REVIEW: FOSSIL COLLECTIVE AT BRISTOL LOUISIANA (17/10/12)
Fossil Collective have been compared to Midlake, so much so that some unsuspecting folk have even thought they were listening to the bearded Americana troupe, rather than this bunch of Leeds lads. This is no bad thing.
Opening for Fossil Collective tonight is Luke Sital-Singh. The unassuming singer/songwriter slips on stage almost unoticed and launches straight into some heartfelt ballads, akin to the Once soundtrack by Glen Hansard. But it’s not your standard heart-wrenching tunes – with some hints of Bright Eyes and Villagers, some underlying angst and woe. Vocally, Luke is very impressive and the simple guitars compliment this perfectly without overpowering the core appeal.
Fossil Collective are a motley bunch, none of which look like they really belong together in a band. There’s the James Walsh-style frontman, the stylish drummer who would not look out of place in Killers and the keyboard player who looks better suited to an indie electro outfit, such as Neon Indian. However, this all proves a moot point when the music begins.
From the opening track, ‘Rivers Edge’ and ‘There’s A Light’ to ‘Without A Fight’ and ‘Let It Go’ (very Midlake), each song has a unique charm and a slightly different vibe. While there is a definite nod to the Americana of Midlake, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver, being from Yorkshire, this group harnesses a more raw sound – like ? and ?, with rich harmonies accompanied by catchy indie riffs and solid lyrics.
Without wanting to belittle their own material, it’s a cover which proves one of the highlights of the night – in the shape of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s ‘Power of Love’. If you, like me, believe that a great cover song requires a reworking, a new angle, then you, like me, would’ve been blown away by this. Stripped back to it’s core, maintaining the focus on the lyrics – Fossil Collective work their magic on this real good.
For a band which is yet to release an album (due out in March 2013), here we have a bunch of consumate performers with plenty of good material. (EP On & On is available on iTunes now).
Words: Laura Williams
