Reviews

Artist: 6 Day Riot
Album: On This Island
Label: Tantrum
Tracks: 12
Website:http://www.6dayriot.co.uk

The Scots have a phrase, pure dead gallas, it doesn't really have an English equivalent. Roughly translated it means a little bit feisty, a little bit cocky, knowing that your something special and able to project it without giving the impression that you've allowed it all to go to your head. Ultra confident, but with a wink in your eye if you like.

"On This Island" elevates 6 Day Riot into pure dead gallas mode. It's an album that projects attitude without having to resort to power, it's the slightly brooding, slightly edgy feel of a band that don't feel they need to prove anything to anyone, they know what skin they're in and what they want to say.

Most of the songs have a real punch to them, slightly harsh in their delivery, a little rough around the edges, hearts worn on sleeves and maybe a little bunny boiling in places, yet still able to retain a sense of vulnerability when it's required.

Acoustic rock, kletzmer, gypsy and I guess the troubadour all battle their way into the mix in varying to degrees, occasionally one gains a dominance to give the track it's captured a distinct touch, before another genre begins to slide into pole position.

Regardless of the sound that backs her, Tamara Schlesinger, a one woman uke orchestra, takes front and centre on the vocal front imparting the spirit of the Morrigan into each performance, and I use the word performance advisedly, as you can feel her almost living each song.

Well received festival appearances have hopefully raised 6 Day Riots' profile enough to give this release the exposure that's due to it. "On This Island" nails the band, pure dead gallas !

Neil King

---