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CD04
MIKE FROST AND THE ICEMEN
COMING HOME
(Independent)
Even though Mike Frost and the Icemen have established themselves as firm favourites at the monthly BASEQ jams, we haven't seen too much of them playing around town. Hopefully with the release of Coming Home all that will change.
Coming Home is a collection of ten original tracks all penned by lead guitarist and vocalist, Mike Frost. The material is intelligent and well-written. I enjoyed the energy of Little Rat and the smouldering menace of Lies. The title track - another favourite - is loaded with atmosphere. It speaks of smoky bars and dens of iniquity.
Mike's guitar work is tasty and provocative, used to good effect with his emotive vocals which possess a certain character often lost in white boy blues. The rhythms of Colin Ginger (bass) and Robert Bonnell (drums) provide the solid foundation for this album of groovin' blues. The too rarely glimpsed, saxophonist, Jeff Harris also makes a contribution to the jazz-inflected Jammin' With Jeff. Phil Yates adds some haunting tin whistle to Time Is Marching, lending it an almost Celtic air.
Coming Home comes in at about forty minutes. It was produced on a budget but is as effective as many bigger bucks productions, just don't go looking for studio perfection. The overall package is visually appealing and well-worth picking up.
Mike Frost and the Icemen will be launching Coming Home this Sunday, 12 December from 8pm at Garuva Restaurant and Bar on Wickham Street in the Valley. Make sure you're there to support this up and coming local band.
Helen Farley
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