Vamoosery are an accessible rock/prog band from Coventry, UK who are “Passionate about impacting people through music, sharing their journey together through building community and accurately expressing their hearts to one another”. For anyone who knows the music of Vamoosery knows that they like to keep it interesting and in my humble opinion they do it just enough not to lose anyone along the way. Their first Vamoosery EP released in 2015 shows just what the band are capable of in the early years of their career which excites me for what they have to give us in 2017 but... Read MoreVamoosery are an accessible rock/prog band from Coventry, UK who are “Passionate about impacting people through music, sharing their journey together through building community and accurately expressing their hearts to one another”. For anyone who knows the music of Vamoosery knows that they like to keep it interesting and in my humble opinion they do it just enough not to lose anyone along the way. Their first Vamoosery EP released in 2015 shows just what the band are capable of in the early years of their career which excites me for what they have to give us in 2017 but it is here in December 2016 we find their latest release, a cover of perhaps my favourite carol, “O Holy Night”.
This track starts out in a surprising manner with an intricate drum pattern calmly leading us into what would become a bit of an epic of a song. Slowly as the song builds, layers and layers build up with James Nicholson’s guitar work adding in warm textures as opposed to the hard rock riffs a Vamoosery fan is used to. Yet these textures really work in this context which is only partnered brilliantly with the soaring vocals of Sheridan Skinner who leads the way in what might be the highlight of the track. Sheridan seriously shows her vocal ability as the front women diversely performs complex runs and yodels all performed with a sense of joy she uniquely brings to these really special lyrics.
If you know the band, the way the song travels and turns is not miles apart from the bands very own material however here I feel it doesn’t quite flow as well with certain rhythmic patterns and/or time signature changes feeling a bit jolted causing the listener to get settled back in a few bars too late. For instance, the feel of the second verse is such a contrast to the rest of the song, that it does feel a little out of place until your mind catches up with it and then you can really appreciate where the band are aiming to take the song. It is just a little bit abrupt and not as smooth as what I have come to expect with the band.
However as the song builds, so does the vocal work and by the time we get to the penultimate section of the song in the final chorus of “Christ is the Lord”, we are treated to a huge ensemble of vocalists declaring such a strong statement which is backed up by well placed band hits and drum fills. This again is matched by the power of Sheridan's vocal talent showcased here with further unique musical runs.
Overall I really enjoyed this fresh cover of such a well known carol and I do like it the more I listen to it. The carol displays who this band are very well. They are a musically challenging band who are pushing the boundaries of what can be done in accessible rock but in doing so they don’t lose the power and the boldness of the sound they can produce. If you like this version of O Holy Night then I highly recommend you check out their first EP and keep an eye of what is to come from them in 2017 as we have definitely not heard the best yet. And while you are at it, make sure you see them live as very much like this carol, they will take you on a journey with their music.
