The Tin Soldiers is a young British guitar band from Kent, and is made up of Rich Crossingham on vocals and guitar, Matt Wade on guitar and vocals, Chris Persiva on drums and vocals, and Matt Jennings on bass. The band’s influences centre on the more melodic and accessible rockers like Muse, Queen, Skunk Anansie, Feeder, Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden, Incubus, The Who, Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Led Zepellin, The Police, and Green Day.
TELLING TALES represents the band’s debut proper into the music market following on from extensive touring since the band formed in 2007. It’s a mad, bad music world right so the guys have to deliver a killer-blow album that should secure some airplay to give them a flying start out of the blocks. So, does the album deliver?

I believe it does, and on several fronts. ‘24 Hours’ is a rampant, epic rocker that exudes youth, enthusiasm and enough hooks to fill an ocean. In addition, there’s a signature sound that is succesful in providing the band with a distinctive edge in the marketplace. Great start! ‘Five To Five’ is marginally more downbeat but the guitar onslaught continues along with bellowing backing vocals, and a message that’s relevant to the band’s target audience. ‘Wait For You’ is a darker, contemplative pop-rocker with characteristic huge choruses and some interesting guitar riffs. Crossingham’s vocals are excellent as he manages to outrun the barrage of guitars and drums, and expressive with it. ‘Words Got Out’ is a great example of this when he whispers one moment and belts the next in a song that is dominated by bass and lead guitar riffs of very quality.

So far, so good. ‘Just About Us’ is a slower, quieter, reflective song that I can envisage as a single release, and a prime candidate for a live performance audience singalong. The message cries youth with lyrics that are meaningful and moving. Pulsating guitars introduce ‘Just What I Needed’ and I’m hearing Foo Fighters and Green Day influences quite strongly, in a song driven by a solid melody and another strident performance by the boys. ‘Telling Tales’ is a more complex song with clever changes of pace while instrumental interlude ‘Static’ is the darkest song here. ‘The Nothing Song’ is an prime example of the band’s quality song-writing and ability to inject interest with extended and pretty wonderful instrumental passages. ‘Pull The Trigger’ is another potential radio-friendly single charter, while final song ‘Day By Day’ is a stripped-down beauty with keyboards coming into view along with Crossingham’s most expressive vocal on the record as his voice travels the octave scale with apparent ease. Check out the wonderful extended guitar riff towards the end of the song - brilliant!

This is a very strong debut album aimed squarely at the younger market, and given airplay it should fly off retail shelves and merch tables. If the band can pull this off live I see no barrier to it bulding up a strong fan base and maturing with each subsequent release. Strongly recommended.

4/5