Russell HughesTaxi Violence – Shape and Form I (Taxi Violence Recordings)
Genre: Rock
Taxi Violence have been quiet for three years but 2017 is going to change all of that. Instead of releasing one album, the South African rockers are drip feeding their new content one EP at a time – and Shape and Form I is the first installment.
This group have been around the block a few times, but that’s never distracted them from doing what they do best. From Untie Yourself in 2006 to the present day, George van der Spuy and his crew have brought their brand of pure, intelligent rock and roll to the masses.
And from the outset it’s clear that the Cape Town natives haven’t strayed from the path that has brought them success. Fake It sounds like it could be the adopted bastard child of early favourites Rock Out and Unholy – but a much loved bastard, the Jon Snow to the House of Stark.
Anyone who has worked for an unappreciated boss will find resonance in Grindstone, a song that takes off in a slightly different direction from the pure, guitar driven opening song of the EP. The track is a lot more subtle, laid back even, but still contains those classic elements that makes it so hard to keep still while listening to Taxi Violence. The hook is there, the strong riff is there and van der Spuy’s voice takes on a stripped back, slightly gravelly quality.
Bringing up the rear, last but not least, is the almost bluesy Captured by Design. It’s the longest song on the short record and it brings in a mixture of different elements, from howling guitar work to a slowdown of the whole track – and shows musicians who are really comfortable with their skill and know how to use it.
Taxi Violence have had a career filled with accolades, and there is no reason to doubt that Shape and Form 1 can’t kick start more silverwear.
RUSHONROCK RATED: 8/10 Short But Sweet
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