The Electric Alley - Apache
- Rock Media UK
- Nov 14, 2022
- 3 min read
Album review by; Kayleigh
With a large dose of 70's nostalgia it's hard to believe that The Electric Alley were formed as recently as 2012. The group from Cadiz, Spain have recently released their fourth studio album 'Apache' and the blues based hard rock will have you begging for more.
The Electric Alley are a group that I am very happy to have discovered. With influences from artists such as Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, Rival Sons etc. You can see how they easily fit into the NWOCR sound that's happening right now. The Electric Alley's blues based hard rock sound has already seen them reach achievements such as having five songs featured on the F1 channel produced by MOVISTAR TV, and their track 'No Control' was the lead track of the Formula 1 World Championship in each of its editions in 2014 and 2015. Along with their second album the band also got to play more than fifty shows in Spain and got to take part in some pretty big festivals.
Most recent release 'Apache' is made up of ten tracks and each one is as good as the last. For me, there isn't a single song in here that I didn't enjoy. Opening track 'Apache' gently brings you into their very obviously 70's influenced sound before smacking you in the face with these insane vocals. The title track is strong and emotional feeling while also having catchy moments and honestly this song is pretty addictive.
'Hurricane' comes in next and this one feels like it belongs on the radio. It's got this arena-anthem like quality and is more upbeat than the previous track. 'Hurricane' was the first and only single as of yet to come off of 'Apache' and it was a good choice. It's easy to follow, there's this sort of bouncy, fun feel to the guitars and rhythm which is nicely balanced out by the smooth yet powerful vocals. There is also a live version of this song on YouTube that I got the chance to check out and it shows how real these guys are as the recorded version on 'Apache' doesn't sound much different.
Songs on 'Apache' such as 'One Lasting Light' and 'All the Way' are more upbeat and catchier. These are the tracks that make you want to dance. 'All the Way' also gives a little nod to Aerosmith by adding the lyric "So I took a big chance at the high school dance, when she told me how to walk this way' at the end.
A couple of absolute favourites of mine on 'Apache' though have to be 'Fireworks' and 'Make It Through the Night', both of which have a little bit more of a darker, dangerous vibe to them and lean more into the modern side of The Electric Alleys sound. 'Fireworks' especially as a whole totally blew me away. Again, this is one that shows of the amazing range and hold on a listener the vocalist of the band has. I was captured completely by the way the first verse gently rises into this soaring chorus that belongs in an arena. This paired with the emotion-soaked guitar, makes this in my opinion a very special song that I personally cannot get enough of. 'Make it Through the Night' is definitely one of the more modern and hard rock sounding tracks on the album and the drums and opening riff make you aware of this from the get-go. This burning track then builds and builds letting you feel the emotion that is being expressed, especially as the chorus kicks in with "tell me are we gonna make it through the night?".
All of the songs on 'Apache' clearly show the era in which The Electric Alley were influenced by, but I would say this is especially true in the closing ballad like track 'Bliss'. This one gives a nice end to what is a really good album and one last chance for the power and anthemic writing style these guys have to be shown off.
'Apache' is one I am so happy to have had the chance to check out and I hope more and more people get to hear The Electric Alley. Much like other bands that are playing this new wave of classic rock type sound the influences of a much-loved music era are apparent within their sound spliced with a healthy mix of modern musical moves. 'Apache' is strong, and I feel like I've said this a lot but it is full of songs I could easily hear in an arena. This is an album I now love, and I hope a lot of people get the chance to fall in love with this band too.
4.5 out of 5
Find The Electric Alley online
Tracklist
01. Apache
02. Hurricane
03. One Lasting Light
04. What's Going On?
05. Fireworks
06. Writing's On the Wall
07. Make It Through The Night
08. All the Way
09. Son of a Gun
10. Bliss
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