I heard Roo Walker for the first time performing at Valley Pentecostal Church, Stocksbridge on Sunday night, March 28th 2010. He performed a mixture of classic pop covers (including a rousing version of Valerie, as covered by Amy Winehouse, with a spontaneous improvised booming base loop) together with some of his own music solo and also in tandem with talented new vocalist Emma Holmes.

One track in particular Roo played live that really touched me on the evening. I thought it was another cover version of a track by a band perhaps the Verve or Keane? In fact it was one of Roo's own compositions - The Sound of Selling Out.

It's a indie-rock song with heartfelt lyrics that seem to stem from real human and artistic insight into the distress and hope of contemporary living. The guitar has a ring of the 90s independent rock and rollers The La's - There She Goes together with the ghostly electric sounds and passionate, painful vocals of Keane or Coldplay. There is an eery, haunting beauty to the song that penetrates the inner most chambers of the heart and releases the soul to celebrate...just give thanks for both the glory AND the pain of acheing, vibrant young life.

Question - Did it make me want to raise my hands, close my eyes, strike up the lighter and dance? You bettya!!

Question - Will it be a song that I want to take on long drives when I wonder on the beauty of new life as the countryside and city drift by in impressionistic visions? No kidding!

Question - Is it a song you will play again and again and again on repeat? Yep, no doubt about it!

This is champion songwriting and musical performance by a young talent.

The song is worth the price of the EP alone, but there is also a moving acoustic guitar peace by Roo (>) which means 'Greater than'.

Look forward to seeing more of Roo live in the future - solo, in duet with Emma and with other Resound established artists.

David

(Posted on 3/30/10)