East Exchange’s influences may read like a dad rock record collection, but they’re love of Pink Floyd and The Beatles makes perfect sense.
They cite classic rock connoisseur Sam Fender as a more recent influence too, and being from Liverpool, they acknowledge the importance of Jamie Webster to the city’s modern rock scene as well. So East Exchange are well positioned to apply these older influences to a contemporary Liverpudlian landscape.
The result is ‘McVice’. East Exchange have gone for the ‘simple but effective’ formula. It’s largely based around four chords and the chorus is based around a single lyric.
In keeping things simple, they give room for the song to breathe. That means each instrument is crisply audible within a consummately produced mix.
There are no stand-out performances but East Exchange isn’t aiming for face-melting guitar solos or glass-shattering falsettos. Each individual complements the other tastefully.
This more low-key presentation does have its downsides. It’s not the most memorable of classic rock throwbacks. East Exchange does therefore run the risk of creating something that is pleasant while on, but only that.
However, ‘McVice’ is saved from that dubious honour due to its chorus. It is catchy. It is memorable. That gets East Exchange through to the end with something that evidently has a sing-a-long quality.
It’s a mature composition, the kind you’d expect from a far more experienced band. And while that reduces the level of youthful liveliness you’d expect from a band like East Exchange, it gives them a professional sheen that few bands may lay claim to.
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