22 Dec 2024
Curlys Jewels - EP Review: The Skin We Shed
08 May 2017 // A review by Paul Goddard
I had heard good things about Curly Jewels from gigs they have played up and done the country and even though I knew nothing about them I had an impression in my mind of a hard hitting heavy rock outfit who put on a great show. So the opening track Internal Cinderella didn't disappoint, it kicks in with a driving riff and the production is great. Then it all slows and Janelle's vocals float in until we kick back into that riff and a driving chorus.
Next up is Ridiculous which starts uptempo with a great melody and has excellent guitar work on the verses, but the chorus lets it down for me. Yes, it's catchy and I am sure people will be singing along to it at gigs but for me, it just doesn't work. At that point, the song loses me.
We have a change in direction with Bastard Fate, the intro vocal effects are a nice touch and this song has more of a southern fried rock feel. Janelle has a great ear for melody and we are back on track.
Next up is No Relief and this really kicks into gear with some killer opening riffs and the drums just keep pushing the song along, picking up the energy level and also pushing me to turn up the volume a bit more. It's a more experimental format than the previous tracks and probably my favourite on here. Should be awesome live.
Frantic is another killer track and the vocals in parts remind me of Siouxsie Sioux. The band is pummeling through the song and once again the riffs are huge. This EP gets better the further you get into it. Maybe the tracks should have been in the reverse order?
Final track Terror In Disguise moves back into more familiar territory and really shows how good Curly Jewels are at songwriting. None of these songs would sound out of place on radio and there is just the right mix of heaviness balanced out with some great singing.
Curly Jewels have all the ingredients to really make a name for themselves. If they keep going this way and try to push the boundaries, the heavy parts keep getting heavier, the melodies keep getting more experimental they will stand out from the crowd and they could end up being the Jewel in NZ's Rock crown.
I had heard good things about Curly Jewels from gigs they have played up and done the country and even though I knew nothing about them I had an impression in my mind of a hard hitting heavy rock outfit who put on a great show. So the opening track Internal Cinderella didn't disappoint, it kicks in with a driving riff and the production is great. Then it all slows and Janelle's vocals float in until we kick back into that riff and a driving chorus.Next up is Ridiculous which starts uptempo with a great melody and has excellent guitar work on the verses, but the chorus lets it down for me. Yes, it's catchy and I am sure people will be singing along to it at gigs but for me, it just doesn't work. At that point, the song loses me.
We have a change in direction with Bastard Fate, the intro vocal effects are a nice touch and this song has more of a southern fried rock feel. Janelle has a great ear for melody and we are back on track.
Next up is No Relief and this really kicks into gear with some killer opening riffs and the drums just keep pushing the song along, picking up the energy level and also pushing me to turn up the volume a bit more. It's a more experimental format than the previous tracks and probably my favourite on here. Should be awesome live.
Frantic is another killer track and the vocals in parts remind me of Siouxsie Sioux. The band is pummeling through the song and once again the riffs are huge. This EP gets better the further you get into it. Maybe the tracks should have been in the reverse order?
Final track Terror In Disguise moves back into more familiar territory and really shows how good Curly Jewels are at songwriting. None of these songs would sound out of place on radio and there is just the right mix of heaviness balanced out with some great singing.
Curly Jewels have all the ingredients to really make a name for themselves. If they keep going this way and try to push the boundaries, the heavy parts keep getting heavier, the melodies keep getting more experimental they will stand out from the crowd and they could end up being the Jewel in NZ's Rock crown.
About Curlys Jewels
The band has released a number or records over the years enjoying success on the Official NZ Top 40 Charts. The past 3 Curlys Jewels singles were recorded at Roundhead Studios with the legendary producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers) and mixed by Clint Murphy (Devilskin).
Curlys Jewels have supported several heavy weight New Zealand bands such as Head Like a Hole, Devilskin, and toured with The Feelers. They also supported international rock stars Living Colour at their Wellington concert.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Curlys Jewels
Releases
Other Reviews By Paul Goddard
Cairo Knife Fight - EP Review: Dream Season
19 Jul 2024 // by Paul Goddard
Cairo Knife Fight have been around a while and been through a lot. Spawned in NZ and now based in the U S of A it has been a journey full of highs and lows.
Read More...
The Dirty Tones - Album Review: Sweet Thang
23 May 2024 // by Paul Goddard
For me, Blues music is the real soul music. It has storytelling like Country and folk music and passion like Rock music, but at its core it gives a window into the soul of the people creating it.
Read More...
Sam Cullen - EP Review: Love Again
18 Apr 2024 // by Paul Goddard
When I first heard this brand-new EP from Invercargill native Sam Cullen, I was immediately reminded of another famous Sam who has an equally famous last name (Fender).The four songs on the Love Again EP have a familiarity and similarity with roots going back to Springsteen and the well-trodden stadium rock road but there is also something in the songs on Love Again that could only be grown in New Zealand.
Read More...
Skitch Hiker - Single Review: Slippery Wet Handshake
30 Jun 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Wow.Just when you have given up on music and banging your head against a brick wall wondering why Taylor Swift is more popular than toilet roll during a pandemic something like this comes along.
Read More...
Retro Valley - Single Review: Backseat Lovers
19 May 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Right from the opening bars of Backseat Lovers by Hamilton-based Retro Valley it is clear that this song is pure class.This 3-minute tune is a next-level lesson in how to create, perform and produce a pop/indie classic.
Read More...
Murmur Tooth and Lars Moston - Album Review: No Time To Explain
19 May 2023 // by Paul Goddard
Collaborations can work. Sometimes they do most of the time they don't.
Read More...
Album Review: Sex Dad's Greatest Hits: The Very Best Of Sex Dad
27 Dec 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Feeling bloated and underwhelmed. Listening to mainstream radio in the car as I left my phone at home.
Read More...
Marrow Neck - EP Review: Made Up
23 Nov 2022 // by Paul Goddard
Sitting here in a very wet and cold, rainy UK watching the oldies falling out of the local Wetherspoons where they have been on the piss since 9am (yep the UK is weird it's only the old people who can afford to get pissed all day).I am reflecting on the past as I listen to the latest EP Made Up from Auckland-based Mark Hannington.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
