COLOUR OF NOISE – Colour Of Noise (2015)

New British band COLOUR OF NOISE have just released their self-titled debut album. When I read it was founded by Bruce John Dickinson – guitarist of great melodic hard rockers Little Angels – I was immediately interested. Even more after seeing the lead vocalist is Matt Mitchell, lead singer songwriter of cult melodic rock act Pride and more recently the highly respected hard / metal rockers Furyon.
But “Colour Of Noise” is all about Classic Rock inspired in the traditional sound of the genre, melodic and crisp.

Colour Of Noise describe themselves as from the school of classic rock and wear their influences from the British scene, fully visible on their collective sleeves – ‘great songs recorded in the old fashioned way’. They use carefully chosen vintage and custom guitars, backline and record onto two inch tape.
The debut album was produced by Gez Walton & Andy Nixon, and mixed by super-talented Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, AC/DC, Bad Company, Blue Murder, The Cult, etc). And I think is where resides the success of the album.
Indeed, a Classic Rock record like this needs a proper mix, to sound potent according to moderm times, but preserving ‘that’ classic vibe, warm sound. Fraser has done great job in this matter.

So you need good songs too, and Colour Of Noise deliver here aplenty.
To be honest, there’s not a weak track on “Colour Of Noise”, nor a ballad. This is a rockin’ album, yet polished and clean, really melodic but with bite.
You can hear all over the record Dickinson’s melodic hard rock pedigree as many of his solos / riffs, while classic rooted, have that kind of ‘roll’ you recognize from early ’90s melodic hard. Also Matt Mitchell has a vocal grip traditional form the genre, but here demonstrate his vocal abilities adopting a more bluesy, deep end effective approach.
All are very good rocking tracks, such as the melodic ‘Can You Hear Me’, the bluesy shuffle of ‘Can’t Take It With You’ (pretty awesome), the catchiness of ‘Medicine Man’, or the almost melodic rocker ‘You Only Call Me When You Want Something’.

The gritty ‘Head On’ is the ‘harder’ song on the record, and one of my favorites. Love Mitchell’s vocals here, and the monster, valvular guitar solo from Bruce John Dickinson, showing his credentials with class. Great song.
‘Heavy’, despite its title, is the more slow burning tune on the album – and one of the best – while the melodic ‘Temptation’ could have been a hit in Cheap Trick’s hands at the beginning of the ’80s.
The best is yet to come? I don’t know, as all preceding songs are really good, but ‘Hit Rock Bottom’ is another highlight. The riff is infectious and the chorus sticks in your ears like a heavily chewed bubblegum.
‘Great Day for Rock & Roll’ ends the album on a high note; classic vocals (more open and lively) the guitar riff open holes in your head and the bass rumbles (love it). Another great tune!

Interesting Fact : Matt and Bruce met for the very first time at the Download Festival in 2012 when they were performing with Little Angels (reunion tour) and Furyon respectively, and there’s where the seed of Colour Of Noise was planted.
And glad they did it! Simply put, “Colour Of Noise” is one of the best Classic Rock albums of the year.
Many factors converge for this success: first of all Dickinson / Mitchell talents, both are the driving force in this band. Then you have terrific songs around the 3 and a half minute mark, and finally, a really good production / mix.
Yes, production / mix has made this album sound truly classic, but with a punch typical from melodic rock. I can see why The Dead Daisies has chosen Colour Of Noise as supporting band for their next UK tour.
A Highly Recommended album by this blog.

01 – Can You Hear Me
02 – Can’t Take It With You
03 – Medicine Man
04 – Head On
05 – Drive It Like You Stole It
06 – You Only Call Me When You Want Something
07 – Heavy
08 – Temptation
09 – Hit Rock Bottom
10 – Great Day for Rock & Roll

Matt Mitchell – vocals
Bruce John Dickinson – lead guitar
Dan Electro – rhythm guitar
Ben Daniel – bass
Randy Nixon – drums

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B018Y0SRSE
.