The digital age has made making, marketing, and receiving music cheaper. But it also reinforces why record companies invest a lot in production values.

25 Yard Screamer don't do themselves any favours on this debut album. Recorded in deepest Carmarthen where the band is based, potentially strong songs are let down by poor engineering and overall production. This is the curse of the digital age.

Just one listen to the opening tracks and you'll immediately pick up on the drum-heavy mix. Vocalist/guitarist Nick James struggles against this onslaught. It is a pity because James is a talented musician and his own multi-layered guitars should have been cranked up.

The band fare best on the slower stuff, where James' vocals and guitar phrasing echoes Steves Hogarth ('Throw The Blame', 'To A Point Of Light')and Rothery ('Invisible Hands') respectively.

But there lies another weakness, this album isn't original enough to mark out 25 Yard Screamer from countless other prog to heavy rockers.

There is plenty of talent here and raw material that could be shaped. But please, lads, ditch your producer.

***

Review by David Randall

Throw The Blame

© 2005 25 Yard Screamer. All rights reserved.

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly