Single/Video Review

Reverend and the Makers scored a top 20 hit with their album ‘A French Kiss In The Chaos’, and are now hoping to follow on from this success, by releasing one of the highlighted album tracks as a single. ‘No Soap In A Dirty War’ will hit the shops on October 5th, with the digital format featuring a remix by the winner of a young producers remix competition held in Sheffield. New talent has also been involved in the video, with Shaun Grant taking the directors chair.

The resulting you tube video (above) shows lead singer Jon McClure reclining on a leather sofa, next to a rather bored looking girl. This is interspersed with shots of cafes, bars, and a young couple relaxing in the park. What I got from the video was a sense of boredom and disillusion, which fits with the ‘small town frustration’ theme, but is quite boring in itself to watch. I was expecting a bit more passion from that and the vocal performance, but the group did make up for it with the music.

The underlying, piano based melody is very easy on the ear, while the guitar arrangements are catchy. It’s slightly poppy, slightly acoustic, and has a credible hint of indie, so I think it will appeal to a broad audience. I really enjoyed the music, just couldn’t find anything new or exciting in the vocal or overall mood of the video.

Make up your own mind when ‘No Soap In A Dirty War’ is released on October 5th, and you can catch the band live on their next U.K tour throughout October (dates below).

22 Oct 2009 20:00
UEA Nottingham
23 Oct 2009 20:00
The Engine Shed Lincoln
24 Oct 2009 20:00
02 Academy Sheffield
26 Oct 2009 20:00
Stylus Leeds
28 Oct 2009 20:00
Assembly Hall Leamington Spa
29 Oct 2009 20:00
02 Academy Manchester
30 Oct 2009 20:00
Picture House Edinburgh
31 Oct 2009 20:00
02 Academy Newcastle
2 Nov 2009 20:00
Concorde 2 Brighton
3 Nov 2009 20:00
02 Academy Bristol
4 Nov 2009 20:00
Pyramids Portsmouth
5 Nov 2009 20:00
Forum London
7 Nov 2009 20:00
Courtyard @ Nation – Liverpool Music Week.