The Sheffield Scenester

Burden is a six- piece Indie/Rock band, residing in our very own brilliant of Sheffield where Indie/Rock bands thrive and surpass music progression. Their first EP- ‘Fail To See’ consists of five conscientious tracks from the group of ‘friends who get their kicks from playing gigs and live performances’, as they state on their facebook page.

The first track ‘Going Down’ is an upbeat number and great for initially grabbing the listener’s attention- a wise move to crack the first track.. It opens with a rhythmic, fast-paced guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. The melody and chorus of this track have a certain essence of the Beach Boys, an element of surf pop/rock. Listening to the vocals I would say it’s easy to hear the members are all young and it helps to carry that timid indie-sound. A keyboard accompaniment to the chorus flows and compliments the upbeat tempo.

‘Turn The Page’ pleasingly opens with synthesisers; more famously from Sheffield than Indie/Rock bands, nice to see they’re using our music heritage and it’s also more current for music-trends nationwide.

This track sets a more melancholy mood about a relationship breakdown. Heartfelt vocals really project this with emotional depth and pain. Electric guitar and synthesiser flow alongside each other in harmony and play a repetitive melody throughout - apart from a confident guitar solo towards the end of the track.

The third track goes even deeper into the depths of this tortured soul and it’s always pleasing to feel the lyrics have been written from the writer’s personal experience and that’s what we get here. Opened with a classic guitar and sweet pained vocals, it sets the mood for the emotional blackness to commence. The opening line ‘why has this happened to me again’ indicates huge self-loathing and soaring teenage-angst. Low, deep, guitar riffs are played throughout to set the sombre pace, accompanied with a brilliantly played keyboard. A sad sounding acoustic guitar solely finishes this heartbreaker track.

‘Too Much’ proceeds to a better place- teenage angst rid, this happy number is escalated into an ecstatic high through fast-paced played keyboard and vocals, I imagine were sung with a smile. A tale about a flirtation between a pair, it’s catchy and fun.

The final track ‘Ignite’ is my personal favourite. A grungy, sexy, almost metal-sounding guitar sound opens, dangerous. I am listening to this whilst writing and feel my head involuntarily banging to the rhythm. The vocals open with a dark, confident tone and breakout into a rock & roll passion at the same time as the guitar picks up pace and frets get ripped at a deeper level. The chorus is like a war-chant, easy to remember and catchy. A guitar solo towards the end is a brilliant classic American air-guitar tribute and opens up a whole range of this bands vocal and instrumental abilities.

A great first EP and I am sure Burden feel a great accomplishment with their work. It’s difficult to compare the unique group with anyone- some would say this is a good thing. Overall, a really talented group of friends who are not afraid to use current instruments and experiment with their sound.

Words by Laura Robina Collinson