Reviews

Meanwhile, a search online will point you to a catering company based in Southampton - which isn't very helpful - unless you're feeling like ordering some delicious canapés while in Hampshire, that is.

At the Gates of...

Shamooli Dawn specialise in a brand of synth and guitar based soft rock. At times aping the sounds of latter day Pink Floyd ("Garetts Lane" bears more than a passing resemblance to The Division Bell's "Wearing the Inside Out"), the Dawn opt for atmospheric melodies, soaring guitars and lingering power chords.

Lyrically, their songs concentrate on theme of a mission into the unknown. The aptly named album, "In An In Between Stage" features regular themes of restlessness with the present and a hope for the future.

Things Can Only Get Better

With these well worn themes come well worn metaphors of "living through the storm", a "roller coaster ride from Hell" and taking "the moments from the sun".

References to journeys and natural phenomenon abound with titles such as "Branches", "Unfathomed Depths" and "Brooks and Streams".

The message of each song seems to be that life can get better, if only we were brave enough to accept the challenge that changes pose.

It is, perhaps, a slightly trite, though noble moral to any tale. However with lines such as "The direction we follow should meet something - oh what's the point?" just two tracks in, you get the impression that even Shamooli Dawn have yet to convince themselves - let alone anyone else.

Music and Lyrics

The strength to Shamooli Dawn's album lies in the music rather than it lyrics. The synth heavy introductions to "Garetts Lane" is one such example, as is the guitar introduction to "Unfathomed Depths".

If ever anyone could turn a sunset into sound it would be these guys. Elsewhere the harmony of vocalists Steve and Garry on the chorus of "Branches" adds a gorgeous texture to a sun-kissed melody.

Shamooli Dawn may not be in any danger of replacing Andrew Motion as Poet Laureate any time soon, but this does not mean that they should be ignored.

Sparks of brilliance and moments of beauty appear across the album with a startling regularity: from the Spanish guitar hooks of "Branches" through to the Hammond organ effects of "In Fear of You".

Short snippets from all the tracks, along with news about the band can be found on their website. So, if you're in the mood for some atmospheric, Post Floyd rock, why not give them a click?

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If you're involved in the Gloucestershire music scene and you would like Stephen to review your music, please feel free to get in touch. Either email gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk or send your album and a bit about yourself to:

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This article is an external contribution and expresses a personal opinion, not necessarily the views of the BBC.