The Beat Surrender

The Lee Thompson Band is a UK based acoustic rock band led by South African Lee Thompson
Signed to UK Independent label – Rich Mr Sax Records debut release – 4 track EP Single entitled “The Best in Me” released April 2007.
Lee Thompson – Former frontman with successful South African Rock band “Saint Legend”, performed as tour support band to legendary US rock giants Foreigner on 1993 South African tour. Moved to UK following break up of the band prior to release of long awaited debut album. Joined popular live act “Minifish”, but was spotted by East German producer Tommy Hilderbrand with whom he recorded his second album. Once again, never released due to the labels collapse.

Seen as very much in the style of Jack Johnson, Paulo Nutini etc Lee Thompson himself is quoted as being influenced by Jack Johnson, Crowded House and Counting Crows. First up the title track The Best In Me, opening notes sound just like The Kooks (She Moves In Her Own Way) however this is the only similarity. Good lyrics with a strong easy to remember chorus. The use of the violin gave the track a strong alternative country sound. This is the track the record company are pushing it’s had air play on KMFM including a breakfast show interview and has also been played on several other smaller stations.

For me it didn’t stand out as being different enough to be picked up by national station but was well put together and easy to listen to. Next track Risk is much slower, far more melodic, less country, Lee Thompson has a lovely voice and this track was a perfect example of this. These Hands has a slight increase in tempo, a bit more rock, this suits his voice even more, liked this track very much, it’s a good blend of acoustic guitar and electric. Fire sign is the last track on the EP, slower start, and melodic, great harmonies. Very gentle minimalist track, vocals have a sound not too dissimilar to the Red Hot Chilies without the loud rock input. Good chorus made this track stand out for me, out of all the tracks this was the one I could imagine getting national airplay and appealing to the widest audience.

Lee Thompson writes all the music and his band didn’t get a mention on the publicity material, however they do exist as the publicity folder has several pictures of people playing instruments. So I guess that was the band. This does come across as a solo artist offering rather a band. No real gripes about this other than all the tracks were well put together, well produced and performed they weren’t all that exciting. Lee Thompson could be a small fish in a crowed pond and will need to do something special to stand out in the crowd. That said I quite liked it, it was happy summer music, easy to listen to and drift off.