afgm REVIEWS

afgm REVIEWS

AFGM Gig Review
The Fleece 14th Oct 2007 - Supporting Wishbone Ash
Review & Photography by Kevin
AFGM are a top Bristol based band playing original AOR. What can I really say about a band of this quality. I can't criticise the performance at the Fleece because it was spot on. I mean everything: The sound, the sound balance, the playing and the singing, everything really was as good as it gets.
Playing to a bunch of Wishbone Ash fans is a challenge because they are at the gig to hear quality live music, well AFGM delivered and there were no complaints from the crowd who loved every second and showed their appreciation of the bands set.
Chris the bands lead guitarist did warn me before the gig that things may not be as smooth as usual because of the complications of supporting a touring band, i.e. no sound check for the support band and having to work around the headliner. What ever happened before (and I don't know if there were any complications or not) did not affect the polished professional performance of AFGM.
Now here is a tip for anyone either in a band or just interested in quality original live music. Get to the Horseshoe in Downend on Sunday 11th November 2007 and watch one of Bristol's best.

AFGM - Radio Play CD Review by Kevin from Bristol Rocks
AFGM (A Few Good Men) have submitted their CD ‘Radio play’ for review by Bristol Rocks. We love this album and it has earned a place in the Premier Albums league along with only one other Bristol band, Jebo. An album has to be exceptional in both presentation and content to earn this rating.

The first track ‘Anymore’ is a sophisticated rock ballad and shows off the exceptional vocal talent of John Telfer. This track is well produced & mixed, as is the rest of the album.

‘Dreams’ is a little more upbeat and gives an idea of the style of the rest of the album. This is Adult Oriented Rock that will appeal to those that listen to Johnny Walker on Radio 2.

‘Radio’ is my favourite track on the CD, this could almost be an Alan Parsons recording, it has a catchy chorus that would play very well on the radio.

‘You’re the best’ is more of the same, everything is just where it should be; Well played instrumental parts, perfect harmonies and one of Bristol’s best vocalists.

‘Fur Louise’…. What is this doing here guys? if I wanted to listen to Tales of the Riverbank I would have bought the BBC theme tunes album. This classical track belongs at the end of the album or better still on another album altogether!

‘The Rose’ takes us back to the main theme of the album which is sophisticated AOR. This one has a lovely bass line in the middle eight.

‘Look at you’ is a good track that John Telfer again excels on, I felt that this song could have benefited from a more raunchy guitar part through the chorus to add more balls, but having said that I realise that maybe this is not really the nature of AFGM.

‘Down South’ almost has the feel of an Eagles song crossed with Alan Parsons which I guess must make it unique in it’s own way?

‘Pray for Rain’ is another ballad, this one has a moody build up with an anthem like chorus that the live audience would love.

‘Something for Nothing’ is as raunchy as AFGM get, I would imagine that this is a great end of set song, I don’t know where the sax came from, but it sounds great.

AFGM have created a top quality, well produced album of sophisticated AOR.

Buy this album and you will be playing it for many years to come.

Please note that the text above simply represents the VIEW of the author.

REVIEW
in
Bristol

Thursday
October 21
2004

AFGM
Radio Play (afgm)
British actor John Telfer, who fronts this Bristol-based band, may not be in Minnie Driver's league in the echelons of showbiz but he is leagues ahead of her as a singer.
He has a powerful, slightly gravely voice with a big range, that sits neatly around Paul Rodgers, Sting and Bob Catley. He also contributes the keyboards in a highly talented band playing melodic and anthemic AOR. And boy do they do it well.
According to their publicity they have already won over a stellar list of fans including Carl Verheyen, Walter Trout and Rod Argent, and it is not at all difficult to see why.
An excellent and incredibly self assured album, beautifully produced (in Bristol), that deserves to be picked up by a major label.

(KC)
Out now
Star rating:

Album Review from Bristol Live Music

The opening track "Anymore" is possibly my favourite track of the entire album alongside "Down South". The overriding piano sound being very in tune with the current commercial musical climate and likes of Coldplay and Keane, which although is not everyone’s cup of tea, it struck a chord with me.
"Dreams that fly away" starts off sounding like the intro to an Alanis Morrisette number before erupting into an epic chorus, reminiscent of The Calling, whilst chugging away nicely in the background in the vein of the Police’s "Message in a Bottle".
The intro to track three, "Radio" takes you back to a very definite sound of somewhere between Rush’s "Spirit of Radio" and Counting Crows before whisking you away to a world of driving and at times intricate use of their instruments.
"You’re the Best" for me demonstrates the true power of AFGM’s recording ability by encapsulating a live sound within the confines of a studio… an extremely hard thing to do. The song utilises their backing vocals to full effect and whilst it’s not my favourite song on the album I still found myself tapping my feet, nodding my head and drumming my fingers appreciatively.
With "Rose" they show how capable they are at delivering a killer, minimalist, middle-eight when it’s most needed, by taking the song in a very different direction, and as with "Radio", they drop out, before slamming back in with a crescendo build that forces you to like a song that perhaps you might not have, and makes them look a little bit clever.
"The Ring" revisits the domain of old classics, such as Hotel California which although is not a bad thing, it tends to somewhat lack the complexity of song writing that I’d already come to expect from the rest this album.
Track seven, "Something or Nothing", offers once again an alternative angle which allows you to imagine what the Manic Street Preachers might sound like in a duet with Kenny G…it’s certainly got that James Dean Bradfield tinge to the vocals.
"For Louise" is simply a beautiful piece of acoustic genius that leaves you closing your eyes and imagining yourself, sitting outside a candle-lit Greek taverna, sipping wine with your friends, whilst watching the moon over a calm sea’s rippling waves… bloody fantastic.
When "Down South" began I guess I expected the intro to develop into something resembling Carter Unstoppable Sex Machine’s "Only living boy in New Cross". Instead I was greeted a superb chorus that is catchy enough to have you singing along by the end of the first listen with superb vocals once again.
The only live track on the album, "Pray for Rain" delivers a poignant message, taking into consideration recent events in the Sudan, which may or may not have influenced the writing of this song. You can’t help but grasp the almost hymn-like nature captured within the atmosphere of the venue and once again find yourself closing your eyes and drifting away to somewhere not quite so enticing as "For Louise".
"Look at you" seems to contain a strong U2 influence and whilst the parts of the song might not be to my liking, the song is rescued by a bridge section, comprising of harmonics that are supplied to devastating effect and more than compensate for rest of the song.
"Sleep with the lights on" is possibly, dare I say it, the weakest track on the album. Although there’s nothing wrong with it just doesn’t seem to go anywhere and may perhaps be harshly considered as the "album filler track".
Overall, it’s the background attention to detail that possibly explains why, like all good records, it has taken me a while, and a number of listens get into it, and pick up on exactly where AFGM are coming from… "Radio Play" if you pardon the pun.
Over a period of time it’s grown on me. I’m glad I stuck with it, it was well worth it… Well Done guys!!!
"Radio Play" is available either from Disc-n-Tape, 17 Gloucester Road, by contacting afgm@blueyonder.co.uk or at gigs for pound notes.

Written by Rich Swatton
Bristol Live Music
October 2004

The full review from Bristol live music can be found at http://www.bristollivemusic.co.uk/rswatton/afgm/AFGM%20Album%20Review.htm>

Bristol Live Review February 2003

Bristol all-original rockers 'afgm', got some well-deserved applause for a really energetic performance last Sunday night at the Kings Arms. We demanded two encores: they obliged with "Give me Strength" and "Out of Here" (at least I think that's what it's called). Highlights for me were new numbers like "November Nights" and the vaguely Springsteenesque "The Rose". This band churn out anthems galore with bags of feel, and tight-as-you-like, especially the way the drummer and bassist work together...it takes talent AND rehearsal to get this good. I tried ringing my mates who had gone to one of Bath's more fashionable music venues to get them along, but I guess they were too bored to answer the phone - They missed a treat. Already bought my ticket for afgm's gig with Wishbone Ash in April. See you there.

(from
www.bristollivemusic.co.uk/Reviews.asp?BandID=59
and follow the band AFGM links)

BRISTOL LIVE MUSIC REVIEW
AUG 2003

"Pant wettingly U2esque.. A must see for all fans of intelligent rock music. A powerful live performance creating unstifled synergy with the crowd. I knew nothing of this quintet until the opening cords of Sleeping with the lights on cascaded into my flat awakening my inner rock child. Wicked! dont listen to me, listen to them.. AFGM! "

VENUE MAGAZINE
DEC. 2002

"If tight and original anthemic rock is your game, praise doesn't come more pleasurably than from Supertramp's Carl Verheyen or Rod Argent, AFGM must be might chuffed then ..."

AFGM: The Fleece - 18-03-2006 Reviewer - Billy
Walking into the Fleece last Saturday was a little like going to a family gathering. Familiar faces in the gloom, handshakes and hugs and a general feeling of belonging filled the old place. The extended family that is the fan base of AFGM is still growing, unlike the band, who lost David James to other projects during the winter.
I have been lucky enough to hear some snatches of rehearsal recordings and was eager to hear the way the songs would sound with only four players on the big stage.
The band have been rehearsing to the point of exhaustion all through the winter, and boy did it show. They have always been noted for their musicianship but losing the acoustic guitar has given the sound a much harder edge while retaining the melodic craftsmanship that is evident in all of Chris Melhuish's compositions.
As usual, the show was full on from the first note of You're the Best, right through to the heartrending If I lose you. Several of the crowds favorites have been re-worked, to take account of having one less band member, the most striking being Thank you, which has been slowed down slightly and given a more sincere feel which suits John Telfer's voice to a tee. John was right on the money throughout the set, but how he manages to play piano and/or organ and sing his heart out at the same time always amazes me.
Mike Dawe's drums and Tim Martin's bass provided the heartbeat that drove the evening and had feet tapping and hands clapping all around the Fleece, not to mention some frenzied dancing toward the end of the night.
Chris Melhuish never looked like he was working hard, but then he never does, however, the loud applause and shouts for more at the end of the evening told a different story. The sound of his guitar work makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
It could have been a different evening, after all, when you re-work tunes that the fans are so familiar with it could so easily end in disaster. Not AFGM though, everyone wanted more at the end of the set but we only got two encores which I felt was not quite enough. Listening to conversations around the room as the guys packed up, all I could hear was praise for the latest stage in the evolution of AFGM.