Rage On

Standing tall in the path of adversity, lead singer Rory Eliot is back to reclaim the dream and lead Plush into a new era.

It was the tragic passing of lead guitarist Chas Smit that brought a short pause to the acoustic outfit’s crusade. But with tears wept, memories kept and solace increasing with each passing day, Eliot, bassist Emelio Gassibe and drummer Ben Peters have crafted arguably the most sincere album this country will hear for years to come.

The musicianship is as masterful as when Eliot and Smit were wowing audiences in 2005, with the addition of Gassibe and Peters creatively bringing their talents to a table already well laid with inspiration.

Three years down the line, Eliot has certainly rolled with the punches and his song-writing is that much stronger for it. Lyrics justifiably tug on the heartstrings in tracks like ‘Last Breath’ and ‘Hope’, while ‘All for the Better’ and ‘Warfare’ epitomise the cheerful trio’s upbeat approach to life and all its twisted circumstances.

‘When Grace Grew Tall’, currently winning over fans with radio play locally and abroad, is a testament to the seamless introduction of drums and bass into the Plush equation, and in ‘Freedom Town’, it’s piano and backing vocals courtesy Dominic Peters and Josie Piers respectively that make for a breathtaking listen.

Finishing off a truly remarkable production is a song the band “hope will move you as much as it did them”; the lingering title track stamping the late Smit’s spirited impact with ‘Rage On’.

One can’t help but be moved by this album in its entirety, and realising that it’s just another triumphant milestone in the providence set out for Plush, makes it that much more enchanting.