‘Hands And Numbers‘ is the 5-track EP from the energetic Hull-based alt-rock quartet Late Night Fiction. Simply put, this music will take the listener back a decade to the days when acts like Hell Is For Heroes, Hundred Reasons and Trapt were celebrated for their desperately melodic and emotive tunes. The opening track with its lengthy title, ‘Devoured By Dogs In A Place Frequented By Many‘ displays this idea perfectly – Phil Morris‘ vocals are soft and cutting while the guitar work winds around steady rock beats for a rousing result.
The follow-up ‘Dali Drip‘ moves things forward, and this time the band look to accessible indie rhythms for inspiration, this sound lies somewhere between Incubus and Razorlight – imagine that? Indeed, it’s all about the soaring vocals, progressive guitars and spiking drum beats that work together throughout to evoke and inspire.
For ‘Astronaut‘ the group experiment with soft and hard tones at the opening, leading into a slow acoustic ballad that’ll further the band’s impact on its listeners, whereas the follow-up ‘Eau De Irony‘, recalls the louder bands from the 90s post-grunge movement, specifically Silverchair, while still managing to sound soulful and current drawing from the uplifting riffs of Biffy Clyro. Meanwhile, ‘Progress‘ builds upon a foundation of solid Brand New-style riffs and a ferocious dual-vocal onslaught that gives Fightstar a run for their money – this one’s our favourite track and the sure-fire standout of the record.
The band work hard to push past the pre-conceptions of what a “post-hardcore” band should sound like. This is a debut packed tightly with vibrant indie rock and hard-hitting alternative sounds that progresses and develops throughout. Late Night Fiction are another fine example of how when it comes to decent, provocative rock music, it’s never grim up north.
Visit the band’s official MySpace.
