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Redefine
- Jennifer Cried
"So there everyone was, rattling on about
Vex Red, the first British band to be produced by Ross 'Midas
Touch' Robinson, being the new Bush blah blah bloody blah… But
sneaking up on the inside rail all along was this group of four
teenagers from Bristol who, like the Red, weld electronics with
epic, soaring riffs, but unlike Robinson's puppies, do it with
more than just flimsy angst to back up their sound. Let's be
clear about this: 'thedaisychaincycle' is an absolute revelation,
an album crammed with jaw-droppingly unexpected moments of genius.
It takes the emotional heaviness of Far and Deftones, adds
a few of Placebo's melodic stylings, and finishes the whole
thing off with a genre-blending musical maturity that far outshines
the quartet's tender years." KKKK Ashley Bird, Kerrang! April
27th 2002.
"You would be doing yourself a massive - and I really do mean
massive - disservice if you let this staggering debut slip you
by. They've cast their influential net wide, taking in everything
from the infectious grooves of Incubus to the all-out rage of
early Deftones, and come up with an LP which will knock your
socks clean into next week… The most enjoyable, listener friendly
record of the year so far." 8/10 Ian Distort, Metal Hammer May
2002.
"'thedaisychaincycle' is a powerful debut that leaves you aghast
at how good this band are… clearly shows these youngsters to
be proficient, confident and artistically creative, and much
more than mere clones of more-established indie rockers. Redefine
are in a league of their own. It's hard to pick fault with this
debut release." 4/5 Darren Sadler, Rock Sound May 2002.
"Redefine have seemingly come out of obscurity and created one
of the best records I've heard in a fair while. Opening number
'Boy Monkey' had me stood in front of the stereo going 'oooer,
this is nice'. Spacey and melodic with a splash of electronica
yet with an ever present hard edge, 'Boy Monkey' sets the tone
for the rest of the album. I can imagine this especially appealing
to fans of Lostprophets, Silverchair, Pitchshifter and Apex
Theory but even those who detest said bands will probably still
enjoy this record. Given the chance you too could become like
me and become totally addicted to this record." 5/5, Molly Stewart,
Big Cheese June 2002.
Redefine, whose debut album 'thedaisychaincycle' has won rave
reviews, are rapidly establishing themselves as one of the most
exciting new rock bands around on the live circuit, having recently
toured the UK with first Him and then Wilt. Last year they were
awarded 'Single Of The Week' in Kerrang! for 'Cypher', which
was re-recorded for 'thedaisychaincycle'.
The single features the video along with two previously unreleased
tracks.
Tracks...
4.1 JENNIFER CRIED
4.2 A WHOLE NEW YEAR
4.3 MONKEY DOJO
4.4 JENNIFER CRIED VIDEO
SUGAR
SHACK RECORDS FOD 040 CD single
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Redefine
- 'The Daisychain Cycle'
What a year it has been for Redefine. They have managed to
release two singles, awarded 'Single of the Week' in Kerrang!,
receive extensive airplay on Radio 1, be interviewed for various
major rock publications, record a full length debut album
and still pass their A-levels!
The Daisychain Cycle encapsulates a sound of excitement, honesty
and urgency. It is clearly evident from the moment the laser
hits the disc that the band hold nothing back; musically or
lyrically.
Opening with a song that is brutal in sound as well as in
sentiment, Boy Monkey sets us off for what will be an incredible
musical journey. Songs rise and fall only to scramble back
on their feet with a counter-attack as lead singer Pete Daplyn
vents his spleen to quite dramatic effect. His beautifully
intelligent manipulation of the English language makes the
songs as enjoyable to dissect and analyse as it is to bounce
about to on the dance floor.
Of course the whole package would not be complete without
the versatile sounds of Ben Wong (guitars, synthesizers and
samplers), who has been subtly experimenting with the Redefine
sound with one or two electronic effects (notably the abstract
doodles of Soap Star Coffee Drinker and 8==D), and the solid
backing of earth shaking bass lines and inventive drumming
nailed with needle sharp precision; supplied by Paul Mah and
Steve Bishop respectively.
With a more earthy feel to the Redefine sound despite the
aforementioned dabble with electronica, tracks such as Solid
State Effigy with its post hardcore slant and A-Z of Chat-room
Dating which demonstates the eclectic nature of the band with
a fusion of metal, emo, noise and jazz.
What is most notable, however, is the manner in which songs
compliment one another offering a compelling edge; emotionally
drenched masterpieces such as Jennifer Cried, and the more
accessible Cypher sitting comfortably with the out and out
white noise madness of the reworked Seven by Seven; and the
bitter sweetness of Andromeda and This Time.
The album draws to an epic end with the shockingly intense
Daisychain. A schizophrenic split between emotion and noise,
post-rock-esque build-ups and ear shattering screams, bring
you to a point where you are left thoroughly drained but yet
endearingly satisfied.
The Daisychain Cycle is an outstanding piece of work, and
if justice is to prevail, it will be remembered in years to
come.
Redefine - Cypher
If there was ever a suggestion of a 'difficult' second
single, then Redefine are clearly not affected by a
such a notion.
Cypher surpasses its predecessor - Seven By Seven -
with considerable ease. The paranoia and fear are ever
present in Pete Daplyn's lyrics, as are the musical
reference points of the Deftones and Smashing Pumpkins.
It is how Redefine use these influences, though, that
define their own direction - the throat ripping tension
that bursts to the surface during the final quarter
before sinking back into the edgy paranoia engulfing
lead vocalist Pete Daplyn's existence, coupled with
the deep, guitar-driven soundscape on display here,
suggest Redefine are grappling with much inner turmoil.
"My fears dissolve as we lie asleep," is the biggest
lie and the greatest comfort because if there was ever
a call for reassurance then Cypher is a prime example.
With the flip-side of Grow Over providing further evidence
of Redefine's deft touch of incendiary guitar rock,
and Candle Shine offering a glimmer of the band's earlier
recordings when The Cure's Disintegration meant something,
there is clearly much strength in depth, and vision,
to suggest that Bristol has a serious contender.
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TRACKS...
CYPHER
GROW OVER
CANDLE SHINE
RELEASED 02/07/01
SUGAR
SHACK RECORDS FOD 027 CD single |
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Redefine - Seven By Seven
With a vocal that sounds as if it is fighting for its
life coupled with an absolute barrage of guitars and
drums that literally batter the listener into submission,
Seven By Seven is one desperate and claustrophobic record.
With no respite forthcoming in the shape of Daisy chain,
which contains a gut wrenching finale that somehow belies
the size of the singer and general age of the band,
Redefine clearly have a few inner demons to resolve.
Despite a nagging sense of paranoia that Bristol bands
have a tendency to possess, Redefine, momentarily, offer
a glimpse of optimism with a parting shot of: "We walk
out of the light and now it seems so sorry. We walk
out of the light and the day seems brighter. It seems
much clearer now that I know you, yes I know you."
A few more heartbreaks are inevitable. For the time
being, at least, Redefine's reservation for a safe haven
will be put on hold because this angst ridden unit are
going to be the next GREAT saviours.
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TRACKS...
1.1 SEVEN BY SEVEN
1.2 DAISYCHAIN
1.3 LIGHT THE GLASS
SUGAR
SHACK RECORDS FOD 025 CD single |
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