Diving into the sea of modern music in search for some new, exciting Rock bands and coming up feeling empty? Fret no longer, because amidst this abyss of mediocrity there are some gems like Tigercub. An act formed all the way back in 2011, Tigercub is a three-piece led by Jamie Stephen Hall (vocals/lead guitar), but also include Jimi Wheelwright (bass) and James Allix (drums). Out of England, while the band may not really be all that new, they are still building up a buzz thanks to their recent signing to Stone Gossard’s Loosegroove Records.
For those wondering, Gossard (a founder of Pearl Jam) launched Loosegroove Records nearly three decades ago and signed Queens of the Stone Age; going onto release the band’s debut album in 1998. Not something to look over, clearly Gossard and Loosegroove Records have an ear for talent, and when the label was resurrected back in 2020, they quickly sought out interesting acts. Keeping their ears open, they observed the impact Tigercub’s 2021 album Blue as Indigo had on independent charts in the UK. Reaching peak positions, the band would also be on the road with major label act Royal Blood for some time, and as a result Loosegroove Records swooped in and picked them up. Were they catching lightning in the bottle, or was Tigercub’s success a mere flash in the pan?
Answering that question, it was absolutely not a brief flare, because Tigercub quickly struck the interest of listeners with their debut single apart of Loosegroove Records, 2022’s “The Perfume of Decay.” A good introduction to a broader audience, February of 2023 saw the release of the equally powerful single “Play My Favourite Song.” Plotting out their attack tactfully, April came and so did the dynamic single “Swoon.” These three tracks bouncing around here, there and everywhere, June 2nd saw the release of the band’s brand-new studio album.
Also titled The Perfume of Decay, the album consists of twelve tracks in total rounding out for just under forty minutes of music. Lively and catchy, the songwriting is razor sharp, the melodies are addictive, and the heaviness is thick, but not overpowering like so many other modern recordings. Sounding highly inspired by ‘90s Alternative Rock and early 2000s Hard Rock, some potential influences heard here include Garbage, Muse, Stone Temple Pilots, and even Placebo. Merely place points to show you where Tigercub’s music fits, what they offer is very much rooted in a deeper Alternative Rock foundation than most other acts around today.
Considering this, The Perfume of Decay is a listening experience that will keep your attention from start to finish. Rich and live sounding, some highlights amidst it all include “Show Me My Maker,” “You’re My Dopamine,” and the groove of “It Hurts When You’re Around.” Just a sample of some of the best moments of this album, between the guitar tone and Jamie Stephen Hall’s voice, Tigercub caption something special here. Hall, who is rather tall at 7-foot, harnesses delicate and smooth aspects of his voice with more amplified ones, making for dynamic Rock-n-Roll.
An album that should not fly under your radar if you are looking for something new, Cryptic Rock gives The Perfume of Decay 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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