» BitterSweetHeartAttacks by Great Imitation | Single Review

Friday 27 May, 2011

BitterSweetHeartAttacks by Great Imitation | Single Review | Official Music Video

Upon first sight and sound in this spit-and-saw dust venue I was expecting the usual. Too loud, unbalanced and still, too loud. Not because I’m getting old or anything – although sometimes I feel it – it’s just that small venues can’t deal with a big sound. What I heard was crisp, refined and borderline insanity.

Everyone has been to a nearby drinking hole and seen what can only be described as a pub band. Local patrons supporting their favourite supping venue and the Landlord occasionally provides entertainment that is reasonably tolerable. Sometimes, and only some times, you find yourself saying, “They’re actually pretty good.” Now and then there is a band that catches your ears, catches you eyes and you feel drawn to the entertainment that you initially felt would just end up being, ‘another one of them’. Great Imitation, are definitely, not one of them.

Frontman James Scott-Howes has an abundance of energy and total disregard for health and safety as he leapt into the crowd, leapt on top of the tables, the speakers and created a proper show. As he entertained with his parading antics his lyrical rhythmic poetry was impressive as he rapped out a string of breathtaking verses whilst being supported by a soulful indie-acoustic set.

As some upcoming bands do, they have gone down the competition route of battle of the bands and festival gigs winning massive support for their sound, winning the hearts of the crowds.

The track BitterSweetHeartAttacks – below – shows off their style beautifully. Sombre and easy going music for a sunny day crossed with the strong, stern vocals from Scott-Howes makes the band seem like a collaboration of Plan B‘s pre-Strickland Banks work with Mumford & Sons with a touch of fun.

Combining a bit of humour in the performance and belting out honest, heartfelt yet explicit rap pieces this is a band that is attempting to take rap to the middle class. They can probably do it too.

BitterSweetHeartAttacks is the single taken from the Making Rap Middle Class EP which will be out on July 25th 2011. However, it is a re-release from their first work which is currently still available to buy now.