Search - Vega 4 :: Satellites

Guitar pop just doesn't come much better than this.

M. Chapman | UK | 02/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Opening track, Drifting Away, is a super-melodic rock number that rolls along at a brisk pace with a superb vocal, and well-judged instrumentals. There's a number of distinctive touches with McLellan's drumming a notable feature. Single number 1! Next up is Sing which repeats the formula but with even stronger melody and chorus. Anthemic is an apt description and this is single number two - 2 tracks, 2 singles. Do you hear what I'm saying here? The opening chords of next track Radio Song could be Coldplay and this slower-paced beauty could so easily have appeared on PARACHUTES or RUSH OF BLOOD. It's a clever song that initially doesn't quite register but pretty soon gets through helped by a soaring guitar riff and that superlative voice. Single number three. Three tracks, three singles. Interested? Track four, Caterpillar Song, and another slower, contemplative song that underlines the writing strength of this band. "Sinking like a burst balloon, with the weight that's in your eyes, hit the brakes before you crash, you're black and blue from trying." The song builds to an epic crescendo with Modaid's voice heading for the stars and instruments following obediently. Single number four. Not enough for you? Next track then, the beautiful and mountainous love song Love Breaks Down is single number five. Still not enough? You're bloody hard to please! Okay, okay, one more for luck. Better Life which starts with a mesmirising guitar rush before that passionate and expresive vocal rears its beautiful head. For guitar pop fans, there's some great, wandering guitar riffs right through this tune, but calculated to allow just enough room for the vocal to cast its mind-blowing spell. Single number six. ...P>The Love You Had is a gentle acoustic pop ballad which communicates a lovely emotional ambience, while Satellite repeats the dose albeit with a gentle slide guitar country vibe. Track nine, Shoot Up Hill, has a more angular, punkier sound emphasised by a strong, threatening drum rhythm and angry guitar chords - all of which suit the song's illicit subject matter. Back to dream time with Burn & Fade and a gentle piano backdrop overlaid by a most moving and meandering vocal. Superb. An extended silence before a low buzz signals the opening of concluding track, Hallelujah. Modaid's voice performs some heady tricks here as it almost breaks the record in the higher octave register stakes, and continues to show what a great singer this guy is. It's a song that builds very slowly until it finally loses the fight and the extended rock rush starts, hallelujah indeed!"