Margate – Rock ‘NRoll Reserve
2011, Boom 57 Records
Lead singers who are also drummers are alwaysintriguing. Its fun watching a bandtrying to work out the dynamic of having the person at the back of the band bethe front. Some bands pull it off betterthan others. Los Angeles power trioMargate seems to have it down pat on their recently released EP Rock N Roll Reserve.2011, Boom 57 Records
Margate announces their presence with the high energy altrocker “Control”. Punk energy pervades,but a distinctive meldocism is found here, and the chorus is the sort thatsticks in your head for hours after first hearing it. Margate’s cover of The Beatles’ “EleanorRigby” brings an active, alt-rock sound with a muscular guitar solo. The blend of lead vocal and harmonies herework very well against the more driven backdrop in a catchy and memorableupdate of the classic. “Live It Up” is avibrant rocker with real pop sensibility that you won’t be able to get out ofyour head. “”Rock N Roll Reserve” is anode to the career minor leaguers; the lads and ladies who continue to play thebars and clubs every Friday and Saturday night, long after the dream of ‘makingit’ has faded. It’s a great tune; ananthem for most anyone who’s ever strapped on a guitar and dreamed. Margate closes with “This Road”, a rock androll mission statement, of sorts, and an expansion on the ideas laid forth in“Rock N Roll Reserve”. A memorablechorus and big harmonies help this one to flow like water.
Margate packs a punch on Rock‘N Roll Reserve. Their blend of highenergy rock and roll, pop sensibility and vibrant melodies is candy to theears. More importantly, it’s exceedinglyclear from the music that these guys love what they do. That joy spills forth from the stage and fromthe album. Rock ‘N Roll Reserve is the sort of album that gets under yourskin.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Outof 5)
Learn more about Margate at www.margatemusic.com or www.myspace.com/margate. Rock ‘NRoll Reserve is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download. The album is also available via iTunes.