Amazon.co.uk Review
This 2-disc Limited Edition version includes a bonus CD of live tracks and rarities. Cuts Across the Land, the debut album by
The Duke Spirit, comes with no small amount of expectation, particularly after the release of their promising EP "Roll Spirit Roll" way back in 2003. And on the whole,
Cuts Across the Land lives up to the hype. Rather than following the legions of British bands who seem desperate to sound like the Strokes, the Duke Spirit dont look overseas for inspiration. Its a raucous rock & roll album, displaying an energy that manages to stay on the good side of shambolic, lending songs like "Lion Rip" and "Love is an Unfamiliar Name" an excitement thats reminiscent of classic 1960s British groups such as the Rolling Stones and the Faces. And like those bands, The Duke Spirits music is steeped in soul and the blues (right down to the occasional--and wholly appropriate--harmonica breaks). Liela Moss is a charismatic frontwoman, somewhere between Patti Smith and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O, she practically embodies cool in her vocal style. It may seem a bit overlong, but
Cuts Across the Land may just demonstrate that the future of British rock & roll lies in its past.
--Robert Burrow
Description
'Cuts Across The Land' is the debut album from female led rock outfit The Duke Spirit. Produced by the legendary Flood,the album sees the band perfect their mix of sixties rock and garage punk sounding something like Patti Smith fronting The Strokes. The singles 'Lion Rip', 'Love Is An Unfamiliar Name', and 'Cuts Across The Land' are also included. This special edition version includes a bonus CD of album demos andradio sessions.