The way the song builds into such an epic and powerful sound in the chorus shows how the young group developed so much in their short career. The second track, Stone, sees the introduction of the more brooding and dark sounds on this release. Dave Di Marco has the vocal duties and the song features a murky beginning, before slowing down to barely a whisper. Then the epic guitar riff comes from nowhere, giving the song just the punch it needed at the end.
Tell Her see the use of layered vocals, taking the dreamy folky qualities of the band to an even higher level. It’s worth noting here just how impressive Shepard’s voice is; even more impressive is the seemingly effortless ability to change dynamics and her huge range.
The final track, Blue Water, is probably the weakest track of the release with lacklustre lyrics and nothing new being brought to the table. It’s still an enjoyable track to an extent, but when heard in the context of the other tracks on the EP, it becomes a bit of a letdown ending.
Having said that, this is probably one of the most interesting and enjoyable local releases from 2012. Charlie Mayfair are a band who are not afraid to take risks and take their music right up to the epic level. They deserve to have the success they have received so far.
Sebastian Betten
Waste Me starts out in an attention-grabbing and fascinating fashion, Hannah Shepard’s vocals being disjointed and stuttered. However, once the frenetic percussion section starts, her voice is transformed into a beautifully powerful instrument which soars over the keyboards and guitars.
The way the song builds into such an epic and powerful sound in the chorus shows how the young group developed so much in their short career. The second track, Stone, sees the introduction of the more brooding and dark sounds on this release. Dave Di Marco has the vocal duties and the song features a murky beginning, before slowing down to barely a whisper. Then the epic guitar riff comes from nowhere, giving the song just the punch it needed at the end.
Tell Her see the use of layered vocals, taking the dreamy folky qualities of the band to an even higher level. It’s worth noting here just how impressive Shepard’s voice is; even more impressive is the seemingly effortless ability to change dynamics and her huge range.
The final track, Blue Water, is probably the weakest track of the release with lacklustre lyrics and nothing new being brought to the table. It’s still an enjoyable track to an extent, but when heard in the context of the other tracks on the EP, it becomes a bit of a letdown ending.
Having said that, this is probably one of the most interesting and enjoyable local releases from 2012. Charlie Mayfair are a band who are not afraid to take risks and take their music right up to the epic level. They deserve to have the success they have received so far.
Sebastian Betten