In this age of polished, professional, autotuned music, it's sometimes refreshing to hear a band with a grungy, raw sound. Though Perth's Tired Lion have been prowling around for the past few years, their new EP 'Figurine' is like a breath of fresh air.
Opening track 'Pretend' launches into some incendiary electric guitar, grinding away until the wicked drums kick in at the chorus. Single 'Suck' does quite the opposite - this powerhouse track really sneaks up on you and blows you away; a vicious refrain with the power of a crouching lion launches full-pelt into the fierce chorus. Half-way in, 'I Don't Think You Like Me' gives us a taste of killer 90s rock, putting an impressively pouty attitude on display. Cruisier track 'December' rounds out the EP, lulling you into a false sense of security with its lazy summer tune before blasting you away with its chorus.
The big drawcard to Tired Lion is Sophie Hopes' vocals. I mean, wow. This girl has one captivating voice. It's sexy and silky smooth over the very unkempt and aggressive tunes, a winning combination that makes this a cut above your average garage sound. Her style is a little Hole's Courtney Love, and a little Garbage's Shirley Manson. Without a doubt, her voice is the defining factor that makes this band exceptional.
If the thought of listening to yet another pre-fabricated commercial radio track makes you want to gouge out your eyes, I thoroughly recommend checking out Tired Lion. Full of life and energy, their 'Figurine' EP is jam-packed with cool, coarse tracks guaranteed to go down a treat.
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