I can`t say that I know of many bands that have come from Telford in Shropshire apart from extreme metal practitioners Cancer and they were really from Ironbridge which is near Telford so when I got to hear of Four Crooks I was really intrigued. This indie rock four-piece comprise of Dave Morris (vocals/guitar), Eamonn Russell (guitar), Toby Barnett (bass), and Dan Quinton-Jones (drums) and have just released their debut EP, written, and recorded in a farmhouse during lockdown. I read a recent article which really said a lot about how grounded these fellas are when asked about their writing process they related “We try to write about what we know. A lot of it is based around mental health, relationships, and escapism. It may not be glamorous but it’s real to us. You won`t find us singing about expensive cars or California that’s for sure”.
This extended play kicks off with title track `Black Magic` and it has a slight feel of Muses’ `Uprising` and Kasabian`s `Shoot The Runner` meets the Glitter band with it`s mesmerising drumming and pounding bass. A tale of the power a female has over the narrator, a kind of supernatural hold that seems like Black Magic. Dave Morris has a delightfully varied vocal range which moves from a deep to a subtlety higher pitch at the chorus. Wonderful stuff.
There was a marvellous anthemic almost stadium feel about `Feel Alright` with some entrancing guitar riffs as this rousing number progressed. A song about a breakup with someone who is no good for you, having the strength to realise that and come out the other side the better person for it, with your head held high.
The closing piece `Paranoia` is about coping with the feeling of being trapped mentally by the effects of anxiety and doubt. It`s a big, ballsy and powerful musical offering that allows a platform for the vocals to soar atop. We also enjoyed a cracking bit of guitar shredding, blistering bass and pummelling drums towards the end.
I have to say I really loved this three-track ep and felt there was a real maturity about the band. They`ve been together for a while now and that shows in the tight musicianship, but they have a gem with the vocal aptitude of Dave Morris. I can`t wait to hear more from this band.
I don`t know about Black Magic but I felt there was definitely something spellbinding here.
Rating 9/10
