Short Reviews [EBB - 2024 - "The Management of Consequences"]

Towards the end of 2022 I was sent the excellent debut album 'Mad & Killing Time' by Scottish band Ebb, and I was amazed that not only had this “new” band released an album of such quality but had ensured the presentation matched with the music with a 48-page A5 colour book. This three-track EP is, in some ways, a companion piece to the debut in that it deals with and resolves many of the issues raised in that album. If 'Mad & Killing Time' was a comment on the human condition, 'The Management of Consequences' is a more personal examination of the same. As with that release, the band are based around Erin Bennett (lead vocals, guitar, trumpet), and comprise Kitty Biscuits (backing vocals, percussion, spoken word poetry), Anna Fraser (drums, percussion), Bad Dog (bass), Susan Dasi (backing vocals, synths), and Nikki Francis (Hammond, piano, synths, saxophone, flute, clarinet). Just three tracks this time, with a total running time of just over eighteen minutes, but that is plenty of time for them to show just what they are made of. The rhythm section is the heart of the band, with complex drumming and basslines shifting and changing from being in the background into the centre of consciousness and back again, the guitars are the strength and power, the keyboards are the soul and then rising over it all is the voice. It is no surprise to me whatsoever that they have been making a name for themselves on the live circuit as while they are marked in PA as being Eclectic, I am sure there must have been plenty of discussions as to whether that was the right place to be or whether it should have been Neo while Heavy could also have had a look in as they touch lots of bases. When there is a need to crunch it is there in spades, while the switch between different keyboards is essential so the Hammond can really make its presence felt when it comes to the fore, and Erin has the chops to go right over the top of it all. This is yet another great release from Ebb, and I look forward to the next full album which cannot come too soon.