Reviews

CD Review Manchester Music Album

CLICHÉ :: Dean :: 3 Trk CD :: Walker Music By JA

Liverpudlian one man outfit Dean, utilises a heavy blend of breeze block guitars with cut and paste loops, all of which build up to a really intimidating wall of sound. The signature phrase is based around the loudest set of three chords, maybe in the world ever. It’s a real, adrenaline busting, slice of retro-sounding verse breaks, shouty bridges and a rebel rousing chorus, that’ll set the hairs on the back of your neck on end. It’s backed up by two punky,
’77 inspired, blistering cuts, which splice up the guitars of The Pistols with the angsty melodics of Gen X and 999. Clever stuff, but most of all compellingly, infectiously loud. MMMM ½

…I WANT MORE :: Dean :: 4 Trk CD:: Walker Music By AS

Dean’s second outing is a real rocking out affair. Dean seems pretty studio bound – and he seems to write and perform the lot. But “I Want More” is a thick slice of new rock, full of splattered guitars, chunky distortions and more than enough energy to make the walls bow out in a mid garden terrace. Dean could have the makings of a rock band to equal the pompous spontaneity of The Cooper Temple Clause and the damn right infectious content of any chart hit. It shouldn’t really be allowed – remarkable still, is the fact that Dean is yet to ink a major contract. When he does sign, he’ll be using a hand that has more talent in it than the whole of Camden. MMMM.

…I WANT MORE :: Dean :: 13 - Trk CD:: Walker Music By DH

Talk about self-assurance. Dean has plastered moody topless shots of himself
on both the front and back covers not to mention a large mug shot on the inside. In sync with such apparent narcissistic tendencies ‘…I Want More’ is from start to finish soaked in swagger.

Dean blends pop/rock with cheeky non-standard arrangements heavily leaning into crossover territory. He slips in gutsy breaks, dance and even drum n bass beats as well as compulsive synths and samples.

The quandary unravels when you actually discover where Dean is coming from. This is unabashed pop entertainment. A challenge one presumes to the likes of Robbie Williams...whom he outstrips by a long chalk because as far as pop entertainment goes this is challenging stuff with an undeniable level of talent here. Dean’s debut LP is light-years ahead of its competition.

Krazy House Liverpool

Malcolm Dome Total Rock Radio, Classic Rock, author.

LIVE GIG REVIEW

“There are elements of Led Zeppelin in this young man, not to mention occasional hints of Pink Floyd. Oh, and the Doors. Then there’s … the Beatles.

Dean might have many classic influences but make no mistake he’s an exciting, cutting edge performer who pays his respects to the past while launching a vibrant assault on the future.

Songs like the emotive ‘3:14’ stand peacock proud, strutting a millennium plumage of rare colour and depth.

If you’re looking for an artist that combines the traditional values of British rock bands with a state-of-the-art cool that goes a lot further than a decent haircut and a day pass to the latest trends, then this is what you’ve been waiting for. Melody, style, class, passion, power, focus, the sort of thing we used to take as the predominant facets of rock, and the sort of thing we seem to have forgotten about.

Such is the verve and self belief here you’d have thought he’d had several years of arena experience behind him. That surely will be his destiny!”

Miles Showell at Metropolis Mastering praises '...I Want More'

"Wow, what a breath of fresh air! After too long working on over produced,
over perfect, lifeless programmed pop, at last I get something with some
bollocks. Great songs, well played, sympathetically produced. I was
beginning to think nobody made records like this anymore, 10 out of 10
Dean."

DJ Reactions: Promotion: Cliché (Rock /Alt / Indie Clubs)

“Bombastic – Punk- Industri – Disco – rock! Cliché is a fucking Legend! Kinda slinks in, fucks yer girlfriend and leaves with a smirk. Cliché is a great sound. GENIUS.”
Carling Academy / Beautiful people London.

"What the fuck is this? Fuckin’ great rock n roll track. Great delivery all overand destined for greatness!!"
Paul Ingleby, Waterfront, Norwich

"The perfect club tune! Wow it’s explosive, catchy riff, distorted catchy vocals, bouncy! and indie too. Huge tune. Will be massive."
Cris Girvin, CSL, Coventry

"Gun crime is bad news.This guy’s track grabs news ‘give us more or else."
Steve Barrett, Finbars, Cleathorpes

"Asked for before I had the song. wot luck’- Ten out of Ten, Excellent"
Maurice Wright, Edwards no 8, Birmingham

"He has energy and an exciting sound. Impossible to bracket, he offers something exceptionally good and original.’ Reminds me of the imagination of early Beck."
Ian Punter, Happy Thursdays? Opium Lounge

"Takin’ no prisoners! This guy fuckin’ rocks!! “Cliché” is a rip roarin’ floor blitzer. Infectious vocals chunging bass, razor riffs. LOVE IT!!"
Joe Strong, the Witchwood, Manchester

"Great music great vocals, old rock sound for the 21st century – got the aggression, got the chorus, got the attention of the punters... must have more"
Shaun Crazy Hudson, Rigby’s Hull

“Exciting & Energetic, like to listen to more. (Bullet the Blue Sky)’ U2”
Edwards No.8 Birmingham

“Short sharp and sweet this reminds me of the Beatles around the white album the distorted vocals, with more riffs and hooks than a roll of barbed wire and as fucking cutting.”
Maximum FM Keighthly

“Bit of a find this one - excellent stuff.”
CUBA CUBA Newcastle

“Commercial, glammy and stompy doing the business on the floor – a great song.”
various venues, Ipswich

"Brilliant sound, very popular, it’s good to hear more artists with that rock ‘n’ roll sound."
Paul Frame, Cathouse, Glasgow

"Yeah this rocks! Ta. Think it’s just gonna need a few more plays & it’ll be Cool & the Gang"
Tony X ,UPSU/ Alcalvaz, Portsmouth

“Quality songs from a master songs man, Excellent.”
Rock club

“Great production! Really like ‘Cliché’. Look forward to hearing whole album.”
Bedford

"Really excellent, great dancefloor filler.” Shall be playing many times over the coming months."
The Dirty Rider Club, London

"Great looping bass-line and chord crunches. More big distorted power and walloping chorus. Easy player too, hope it does well."
Music Dash, Manchester

“This guy really kicks ass, I love it and yes please, I would love a copy of the album!”
KC Tavern, Newbury

“I've been dropping this one into my set for a few months and I think it's a great tune.”
The Krazyhouse, Liverpool

“Loads of influences in there all mixed up to produce a fantastic song. Cliché' is a superb mid-tempo tune. Destined for big things.”
The Smithy, Bradford

“This song is pretty damn good, but coupled with the video it's
an absolute killer.”
Bar Phono, Leeds

“The stocking over the CD was a nice touch… it gave a feeling of menace.
The main track uses that feeling, adds a bit of claustrophobia and rides off that with scraping guitar riffs.”
Esquires, Bedford

"If people give this the chance it deserves it could be very big!"
Steve Knowles, JB’s, Dudley