Eight Man Down: 'City Limits' / 'Gabriel'

Unsigned band Eight Man Down purvey a classic rock sound that threads together its components well, despite production that leaves a great deal to be desired. 'City Limits' is a deceptively simple song, with more than a little of Bowie’s 'Man Who Sold The World' about it. Led by a sharp guitar riff, Joseph Rix’s vocals stray into Curtis-like flailing while the group holds the fort underneath. When the song rides into more frenzied moments it is as though the band don’t know quite where to go, but the overall project is kept well in check.

'Gabriel' has a similar maturity, and is a softer affair. It begins with gentle picking on an electric and tumbles through percussion and acoustic rumbles into something ambitious. This track also suffers from lack of production, but constantly showcases the capacity of the band to incorporate ideas from psychedelia and folk.

myspace.com/eightmandown

Written by Huw Green.