One Man Bannister - Rubber Solo

  by Lisa Torem

published: 11 / 11 / 2019

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Singer-songwriter Matthew Bannister co-founded the band Sneaky Feelings as a student in Dunedin before relocating to Auckland and forming Dribbling Darts. By the time he released his solo album, ‘Moth’ in 2007, he’d changed his moniker to One Man Bannister and had had his original music recorded on several labels. A follow-up to 2013’s ‘Evolver,’ One Man Bannister’s new digital recording, ‘Rubber Solo’ not only illustrates his worship of the Beatles classic discography, it reveals his own vivid imagination and enormous skill set. Whilst his sonorous vocals are always upfront, whether solo or part of a duet, his tempos and instrumental arrangements constantly shift, rendering takes that range from toned down to outlandish, and whilst true--blue Beatles fans will always compare One Man’s to the originals, they will undoubtedly come away surprised. On ‘Michelle,’ electric guitar stars, but before you settle into the Duane Eddy licks, sit back and prepare yourself for the fairy-tale transition. On ‘Nowhere Man,’ One Man’s baritone shimmers, but the electric guitar is also a key element. On ‘Think for Yourself,’ there’s a crafty vocal call and response. And the country flavor of ‘What Goes On’ is enhanced by clanky strings and a shift of attitude. In keeping with that feel, ‘Wait’ takes on the feel of crisp Americana balladry. Whilst the original boasted a dreamy quality, One Man’s version of ‘You Won’t See Me’ bears an industrial veneer. The double-tracked vocals add a strong touch as well. I especially enjoyed the raw introductory verse and the subsequent build in ‘You Won’t See Me.’ The breathlessness of ‘Girl’ is replaced with a poignant harmonic twist. You won’t reminisce about George Martin’s classical keyboard solo when listening to ‘In My Life’; you’ll be too riveted by the bittersweet Oriental flavorings and the unorthodox rhythms. ‘Run for Your Life’ feels less threatening on this cover version; One Man Bannister keeps the strength but adds his own brand of whimsy.

Track Listing:-

1 Drive My Car
2 Norwegian Wood
3 You Won't See Me
4 Nowhere Man
5 Think For Yourself
6 The Word
7 Michelle
8 What Goes On
9 Girl
10 I'm Looking Through You
11 In My Life
12 Wait
13 If I Needed Someone
14 Run For Your Life

Band Links:-

https://thokeitapes.bandcamp.com/album/one-man-bannister-evolver

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