I first heard Raymond Meade towards the tail-end of 2014 when I caught him at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh, where he supported Ocean Colour Scene/Paul Weller guitarist Steve Cradock. At the time a track called ‘Radio Anna’ caught my attention and at the end of his acoustic set, Raymond was kind enough to sling me a copy of his 2012 album, Fables And Follies. Fast forward a few months and as Raymond starts dropping teasers of his new album, Whydolise?, through his Facebook page, I begin to realise this new album is going to be very tasty, with a heavier and angrier sound to it.
Being a massive Oasis fan and reading Whydolise? was being produced by Owen Morris got me a tad excited, and by the time I heard the album would also feature Steve Cradock (amongst others), I knew this was an album I just needed to get my hands on. The album opens with the pulsating ‘Let The Wolves In’, and with the pounding drums and guitar alongside the dark vocal it is a powerful track that fully erupts by the time Raymond howls “who’s outside… Let the wolves in”. ‘Why Don’t We Do It Again’ follows and features the late Bobby Keys on saxophone. Infectious pop-rock accompanied by Keys letting rip on the saxophone, this is radio friendly music that has me both appreciating the groove and singing along within a couple of listens.
Next up is ‘Sent Home Under Sirens’, another powerful rock number reminiscent of the Manics and as Raymond sings “you say you know me like the back of your hand”, the angst in the vocal is almost tangible. Towards the end of the track there is some tasty guitar work that sends a shiver down my spine and I begin to wonder if this track also features Steve Cradock (no it does not – it is the talented Mr Meade himself).
Being produced by Owen Morris and attracting the likes of the aforementioned Steve Cradock, Bobby Keys and Justin Currie to feature on the album gives a strong indication of the quality on offer from Raymond. Indeed, as Del Amitri front-man Justin Currie contributes his vocal alongside the Cairn String Quartet on ‘Come Undone’, I am thinking this is another stunning track on an album that has caught me somewhat by surprise. At this stage it is proving difficult to choose a personal favourite as the album has been nothing but a constant highpoint and then ‘Sadhana’ follows! Wow! This is it… Incredible and phenomenal guitar throughout from Steve Cradock, with the intense guitar and drums matching the fiery vocal as Raymond snarls “Your God’s a false God, an imitation. You gave your life up trying to fortify salvation”.
‘Inside Out’ follows and has a real Beatles vibe to it, whilst ‘Even Anger’ is another enjoyable tune which, despite the title, showcases Raymond’s vocal in a gentler tone. ‘Hide and Seek’ continues to uplift while final track ‘Shine A Light On Me’ is another standout and closes out the nine track album perfectly. As Raymond’s vocal is joined by Glasgow School Of Art Choir in the gospelesque finale the question arises, will you hear a better album from an unsigned artist this year? I doubt it.
Whydolise is released on May 11 2015.
Bazza Mills
@bazzamills
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