For Abel
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
Colin Jackson-Loud Horizon Music-(Artrocker/Loudhorizonmusic)- Formed around two and a half years ago, Glasgow based band For Abel have been crafting their songs and performance throughout the UK's smaller venues. However with the release of 'On TV' - their second single - and on the back of a highly successful official showcase at this years SXSW Festival in Texas, there should be an improvement in the size and ambience of venues they are now booked to play.
There is no denying the inevitable comparisons with the likes of The Wedding Present, and singer Robert Armstrong delivers the vocals in a form similar to that of Ian Curtis, but yet NACIONAL still somehow manage to sound fresh and current. The song opens with Robert singing accompanied only by a guitar quietly building in strength until after a minute or so the song bursts into life as the rest of the band join in.
'On TV' deals I think with the absurdity of the 'wannabees' who prostitute themselves on the likes of Big Brother and other reality TV shows. Eminently danceable, it is most definitely a Student -Nite floor-filler with a chorus that will pile-drive itself into your subconscious. The guitars are key to the sound but while they drive the song along at a fair rate, they remain quietly understated as they gather intensity until joined for the final climactic minute by some frantic single key piano bashing.
'First Killing' is much less frenetic in pace and a bit more 'dour' in its delivery. Robert's tone is lowered for the bulk of the song, though he does adopt a more light, yet haunting feel at various points. It's one of those 'builders' with repeated riffs that could as easily wash over the listener as draw them in and suck them under. It's quite mesmerising, actually. Moody.
There is a 'false ending' with about a minute to go (whoops! - didn't mean to give the game away) which somehow adds to the sort of ambient 'mystique' of the song.
I finally managed to catch For Abel play a live set a couple of months ago and can strongly recommend you check this band out - more so in a 'live' environment if at all possible.
(Released by ART GOES POP and available now - June 2009)
(9 / 10)
- Loud Horizon Music
"Following the insanely catchy debut 'Telephone', Glasgow-based but Yorkshire-fronted, For Abel are firing on all cylinders with a new single for the excellent 'Art Goes Pop' label. 'On TV' is an biting critique of reality shows and the public's current, obsessive quest for celebrity status at any cost. Musically, they recall indie stalwarts such as The Wedding Present and Joy Division with an intense, vocal melancholia set to driving guitars. I suggest you investigate, before they drop what promises to be an ace debut album." - News Of The World
For Abel (****) by comparison, sound primed for bigger things. The contrast between Rob Armstrong’s poised croon and the furious-squall whipped up by the band is a winning formula owing much to noisy-indie pioneers The Wedding Present. Tonight the formula comes with an appealing adjunct, a string quartet in the second half augmenting the crescendos and layering the melodies. Broken strings (first guitar, then cello) can’t snap their concentration, and though the crowd response is perplexingly muted, anticipation for their debut full-length (due soon) is sky-high and rising come the conclusion. - The Skinny
Discography
e.p Telephone- Art Goes Pop 2009
e.p On T.V- Art Goes Pop 2010
Debut Album- Greater Inventions- Flowers In The Dustbin 2011
Photos
Bio
Glasgow based band FOR ABEL hail from eclectic musical corners of the U.K, creating epic sounds with soaring guitar riffs and punching rhythm, complimented with lovelorn, poetic diatribe of Yorkshire born Rob Armstrong, they strive to make a connection with audiences through their words, music and intense live performances.
"Insanely catchy… they recall indie stalwarts such as The Wedding Present and Joy Division with an intense, vocal melancholia set to driving guitars. I suggest you investigate, before they drop what promises to be an ace debut album." Vic Galloway, BBC Scotland
“For Abel deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the best of British indie bands. Give it time and people will revere them...” Chris Martin, NME Radio
For Abel release their debut album, ‘Greater Inventions’, on 16th May. We’re not going to be shy. The album is magnificent. Vic Galloway was right
But rather than bore you with superlatives, we’ll stick to the facts.
The album follows 2 singles released on Art Goes Pop which gained radio play from BBC Radio 1 & 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, Vic Galloway, Huw Stephens, Colin Murray, Tom Robinson and Jim Gellatly as well as NME radio’s Chris Martin and XFM. Press has included Artrocker, The Skinny and Rolling Stone Italy. Video plays include Channel M, MTV2 and Popmorphic.
Highlights include playing Glastonbury, Rockness, SxSW Texas, GoNorth, In The City Manchester and 2 successful U.K tours with Select Booking Agency. For Abel also won the Magnus Magnusson award and recording of the album also attracted funding from Creative Scotland. For Abel feature on the current Strummerville compilation and appeared on Artrocker’s ‘Jail Guitar Doors’ compilation.
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