Control-Control

Local acoustic trio Control-Control don’t exactly play folky, down-on-the-porch ditties about pretty girls, sunshine and country life. While the acoustic guitar may be the backbone of this band, the sound on this record is ‘big’ - not quite Led Zeppelin stadium ‘big’ - but booming, dramatic and epic.

Opening track The Enterprise is a driving acoustic pop number with theatrical, bombastic breakdowns you could quite easily imagine Bono lending his vocal chords to. Slick, dynamic and professional – it’s a striking introduction. Colour Blue is rootsier, but still very eerie and earnest in that Celtic folk ‘let me tell you about a disastrous shipwreck’ kind of way. Grant Christensen’s vocal delivery is particularly accomplished on this track and reminiscent of the great pomp-rock wailer himself, Robert Plant. There’s a bit of Editors’ frontman Tom Smith in there as well.
Sexy Sea could do with a bit less predictability lyrics-wise, but continues the theatricality of the album nicely, albeit with a touch of funk. Why not?

A refreshingly hi-fi local acoustic release.

_DAVID CRADDOCK


- X-Press Magazine

Reviewed by LUKE TROLLOPE

Control – Control’s EP Satellites And The Sea is a fantastic acoustic indie rock offering from the Fremantle trio. Control- Control, who recently appeared on Triple J’s unearthed have a great unique sound that takes you by surprise for such a young band, they only formed in 2009. As soon as you hear the title track ‘The Enterprise’ you immediately think of acoustic rock, with a smooth emotional undertone. As soon as you get in to the second track ‘Colour Blue’ you listen and understand this EP pays homage to their Freo home and the sea.

Satellites And The Sea is an impressive first offering by the group, showing a musical maturity not seen by many artists on their first try. It’s a sophisticated ride through a lyrical and instrumental delight. This sort of musical talent doesn’t come along too often and certainly shows that Control-Control have what it takes to make it big in the Australian music industry.

The acoustic guitar is clearly Control-Control’s instrument of choice, as it acts as a support through each song. However it is certainly not the best aspect of the tracks, the booming emotionally sophisticated and epic vocals by Grant Christensen and Hayley Wellington are a breath of fresh air.

The track ‘Sexy Sea’ is a definite stand out track, with a slightly different, mellow sound; the track trails above the rest, and could easily be released as a single. The final track ‘My Own Judge’ is a brilliant way to finish the EP off, with a song that rises along with the acoustic guitar to achieve an ending that truly sticks in the mind, beautifully haunting and an emotional treat.

The consistently good 5 track EP by Control-Control has firmly cemented them as a favourite in the Perth music scene, with tracks like this, they are certain to go very far, and soon. An eclectic mix of pure genius, Satellites And The Sea is certainly bound to be a successful start to an illustrious career for Control-Control.

- Space Ship News