The Manic Shine are a London based quartet who have been together for two years.  Led by singer and guitarist Ozzie Rodgers, their self titled 3 track EP captures the bands ambitions and influences quite nicely.

There’s a real groove underbelly to their bluesy guitars that layer nicely on top.  Stand out track “The Escape” is positively epic and recalls former music press darlings The Music as it powers its way out of the speakers in an uncompromising juggernaut fashion. 

You get the feeling that The Manic Shine would be an enthralling band to see live as the songs here would come into their own in the rawness and no holds barred cauldron of a live gig.  Here, the production is a wee bit too crisp and the songs are perhaps not coming across as edgy as they maybe think they are.  That’s not to say that these aren’t strong songs. 

Make no mistake, The Manic Shine would definitely be a proposition worth experiencing live.

(Hear tracks from and my review on “The Manic Shine” on Nick Tann’s “Is This Thing On?” podcast by clicking here.)

Paul Lane.