Public Symphony

Lay down and let Public Symphony glide through the room. Sit back, close your eyes and be won over. Dobs Vye and James McVey have produced a world class album, combining piano, guitar and strings, as well as the noticeable accompaniment of the angelic Yvonne John-Lewis. Let's begin with Wings. Delicate, fragile and clear as a bell, Dob's sparse vocal is spine-chilling, set to the call of a mermaid choir - gorgeous. Stronger, the upcoming single, relies on a thread of benevolent bliss, acting as a spine connected to soulful waves of tinkled ivory and deep, clinical riffs of electronic wizardry. Then there's Breakthrough, a glimpse of nirvana with an up-tempo hook, paving the way for Touch, a total Pink Floyd (Breathe) rip-off that works. Weeping guitar and a John-Lewis solo are reminiscent of the Floyd classic, though it doesn't seem deliberate. It's definitely a tip of the hat though, such ignorance can't be coincidence. We carry on our merry way, where the likes of Rise and Shine, White Dove and I Do meet and greet us with spectacular, sullen genius. And it goes on, there are no weaknesses, no negatives to share. Fill Your Sails is, for me, what this is all about. A song, an album, for the open water, an album that drifts with the sun on its face, blinking at a revelation in the distance. If Chris Martin had written this he'd be sat in the lotus position with a glass of wheat juice and a big macrobiotic smile on his gormless face. The album of 2006, will it be beaten? 10/10 - North Wales Weekly News

London-based writer/producers James Reynolds and Dobs Vye have combined their artistic skills to create an accessible work specifically aimed at the iPod generation. With the sonic demands and limitations of the earphone and laptop point of delivery now increasingly prevalent, the duo have sculpted a soundscape, ballad-oriented CD of 11 cuts, produced with the mobile lsitener in mind. Calling upon their considerable experience and involvement in countless dance records, big name management and media composition, James and Dobs hit all the targets from the very start. Supported by an innovative video, the emotional Stronger lifts and inspires, and acts as a stunning introduction to a potentially massive album. - Musician

Rating 100%

I can only say good things about Public Symphony... well executed enjoyable music that is very easy to keep listening to. The album is out now and available! The best way to describe the music is to put Chris Martin & Will Champion from Coldplay into Public Symphony.... go see them and buy the album, only £8.50, you can buy from their website!
Steve Page
(Muzikvoice Limited)

WOW...its astounding!

Public Symphony have a debut album out right now and its World Class.... Heavy influences from Massive Attack, Coldplay and Pink Floyd play a part in the sound of Public Symphony although they stand proud as individuals serving the people with harmony of sounds.

I've heard the album, I've rated it and believe me its classy and well worth the buy!

(Muzikvoice newsletter) - Muzikvoice.com

London-based Public Symphony’s eponymous debut is a solid one that grows on the listener with every listen. The album features excellent production quality, and the music’s reserved tone often builds slowly into moving soundscapes with periodic crescendos.  
 
The sound is distinctly British, with elements of Coldplay giving way to those that harken back to Pink Floyd’s iconic Dark Side of the Moon and works of the band Camel. The vocals are wistfully muted and the instrumentation an effective blend of sonic guitar, synthesizer, drums and drum machines, bass and piano. While the eleven tracks meld cohesively, each has its own individual merit.
 
Favorite Track: Track 2, “Stronger”


- Onlinerock.com

This CD is hands down the best produced CD we’ve received all year! Dobs Vye and James Reynolds are the two geniuses behind Public Symphony. The self-titled album features a breakout video for the song Stronger that we just had to have on our site. I cannot tell you how pleased we were to receive the CD AND be the first media outlet in the United States to break Public Symphony. Let me tell you why this album has been nominated. The production is flawless and is very reminiscent of Sting and Coldplay (yes, Public Symphony is from the U.K. also). The songwriting is superb and from the very first track to the epilogue there is one continuous thread – that life is worth living to the fullest especially when you have that right someone by your side. Continuity, outstanding production, lyrical prowess, and songs that are truly worth listening to again and again; that’s why Public Symphony is nominated for Album and Group of the Year. [voted winner of both awards by the public] - UNSIGNEDmusicmag.com

Public Symphony write assiduously crafted rock songs drawing on a variety of influences such as Coldplay, 'Meddle' era Pink Floyd & Peter Gabriel. However, Public Symphony are more than the sum of their influences! An angelic voice floats over the restrained backing and elevates each song to such dramatic effect that the symphonic allusion becomes less bragadoccio and more fact. Perfect pop music with immaculate production values - I'm digging out my Steely Dan albums already.
- Karmadownload

Public Symphony have everything they need except major label backing. A two-piece comprising the multi-talented Dobs Vye and James Reynolds, their debut album is drawing comparisons with Radiohead and Coldplay. The opening Wings immediately establishes their credentials , as an all-enveloping string sound provides the backdrop for a stark, fragile yet serrated edged vocal by Vye, Stronger, which follows, acquired a considerable reputation when it was used as a theme for the University Boat Race; Children Of The Heatwave emerges out of a miscellany of sounds to tumble ever-forward, while Epilogue bids a sedate, if brief, goodbye. As a whole, it's a trip to Dreamland, amid echoes, hints of choirs and Floydian effects. But what ultimately will make their release worthy of supermarket sales is the songwriting, which seeks to touch hearts and ring tills at the same time. Watch this space... - Fred Dellar, Mojo

Having recently reviewed this band's first single, and raved about it, I had high hopes for the album. The eponymous debut lives up to expectation.
'Public Symphony' is a superb blend of stirring choruses, electronica, chill-out and prog. Imagine Coldplay, Pink Floyd and Massive Attack at a party gatecrashed by Ian Brown, and you'll be getting the plot.
This album could, with the right promotion, be an absolute monster. Already the band have picked up awards Stateside for best unsigned band and album. And they're already spreading the word via that great viral marketing tool, the Internet.
The band is essentially duo Dobs Vye (who looks like a more hairy Chris Martin) and James Reynolds who wrote and produced the album. Each track is superbly crafted and the album beautifully sequenced. It starts kicking in with 'Children of the Heatwave' and 'White Dove'.
?
'Children of the Heatwave' has one helluva funky groove which betrays Reynolds' dance mix background, led by Fender Rhodes wah-wah and like Lonnie Liston Smith on speed.
'White Dove' is similarly infectious, lovely Air-like burblings and wonderful rhythms defy you to remain static in your rocking chair.
'Touch' is unashamedly Floyed-esque and reprises 'The Great Gig In The Sky' with Yvonne John-Lewis in the Clare Torry role.
It is probably invidious to pick out highlights because, frankly, there are so many. If you've heard the track 'Stronger' you'll know what we're talking about. 'Breakthrough' could be Human League at their very best. 'Rise And Shine' is yet another rousing anthem that should be mandatory listening whilst straightening the skirt or tie before work.
Most of all, these tunes are paeans to love lost, love regained, and love affirmed not only in personal relationships but in human kind. It's both expansive, uplifting and totally convincing.
Sometimes home-spun albums by musicians who are good in their particular fields (in this case dance and TV signature music) don't quite happen. 'Public Symphony' is a happy exception.
There are a few albums around now that may vie for 'Best Of 2006' This is up there with the best of them. I'm afraid we don't offer six star ratings but, my goodness, this one is nudging it and then some. Tremendous.
*****
Review by David Randall


- David Randall

Boy oh boy, this talent simply cannot go amiss! An enlightening journey they describe it, and that it certainly is. Public Symphony have tapped into today's popular music and this track conveys all the requirements necessary to grab that elusive record deal! The song simply flows along beautifully with erotically tight and perfectly mastered harmonies, the subtle strings and fab piano. Some great elements of Travis, Keane, Aqualung and Coldplay! Great talent is audibly quite apparent here in the songwriting arena.  we wanna find out MORE!

Overall Rating: One to watch out for in the future, we've a feeling these guys could be the next coldplay!
- IndieNewsLive.com

Finally, though not a tech song, I want to pass along something enabled by technology that allows an obscure, unsigned band to put forth some truly remarkable work. Panos Panay, CEO of Sonicbids.com, e-mailed me to point out a band he found on his company’s site. “Their video is absolutely amazing,” Panay wrote. “Talk about the disruptive power of the net.”

After seeing it, I have to agree. The band is Public Symphony from the U.K. The song is Stronger. The simple, expressive animation is a treat. Click on the "video" button to make it play.
- Kevin Maney tech column