The James Warner Prophecies ( Derby, England)

Combining the hallmarks of two, often diametrically opposed musical areas to rather astonishing affect, Derby based folk rockers The James Warner Prophecies are sure to raise a few eyebrows in the British rock scene. Imagine the quintessentially British lyrical excursions and instrumentation of Jethro Tull or eminent folkster Martin Carthy married to a raw, utterly contemporary melodic hard rock sound that you might hear roaring out the speakers of your local rock club, and you’re almost there. With their novel and rather uplifiting sound, these four musicians are worlds apart from the majority of new bands today, packing an irreverent, quirky sense of humour (sample lyric: I’m a Laaandoner, You What? Have a Banana!’) and knack for churning out hooks that stick around, JWP merit investigation: albeit from those with an open mind and desire for musical pastures new. The band’s new EP ‘Fell’ was released earlier this month, so go take a butcher’s.

Review by Rob Sayce

Myspace Page – http://www.myspace.com/thejameswarnerprophecies