Saturday 24 June 2017

Fheels - Traveller (EP Review)


Release date: June 16th 2017. Label: JodelDiplomRecords. Format: CD/DD

Traveller – Tracklisting

1.Desert 05:15
2.Toyboy 03:41
3.Igor 04:59
4.Perfect Mistake 03:18
5.Spring 04:58

Band Members:

Felix – Vocals & Guitar
Tobias – Rhodes & Organ & Backing Vocals
Jens – Bass
Justus – Drums & Backing Vocals

Review

Fheels are an Alternative/Blues Rock band from Hamburg, Germany who channel heavy blues rock with a slight alternative feel. The band has a member of Stoner Metallers – High Fighter – in their ranks so that's a plus point for me to check them out. As I'm a huge fan of High Fighter.

The opening track – Desert – from their excellent debut EP – Traveller – has a similar feel to the bluesy vibe of All Them Witches. Though Fheels play perhaps a more stripped back approach to their music. Very laid back with cool lyrics that has a slight Americana/Desert Rock vibe. The song becomes very psychedelic at times.

Second track – Toyboy – is a more heavier affair with the band laying on the loud blues based riffs from the start. Fheels add a more funk-based style of music and it works for the most part. It's not the most exciting song on the EP but Fheels do create some soulful grooves to lose yourself in.

Third track – Igor – opens with a solitary blues riff and this see Fheels create a classic style Blues Rock song. One that is full of heartfelt lyrics and cool vocals to match. It's a delibrately slow-paced song that allows the other members of the band to show their worth. The song does become heavier in the second half and that's where I found the most enjoyment on this song. It ranks perhaps as the best song on the EP.

The final two tracks – Perfect Mistake and Spring – round off this cool as hell EP with the band playing a more sombre blues rock vibe especially with Perfect Mistake. Spring is more upbeat and sees the band play a more psychedelic and semi-acoustic offering compared to the other tracks on the EP.

Fheels have released a beautifully played and sometimes delicate EP that plays to their strengths. If you're a fan of Blues Rock then Fheels is the band for you.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at Platinum PR for the promo.

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