Reduced are a new band from Nottingham making their debut with a four track 7″ single for Brassneck Records that will be out August 2nd, but already is streaming everywhere. Take it from us: hitting play is a highly recommended activity, because this is one memorable debut.
Reduced is the brainchild of Sid Ratcliffe, who you might recognize from his bass-playing days in Mannequin and TV Crime (anyone else suddenly feeling nostalgic for TV Crime? That band was FUN!). Ratcliffe wrote all the songs and plays all instruments except for the drums, which are handled by Joel Goddon.
This first batch of songs is straight-up punk rock awesomeness. Ratcliffe’s vocal melodies are the icing on the cake, boasting a driving, almost haunting quality that gives their music more than a little ’80s Our Band Could Be Your Life vibes (e.g., Replacements, Mission of Burma, and Hüsker Dü).
To my ears, Get Through to You is the prize track. That chorus will make your ears tingle and find a permanent spot in your brain within the first couple of plays. But really, all of the songs on this one are great!