The Creeping Ivies - Stay Wild download free

Review from The Sound Project 11/12/2012Rock & Roll meets punk as the Creeping Ivies deliver a storming debut.One cold night last January I ventured along to a Rock Chick night in Edinburgh, slightly unsure of what to expect of half the acts on the bill. I was familiar with of several of the performing acts, so it wasn't a complete walk into darkness. It was there that I caught my first glimpse of The Creeping Ivies, the Dundee two-piece consisting of Becca Bomb and Duncan Destruction. There was something reassuringly old skool (sic) about their sound - simplicity at its best, one guitar, drums, vocals and one hell of a sound.Less than 12-months later and the band are now set to release their debut long-player, 'Stay Wild'. Having heard their first two EPs I knew only too well that their sound can transfer to record without losing its raw edginess. I did wonder, however, if they could keep it up over the course of a full album. I needn't have bothered with worrying, though, as 'Stay Wild' has turned out to be one of the freshest and most interesting records of the year.The album itself is still as raw as anything else they've recorded, it's just here that they're given a grander opportunity to expand on the noise they captured so excellently on the 'Ghost Train' EP, released back in June. In a nutshell, this is a stripped down garage record. And what a record.Album opener 'Black Cat' is a killer tune, complete with an assured nod or two to surf rock. 'Buzzbomb' is a rock & roll stomp whose punky edges border on the likes of The Ramones and The Stooges. It's a track that is catchy as hell and you'll find yourself humming it long after you've finished listening to this record. The same sentiment can be applied to 'Mirror Mirror', with it's killer riffs and catchy lines. Both sound oddly familiar yet new at the same time.There's a real retro-punk sound to 'Spinning' with yet more catchy riffs. There's an obvious nod to The Ramones in the title of 'Bop Like That', and upon hearing it you'll realise that said nod extends to the sound too. The melody is definitely something you could have imagined Joey and co performing in their late-70's hey-day. Slower moments such as 'The World' and 'House of Ivy' demonstrate a real bluesy side to Becca's vocals and add depth to the record. It really is compelling stuff.'Rock N Roll Ghost' is another slower moment but is definitely one of the record's absolute stand out moments as is the album closing self-titled track 'Stay Wild'. It's pretty ballsy stuff. This is an album that's only shortage is fillers - every track here is worthy of its place, which is what makes this one of (if not the) best records of the year.I don't know about you, but I can't wait to hear what they do next.Key song: Buzzbomb