The Rock of Travolta aren't a new band, but with their last release (bar a couple of tracks on a couple of compilations) being in 2003, you could be forgiven for thinking that they are. The band's last album, Uluru, was extremely well received outside of the mainstream – now, eight years is a huge gap to have between LPs, but judging by new material I've heard at live shows and online, they certainly have not lost it.
For those of you who remember The Rock of Travolta, there has been a line-up change since Uluru, and for those who don't, this will all be new information anyway. The current line-up consists of Jennie Bates alternating between playing bass, keyboards and cello (literally switching mid-song at times, it is really a sight to behold), Matt Spooner playing guitar, bass and keyboards, Dave Warrington on guitar, Joe Durow on drums and Jon Carter playing bass.
Although pigeon-holing is so 2010, “The Rock” could be fairly accurately described as post-rock, with dynamic riffs and a huge, full sound. The band is almost exclusively an instrumental affair, but there's so much going on in their songs that you don't ever miss the absence of vocals. This is a band I would definitely suggest to fans of Mogwai, ...And You Will Know Them by the Trail of Dead and Shellac. Actually, I would suggest them to anyone, only those would be the people most likely to listen.
The Rock of Travolta's new album, Fine Lines, will be out 14th March 2011 on Big Red Sky Records. Those wanting an intro to this phenomenal band should check out Last March of the Acolytes, which is (at the time of posting) available on their MySpace page and also as a free download upon signing up to their mailing list via their official website.
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