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Title: Between 2wo Worlds
Artist: Macstanley
Genre: Rock / Acoustic
Release Date: 27th March 2009
Label: IMusic Records



Album Review

MACSTANLEY are a three-piece rock outfit from the South African metropolis of Capetown and another living proof - besides some more electronically oriented independent recording artists such as ACTRETONGUE or WINTER SOUL for instance - of a lively and varied music scene in the rainbow nation. The guys already supported COUNTING CROWS and METALLICA on concerts and with ‘Between 2wo Worlds’ they bring across now their debut to us.

The vivid opener ‘Daytrippers’ can’t neglect its light folk influences emerging in-between the perfect interaction of strings virtuosi guitars, soft drum punches and the clear as glass vocals of the fronter Andy Mac. In the further course, more specifically in the next song ‘Song for the Broken Hearted’ also the rock face of the band cuts surface after the song has started solely with refrained acoustics and vocals before light drums join in on the party for the rhythmic accents that’ll be evolving towards the emotive chorus made of weathered melancholy juxtaposed to strong guitar chords. We will see a reunion with those already in the next song and already known single ‘As I Am’ but in a more extenuated manner in which they’re blending in well with the acoustic section in the song’s beginnings. They’ll grow stronger in the process though and tower up to full capacity eventually. For ‘I Warrior’ we don’t need all that rock stuff anymore even though the title suggests otherwise. It is stripped down to emotive essentials like the caressing acoustic lines meandering harmonically along emphatic strings while understated drums give a slow pace to it. All this would be nothing though without the convertible signature voice of Mr. Mac.

Even if the following ‘Stay’ starts just as emotive as the aforementioned it breaks away into stronger territories as it progresses further leading into the chorus driven by propulsive drums and deep riffs. If you liked the softer ballads you’ll fall in love with the album conclusion ‘Be There’. Strings, percussion and acoustic guitars in unison make up an excellent backdrop for Andy Mac to make his voice penetrate your hearts. A musically absolutely convincing and vocal-wise extraordinary performance is what you’ll get on ‘Between 2wo Worlds’ and the band is evidence that good, hand-made Rock, doesn’t necessarily come from the US or Canada. Hope to see you live soon.


Tracklist

01. Daytrippers - 5:02
02. Paper Thin - 4:08
03. Song for the Broken Hearted - 3:42
04. As I am - 3:25
05. Freedive - 4:44
06. Stereo - 4:02
07. I Warrior - 4:44
08. Summer on it's way - 4:32
09. Stay - 3:22
10. Deja Vu - 3:50
11. Coming Home - 3:40
12. Outer Space - 3:11
13. Treading Air - 4:05
14. Be There - 4:55


Line-up

Andy Mac - Vocals
Clinton Gahwiler - Guitar
Neil Potgieter - Guitar


Website

http://macstanley.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/macstanleyband


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10


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