The Basement Effect - Just Like You

Video Review

18/09/14

A youthful band with a youthful sound - something more than welcome on this website.
The Basement effect have more than a dash of early Arctic Monkeys over their song and image and multiple adept guitar solo's cover this track, which wouldn't be out of place nestled in next to Mardy Bum and Fake Tales of San Francisco. It's not just the bands sound that is fun and playful - judging from the video, this band can't be older than 17 - and to say they are good enough to write their own material and record it at such an early stage, they clearly have an idea of how things work.
Opening with guitar on its own in the intro, the band soon join and a fast paced, guitar driven song by the name of 'Just Like You' and the singer makes your stereotypical teenage boy remarks of 'let me know I'm not wasting my time!'. The guitar's tone in the opening leaves something to be desired - it is too dry and scratchy to really fill the space on its own. The band have a good understanding of how to work with each other - often leaving spaces in which the drums or bass perform fills which add character and depth to the band and prove their capability.

Recording and mixing is not the best, but good enough. For an early recording, not much more could be expected - but in parts, mostly the verses and chorus, the bass is nearly unaudible. But the vocals, and guitar - which is what most listeners hear - is good enough that the song is satisfactory. Vocals are clear and audible.
The video editing quality is likewise good enough for the level of the band, but often lips come out of sync with the music and there's a spot in the middle where for a few seconds, the screen is entirely black. However clever scene changes do occur - we are taken through about 3/4 gigs and to a skatepark before an audience (I must admit, I'm not sure if CGI'd or not) cheers the band as they conclude the song.
The final guitar solo, which closes the song, cleverly utilises a subtle wah wah pedal with skill until the notes slow down to close.
In summary, some good work from a band who hopefully have much more work to do!
6.5/10
Here's the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yIjgsJ2Dz0
And if you want to hear more from The Basement Effect, check them out on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/TheBasementEffect

Harry Loker
https://www.facebook.com/#!/BearsInTransylvania