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Reviews/Comments on the new CD "Not 4 da Superficial"
Review from HONT of the Guitarist Collective Forum (Rob M.)
Hi Graham
I thought I'd let you have my thoughts on your CD, now that I've listened to it a few times.
Goodbye Constantine - Solid opener with nice wah riff to start. I really like the way the guitar is arranged here. It's so much more interesting than just a chordal backing. The instrumental break is nicely arranged too.
Not 4 da Superficial - my favourite track, as this is very prog (the tapping works as well). Have you ever listened to Coheed and Cambria? This reminds me a little of some of their stuff (although not as heavy).
Love Child - Another nice change of direction that helps engage the listener. 3 Tracks in and they are all different. Great catchy chorus. Nice composed solo.
Nineteen 79 - Well funky. Not a fan of rap, but I love the backing. You sound like your giving everything on the vocals.
Freaked Out Stories - Great harmonic riff running throughout and a great intro as well. This is the hardest listen on the album, though, as it is quite long (and it's rap again).
Superfickle Intermission - This is a really clever track with a very "jazz" sensibility. Another one of my favourites - I love the strong melody, even though there are some "challenging" notes in it.
Answer Cuthbert's Prayers - Noticeable change in drum sound and more of a band feel - for obvious reasons. I think your vocals are best on this track - was it a track that you had played a lot or rehearsed a lot? It sounds like it. (The solo didn't need the tapping )
Sword of the Spirit - Another band track. Similar tempo and feel to the previous track.
Want U By My Side - The vocals are the driest on the album and are better because of it. More confidence in your voice is required - don't hide it under effects - leave that trick to those of us who really can't sing. I like the way the solo is composed - tapping works here.
So two positive comments for tapping vs one against Result!
Thanks for sending me this Graham I enjoyed listening to it.
All the best
Rob
REVIEW appears on Dayspring church website : 13/5/2007
Here we have the second CD release from Bernamica Gray, aka Graham Fell from Kippax in Leeds. Graham is an accomplished electric guitarist with a wide repertoire of styles and a good understanding of how to put a song together. As well as playing the guitar and writing the songs, Graham sings the vocals and has played, arranged and produced the tracks himself. This would often put me off an album, having had experience of well-meaning and earnest home-made releases that were cringe-worthy. Graham is in a different league - and it's not just my opinion, since he had very favourable reviews for the previous album, including from Cross-Rhythms. I must, however, declare a possible conflict of interest in that I have played keyboard for Graham in a small way. So, what should you expect? Well you will find the solos, catchy riffs and hooks that you would expect from an album by a skilled guitarist but some things that might surprise as well, including some innovative drum beats and intense, thoughtful lyrics. Oh yes, and there is the strong and challenging Christian content throughout. It is always misleading to categorise music like this, which isn't a single style throughout, but I guess that for most people it sits in the rock category with a bit of funk in the mix. There are some driving rock tracks while some are more experimental (don't worry, still very musical) with beatbox, synth and even some rapping sitting alongside Santana-style classic rock guitar work. If there is a weakness here it would be the vocals which could benefit from some backing voices and bigger-studio production facilities to get fullness and clarity without excessive double-tracking. Graham has a website (www.bernamica.com) and a myspace presence (www.myspace.com/bernamicagray) where you can hear a sample of the tracks. Re:Viewed by Keith Fearnley
4th February 2007 Full Review from Colin Mundy - long time Christian music reviewer
I hate this CD ……………
I’ve reached the age when I gravitate towards the easy listening section of record stores – and it may be boring and predictable but I KNOW that the latest Hillsong, Soul Survivor, Newday, Spring Harvest album will have at track 4 or 5 the token ‘quiet’, meditative, gentle songs that enable me to relax and disappear into my comfort zone.
‘Not 4 da Superficial’ has no such comfort break, no ice-cream interval – it pumps out a relentless message from track one to nine. The closest you get to a rest is the instrumental ‘Superfickle Intermission’ at track 6 but this simply keeps the tempo going for the remaining three tracks.
These last tracks are the only ones recorded in a studio with a band. The first five tracks are ‘home-made’ – just like the whole of the first album ‘Struggle to Tell’ – but don’t expect some ‘second rate’ recording. ‘Struggle’ was an impressive debut album and with ‘Not 4’, Graham has moved up a level. All of the tracks exude professionalism and an attention to detail that is quite miraculous considering the limited resources that he has – I guess this is just further confirmation of the God given gifting that is firmly rooted in this guy.
It is good to have tracks that feature backing people as well as backing computers but Phil’s drumming warrants more attention from the technical guys.
So what have we actually got here?
Graham is still trying to cram more words to each bar of music than anyone else I know. But the words are a vital part of the album and it is good that Graham has posted them on his website.
Be prepared to listen and think – yeah and maybe go away and do some reading as Graham takes us on a fervent journey from 4th century Rome to Post Christendom – via Cuthbert, THE Bishop of Durham and the ‘Da Vinci Code’. There is so much in this album – maybe too much if that’s possible – and if there is a thread running through it then it’s difficult to spot. All the songs are passionate as Graham rushes to share what God has placed on his heart. He reads, wonders and then writes but maybe if he waited, God would give him a shape or theme to an album rather than just a collection of ‘outbursts’. It would be good to think about the movement from one track to the next – and the end of album is just a trifle too abrupt for me.
But enough of words – yeah he can sing – but Graham is a guitar player at heart and every track showcases his ability. My favourite is ‘Love Child’ where the haunting riffs remind me of Jeff Wayne’s ‘War of the Worlds’ (sorry Graham – I’m old!). And there is a subtlety in the lyrics here – Jesus is the ‘Love Child’ but we could easily be the children exhorted to hear God’s love. And the breaks in this track are brave and unexpected.
Thank you for the instrumental track– I just love it and yearn for more of that guitar – not just an intermission but a composition in its own right.
So I don’t really hate this album – I love it – why? – because it IS totally different from most Christian music; and parts of it make me think about my faith and all of it draws me closer to Jesus.
Graham, please don’t make us wait another 4 years for the next album!!!
Review/Comment received by e-mail --- 31st January 2007
'Not 4 da superficial' has very interesting lyrics and is both challenging and informative.Though I have to admit my lack of knowledge on St Cuthbert I can confirm the Holy Spirit's prompting in my spirit and agree 'Come Lord Jesus'.The cleverly rapped reference to Da Vinci and other 'weird ideas' will be appreciated by many.Altogether a very enjoyable C.D. by a musically gifted brother.
The Goddards - who live in Dumfries area of Scotland
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This product is currently not available from Cross Rhythms Direct |
Cross Rhythms Review (January 2007)
Reviewed by Paul Poulton
Although music downloads are cool and pretty much the best thing since liposuction, don't you think that there is something about holding a CD cover in your hand, looking at the pics and reading through the track listing? The titles of these nine songs get my interest quickly: "Freaked Out Stories", "Goodbye Constantine" and "Answer Cuthbert's Prayers", what's that all about then? Okay I'll tell you, it's about Cuthbert who was born in 635 ad, he was a soldier who fought probably for Northumbria against the king of Mercia, he joined a monastery after the conflict and prayed for the land. He died and was laid to rest, then in 875, his poor old bones started to get lugged about from place to place because of the threat of invaders. Finally in 1104 his body found its resting place in Durham Cathedral. Taking a look inside the coffin, Cuthbert's body was found to be incorrupt, just like he was asleep, perfectly preserved. (Well, that's the story.) Rock songs, they're all about sex, drugs and rock'n'roll aren't they? Not these. Leeds songwriter Graham Fell, aka Bernamica Gray, chooses intriguing themes to sing about. Tight drums, blistering guitar and funk over-tones make up the bulk of his stripped-down rock, which has space yet enough energy to kick hard enough to hurt. Guitar notes weave in and out of the vocals, not in an annoying way either. In some of Gray's songs he isn't the typical guitar hero, he's far enough on this side of modern to be taken seriously by today's music press, but on others he reverts to traditional axe-man techniques, which date the songs. The production isn't the greatest and there are some weak spots, including a few struggling vocals, but it's easy enough to forgive these considering the high points.
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....and another review /comment received today by good old fashioned post!
"Deep passionate searching rock, with heartfelt lyrics eg Love Child."
"Original, creative and unexpected, my favourite was Sword of the Spirit with the harmonies and the instrumental piece"
Joanne (from Leeds) 23rd January 2007
Another review/comment received via e-mail - 17th January2007
Here is your CD review (at last)!!!!!!!!I really enjoyed listening to the CD as it has good rhythm. Also, I can tell that the lyrics are from the heart and have a very good meaning behind them. There are different types of music all very up beat. Overall I really liked the CD!
Kate from Leeds - (I'm 15 just in case you didnt know!!)
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3rd review/comment - message on my myspace from Matt in Leeds ! thanx!
Jan 8th 2007
Cd is QUALITY! Personal favourite is Track number 2 "Not 4 Da Superficial"...the riff and lyrical combination are far too good... and the gentle vocal sweeps through out are a great touch and a contrast to the heavily distorted "This is not for da superficial" voice ad-ins...ace track...also noticed on Goodbye Constantine some nice solo action that peaks in at certain point...more impressive is the tone of the guitar really ...just has a real "spot on" sound ...whatever the spot its on may be, but its great! Awesome... could talk on here all night about it but have to finish some revision really haha....ace work Graham!
Matt
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2nd written review (written comment really);-
Jan 7 2007 10:02AM
"The CD's really good im very impressed, if a hard dance fan like me likes it, it must be good!! "
above comment received on my myspace website from Chris L (an ardent DANCE music fan - so high praise indeed! - thanks!)
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First review came in after album released only 3 days! - from Steve Lowton (founding pastor of Dayspring Church), Leeds (Steve is also a prophetic and prolific prayer walker and soon to be author?) Here's his e-mail to me;-
Graham
Love the album. If you want to quote me anywhere;-
"This is not an album for the fainthearted for the strength of Graham's distinctive guitar playing is matched only by the strength of the lyrics. With something to communicate there is no holding back and the album remains consistent in this theme from start to finish. No apolohies here. Loved it!"
Steve
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Below are reviews of the CD Album "Struggle To Tell" - released in 2003
Magazine Review - Cross Rhythms (issue 72 / Jan/Feb2003) (Page 28)
Bernamica Gray is the nom-de-musique of Graham Fell, a 45 year old father of 2 from Leeds, who hasn't the slightest intention of making a career in music, preferring to stick to his day job and channel his energies into the Kidz Klub Leeds youth & children's ministry, of which he is a founder member. In case you are puzzled about the name it's made up of parts of his wife and daughters Christian names, BERNadette, AMy and jessICA: the GRAY is him! Everything on this 12 track, 52 minute CD is Graham, programming, electric guitar and vocals, and the music is definitely not kiddies praise it is gritty and raw and chock full of experiences, one or two of them probably not too pleasant. At a tenner, it's good value and a commendable effort, with only the occasional bit of wooliness betraying its' cottage industry-type amateur origins (Grahams' words, not mine!).We should be grateful that Graham has had the courage and determination to record his music for posterity. Definitely worth a look. Trevor Kirk
Note from Godfrey Birtill (see links) Christian Praise & Worship Leader (minstrel) -2003
Hi Graham, Really enjoyed your CD! (Struggle to Tell), Love your voice,particularly like track 2 (Just don't seem to care anymore).You make a great sound. Blessings to you and Bernie & your daughters
Letter from Ann in Scotland - 2003
Thank you so much for the CD, it has blessed and challenged me, my youngest son Alistair (11yrs) is well impressed with the guitar solo's, as I listened after several times I felt years younger !!I would like to order 2 more and enclose a cheque. Please use this in your ministry work in Kidz Klub Leeds.
Review letter from Colin Mundy (Longtime Christian music fan) - 2003
Well there you go, it may be 3 months late but I have at long last sat down to let you have my thoughts/impressions/comments for what they are worth!! When you produced the CD we had a discussion about the different way we listened to music. You commented that you needed to sit and concentrate on the music and I replied that I mostly just played in the background and focussed when something hit me. What is interesting is that I found it very difficult to have "Struggle to tell" on without stopping and listening. It clearly isn't background music.
This may be because the music and lyrics are raw and angry. It's a bit like listening to an enraged Mark Knopfler!! The 2 overwhelming influences on the Album are the lyrics and, not surprisingly, the electric guitar.
The lyrics are clear and this is important because most of the tracks tell a story. This is no simple sing along worship material; more like poetry to rock music. And these stories clearly came from the heart and so all Christians can identify with them, starting with the very first track. All of us will have battled with the "struggle to tell".
There are a lot of words on this album and sometimes there is a battle to fit them to the music. I found myself having to listen to tracks several times, and use the printed words, to fully grasp their meaning. But that's not a bad thing when so much that is written today is so simple. The sheer number of words simply adds to the urgency that pervades the Album.
Although the Album is called "Struggle to Tell". For me the core of it is track 5 "Only You" the gospel proclaimed.
This is a debut album, produced in a "domestic" environment and bearing this in mind the quality is outstanding. Yes the levels might vary, some tracks might lack a strong ending and the thunder in "Rain" might lack subtlety but these are small points. The tracks are varied in presentation and composition and full use seems to have been made of the limited recording and engineering equipment.
It's impressive.
So is it just for Christians ? no!. The music itself will appeal to many and some will be drawn to the lyrics, which will in turn point them towards Father God.
Is it totally serious? never! There is a wry sense of humour not far below the surface and the occasional and interesting asides, recorded over the top of track 7 "Mr (missed the) Scene" personalise the Album. Maybe the next one could include some spoken lyrics.
Asking the question "is Graham a guitarist who can sing or a singer who can play guitar?" then there really is no contest! Yes he can sing, and it may be that tracks pitched slightly lower would reduce the strain on the voice. But the real passion is found in the guitar line and is clear for all to hear. Graham loves to play the guitar and has a god-given talent that he uses brilliantly. Almost every track features a guitar bridge, or strong guitar line, but whilst there is a wide variety of sounds and effects there is never a change in the quality. This is typified on track 11 "you held me up" where the haunting, piercing, strident sound of the guitar stays with you long after the track has finished.
Maybe the next Album will be an instrumental, based on Heavenvator Muzak and that would be fine by me, provided we eventually heard some more of those marvellous lyrics in the future. Of course the instrumentals might eventually find their way onto phone systems (Reference to his day job) in which case callers might be asking to be left on hold!!
This Album is different from most current Christian music “ let's hope and pray that it's not a one-off. |
