HARDWIRED (www.hardwired-hq.com) are a York-based quintet (formed from the ashes of ALLIA) who have been busy building a live reputation in and around the Yorkshire cities over the past few months; supporting then hotly-tipped Danes The Raveonettes just prior to Christmas.
"Last Dance" is a five-track recording of the band and serves as a good introduction to what they're capable of: namely twisting hard rock shapes all over the shop to fit their own image. The first two tracks, the title tune and "Down On You" both proffer hard, DC-ish riffing and motor along nicely. Singer Adam Hawley's voice immediately stands out as it's hardly a typical hard rock voice, though that's a good thing as his pinched, throaty vocals make a refreshing change from the Plant wannabes that usually clog this genre.
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Also included are three live tracks, "Fall Around Me", "C'mon Baby" and "Standing Tears." These are all pretty rough and ready, but bring in some changes of pace and a welcome light and shade. "Fall Around Me" is sludgy and forgettable, but "C'mon Baby" features a likeable metal/ skankin' rhythm crossover that appeals and the slow and atmospheric "Standing Tears" suggestes that HARDWIRED are capable of better when they forget about being anthemic for a moment.
Some of this gear ain't really your reviewer's chalice of hemlock laced with strychnine, but that doesn't mean HARDWIRED are without promise. Give them a chance to develop a little further.
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