aaamusic | On 03, Jan 2011

Crazy Arm have had a hectic 2010 that shows no signs of letting up. They toured for three weeks as support to Frank Turner (and Chuck Ragan) throughout the UK and mainland Europe; completed a label showcase tour with The Xcerts; embarked on two further weeklong jaunts to the continent including festival appearances in Belgium and Germany; and made appearances at 2000 Trees, NASS, Leopallooza, Reading and Leeds Festivals, amongst others. They are also booking a tour of Europe for mid-January 2011 with The Cut Ups. Featuring the Springsteen-esque anthem, ‘Ambertown’, and the bluegrass-influenced ‘Sweet Storm’ – with live guest, Victoria Butterfield, on joint vocals they release an amazing brand new single.

Ambertown was clearly inspired by Bruce Springsteen, it starts with Darren Johns’ dulcet vocals to explode in a folk rock full of influences, the band itself admitted that their music is infused with loads of artists, but belonging to the same genre, like The Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes and they have the makings of being the next band who will inspire someone else succeeding in belonging with a great personality to a genre that often risk to appear equal to itself.

About the song it’s well arranged, I love when it suddenly stops to become acoustic, Darren has got a very charismatic voice in perfect harmony with the guitar only, they collaborate together to go in a wonderful crescendo enriched with choirs that explode again in a stirring rock.

Sweet Storm is a wonderful example of country embellished with a mellow female voice, with the banjo as starring of an essential song but overflowing with good feelings, when people talk about the soul of music they make reference to songs like this. With its simplicity and intensely performed it leaves a permanent mark.

Crazy Arm are on the right track to become one of the best new act of 2011, looking forward to see them live.

Author: Roberta Capuano