The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • TOTD
  • Track Of The Week
  • Books + Movies
  • About
16
new
SPILL FEATURE: SOMEBODY HAS TO BE ON MUSHROOMS, RIGHT? – A CONVERSATION WITH DIRTY HONEY’S JOHN NOTTO & JUSTIN SMOLIAN
SPILL LIVE REVIEW: PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS – A VULGAR DISPLAY OF PANTERA (VIRTUAL EVENT)
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBERT COTTER – MISSING YOU
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TWIN TRIBES – ALTARS
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: WE FOUND A LOVEBIRD – “BLOOD AND THE DIRT”
SPILL CANADIAN VIDEO PREMIERE: MARVA VON THEO – “DISSOLVE”
SPILL TRACK OF THE WEEK: SUZI MOON – “SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: TOO MUCH JOY – “THAT’S THE WAY THAT THE WORLD GOES ROUND”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: THE LIVING PINS – “JAGUAR”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: ANDY LAPLEGUA (COMBICHRIST) REVEALS NEW SOLO PROJECT LAPLEGUA & DROPS SINGLE “I WILL HEAL” THROUGH OUT OF LINE MUSIC
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: SEEPEOPLES – “IT FEELS HEAVY”
SPILL FEATURE: THE EXECUTIONERS ARE BACK! – A CONVERSATION WITH PAUL MAZURKIEWICZ OF CANNIBAL CORPSE
SPILL NORTH AMERICAN VIDEO PREMIERE: SUZI MOON – “SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL”
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: IDA MARIA – “SICK OF YOU”
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: QUEENS & KINGS – “GOING THROUGH HELL”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: FLORIDA ROCKERS FAME ON FIRE RELEASE DELUXE EDITION OF ‘LEVELS’ VIA HOPELESS RECORDS
  • MORE
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • TOTD
  • Track Of The Week
  • Books + Movies
  • About
  • Spill Menu
    • Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Festivals
    • Portraits
    • Headlines
      • News
      • Contests
      • Events
      • Entertainment Headlines
      • Concert Listings
      • Toronto Concert Venues
    • New Music
      • Premieres
      • TOTD
    • Track Of The Week
    • Books + Movies
    • About
Album Reviews
198
previous article
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: GARRETT KATO - "I'LL BE AROUND"
next article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LIZARD POOL - SPARK

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOE SYMES AND THE LOVING KIND – PHASE II

Joe Symes And The Loving Kind

Joe Symes And The Loving Kind
Phase II
Truly Independent Records

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind is a three-piece alternative rock outfit from Liverpool, UK. They first emerged on the British music scene with the release of their debut album, the self-titled Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, in 2013. A few singles and EPs, and many live gigs later, the band is back with their new album-length release, Phase II.

Musically, Joe Symes and the Loving Kind seem to owe a lot to the Britpop sound. Certainly, their northwest England roots would perhaps lean them that way. With guitar hooks and sing-able choruses abounding, the first half of Phase II is replete with energy and raw power. But is this too much of a good thing?

With the radio-friendly second track “All Of The Things We Said” being the exception, there is a certain sameness to the instrumentation and song structure of the first part of this album that becomes a bit too familiar by the fourth song. Thankfully, the intensity of the power-wash guitars is broken up by a breath of fresh air in the form of the song, “Hopeful Hearts” – a well-produced melodic gem with sweet harmonies and strong Beatles/pop vibe. Interestingly, this song makes way for later hidden treasures, which are arguably more musically happening than the first few songs on the album. Notably, the dynamic build and musical colouring of “Summer’s Almost Coming” and the beautifully off-kilter XTC-like guitar intro of “Shine Tonight” are standout tracks which do not appear until the final third of the album.

With the understanding that an album is a musical calling card, the first few songs represent this band well, in terms of showcasing the energy of their live show. Still, part of me would like to hear further exploration into the diverse sounds and songwriting which are presented in the second half of this recording, and less of the verse/chorus/verse domination of the earlier tunes.

Phase II a solid effort from an extremely tight band, and it includes many inspired performances. Such a strong showing this time out makes the listener keen to hear what Joe Symes and the Loving Kind will come up with next.



Artist Links

website_flat_2016 facebook_flat_2016 twitter_flat_2016 instagram_flat_2016

Item Reviewed

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOE SYMES AND THE LOVING KIND – PHASE II

Author

Bryan Williston

Here's what we think...
Spill Rating
Fan Rating
Rate Here
New Criteria
10
7.3
7.0
Total Spill Rating
7.3
Total Fan Rating
10 ratings
You have rated this
Album Reviews
album reviewalbum reviewsjoe symes and the loving kindphase iisummer's almost comingtruly independent records
album review, album reviews, joe symes and the loving kind, phase ii, summer's almost coming, truly independent records
About the Author
Bryan Williston
Bryan Williston
Bryan Williston has been involved in music since he was a young child. A veteran singer, songwriter, and music educator, Bryan has enjoyed playing a multitude of musical genres in a variety of outfits, over the years. Bryan lives in Whitby, Ontario.
RELATED ARTICLES
album reviewalbum reviews
 
7.0
Robert Cotter
10

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBERT COTTER – MISSING YOU

by Gerrod Harris on April 9, 2021
Robert Cotter Missing You WeWantSounds Before Chic set the disco world on fire with the quintessential hit, “Le Freak” in 1978, they were The Big Apple Band, fronted by Robert Cotter. [...]
 
9.0
Twin Tribes
10

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TWIN TRIBES – ALTARS

by Jake Collier on April 9, 2021
Twin Tribes Altars Negative Gain/Young & Cold Records/Manic Depression Records Darkwave duo du jour, Twin Tribes, have released Altars, a remix album that encompasses their first two [...]
 
6.0
Badfinger
8.7

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BADFINGER – NO MATTER WHAT – REVISITING THE HITS

by Aaron Badgley on March 26, 2021
Badfinger No Matter What – Revisiting The Hits Cleopatra Records I love Badfinger. I maintain that they are one of the most underrated bands of all time, and [...]
 
8.0
Jon Anderson

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JON ANDERSON – OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW (REMASTERED EDITION)

by Aaron Badgley on March 26, 2021
Jon Anderson Olias Of Sunhillow (Remastered Edition) Esoteric Recordings Olias Of Sunhillow by Jon Anderson, originally released in 1976,  was the first solo [...]
 
8.0
Cathal Coughlan

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CATHAL COUGHLAN – SONG OF CO-AKLAN

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on March 26, 2021
Cathal Coughlan Song Of Co-Aklan Dimple Discs If you are able to name one of the cult artists from the Irish music scene, the name of Cathal Coughlan would be probably one of the [...]
Latest Album Reviews
View All
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBERT COTTER – MISSING YOU
7.0
10
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TWIN TRIBES – ALTARS
9.0
10
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BADFINGER – NO MATTER WHAT – REVISI...
6.0
8.7
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JON ANDERSON – OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW (REMAST...
8.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CATHAL COUGHLAN – SONG OF CO-AKLAN
8.0
Latest Live Reviews
View All
 
Philip H. Anselmo

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS – A VULGAR DISPLAY OF PANTERA (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Gerrod Harris on April 9, 2021
18
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 3 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on March 18, 2021
9
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 2 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on February 18, 2021
239
 
Small Town Titans

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: SMALL TOWN TITANS @ SMT HQ, YORK (PA)

by Gerrod Harris on February 6, 2021
45
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 1 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on January 7, 2021
574
Tweets by @spillmagazine

SPILL MAGAZINE MENU
  • Home | The Spill Magazine
  • Premieres
  • Track Of The Week
  • Album Reviews
  • Books + Movies
  • Features
  • Live Reviews
  • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • News
  • Events
  • Entertainment Headlines
  • Concert Listings
  • Toronto Concert Venues
  • About Us
  • Contests
  • New Music
  • Spill Magazine Contributors
  • TOTD
  • Privacy Policy
  • The Scene Unseen
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2020 | The Spill Magazine
All Rights Reserved.

TRENDING RIGHT NOW
   
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: NOFX – SINGLE ALBUM
2124
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JON BATISTE – WE ARE
916
 
SPILL CONTEST: MANNEQUIN VANITY RECORDS GIVEAWAY – ENTER TO WIN A GIANT MVR PRIZE PACK!
807
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CHEVELLE – NIRATIAS
716
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY – MECHANICAL SOUL
713
 
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: CHURCH OF TREES FEAT. CAROLE POPE – “WORLD’S A BITCH”
476
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLACK PISTOL FIRE – LOOK ALIVE
429
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: STRAWBS – SETTLEMENT
398
 
SPILL NEW MUSIC: “SHAMELESS” STAR WILLIAM H. MACY RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE “WHISKEY DELL” UNDER “WILLIE CREEKS” MONIKER
354
 
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: SEEPEOPLES – “IT FEELS HEAVY”
334
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DANIEL LANOIS – HEAVY SUN
324
 
SPILL FEATURE: HIS STORY RIGHT NOW – A CONVERSATION WITH cEvin Key
315
 
SPILL FEATURE: TRULY ORCHESTRATING HIS OWN LIFE – A CONVERSATION WITH RICK SPRINGFIELD
298
ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINES