Listen: Revere
Just when you think it’s safe to switch off the radar, along comes a band that shatters any illusions that you really have heard it all before. Revere is a rather wonderful eight-piece band from London, UK. Their fusion of rock and orchestral instrumentation allied to a genuinely great and expressive lead vocalist produces music with a freshness and, dare I say it, originality, often claimed but rarely achieved.
Revere add violin, cello, keys, trumpet and glockenspiel into a guitar-led sound, absorbing an unusual array of musical influences, effortlessly and with great artistry. Elements of gypsy marches, klezmer, post rock, film scores and gospel are skilfully welded to create a truly unique sound. The songs can open with music-box softness yet build into relentless walls of sound, so much so that the sheer intensity, drama and passion of the band’s live performance just has to be experienced.
For all this, the Brits are still relatively unknown. Such anonymity is likely to end with the release of their debut album, Hey Selim, come November. Meanwhile you have their current single, the immeasurably beautiful “As the Radars Sleep”, to whet your appetite. The song builds intensely with pounding drums to the fore from the start over moody organ and guitars. It constructs itself in layers, reaching a choral crescendo before falling away to a bare and mournful guitar theme, which is then amplified by strings and fully developed by the band almost as an extended coda, before dissolving into a lovely tinkling ending. Just imagine ballerinas!
There are plenty more gems to be uncovered when the album is finally unveiled with perhaps the rarest jewel of all being “The Escape Artist”. This stunning orchestral-rock tour-de-force has a haunting slow climb breaking into epic waves of sound, which realease tumultuous outpourings of genuine emotion. Vocally and instrumentally this is as good as it gets, other than perhaps seeing the band perform it live. Here is the marvelous accompanying video, directed by Vanessa Caswill (4Talent Best Director 2007) and largely financed by fans of the band.
Warning: “The Escape Artist” may be one of the best songs you’ve never heard.
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This review really does justice to an amazing band. There are an array of multi instrumental bands out there at the moment but none with the sophistication and originality of Revere. Have seen them several times in London with the highlight being at the union chapel… a truly awe inspiring and breathtaking performance.
This band is absurdly talented. Britain’s answer to Arcade Fire
Great review, refreshing to read something that doesn’t take the lazy option of comparing a band to other vaguely similar bands out there. Revere are an anthemic act & have produced an epic album worthy of wider attention than their passionate cult following. A possible contendor for the Mercury Music Prize next year & Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury? Absolutely!
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Can’t really add to what’s already to be said other than to agree wholeheartedly with the author and comments above. A very special band who deserve your attention. Check out their if you need more convincing!
Bring on the album!!
I have been to pretty much every Revere gig in London in the past 18 months and every time the perfermance leaves me overwhelmed and uplifted.
This is a band that you must see live-the experience will change your life!
Seconded
They’re a really great band and I am extremely excited about their debut album. If you get the chance to see them live - GO! They’re amazing and definitely different : ) Good luck Revere, great piece Tony.. x x