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Information about the CD 'Surveillance State'
Three track independent CD-EP (plus bonus Album version) from inner voices.
The CD includes tracks which have made number 1 positions on several independent charts & Semi-finalist positions in UK songwriting competition 2008. The title track 'Surveillance State' received a finalist Effigy award from MMI-ABC Radio Famegames, USA & Europe in Jan2009. Insert with words and signed by artist.
These final mixes have been mastered by UK Producer, Fran Ashcroft - credits diverse as Damon Albarn (Blur) and Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds, Spin Jupiter Spin (Dandy Warhols), Abbey Road Studios.
Tracks:
1. Surveillance state (Radio version)
2. Carbon Shadow
3. My Aberration
4. Surveillance State (Extended Album Version)
Production: A Brierley/assistance from F.Ashcroft
Mastering (Surveillance State/My Aberration): Fran Ashcroft
Release date: March 2009
(Order now)
18th May 2009
 THE WAVE - PHILADELPHIA, PA
‘These three tracks from Inner Voices are so good they leave you wanting much more. Strong well constructed songs that pulsate with raw emotion. The lead vocalist is very unique and compliments these powerful tracks.
 Music Film & Book review (May 2009)
http://musicfilmbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Have you ever bought an album only to find that just a small handful of the songs were ones you actually liked? I realize iTunes has now virtually eliminated such a problem, but lucky for us there's one EP out there that can save the trouble of testing out each song before we commit to buying it. The Surveillance State EP by Inner Voices was released in March, and includes three songs that have been placed at number one positions on several independent charts, along with two semi-finalist positions in the UK Songwriters Competition of September 2008.
Here's the track list:
1. Surveillance State (radio version)
2. Carbon Shadow
3. My Aberration
4. Surveillance State
This one-man band has found that "just right" balance between electronica and rock which, coupled with his incredible vocals, results in a similar style to that of Depeche Mode and New Order.
Adam Brierley, the man behind the band, pushes that synthesizer in Surveillance State to where it sounds as though it's just putty in his hands. He starts it off with a misty beat that just gets catchier by the second, bringing the guitar and drums about ten seconds in, establishing a firm framework for the rest of the track. It is definitely my favorite track off the EP, as it's so danceable. Brieley expands on the song as being about "a society sleep walking into a surveillance state justified by 'anti-terror' legislation." This track actually has already receieved a finalist Effigy Award from MMi-ABC Radio Famegames, USA and Europe in January of this year.
Carbon Shadow's meaning gets even deeper, as Brieley "questions the motivation of the religious leader who asks the people to sacrifice their lives for their own gain." He starts his second verse with "Drilling through your head, these words they carry tasks.../Guilty man for ending life too soon/bending words to enhance your personal tune" makes reference to suicide bombings and essentially opens up the listener's ears to what is going on in the world. It's really refreshing to hear artists pull away from the typical theme of writing about personal issues, and instead enlightening us with world issues. What's so great about this track is that it still has that danceable synth and guitar; Brieley successfully keeps the listener going while getting his message across.
My Aberration starts off slightly different to the other two, opening up with an exotic Spanish beat. About fifty seconds into it the synth starts to creep in. The mood is a bit more serious in this track, expanding on truth that our identity isn't about how we're made up, or "molded," but who we are beneath the outer layer.
Brieley, just like so many other unsigned artists out there, is a good reminder that quality music doesn't necessarily come from a fancy studio. He puts thought into his music which leaves him with a talent that, judging from the Surveillance State EP chart positions, shines bright and clear.
  Inner Voices – Surveillance State EP
Inner Voices is the project of Adam Brierly and debut EP ‘Surveillance State’ is filled with guts and attacks society in a way not many others would dare. The lyrics on opener ‘Surveillance State’ contain an angsty undertone: “So render your profile, with hits you made last/Building monuments, with your virtual past!” It’s energy filled and the combination of electro breakbeats with guitars and emotive lyrics help separate Inner Voices from the pack. On ‘Carbon Shadow’ the electro influences are more evident as Adam tackles the sensitive issue of religion with the powerful booming of “You will never stuff, never stuff this war”. The lyrics on this track are easily the best on the EP, further attacking religious blasphemy with the energetic wailing “When your time has come/what shadows your memories with the things that you’ve done.”
‘My Aberration’ opens more peacefully with soft guitars but the chorus soon kicks in and the indie-electro mania soon takes over. Again the energy in the vocals is remarkable and the persistent of this through the EP is a magnificent achievement. The track is self produced and self mastered which shows the talents of this young man, the lyrics again are spot on; “Airbrush lines around my eyes/Paint dark clouds make them white/But through the eye of your lens this is me?"
” The album version of opener ‘Surveillance State’ which closes the EP is a massive achievement. The track seems reborn with a better sound and tone. The electro-synth is more spot on and the guitars ring more clearly – the sound is a brilliant achievement and closes the EP beautifully. It differs from the homemade approach on the other tracks and the echoes of the guitars prove to help the mood.
The entire EP is a brilliant musical accomplishment – it’s filled with the balls that most artists seem to be lacking, and the unique electro-guitar sound ensures that this excellence exceeds the excellent songwriting – this is borderline genius.
There goes the Fear (Surveillance State EP review)Thom Morgan (LONDON - UK)
Friday Feb2009 13
Surveillance State EP - Review 5th Feb (Get Ready to Rock)
INNER VOICES Surveillance State www.myspace.com/adamdbrierley Home recorded selection of songs from the upcoming debut album, 'Bend Your Mind' from Inner Voices, which is basically Adam Brierley. Three songs on here with the title track the real stand out, reminded me of Saga in their prime and the vocals are very similar to Michael Sadler's as well. Very effective use of synths throughout the song. 'Carbon State' ups the tempo going down a guitar led sound (not a million miles away from Fish era Marillion) whilst 'My Aberation' again has a few tatsy bursts of guitar and the Saga comparisons come back to mind again.
Definately makes you want to hear the full album, especially fans of Saga and hi-tech prog rock music. ***½
Review by Jason Ritchie (Liverpool - UK) Get Ready to Rock - reviews Jan 2009 MUSIC MAN The Journey PART 2 Perhaps in response to a Dreadful World Economy.The destruction of our own planet,Big Brother,Our Own Mortality.Out of all that come those who write a message in Music about their own personal feelings.Perhaps through these thoughts and feelings we are presented with the Most Passionate and Powerful Music anywhere.You put Your work in my hands and I want to feel 3 things.Something Physical,Something Emotional and Something Intellectual.If I feel at least 2 of those then the review is most definateley going to be positive..The Work I am about to review left me feeling all three.The Artist and The Music I would like to introduce to you is.....
Inner Voices 'Surveillance State'.For more information Go to www.myspace.com/adamdbrierley Progressive/Rock/Electro
Three tracks have been reviewed over many hours,the fact it comes down to a few minutes reading does not detract from the intense listening we have undergone to reach our conclusion.Each track sends out a message and it is up to you the listener to take out of each message what you will.Either way the whole catalogue is Extremeley Powerful and Poignant.
Track 1-'Surveillance State'......Neat Start to kick this track in, accompanied with a nice Beat.No sooner said and the powers up and the drama starts kicking in.The Instrumentation Feels Raunchy,it feels Groovy, Deep and Edgy and hey that beats pumping out.The Vocals are in stable and precise mode-for the moment that is.This man is making sure you get a message through his music.Then the tempos up and the music piles in behind the vocalist and he raises the game.The Vocals are coming at you such is the passion this guy is feeling about his Music and the words there-in.The Lyrics are Emotive,this is a Powerful Track and with human interaction the composition is terrific and has a Strong Message.This man has got his own unique and inimitable style,he sings with courage and determination and he puts his music together much the same.
Track 2-'Carbon Shadow'....No doubt about it,a deliberate slow start to the track with Synth that makes it feel cool and easy.It sounds just like the organ player at a church wedding is wiling the time away waiting for the bride to arrive before her wedding. But hey dont be decieved,if you know this mans work you know thats not gonna last.There,s a hell of a nice beat going on I know that ,and then 14 seconds into the track BLAST,the Powers on,The Volumes up and the wedding is off.Suddenly the mood is heavy and your in a different mode.The track has changed its personality,it sounds gutsy,raunchy,earthy and its power driven and there is alot of deep groove embedded in their.This is really hot stuff and there is a big drama going on within.The man has been clever and given a complete twist to what you thought the track might have been.The Vocals are Intense,determined and Inviting, underpinned by a Huge wave of Instrumentation.One brilliant track.
Track 3-'My Abberation'...A Brilliant Track.Kicks off with the sound of a soft Spanish guitar and the vocals are totally laid back,very nice indeed.The line comes in 'Do you capture the Touch',sounds nice and easy, but sureley this is not what we have come to expect from this man,a ballad! that would be unthinkable or would it?.You get the feeling however that something along the way is going to happen but you are not quite sure when.Happen it does though..you can feel the track building,you feel the momentum increasing and you hear the instrumentation piling in on you.The Man has created so many twists and turns on this track it is hard to work out what he is going to do next.The big attack on your audio senses really kicks in at 1.50secs,but the best attack in terms of power grabs you at 3.24secs and boy its brilliant.The Vocals once again are in loud and clear and desperate to relay a message to you.This is a Class track.
'Inner Voices' is One Man.A Remarkable man called Adam Brierley and he has delivered his own unique slant on how Electro has and could and may sound in the future.Amazing work from One Amazing Man. www.myspace.com/adamdbrierley
Music Man (Manchester - UK)
  GODS IN THE TV REVIEWS - inner voices EPInner Voices - Surveillance State Starting with a sort of funk-rock mixed with electro introduction the title track of this short EP there's something a little dated about the sound contained within, then once the vocals start playing off of Brian May-like guitar licks things become even more firmly routed in a 1980s approach to rock. It's that unfortunate collision of 'cutting edge' production and rock, with lyrics warning you that 'your freedom's gone' that all ends up feeling very retro and not in a good way. Carbon Shadow fares better musically, but Adam Brierley's vocal is a tad on the rock-opera meets Pet Shop Boys side of the fence, and though his instrumentation is occasionally good and interestingly produced, it doesn't really stop some of the lyrics being quite embarassing in a Spinal Tap (but taken seriously) kind of way. The final track, My Aberration at first finds things a bit more stripped down with Brierley's voice against a lone guitar, and he softens his tones suitably, but soon there's oscillating synths and electric guitars and his voice picks up the angry baton again, and any power is lost as he sings; 'I'm waiting for the rain to come to wash away these lies'. Sometimes Inner Voices manage to put together a good bit of instrumentation, but these moments are few and far between, and the epic 'state of our society' lyrics feel awkward and hollow when they should be powerful and personal. Inner Voices Myspace Posted 02/03/2009
2:43 PM
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