Customer Reviews

Neptune

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Duke Spirit have come up with a great second album which hopefully should see them break through in 2008. Liela Moss's vocals have great range and she sings with real feeling I haven't enjoyed listening to a female lead singer so much since Siouxsie Sioux was in her prime. Their musical influences are all too apparent, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Pixies to name but three, however The Duke Spirit are most definitely a contemporary 21st century band and deserve success in 2008!

It seems the 60's are back these days - at least when it comes to music. What with artists like Duffy resurrecting British soul sounds and indie darlings like Conor Oberst and Josh Ritter channeling their inner Dylans, more and more musicians are finding inspiration in the sounds that fueled the latter half of that turbulent decade. This could easily have been a bad thing, but fortunately these folks are all hugely talented, and their music goes far beyond mere imitation.

The same holds true for The Duke Spirit, who sound thoroughly modern while still hearkening back to a 1960's spirit of rock and roll - short, punchy songs with crunchy guitars, pounding drums, memorable hooks, and most of all a smokin' hot (in every way) singer in Leila Moss.

Several reviewers have already commented on the growing comparisons between Moss and the Jefferson Airplane-era Grace Slick, and indeed "The Step and the Walk" could easily pass as a long-lost JA cut from 1967. But Moss has quite a range, and at times her voice may remind you of more contemporary artists like Duffy, or even Hope Sandoval (listen to the opening strains of "Wooden Heart").

Make no mistake, though - the Duke Spirit are a band, not a one-woman show (just as the Pretenders were, even though Chrissie tended to steal the limelight), and the quality of the songs and the musicianship on this record is uniformly good. I would tend to agree with the reviewer who noted that the disc loses a bit of steam at the end, but that may be more a reflection of how great the first several songs are.

My recommendation is to pop this disc in your car player, crank up the volume, roll down the windows and then head out to revel in what's left of the summer of 1968,...um, I mean 2008.

I first remember being smitten with The Duke Spirit about 3 years ago. Apart from what I consider a fabulous band name, I had noticed their tiny advert in the NME for their single Lion Rip (from 2006's Cuts Across the Land). It had great deer themed artwork. It was enough to prompt an impulse import purchase. I liked their sound from the onset, and above all, really liked Leila Moss' lead vocals. Her voice is something the band as a whole are smart enough to highlight at every opportunity. At that first listen she sounded like a flawless Nico with a better voice and much more of a rock vibe and less art house. I was slightly hooked to say the least.

Now four years or so later, finds me with a new Duke Spirit effort, titled "Neptune", and believe me when I tell you it's just what the doctor ordered. Staying with the same 60's-ish rock vibe (turned up a few notches), "Neptune" bests its predecessor by leaps and bounds. The strong suits of the band remain in tact, from Leila's voice to Olly's pounding drums, it is all tighter and better than ever. "Neptune" starts out with an eerie vocal intro that has Leila singing, "I do believe in something you know", it has a very church hymn quality to it. As soon as that is over, and it's over rather soon at 43 seconds, the songs kick in. Straight forward is the order of the day to "Send A Little Love Token", it's brash and bouncy and a great way to jump start a record in the right direction. Next up is the single and for once, a really great song is the lead single of a record. "The Step and The Walk" adds some blues elements to the rock mix, but it stays catchy and fun, never too heavy handed. Someone could draw some late 60's comparisons to Jefferson Airplane (minus much the psychedelica mind you), I think those comparisons are a bit off, but again, the vibe is definitely there. Having seen them do this tune 3 times now live, when it ramps up after the bridge and Leila pounds on her tambourine, you'll believe in the notion of rock n roll as it sits in the classic (proper) sense of the word.

"Dog Roses" slows things down to a gentle head bobbing pace, and adds the surprisingly strong harmonica playing of the lead singer. Other very strong songs come at you in pairs, esp. with back to back pairing of "This Ship Was Built to Last" and "Wooden Heart." Both are both slower grinding numbers, complete with fuzzy guitars and slow pulsing rhythm and in the case of "Wooden Heart", my Velvets connection is somewhat realized right down to the vocal delivery and subtle French horn. So just when it's safe to keep slow dancing, Toby, Luke, and Dan bring back the guitars with "Lassoo." Another personal favorite that will get the most stagnant listener moving. From front to back, The Duke Spirit delivers on their early promises and then some. If you want a great rock n roll experience, full of great writing and dynamic execution, I can think of no better way than join Leila's gang. Now where did I put my leather jacket?

I heard Neptune on the local radio station that airs new music. I thought it was worth checking out and I was not dissapointed. The vocalist's voice is sexy and inviting. The music is original while not being contrived. Its simply a great rock album that isn't derivative or a marketing pet project generated to maximize profit.

The Duke Spirit released a critically well received debut album "Cuts Across the Land" in 2005, and finally the UK indie-rockers have released their follow-up album.

"Neptune" (12 tracks; 37 min.) starts off with a short a-cappella "I Do Believe" from lead singer Liela Moss, and then crashes into "Send a Little Love Token", which is followed by an equally rocking (and first UK single) "The Step and the Walk". The band sounds tight, makes its musical point, and moves on to the next track. From a blazing "Into the Fold" it then goes to a smolthering "This Ship Was Built to Last", the best track on the album for me, with Moss' vocals on this track reminding me of a cross between Deborah Harry and Erica Wennerstrom. The second half of the album is not quite as strong, although tracks like "Lassoo" (second UK single) and the blistering "Neptune's Call" certainly will catch your attention. At 37 min., this album goes by in no time, and you'll find yourself playing this again and again.

I had the good fortune of catching the Duke Spirit in concert recently (opening for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) and their set was quite the pleasant surprise. It rocked hard from start to finish, and frontwoman Liela Moss is outstanding, and very personable. If you have a chance to see this up-and-coming band, don't miss them. Finally, if you wonder where you might catch the Duke Spirit on the waves, check out WOXY ("BAM! The future of rock and roll!"), the internet-only station that is the best station for indie-rock in the country, bar none. Meanwhile, "Neptune" is highly recommended.

saw them open for an eagles of death metal concert. fell in love so i had to get their music. love it!

I was thrilled to finally find a new band playing real rock & roll, with rhythm and a beat. I haven't been interested in new music since about the early/mid 90's; when hip hop and rap took over, I just kind of tuned out. Hopefully rock & roll is coming back. The Duke Spirit have a great sound emphasizing the bass guitar and the lead singer's hypnotizing voice. The Jefferson Airplane comparison is definitely a good one. I also agree with the Hope Sandoval comparison (lead singer of Mazzy Star), although The Duke Spirit's music is more upbeat than Mazzy Star. The band's sound reminds a bit of a great 80's band called the Smithereens.

I don't understand why anyone who has bought and listened to this CD would only give it 4 stars. It's a lot of fun to listen to. The lead singer has a fantastic voice, the songs are pretty well written. What more do you want?

I cant even type correctly here (putting spaces where they don't belong, skiping puctuation and misspelling words willy-nilly) just thinking about the vast improvement over their first album. They went into the desert (presumably for War Stories) and something got into them for this one - the reverb is better and used to better effect, the songs have a snap to them that they didn't have before (her voice works better and the musicianship is stronger) and they seem to have more command over their style this time. Or maybe it's just the cover art - I don't know. It's a good one. The day I got it, I had to go to work... but the next day, I probably listened to it 3 (maybe 8?) times before I even thought to do something else with my day off.

Moss sounds very much like Grace Slick, and the sound here is hard rock, but with some intelligence and nuance. It is a far superior release to their first album: much more lyrical, melodic and interesting. Lots of crunchy guitar riffs, and nasty tones from Moss, with few guitar solos to slow things down. It all makes for a cool atmosphere, with marine metaphors--"Neptune", get it?