“I Am The Door” is a band that was formed by 2 students studying at Bristol University in 2003, namely Justin Percival (vocals) and Henry Bellairs (guitar), and was formed following personal tragedies involving close family members.  They were soon joined by Alex Percival on drums (Justin’s brother) and George Laycock on bass, keys and vocals.  The release of “Frequency” follows on from the success they had with a demo released in 2004 which was submitted to Radio 1’s OneMusic Unsigned chart and ended up finishing at number 3. 

Having read the blurb on “I Am The Door” I was quite interesting in listening to this release as they quote that they are for fans of the likes of Pink Floyd and U2, which I thought was going to be a very interesting combo.  The first track on the album, “Why We Disappeared”, starts off with a very retro late 60’s style guitar riff that is very Floyd-ish in its composure, but the track then heads off down a Punky road before leading into a really rocky sounding chorus.  On first listen I thought this a little strange, but strange as it sounds, it works.  The band members obviously have slightly different musical tastes and instead of that fact driving a wedge between them they have managed to bring them all together and have created a unique blend of the main elements from punk, jazz, dance, metal, rock, prog and pop. 

Harry Bellairs' guitars provide the varnish for the musical picture painted by George Laycock's bass and keyboards and the complex drumming from the hands of Alex Percival.  I will admit to being unsure of the vocals of Justin when I first heard him sing, but on reflection he probably has the perfect type of voice for this release, his sometimes breathy, slightly screechy style of singing may not be to everyone’s taste, but it blends in perfectly with the sounds this group are trying to create. 

“I Am The Door” are not afraid to try new styles with their song writing and are one of the new breed of groups out there that are refusing to be pigeon holed into some of the ever increasing mediocre genres that are floating around nowadays.  They stick their index finger up at corporate expectations almost as if they are saying “this is what we want to do, like it or lump it”.  They are progressing music onward and upward and could easily be the one of the faces of the future. 

This is an album that has managed to encompass everything from ballads to punk anthems and interspersed them with prog and rockier undertones and highlights, which a lot of the new groups seem to be doing nowadays, but I must say that I think “I Am The Door” are probably one of the better exponents of this new sound that I have heard, and I would recommend this album to anyone who wanted to know the way ahead in modern music.

Let us know your views on 'Frequency'

Track List

Why We Disappeared
Where Do You Want To Be?
Shine Through
Does It Mean Something
Tomorrow Belongs To Us
Good To Cry
You Are
Something Beautiful
Make Yourself Strong

Line Up

Justin Percival - Vocals
Henry Bellairs - Guitar
George Laycock - Bass/Keys
Alex Percival- Drums