CD Reviews

While most youngsters focus on more modern styles of music, as evidenced by the glut of metalcore and punk bands to come out of the wood work in the past year, the members of Eight in a Bar have taken what they've learnt through their years of tuition with the Guernsey Music Service and local schools to create a set of jazz and easy listening standards.

What really stands out on the record are the various styles the band play across the disc which takes the listener on a musical journey through Americana. Starting out sounding like a slice of the 'deep south' of the USA with songs like 'Alabama Jubilee' the sound then moves either north or west to the night clubs of New York and Chicago or the lounges of Las Vegas with old swinging standards like 'Ain't Misbehavin'' and 'Fly Me To The Moon'.

The musical talent of the band really shines through on every track as they take the route of being an instrumental troupe. This allows not only the rhythm section to be heard clearly pinning the songs together but lets the brass section stand out as they often take the vocal part of the track.

To me this sounds slightly odd on occasion as I am used to hearing words over music, however for this style it really works and allows all the musicians in the band a chance to be heard, something that can so easily be lost with the addition of a vocal track.

While the record does include a few slower and bluesier numbers Eight in a Bar's talent and cohesiveness as a group really comes together on the more upbeat tunes.

Not only is the musicians talent firmly on display but that of producer Danny Joyce once again shines through as he allows the instruments to be clearly audible in the mix, which is quite impressive for a group of eight instrumentalists. And some mention must surely be made of Josh Fletcher's simple but fantastic design work (as he has displayed when working with other bands in the past) which brings the whole package of the album together into a complete product.

Eight in a Bar's debut recording is definitely a great piece of easy listening, and while some may see this as being unfashionable that could never mean it doesn't sound good. And as the band are less and less likely to be making public appearances as their university careers continue this is an excellent replacement for a vastly talented live band.