Psalmistry sets the tone of their latest CD All This Noise with a computer voice intro, then breaks into "Come Take My Hand" a tech-rock breakbeat kickoff. This group says "notice me" all over it. Its edgy guitars, heavy breakbeats and brash vocals demand attention. "Knucklehead" follows the opening track with a happening beat and industrial-strength power chords. The Brit band takes it to another level on "Here We Go" which is sure to make the toes tap if the vocal loop doesn't drive you crazy. After a harsh ringing feedback tone segueing into "Fistful of Truth" you will have decided whether you favor this "skewed version of UK breakbeat" or not. Flavors of Massivivid and Chemical Brothers are present, but Psalmistry makes everything their own with lyrics like "I got Jesus riding shotgun in the wagon of my soul" in "Shotgun Jesus." Even fans of REZ will hear a similarity to Between Heaven 'n Hell's "Shadows" in "Sometimes I Hate You."
The CD artwork is reflective of the sound of the CD, high-tech, professional, and carefully crafted. This artsy tech-rock breakbeat band shows an intelligence amidst the noise that is missing in other groups of the genre. Band members Tony Silcock on synths and guitars and Edi Johnston on vocals and DJ duties lay a solid wall of sound built on Matt Wilshire's rhythmic foundation, and topped with vocals from Helen Maynard Watts and Debbie Williams (who recently left the band to work with her church more closely).
Psalmistry has built a fan base in their native UK from which they have expanded to the Continent and now the U.S. With songs like "Fall Free" (which has a White Heart acoustic feel to it), they will have no problem starting another British invasion. If their live show is the visual treat it is reputed to be, it will be one to watch for.
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by James StewartThe path to this sophomore release has been much smoother for Psalmistry than the somewhat convoluted release of Armchair Rebellion. With a new label behind them, Psalmistry have pulled together an album much more focused on the pop sensibility than the harder dance which marked out its predecessor. Citing influences such as Fatboy Slim for this poppier approach to dance sounds, Psalmistry…
