THE ANSWER – Rise EP (2012)

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or have had your fingers firmly shoved deep into your ears for the last 5 or 6 years you should know all about THE ANSWER by now.
As Northern Ireland’s permanent representatives on the classic rock circuit, these 4 boys from County Down are veterans at their trade.
The band has new material ready, the new 4-track “Rise EP” due for release on July 2 on their own TAP label, which clearly demonstrates everything they have learnt first-hand from their heroes over the years.

Interesting to note that the title track from this EP was originally recorded as the title track for their 2006 debut album. Up until now (6 years later) the track remained unreleased.
“Rise” has been re-surrected, re-written and re-recorded and offered in three different ways.
The tender opening of the Cormac Neeson’s lyrics and Paul Mahon’s acoustic guitar work is a departure from what we would normally expect from these seasoned hard rockers.
However, the crescendo builds with the introduction of violins then explodes into life as the rhythm section of James Heatley’s drums and Micky Water’s bass thrust us back in familiar territory of a record that will have you thrashing your hair around wildly with your fists in the air.

The B-side “Lost” is very much a thunderous, riff-heavy offering that we have come to expect from a rock band whose roots are deeply imbedded in electric bluesy hard rock and the extravagant excess of the ’70s.
Cormac growls and sneers his way through a story of self-awareness and rediscovery over a thumping rhythm and wailing guitar. This song would sit comfortably on any of the previous three albums and it’s almost a shame that it is only appearing as a B-side in this EP.
The remaining songs on the EP are the ‘Full long’ and the ‘Acoustic version’ of the title track, the latter giving the listener a mellower ride with the emphasis more on the lyrics which tells a poignant story of loss and recovery.

The “Rise 2012 EP” follows last year’s release of The Answer third consecutive Top-40 studio album ‘Revival’.
After years supporting some of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll, The Answer fully deserve their place at the top of the bill as a major headline act.
This EP is a fine example of the collective talents of the individuals in the band. While The Answer may be known for their take-no-prisoners approach and energetic live performances, “Rise” shows a softer side giving an indication of how the group have matured in their arrangement and writing.

01 – Rise (Radio Mix)
02 – Lost
03 – Rise (Acoustic version)
04 – Rise (Full version)

Cormac Neeson – Vocals
Paul Mahon – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Michael Waters – Bass, Backing Vocals
James Heatley – Drums

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