The Early Years – ‘The Great Awakening EP’ (Beggars Banquet) Released 19/02/07

Picking up where their self titled album left off, The Early Years return with more beautiful, swirling, effects laden soundscapes with the release of ‘The Great Awakening’ EP.

Like a party with luxurious finger food this is a delicious four track taster that highlights all that is good with the London three-piece and leaves you hungry for more. Majestic and mystical, near instrumental pieces, with the exception of ‘Say What I Want To’ which kicks off from the start with lyrics coming at a near premature, by The Early Years standards, 40 seconds. This was a 2006 tour favourite left off the album and if there is one gripe with this song then it is as anal as they come. If you sing ‘say what I wanna’ then don’t call it ‘Say What I Want To’. Like we said, anal.

Second up is ‘On Fire’ which left us picking our brains for just what the intro sounds like as it seems new yet so familiar. Like a pub quiz question that you know you know it has flooded our minds with something, an intro or outro by Oasis? ‘Who Feels Love’ possibly? Tip of the tongue stuff indeed. Anyway back to the EP…a classy offering, different yet familiar which is heart warming in parts and spine tingling in others.