Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Bournemouth-based Bosh are one of those acts who've done the dues-paying, years of grassroots gigs and a smattering of zero budget independent recordings, but haven't until now delivered a top rate album. That all changes with this release from the same pioneering label that brought us [dweeb]. 'Sound The Alarms' delivers everything that Bosh's riveting stage performances suggested - impassioned, driving rock applied to hooky songs that eschew formula yet are instantly memorable. Lead singer Dave Griff has a gutsy voice which brings out the sharp spiritual points of the often thought-provoking lyrics, the arrangements are cleverly inventive (I particularly liked the piano interjections on "Blacklines" and the atmospheric sweep of the arrangement on the worshipful "There Is") and the production by Steve Ennever, Paul Burton, David Evans and the band themselves is crisp and sonically satisfying. From the Queen-tinged opener "Police Helicopter" with its manic careering rhythm to the closer "Hand" where a stripped down confessional song of gentle wistfulness suddenly surges into a full tilt rock anthem, this is a gem of an album. Bosh have been honing their craft for years to deliver this set. The fact that the long wait has paid off is testament both to the band's creativity and their commendable patience.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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