Rising Up - Honey Ryder Album Review

Honey Ryder

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Album Review

Honey Rider was the name of Ursula Andress's character in the first James Bond film, Dr No. The image she portrayed, walking out of the sea wearing that costume, caused heated debate and much excitement 40-odd years ago. In a further 40 years time, Honey Rider will probably still be talked about in the annals of history. This Honey Ryder will sadly not be creating quite the same level of excitement and nor will they enter the archives of pop music with any memorable contribution except this album and cheesy grins.

"Rising Up" offers little more than sub-rock anthems and ballads that are better suited to early evening TV chat-shows and local radio. Inoffensive and rather unchallenging, none of these songs will trouble the company that makes those 'Parental Advisory' stickers and will comfortably sit next to your Emma Bunton collection. The title track contains the immortal question, "What's the point in chasing rainbows in the rain?" - that really is as taxing as it gets. Opener "Fly Away" is a tolerable stomper yet it never changes gear - it all sounds like a car advert in slo-mo. Hit single "Numb" is aptly-titled, a cod-rock ballad aimed at those who find Evanesence a bit scary. The one saving grace is singer Lindsay's voice - better suited to folk than insipid pap I'm afraid - on "Dignified". Overall, not so much "Rising Up" as falling short of the mark.

Paul Pledger