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Nozzle - Empires Reviews
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Website - http://www.thebeatsurrender.co.uk Link - http://www.thebeatsurrender.co.uk/daily/recordbox/empires-nozzle/ Nozzle - Empires Devon based Nozzle were originally formed in 1995 by lead singer and songwriter Dave Blombery initially as a side line to his work with New Model Army. The band comprises of Dave on Guitar/vocals, Leigh Winsor on Bass and Joe Breban on Drums. Empire is there third album release to date. A popular band across Europe who have toured in the past but seem to stay close to home when possible, they play a blend of anthemic or indie rock but with a melodic almost pop sound. pening and title track Empire is a solid rock number, perhaps a little dated in sound but for me ok. For the next track the tempo speeds up, Complicated seemed to suit the band better. Twisted Love is another slower number, in the style of much of the indie music from the 90’s with a touch of the glam rock from the 70’s. Buried Alive had a good intro but for me when it actually got going it was a bit of a disappointment, a bit bland and boring. Perfect takes the tempo back down, very softly sung, a gentle sad love song, with strong anthemic guitars in the background lifting from time to time. I really liked the next track, Undeniable, liked the twists in tempo and delivery, it stood out as it had a different sound to the rest of the album. The best track of the album for me was That Was Then, very much in the style vocally and musically of Manic Street Preachers, if they have to lift a single this is the one I would like to hear on the radio, it has street cred but enough pop to appeal across a wide range. The next track Choices sounded too much like other tracks on the album, didn’t stand out but was delivered in a faultless way. Its hard to believe these are a three piece, they come across as very tight, perhaps the length of time they’ve been together helps, the overall delivery is faultless. Hands of God is another track which left me wanting to nod along, the strong beat and sliding rock guitars are amazing. The last track again has a change in style, piano lead for a change, much slower but unfortunately for me not as strong as earlier tracks. Dave Blomberg is a clever chap, not only did he write all the tracks, he sings, plays various guitars and the piano, he also did the artwork design on the cd sleeve and very nice it was. The more I listened the more I liked this band, amazingly professional . I haven’t heard of them touring in the north of England which is a shame as I would have liked to have caught them if they were planning to promote this album. I guess a downside to them are the sound is so strong it really wouldn’t suit your local pub and would need a reasonabley sized venue to be fully appreciated, but hopefully I’ll get to see someday for myself.
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Website - www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk Link - http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=5829 Nozzle: Empires Reviewed By: Helen Tipping Label: Flowermountain Records Format: CD Nozzle are based in Devon and was formed in 1995 by Dave Blomberg. At that time they were a side project to his work with New Model Army. Distance and family commitments won out and Dave left New Model Army to concentrate on his work with Nozzle. Nozzle are very much a rock band with a line up of Dave on guitars and vocals, Leigh Winsor on bass and Joe Breban on guitar. 'Twisted Love' has a T-Rex sound to it, whilst the start of opening number and title track, 'Empires', brings to mind Pink Floyd. Many of the songs have relationships and break-ups as themes, but not by any means all of them. 'Hands of God' is about the division between two warring factions that cannot be healed. Like most of the songs on the album there's a lot of sliding guitar as well as some serious noodling in this one. In contrast to the rest of the album the final song, 'The End', is piano led which makes it stand out, yet it still fits in with the overall sound of the album. The only song I wasn't too sure about was 'Undeniable'. I liked the beginning of it. It sounded quite different and almost tribal sounding but the chorus spoiled it for me by sounding too much like a 1980's hair rock number, although I expect many people might think that's a good thing. The following song 'That Was Then' redeems things for me with its indie-ish Manics type sound. This is a very accessible album, with songs that are well written both lyrically and musically. Nozzle are doing very well in Europe. They, however, haven't toured very much recently and rarely get out of Devon and I think that is a downside to them getting heard more extensively in the UK, especially as live music has going through such a massive revival in the last few years. Hopefully Nozzle will be getting out and playing to promote this release, because the more I've listened to it the more I've found to like about it. |
Website - www.mickmercer.com - The Mick 43 - Link - http://www.mickmercer.com/themick.html Empires Reviews 2008-04-17 by Mick Mercer NOZZLE - EMPIRES Flowermountain Look out! Rock again, but with their New Model Army link you know it's mostly of the dignified variety, full of earnest exploring, and somehow punchier than the 'Twisted Vision'album, more open in the expanses of sound, with powerfulemphatic touches. Simple guitar kicks the sing-along 'Empires' into action like The Who playing at Nephilim, but the aching chorus is ultra-melodic, almost creamy so that's a mischievous opener. The cooing 'Complicated' is pretty smart, with conspiratorial vocals and some sumptuously fluid bass, brightly darting guitar throughout, although I wanted a full lyrical story. 'Twisted Love' is too lightly emotional for me, as it could be an Oasis cousin and nobody wants that. 'Buried Alive' is a pumped-up stompy chimer, with 'Perfect' soft and sentimental, broken up by a windy guitar break, and the touching end is lovely. 'Undeniable' is fairly trite rawk-lite about some woman who has taken his breath away, complete with heaving guitar which I didn't bother playing again. It's nicer, for me, when they're throwing enjoyment into the singing which is what makes 'That Was Then' great fun, as opposed to following generic template for an efficient audience-friendly rocker. Instead of bumping along with some clichéd elements this is relaxed, yet exhilarating in bursts.'Choices' has a darker edge, and a triumphant mixture of mood and subtle strength propelling it. A portentous theme rambles through 'Hands Of God', which I didn't understand, as it squiggles away rockily and I wasn't hooked in. 'The End' turns out to be a gloomy ballad, fairly ponderous but ultimately graceful, although not what I would call a great ending, leavingeveryone miserable! Anyhow, I enjoyed half of it, meaning those who properly rock ~ as some have been known to do ~ will enjoy it more. |
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Website - http://choononline.com Link - http://choononline.com/album-reviews/album-reviews/nozzle-empires.html Nozzle - 'Empires' Nozzle - 'Empires'The sound that Nozzle create is surprising when you discover that they are actually only a three-piece. Their mixture of pop and rock is confident and anthemic – creating wide soundscapes so equally balanced that they leave no room for holes. Having originally formed in 1995, ‘Empires’ is the band's third album. Consisting of ten full-length tracks, it kicks off with the rocking title track ‘Empires’. Unfortunately the heavy use of guitar pedal throughout this track highlights the unpolished nature of the recording, which is a shame because Dave Blomberg can definitely play guitar. Following tracks ‘Complicated’ and ‘Twisted Love’ push the album in an indie, and rather less rocky direction – leading the way for the rest of the recording. However, the fact that Nozzle hold their roots in the nineties becomes more and more apparent when later tracks continually remind you of Bush, Idlewild and Manic Street Preachers. 'Perfect’ is one of the most successful songs on the album, perhaps due to the sparse opening and mature piano melody, rather than an overbearing bass line and tinny drums. A cleaner recording could make the most of lovely moments like this, and perhaps give them the option to try more subtle sounds. Closing track ‘The End’ is certainly similar to a well known Pulp song, but it moves in an interesting new direction for the band. If you loved the nineties, and the strident solos you could air guitar along to in the mosh pit, you’ll enjoy this album. Nozzle have a flair for creating classic pop rock that contrasts downbeat lyrics with the dazzling sunshine chords of a catchy chorus, but I can’t see that it’s going anywhere new. 6.5/10 |
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Website - http://www.organart.demon.co.uk Link - http://www.organart.demon.co.uk/neworgan.htm NOZZLE – Empires (Flower Mountain) Third album from the English band who always appear to be a bigger deal overseas than they are here. Dave Bloomberg, sometimes part of New Model Army, with a hard-edged three piece who blend anthemic hard rock and British pop music in a rather decent way. An Oasis kind of thing, Oasis without the Manc swagger, Ocean Colour Scene... Classy guitar sounds, spot on production, some very personal lyrics, not massively exciting us but then neither do bands like Oasis, if it sounds like your thing then here it is... www.nozzle.org.uk
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Website - http://www17seconds.blogspot.com/ Link - http://www17seconds.blogspot.com/2008/05/presentingnozzle.html Nozzle is the band led by Dave Blomberg, some time guitarist with New Model Army. On this track, 'Complicated' they remind me of that strand of rock that never seemed to quite have a name per se, and got lumped in with goth in the eighties. It's not jangly, it's simple without being folky, and epic without being overblown. Good, melodic rock. Oh Sod the labels, this is a great track, and one I think you should hear. For fans of the aforementioned Army, The Church, The Mission, and the Levellers. It stands on it's own, and I can't wait to hear more. Whet your appetite here: Nozzle -'Complicated.' mp3
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Website - http://www.rock-city.co.uk Link - http://www.rock-city.co.uk/content/EkpVuAZEAAXVxrVail.shtml Posted by AlMachine on Friday, March 14, 2008
Nozzle - Empires Nozzle are a British 3 piece, playing vaguely indie, guitar based rock. The opener, the title track is reminiscent of The Seahorses, Shed Seven and other Britpop bands from that era. "Complicated" is a bit faster, a hint of the Stones creeps into some of the guitar work and the vocals hint at Bernie from New Order. "Twisted Love" is more of a power ballad and "Buried Alive" is more of the indie stuff. At this point it is clear that Nozzle have a bit of a problem; "Perfect" could be early Embrace and "Undeniable" calls up Shed Seven again. If we judge the music on what's around today, there is a fair bit of difference and they do stand out as being good. Unfortunately I heard most of this done better 10 years ago, where's the originality? 6/10 Kris |
Website - http://www.atomicduster.com Link - http://www.atomicduster.com/spotlight/41/index.php Nozzle - Empires (Flowermountain) 07/05/2008 T: First things first - this band is bloody good at what it does. Sadly it does not necessarily follow that I will like their music, and consequently I am struggling to find anything of any great value to me within it. Fans of the more mainstream side of alternative rock (Counting Crows, Gin Blossoms and their ilk) will, I am sure, embrace this album with open arms, but it's just not for me. Having said that, I'd respect anyone who was a fan of this band, as they are clearly a talented bunch, despite my misgivings. N: I know exactly where you're coming from. In a similar vain, I was hearing a band of Diesel Park West dimensions. A band full of the technical know-how, but perhaps a little leftfield to appeal TOO much to a mainstream audience. Picking up on their technical ability, the more I listen to this album, the more I hear the structure that has formulated this work. This really is shaping up as an album rather than a collection of miscellaneous songs. 7/10 |
Website - http://www.unpeeled.net Link - http://www.unpeeled.net/albums.html NOZZLE “Empires” (Flowermountain Records)
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Website - http://www.getaddicted.org Link - http://www.getaddicted.org/archiv/nozzle/rev_empires.php
NOZZLE Hier ist alles gut gewollt und fürchterlich nett, doch barfuß funkt’s hier bedauernswerterweise überhaupt nicht. Diese Nozzle’sche Alternativeschiene führt jedenfalls ins Nimmerland. „What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to dohoohoohoo?“ singt Sänger Dave in “Twisted Love”. Wieder mit Benzin fahren und nicht Solarenergie nutzen. Zumindest nicht, wenn die Antriebskraft in der Lok durchaus vorhanden ist. Not my cup of tea this time. |
Website - http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/ Link - http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/index.php?db=national&page=reviews,review&id=6870
Search for Nozzle tickets An ok album generally. I think they could have chosen a better vocalist, not much is offered from him, a lot of his melodies sound the same and he has an annoying habit of dropping down his voice at the end of every phrase which gets a bit tiresome. The lyrics aren't very imaginative either, and all seem to rhyme with the same word in every song. However, the band is very tight and the production is good, I enjoyed listening to the album as a whole, although it could be better with a bit more imagination, at the moment they just sound like any other rock band. For more information you can visit: http://www.nozzle.org.uk |