I am gutted. The Late Starters have decided to call it a day. These guys were one of the first bands I reviewed, and I have nothing but positive thoughts for their music. Right up my alley.

This, what is now their final single, is Watchin’ The Tide Roll In. It was from their 2019 debut album, and has been a crowd favourite since then – and I understand why. An absolutely gorgeous vocal and instrumental melody combination absolutely charms you into swaying unknowingly along with the mid-tempo rock and roll beat. Some nicely rich open Telecaster guitar sits in there to play the part of the rhythm guitar, partnering with the endearing, somewhat playful bass/drums combination by Scott and Paul respectively that sits like chocolate holding the whole thing together. Our Telecaster does pop a touch of Chorus on as we open the song.

Lead guitarist Lowell Mallon is given licence to extrapolate some lead riffing and solo work on this number, and he delivers in spades. Absolutely lovely, emotive composition to his work turns this great song into something very special. This type of consideration and delivery really resonates with me. There is an old Bryan Adams song called Back To You. Not sure if you know it, but the emotive vibe as well as the tempo and the professionalism of that one come to mind with this track. It makes me really, really gutted to know it’s their swansong!

Vocalist David Stack delivers a great rock-singer-does-lower-tempo-song performance for us. He’s got a range that straddles baritone and tenor, so the next project – which I believe is under way – will have got a versatile, imaginative front man in the man they call Stacky. The lyrics are about a vacation taken by rhythm guitarist/songwriter Ian Cartwright in Rarotonga, principal island of the Cook Islands to those international folks reading this who aren’t as familiar with the South Pacific as us lucky folks who get to live here.

Please give this song a lot of love, because it’s a truly gorgeous one. A great melody, jaw-droppingly good instrument work, sweet lyrics that engender warmth and placid days. This is going on my personal Spotify playlist. I’ll miss The Late Starters. These guys meant a lot to me as a reviewer.

Good luck fellas. Hope to hear from you in your new projects soon.