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Just when I was in need of something to lift my flagging spirits, along came Quench. If I'm quite honest, it had been a week that I'd rather forget than go through again. Know what I mean? Then, "Alright" burst out of my CD players' speakers and deep into my brain. The effect was dramatic and, suddenly, I was revitalised. It's one of those songs that as soon as it stops, you replay it again and again. Boy, is it good! For those of you who don't know, Quench are made up most of the last Why? Line-up. In their final days, Why? Were moving well away from that jigging festival music that they'd become loved for, and by re-inventing themselves as Quench, they've produced a tight sounding pop/rock band. This 4 track EP showcases just what they are capable of and as well as the aforementioned "Alright", it also contains another rip-roaring guitar driven song called "Heaven's Strength". Yes, we all need it, and Quench have certainly got it! The slower "Grace" took me a while to get used to but "This Year's Love" is instantly loveable. If you're thirsty for good UK pop/rock, prepare to be Quenched. 9/10. (November 2001)
Two years after their debut EP, Quench follow in the footsteps
of bands such as Kato, to release an album on ICC's Elevation
label. It's great to see home-grown British talent being given
the chance to shine in their own right, and that is just what
Quench do here. There's some 90's rock traits, crossed with today's
guitar chart sounds. It's an album full of energy and couldn't
start off any better than the sound of "Beautiful".
Jamie Hill's vocals have been polished well over the last couple
of years and the effort has been really worthwhile. Directed by
Adrian Thompson, I'm sure I can hear some Split Level ideas coming
out, and songs like "I Can Hear You" and "Gollum"
sem to confirm this. The former is the best track on the album
and is a gem in today's music scene. "Bring the Summer In"
has a rawness that gives it quite a bite but, on the other hand,
the negative vibe from "Underwhelmed" was quite toothless.
Twelve songs, and only one I didn't like. Be encouraged guys,
I wait to see you live!. 9/10. (August 2003)
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