octane ok so alive

Released: 05 September 2011 Label: Self released

Having already dealt three singles to the music business, Octane OK have now dished out their latest EP So Alive. In the eyes of Kerrang, Octane OK have already been nominated for Best British Newcomer in 2011, in response we could say, Kerrang have obviously listened to So Alive very carefully!

To crack open the EP, we get the hit The One.  It’s a ‘chilled’ scene setter, but still their musical ability gushes through. Not only do they flaunt their technical ability, but they flash us with their contemporary creativeness; it’s not easy to stick to your guns when you’re revelling in the music industry! Surprisingly enough, the approach of sliding an album in gently, rather than the ‘shooting us with a flaming bullet’ introduction, leaves their entrance still palatable. It flicks a switch in another direction.

Funnily enough the second song Pretty Lady is much more contagious than track one. Potentially it’s the climax of the EP. You've gotta hand it to them, it’s only the second song in and they’ve nailed it! With the opening face twitching riff, the song just hinders on ‘clicking’ more than the others.  But since when has there been anything bad about versatility? As the saying goes; “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”!

Fly Again swoops down and catches us with its ‘indie-ish’ net.  Their musical wingspan just gets wider and wider, with each feather positioned perfectly; it’s almost as if each song is trying to out-do the other! Maybe it’s the switch from the hot-blooded Pretty Lady, to mellower Fly Again that makes it flourish. If there was a hidden agenda, it works!

Some will agree and some won’t, but it seems like they’ve taken a major risk with Curtain Call. Initially it seems to merge into the previous song; a big no, no! Let’s face it, that’s the last thing you want to do when releasing an EP. Wipe your foreheads folks because they save their skin with the kick arse solo. All I can say is, if you’re gonna survive you may as well do it in style instead of clinging on by your fingertips!
    
As the grand finale approaches we get the acoustic Parties Over. What can I say, it’s one of those ‘memory worthy songs’; you hear it once and you’ll be humming it for the rest of the day! It’s too slow to be a ‘foot tapper’, but its subtle lines intertwining don’t just prick your eardrums, it plucks your imagination!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but one of the ways to earn your seat in planet music is to have your own identity. Well I’ll tell you this for sure, Octane OK have gone first class because So Alive has a well-deserved sealed deal!  It’s a protest of experience and raw talent; to be frank they’ve set the bar high for the future! Job well done!

by Kathryn Longbottom.