On May 4th aka Star Wars Day, United Kingdom’s own Reef delivered what could be the comeback story of the year with their latest record entitled “Revelation” via earMUSIC. This particular release was a long time coming for Reef fans the world over, yet it is well worth the wait with their combination of classic rock, blues, Motown and a tinge of gospel music.
Reef is composed of Gary Stringer on vocals, Jack Bessant on bass guitar, Jesse Wood on guitar, and Dominic Greensmith on drums. Reef wasn’t necessarily forgotten about as their music in the 1990’s was influential for British music and the world over, so much so that Coldplay frontman Chris Martin personally invited Reef to Coldplay’s concert at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom and sexy and sultry songstress Sheryl Crow jumped at the opportunity to duet with Reef for the love ballad “My Sweet Love”. Reef’s focus for songs that are meaningful and passionate is very well-documented as they have been known to road test their material and if the song didn’t get the audience engaged, then Reef would immediately scrap that song.
This release starts off with the title track “Revelation”. “Revelation” is not only a book in the Holy Bible, but also means a life-changing discovery, and Reef certainly conveyed that life-changing discovery with the intro of the album. It seems like there is an ode to Malcolm Young of AC/DC in this track as the riffs pulsate and pound just like a Malcolm Young-influenced riff should and Gary Stringer sounds shrilling, yet is reminding fans that they are here to stay with this track. It is a most excellent way to start off the album.
Reef begins to show how many layers there are to the band with their duet with Sheryl Crow in “My Sweet Love”. This wonderfully showcases that Sheryl Crow is an artist and a well-respected singer/songwriter in every sense of the word as she is able to blend her sweet and sincere vocals with the sincere and raspy vocal style of Gary Stringer. In this track, they sound like a newly wedded couple as they trade lines in the song and make it feel like a true proclamation of love, and Jesse offers a scintillating guitar solo in the instrumental break leading up to the bridge of the song.
In this album, Reef seems to being going through that spiritual journey of self-discovery and simply wanting better for the world in tracks such as “Provide” and “How I Got Over”. These tracks are that declaration for compassion for their fellow human beings as Reef takes the listener with them on that spiritual journey though self-discovery and longing for a better world. In “How I Got Over”, yet another layer of Reef is unpacked as it sounded like they sat through a Baptist conference with a worship choir as the band sounded like a barnburner and where the song got people to stand up and clap and singalong with Reef in “How I Got Over”. I especially loved the resounding applause and cheering to close out this song.
In this album, there is not a filler at all. This album showcases that Reef is willing to add that extra ingredient that makes the dish a chef-quality recipe and makes it equally as delectable for the listener. Their songs of overcoming, compassion for the human race, nostalgia, and love is what is desperately needed in a world that is becoming increasingly darker as time goes on. What a wonderful, joyful sound Reef makes in their melodies and arrangements as Madness To Creation rates this album an 8.5/10 stars. Here is the track listing below.
- Revelation
- My Sweet Love featuring Sheryl Crow
- Provide
- How I Got Over
- Don’t Go Changing Your Mind
- Precious Metal
- Just Feel Love
- Ball And Chain
- First Mistake
- Oh Darling Come Home Soon
- Lone Rider
- Like A Ship(Without A Sail)
Check out the music video for “My Sweet Love” featuring Sheryl Crow
Reef will be touring United Kingdom and Australia in support of “Revelation”. Check out tour dates below.
Thursday, May 10th- Sub89 in Reading, United Kingdom (w/ Desert Mountain Tribe)
Friday, May 11th- Concorde 2 in Brighton, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 12th- The Waterfront in Norwich, United Kingdom
Friday, May 18th- The Liquid Room in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 19th- O2 Academy in Glasgow, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 20th- O2 Academy in Newcastle, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 24th- O2 Academy in Leeds, United Kingdom
Friday, May 25th- Motion in Bristol, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 26th- Portsmouth Guildhall in Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 31st- The Academy in Dublin, Ireland
Friday, June 1st- Harmony Live in Holywood, United Kingdom
Saturday, June 23rd- Eden Project in Saint Austell, United Kingdom
Tuesday, August 28th- Metropolis in Fremantle, Australia
Wednesday, August 29th- The Gov in Hindmarsh, Australia
Friday, August 31st- The Triffid in Newstead, Australia
Saturday, September 1st- The Metro Theatre in Sydney, Australia
Sunday, September 2nd- 170 Russell in Melbourne, Australia
For tickets and further information on any of the shows listed above, click here!
Fans can find Reef at the following locations:
