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I recently discovered a local Melbourne band called The Solomons and it surprises me that they’re not more well known, despite having played at some of Melbourne’s best live music venues.

The group has been on the scene for about two and a half years but it’s only now that they’re really starting to really emerge as one of the better locals. Whilst they identify themselves as a rock-pop group, I don’t think they really have a definitive genre, having heard some of their demos on the MySpace/Facebook music player.

But who says bands need a particular genre anyway? Not in this day and age. I find that there are so many bands who feel a need to label themselves as being a particular style of music, whether it’s supposedly “indie” or rock or powerpop or whatever, but the thing is, there are hundreds, even thousands of bands of the same “brand” and they eventually end up sounding all the same anyway.

What makes this group stand from the rest out is their highly distinctive sound. Never mind the drive of ideas behind the music (although I’m sure there’s some influence there) but these guys have an edge about them. The lead vocalist also plays trumpet, which adds a different dimension to the music. The group play very tightly and cleverly incorporate some jazz undertones into their sound which makes it all the more sweeter on my ears.

The Solomons have a double A-side (Some Kind of Aid/Rise and Fall) to be launched sometime in the next couple of months and will be a sample of their debut EP due for release later this year.

Rise and Fall is subtly pensive with clever instrumentation and luscious harmonies carried throughout the tune. Some Kind of Aid is a hot infusion of funky rhythms and guitar licks that is complimented by cool female lead vocals and some explosive trumpet tunes.

The Solomons have played support to British India and will do so again next Saturday night at the HiFi. The band will also be supporting Evermore on July 24^th at the Shoppingtown Hotel. Information on tickets to both shows is on the bands myspace or their facebook page:

Despite their quiet presence, The Solomons’ climb to the top is steady and impressive.  Check them out and let us know what you think.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 19th, 2009 at 2:33 pm and is filed under Commentary, Opinion, Recommended. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.