Released by: Earache Records
Release Date: August 16, 2024
Line Up:
Wayne Doyle Vocals / guitar
Gary Doyle Drums / vocals
Carl Oag Bass / vocals
Chris Jones Lead guitar
Tracklist:
1. Secret Drug
2. Let Me In
3. It Was Beautiful
4. Grace
5. Declining
6. Out of Time (feat. Elles Bailey)
7. How Much Is Enough
8. Practice Run
9. Streets Of Fire
10. Who Wants To Be In Love Anyway
11. Divide and Conquer
12. My House My Rules
Formed in 2018, Scarlett Rebels hail from Llanelli in South Wales. The quartet is known for their charity work, particularly in supporting food banks through their fundraising efforts. The band comprises Wayne Doyle on vocals and guitar, Chris Jones on lead guitar, Gary Doyle on drums, and Carl Oag on bass guitar. This release is the group’s third studio album and follows their previous UK Top 10 album, See Through Blue. In addition to the three studio albums, they also released a live album in 2020.
The first thing you notice about the album is the vivid color scheme of the cover, which instantly attracts the eye and will make it stand out in both charity and record shops alike.
The first track on this album, Secret Drug, was initially released as a single in April of this year, accompanied by an official music video. The track has Stereophonics vibes with an Angus Young-style guitar solo from Jones. The video, shot by Shaun Hodson of Loki Films, presents close-ups of the band members performing in front of a large screen with fluid imagery displayed as a backdrop.
Moving on to the second track, Let Me In, we are met with heavier drums in the intro before launching into the song’s main guitar groove and Doyle’s vocals. The drums play a key role, knitting all the sections together. The classic 80s-style guitar solo is a great addition to the rest of the song.
The third track, It Was Beautiful, is more emotional, as Doyle sings of a lost relationship. It starts more subdued before launching into a more emphatic pace. The passionate storytelling works well, accompanied by the other instruments, and the guitar solo combined with a change in vocals provides a great contrast within the song.
The following song, Grace, again adds a slight change in style from its predecessor in terms of the music; however, the excellent emotional storytelling through the lyrics continues.
After a brief intro of chugging guitar, Declining launches into the main body of the song, depicting a dark time in Wayne’s life. It continues the album’s up-tempo feel while dealing with sensitive relationship issues.
The next track, Out of Time, is the first of two collaborations on the album and features multi-award-winning blues artist Elles Bailey, who brings her silky vocals to contrast with Doyle’s. This song begins with a piano and vocal intro, with the other instruments joining after a few bars in a very deliberate but supplementary role. Bailey then joins the mix, telling the other side of the story playing out. The music reminds me of a Bon Jovi-style ballad with the classic use of male/female vocals to add contrast. This power ballad feel is continued later in the album with the track Practice Run, which has similar stylings to Out of Time but without the guest vocals.
There are different themes at play throughout the record, which can essentially be split into two halves. Up until now, the tracks have been very much relationship-based, with the final relationship-based song being Who Wants To Be in Love Anyway. Many of the later songs are more political in nature. How Much Is Enough and Divide and Conquer are very much attacks on the people in power, while Streets of Fire addresses environmental issues. Throughout the end of the album, Jones’ guitar riffs increase the tempo.
The final track, My House My Rules, is the second of the collaborations, co-written by Ricky Warwick of Black Star Riders. Opening with high-octane guitar riffs akin to Thin Lizzy, this comes as no surprise considering the co-author. The lyrics have a different feel from the rest of the album, with the theme feeling more like the content of a Motörhead song.
The album as a whole is a cleverly woven mixture of well-written lyrics that provide emotional storytelling throughout, amply supported by guitar grooves, punchy 80s guitar solos, and tied together with the drumming provided by Gary Doyle. The influences that inspired these musicians are clear, with aspects of Stereophonics and Bruce Springsteen, among others, coming across in the music. Overall, I have been impressed with the lyrics and the band’s ability to bring the listener into the emotional story being told through the songs.
The band is touring the UK starting this month to support the launch of the new album Where the Colours Meet, and a list of dates can be found on their website at Scarlett Rebels Live. The band is making the album available in charity shops first to help with their fundraising work, with donations going to Nottingham’s Emmanuel House.
Score: 8/10
Reviewed by: Dave Martin
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