Album Review: The Whisky Works - Deficit Attention Program

Scotland's The Whisky Works have quite a bit going for them, after shows with the likes of Jeniferever, Sons And Daughters, Meet Me In St Louis, Tubelord and Blakfish. They are now set to release their debut mini-album, 'Deficit Attention Program' and with Romesh Dodangoda (Funeral for a Friend, Twin Atlantic) behind production. It could all be very promising.

Opener 'Electric' delivers to the expectations with the bands own brand of steady-paced post-hardcore with tight musicianship leading up to a chorus that soars above and beyond. It sets the bar high for the rest of the record. In addition to this, the track is reminscent of bands like Hell Is For Heroes.

'Monster! Monster!' picks up the pace a little with Iain Bethal's vocals being strong and consistent and overall the song structure works well, as the band clearly know how and when to calm things down before bursting back into life.

Next is 'Selfless Support', a rougher sounding track yet it is one of the calmer tracks on the release. This until it an instrumental section that makes you step back and realise this band have something special.

Bethal's booming voice dominates 'Lights' and is accompanied with soft guitars. It sees the band experimenting a bit more, perhaps not that favourable on first listen, grows on you on further listens. Whilst 'I'm Winning' is bass-driven and leans more towards the bands hardcore side in the chorus; speedy drums, deep guitars notes and vocals that shout above all of this.

'Rage' closes the mini-album and to perfectly shows the band tight performance, as Bethal's vocals at times plays second fiddle behind storming guitars that drive the track home and thumping drums. However it does seem to drag on a little, even though it does bring proceedings to a triumphant end

'Deficit Attention Program' shows The Whisky Works are a band with a hell of a lot potential and promise. Over the course of 22 minutes, you begin to realise that they have something going for them, perhaps its captivating lyrics, Bethal's strong, consistent vocals or the bands overall tight knit performance, that keeps its momentum throughout and proves to favourable and highly enjoyable.

I'd be happy to hear plenty more of The Whisky Works in the future.

4/5

'Deficit Attention Program' by The Whisky Works is released on August 31st.
The Whisky Works on MySpace

'Electric' will be included on the Alter The Press! Autumn/Winter 2009 Compilation released in August.

Sean Reid