FLOORSHOW
'Son Of A Tape'
BLOODROCK RECORDS

Italy’s Floorshow have released their debut album, ‘Son of a Tape’ six years after the band’s formation in 2005. Styled as post punk/new wave, they've developed their own combination of punk attitudes with a much darker sound that gives a more gothic feel to their music. Inspired by the punk explosion of the late seventies with clear influences from that period, the album is a fusion of fast paced fury with a touch of Bowie/Bolan - esque glam and haunting soundscapes, reminiscent of early goth that at times adds a macabre, avante-garde darkness to the overall experience.

From the opening track ‘Playback’ the atmosphere is driven by powerful drum sequences that remain a constant throughout all ten songs, the guitar work is more constructed to give rhythm and depth to each piece rather than just blast them into the angry abyss. The vocals on some of the songs, however, could use echo to great effect in making the sound huge in front of the guitars. ‘Total Recall’ and ‘Fortress’ change the direction with a more contrived aspect to the arrangements. Certainly, ‘Fortress’ has something of a Joy Division/Novelty feel about it while ‘Total Recall’s jangly guitars and haunting bassline elevate the mood to a realm befitting any darkened dancefloor. The album also features 'The Agony of a Ballet' and 'No Contact', both previously released as demos on their second E.P., and a re-visited version of 'Paranoia Paradise'.

Here are ten well-written songs, with arrangements that have been thought through and developed to showcase the versatility of the musicians, and diversity of the band and their influences.

[3/5]