a certain ratio » review

FAC 251 – review on stereoboard

km — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:37:04 +0000

To clear up the query about the pre-recorded sections – Jez Kerr said “believe it or not, the only pre-recorded stuff was the intro backing tape and a loop on the track wonder why. Keyboard player Liam Mullan often plays the same bass line as me, as a back up sometimes when I’m singing, but also because it sounds good.”

FAC 251 review

km — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:12:33 +0000

Quote from Keo about tonight’s gig at FAC251:

Tonight was the first time I’d seen you live in, at least, 15 years. And it was an absolute pleasure. You were awesome. Great idea to kick off with some oldies but the new tracks sounded just as good. For some reason the fact you look older somehow suits the tracks. Jez has the harsh appearence and lines of a Vietnam vet. Martin looks a little crazy at the back and the timeless donald just looks cool. These are the characters you need to push the new LP forward.

I had a great time and i felt there was another dimension to the band that was missing in the past. I just wish your releases were more accessible. iTunes and spotify are easy to sort out, and would open up a wider audience to the next chapter in the life of ACR.

Mind Made Up

km — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:52:17 +0000

MIND MADE UP (LTMCD 2531) £10
Produced by A Certain Ratio in Manchester between 2006 and 2009, Mind Made Up marks a stunning return to hard-edged funky form. ‘The songs are timeless and true to ACR’s roots,’ says Donald Johnson. ‘The emphasis was placed on keeping it simple in the studio. Trickery was kept to a minimum and we never took more than three takes on any track.’ Adds Martin Moscrop: ‘Most songs we jammed in rehearsal one week and recorded the next, so that they were rough round the edges. And the lyrics are some of the best Jez has ever produced. You’ll also hear old ACR influences throughout the album. Teri was actually the first song ACR ever wrote, but it has never been recorded or released until now.’ The band line-up remains unchanged since Ratio’s last studio album back in 1996, comprising Jez Kerr (vocals, bass), Denise Johnson (vocals), Martin Moscrop (guitar), Donald Johnson (drums), Tony Quigley (keys, sax) and Liam Mullan (keys). This remastered LTM edition features an extra bonus track not included on previous European editions. Full tracklist: I Feel Light, Down Down Down, Everything Is Good, Way To Escape, Rialto 6, Mind Made Up, Teri, Bird to the Ground, Starlight, Which is Reality?, Skunk, Very Busy Man, I Feel Light (Dub)

Reviews:

‘Certainly Ratio are happy to hark back to their late 70s peak. Johnson and Kerr recycle classic ACR rhythm riffs, while the predominant funky beats and spooky atmospherics blend nicely with the art-pop of Teri and Bird to the Ground. The results sound surprisingly tough, vital and contemporary’ (Uncut, 07/2010)

‘The formula remains true, and there’s still a vital disco energy in the gritty guitar and rubber-band bass. Faithful fans might find their passion rekindled.’ (The Wire, 06/2010)

‘Andy Weatherall’s favourite band have been around since the late 70s. Clinically executed, this is a must for history lovers and contemporary alt.funkers alike. 8/10′ (DJ Magazine, 07/2010)

‘Mind Made Up is perfect, lyrical ‘Head Music’ but still has that tight rhythmic force which has always driven ACR. Set to be a summer highlight for a new generation and firm fans alike’ (hangout.altsounds.com, 05/10)

Porto gig – review

km — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:25:36 +0000

Great to receive this from Pedro Rocha, the promoter of Serralves em Festa in Porto:
can say… it was amazing that, being the closing act of a festival that went on for 40 hours non-stop, A Certain Ratio managed to grab the energy that the audience didn’t know they still had and make the show a highlight of the event. The contagious rhythms, the muscular and warm sounds, the superb synthesis of freshness and history, impregnated mind and body of the thousands of people that gathered in the park for the final hours of the festival.

Pedro Rocha, Promoter

Recent concerts – reviews

km — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:21:52 +0000

Dingwalls in London -
a stunner of a show
From the review in Amelia’s magazine with photos by Richard Pearmain

300 or so people should feel very privileged tonight – history was being made yet again.
From the review by Paul Pledger of allgigs.co.uk

Primavera in Barcelona -
a concert simply perfect……A magical night when they were just 10 days from 30th anniversary of their first single.
Translated from a review in Catalan on simbenia with great photos by Crises. And includes set list.