Ciccone Ritchie
Within Our Parameters

Funny name, web searches show hit referring to Madonna to whom this band to my knowledge has no relation. Behind this funny name hides a Danish quartet, who is releasing their debut album for the second time. It was released in May last year to begin with, that time it was released by the band independently and now it is being released on the label Prime Collective from Denmark. It is an album within their parameters and it has a label that is slightly interesting. I would however say that from the exterior view without hearing the album there isn’t much exciting about it.

Musically they are an edgy rock band, with a touch of progressiveness. They are offering a good production and a strong vocalist, the tempo of the album is relatively high and the songs are quite similar on the most part. It has ten tracks and it plays for 45 minutes, there is a bit of depth there and the songs are not the ones you take in at first go. Pretty good production overall but I think one might argue that the band lacks a bit of finesse and the lack a bit of originality considering that the reviews I found were all namedropping like crazy which often tends to mean that the first thing the new listener notices is what has inspired the band rather than the personality of the band’s music. That can be a problem sometimes, and it is something that can be noticed in many debut albums.

I do think that this album is good, the songs are overall good and the sound is very interesting. This band has all the tools in their bag of tricks but they do not use them in the best possible way that leaves the album good but not great. The problem today is that there are many good albums being released and most of them will remain anonymous, which will most likely be the case of this album as well. It is an exciting sounding debut; it has a very interesting sound and that is something that can make them a very interesting band in the future but that is a prospect for a later date. I think that the main problem preventing this album from being great in my ears is the lack of dynamics, most of the songs are just too similar which makes it all float together into a steady stream of sounds where nothing really catches the listeners attention. Maybe a strong hit song would have helped.

There is a great song in the ending track Liars and Gallows that makes the album leave you on a positive note. But there isn’t much more that grabs my attention, I have enjoyed parts of the album but it mostly leaves me a bit indifferent. I would want a bit more punch, a bit more excitement. The album feels like a good indication and maybe also a good start for this band, it is a strong debut album that ends in an appealing way but maybe they shouldn't have stayed so much within the parameters.

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