Simon Rushworth
@ Newcastle Hyem, November 27 2010
Someday soon the wider world will stop referring to The Karma Heart as a reincarnation of Remedy because this band is making a big noise all of its own. Sure, the latter’s best material still makes for some belting rock and roll and the faces remain the same. But for The Karma Heart read Remedy RIP. In changing their name they’ve also changed their attitude and their approach. More relaxed and less intimidating, The Karma Heart are a calmer lot and their better tunes blossom as a result. Jenn Cherone has rarely seemed more at home fronting a band which must surely go further than their current UK tour – her voice has always demanded attention but now it comes packaged with extra depth and added emotion.
The band’s full-length debut – Throw Your Light – will no doubt garner positive reviews when it enjoys a general release in February but with this band it’s all about who will actually hear it. If the nation’s tastemakers and trend setters can’t see the potential in this hard gigging, heavy rocking quartet then music fans face a pretty bleak future. Here at rushonrock we’re holding out hope that someone, somewhere, seizes the moment and snaps up The Karma Heart because this band is more than just another female-fronted Paramore clone.
More classic rock than poster-girl pop, the band are at their best belting out the timeless Honest Child and the moody, riveting Another Religion. Sublime guitarist (and mixer supreme) Graham Haswell has all the grooves but none of the moves and while there’s no need to reinvent himself as Eddie Van Halen anytime soon the merest hint that he’s enjoying The Karma Heart’s finer moments wouldn’t go amiss. Juxtaposed with his largely jovial band mates, Haswell has the look of a guitar hero reluctant to play the part but if not now, then when?
As a unit The Karma Heart are effectively kicking Remedy into touch. Haswell’s hot licks combined with the Lee Tuck/Phil The Beat rhythm section mean this band has never sounded tighter or more prepared for their tilt at the top. Opening up for the superb Voodoo Six on a sub-zero Newcastle night in front of a handful of die-hards might not hint at a glorious future to come but this bunch really are The Fated. It’s about time the big record companies made them the feted, too.
Simon Rushworth