The opening track called "Lightspeed" from Twin Atlantic’s forthcoming John Travis (Sugar Ray, Kid Rock and Static X) produced mini-album "Vivarium" will be available for free download at www.twinatlantic.com from today for a limited time.
Monday, 29 June 2009
News - Black Sabbath Deluxe Editions Out Today
Black Sabbath’s classic albums "Black Sabbath" and "Master Of Reality" are being released as deluxe editions today. They both got 10/10 on this very website, so worth a purchase!
News - Revolution Mother: Rollin' With The Mutha
Revolution Mother are releasing their new album "Rollin' With The Mutha" on the 7th of July through Ferret Music.
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Review - Lady Gaga - Paparazzi (Single)
Lady Gaga - Paparazzi (Single)
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1 out of 10
Given that everyone and his toilet roll knows who the gaga lady is at the moment, probably the best way to review this, her latest considered work of aural art, is to imagine the reactions of the various remixers on being asked to do their business on Paparazzi. . .
Filthy Dukes - 'Yeah, OK. We've got a backing track somewhere waiting for some vocal stabs. . .'
Stuart Price - 'Not a problem - I've got an old Korg with a demo mode that'd be IDEAL. . .'
Yuksek - 'Ohhh. . .my. . .GOD I would soooo be all over this! Can I rub it into a massive hardcore gay deconstruction? Can I remix it hooked into my coma-suspension cradle? I'd really like that. . .'
Moto Blanco - 'It's going to be a big disco tune, whatever. That OK?'
Demo - 'This is one deep, fucking song, man. Can it be slowed down a bit? Make it a bit deeper?'
James Camareta - 'Well. . . erm . . . OK, but I am a bit busy.'
You get the idea. Without the titting about in the tabloids, what we have is another track that Eurovision would shit into a bag. Hardly worth our ancestors crawling out of the sea for, really.
Listen: www.myspace.com/ladygaga
Tracklist:
1. Paparazzi (Radio Edit)
2. Paparazzi (Filthy Dukes Remix)
3. Paparazzi (Stuart Price Remix)
4. Paparazzi (Yuksek Remix)
5. Paparazzi (Moto Blanco Remix)
6. Paparazzi (Demo Remix)
7. Paparazzi (James Camareta Remix)
Review - The Minus 5 - The Lurking Barrister (Single)
The Minus 5 - The Lurking Barrister (Single)
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2 out of 10
If the PR bumph and the music on two-thirds of this CD are anything to go by, the Minus 5 spend far too much time trying to be 'weird' and not enough being any good. The PR tells you precisely nothing. The first two tracks are hokey, countrified gibberish. Your Favourite Mess is pleasant enough in its Ben Folds way but doesn't make up for the ground already lost to garbled sentences and tedious 'Americana'.
Listen: www.myspace.com/theminus5
Tracklist:
1. The Lurking Barrister
2. It Won't Do You Any Good
3. Your Favourite Mess
Review - The Foxes - Lover, Killer (Single)
The Foxes - Lover, Killer (Single)
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4 out of 10
The Foxes have obvious boundless energy, like Razorlight on speed. Lover, Killer bounds at such a lick it seems to resent being confined to a plastic disc. It's also in possession of the most annoying guitar hook since . . . well, anything, ever - although I'm sure McFly would have something to say about that. Headlock begins with the hilarious line 'you can tell by the way that she washes her hair that she's cruel'. Unfortunately, this promising start dribbles out into something quite turgid. One feels sympathy with the girl in the song - I'd say I was washing my hair to avoid listening to this, too.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thefoxesband
Tracklist:
1. Lover, Killer
2. Headlock
Review - The Domino State - Firefly (Single)
The Domino State - Firefly (Single)
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4 out of 10
In its constant, desperate pursuit of money, the music business has recently declared 'shoegaze' to be 'cool' once again. Apparently. I don't really pay much attention, to be honest - much better to give things a listen and then judge. Anyway, I don't remember the benighted, floppy-haired misery being 'cool' the first time round, but no matter - the upshot is that bands like The Domino State now receive their moment in the spotlight - which they will, naturally, look away from. Firefly dum-dum-dums along its own inoffensive way, pulling in a few string sweeps and meaningful swoops but it's all a bit anodyne, really. It's a bit Verve, it's a bit Spiritualized, it's a bit. . .sigh. . .
Listen: www.myspace.com/thedominostate
Tracklist:
1. Firefly
Friday, 26 June 2009
News - Nebula: Heavy Psych
Nebula will release their new album called "Heavy Psych" on the 3rd of August through Tee Pee Records.
News - ArnoCorps - The Ballsy E.P.
ArnoCorps have recently released their new EP "’The Ballsy E.P." through Anticulture Records digitally via iTunes, Amazonmp3 and Napster (as well as all the other legal download sites) in the UK and Europe.
News - Portugal. The Man: The Leak
Portugal. The Man recently posted a letter regarding the leak of their new album here: http://portugaltheman.net/news/the-leak/
News - Johnny Foreigner October UK Tour
Johnny Foreigner has the following UK tour dates planned for October:
5th October - Nottingham Bedoga Social Club
6th October - Oxford The Jericho
7th October - Birmingham The Flapper
10th October - London Garage
12th October - Sheffield The Harvey
14th October - Leeds Brudenell Social Club
17th October - Cambridge The Soul Tree
News - Paramore - New Album Details Revealed
Paramore’s new album will be called "Brand New Eyes" and it will be released on the 29th of September.
The first single from the album will be their track "Ignorance", which will be realeased digitally on the 7th of July.
Track Listing:
1. Careful
2. Ignorance
3. Playing God
4. Brick by Boring Brick
5. Turn It Off
6. The Only Exception
7. Feeling Sorry
8. Looking Up
9. Where the Lines Overlap
10. Misguided Ghosts
11. All I Wanted
Review - The Saturdays - Work (Single)
The Saturdays - Work (Single)
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8 out of 10
'Work' shows us the sexier side of The Saturdays; in the video they're all pouts and poses, scantily clad and strutting, showing us they're definitely not all talk when they say they've "got the goods"! But they're not just pretty faces, because 'Work' has hit written all over it; sharp, stomping beats, so persistent you can't help but shake them hips, electro flourishes, flirty lyrics and fiery vocals - the video is just the icing on the cake!
Listen: www.myspace.com/thesaturdays
Tracklist:
1. Work (Radio Edit)
News - Eye Alaska: New Song & iTunes Pre-Order
A new song from Eye Alaska titled "American Landslide" can be heard exclusively at Purevolume. The song appears on their upcoming album "Genesis Underground" which is now available for pre-order on iTunes.
News - The Maine: Posts "Pour Some Sugar On Me" Cover
The Maine have just posted a new cover of Def Leppard’s "Pour Some Sugar on Me" on their MySpace page.
News - The Word Alive: New Song!
The Word Alive have added a new track off their up coming EP "Empire" called "The Only Rule Is That There Are No Rules" to their MySpace page.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Review - The Ghost Of A Thousand - New Hopes, New Demonstrations
The Ghost Of A Thousand - New Hopes, New Demonstrations
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10 out of 10
No disrespect to Gallows and their attempt to take hardcore into moodier, more theatrical territories, but sometimes all you want is basic, balls-to-the-wall speed and fist-in-the-face aggression, which The Ghost Of A Thousand have no problem delivering. Following closely on Gallows' heels, and with a spooky symmetry to their career paths (a few demos, a well-received debut album on a UK indie, then being snapped up by Epitaph), TGOAT have also branched out somewhat since their debut, but for the majority, they've stuck to what they know, and to great effect.
The intro to 'Moved As Mountains.' , loaded with screeching guitars and a lolloping bass line explodes into a frantic metallic riff that barely lets up for the rest of the song, right through to the closing refrain of "Never die alone!" (Can you still call it a refrain if it's being screamed at full volume?). Then, while it veers into more rock'n'roll territory for 'Bright Lights', there are still plenty of breaks, drops and screams, which you are know are coming, but seem to be perfectly timed instead of predictable. It's kind of like the opening few numbers from The Bronx' II album, but with a bit of Dennis Lyxzén venom in the vocals.
The assault continues on 'Knees, Toes, Teeth', opening with a vicious "Fucking new Romantics! It's only rock and roll!". It slows temporarily (thankfully), with Tom Lacey going for a more John Reis-esque croon as he intones "We all kneel down at the feet of the sound", leading into a burst of rock'n'roll guitar and a blazing solo (courtesy of Andy Blyth, if my memory of their live performance is correct). You get a proper Hot Snakes vibe around a minute into 'Canyons Of Static', but surrounded by yet more throat-shredding vocal outpourings from Lacey, before it finishes in a tumbling, crashing mess.
'Split The Atom', the first single from the album (of many, no doubt), is a lot more relaxed, with pretty much no screaming, and lot more of a fuzzy, new wave feel to the tune. A quick saxophone squeal towards the end further hints at the Refused influence, compounded by the choice of Pelle Gunnerfeldt as producer, and the opening riff to 'Neptune' seemingly being played on the guitars used by the Swedes to record 'The Deadly Rhythm'. It continues at a galloping pace, with constant drum fills from Memby Jago, before the gentle keys and guitar feedback of 'Small Mercies' gives us a pretty definitive end to the first section. No complaints so far.
When it kicks back in, we seem to have taken a major left turn, as the programmed beats, processed guitars and a throaty attempt at a vocal melody suggest 'Nobody Likes A Hero' was inspired by Linkin Park's previous boast they would "go punk". Fortunately, it's a minor detour, with another explosion of guitars and acid-bathed vocals, quickly bringing us back to more rough and ready sounds.
'Running On Empty' returns to the earlier Bronx'n'roll; the chorus of "No future? I'll risk it!" adding another to the tally of immediately chantable hooks that will be yelled back at the band on their next tour, while a more sombre, melodic middle section ("We pushed the bodies in the lake". Delightful) hints that everything is winding down. Indeed, 'Fed To The Ocean' actually shows comparative restraint during the verses. Don't worry; normal service is resumed during the choruses, when the riffs once again kick in.
'Good Old Fashioned Loss' finishes it all off with a few more left-field shockers, starting at a slower, doomier tempo, grinding away instead of pummelling, it leads into some bluesy Hammond organ (yes, I know it's probably on a keyboard synth, but go with it). And instead of just stopping there, it then explodes into three minutes of Isis/Explosions In The Sky overdriven riffs and feedback before all is said and done.
You'll notice I mentioned every song. It's because I had to, they're all worthy of note. I'm still listening to this album daily, more than a month after getting it. You will too.
Listen: www.myspace.com/theghostofathousand
Tracklist:
1. Moved As Mountains, Dreamt Of By The Sea
2. Bright Lights
3. Knees, Toes, Teeth
4. Canyons Of Static
5. Split The Atom
6. Neptune
7. Small Mercies
8. Nobody Likes A Hero
9. Running on Empty
10. Fed To The Ocean
11. Good Old Fashioned Loss
Review - That Fucking Tank - Tanknology
That Fucking Tank - Tanknology
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9 out of 10
Sure, That Fucking Tank are underground; they're DIY; they're an instrumental math/noise/rock duo who turn the relentless repetition of techno and punk into an art form; they play small clubnights and basements and grimy YouTube videos; and they're named after a line from 'Apocalypse Now'. But what Andy Abbott (baritone guitar, amps) and James Islip (drums) really do on 'Tanknology' is remind us of the base joy of listening (and dancing) to riffs and drums played fast, over and over. On eighth the song, 'Bruce Springstonehenge', especially - it's the tune of 'Dancing In The Dark' barely disguised as rough punk-pop number.
'Tanknology', the second full LP from TFT, is less scuzzy and more melodic than 2006's 'Day Of Death By Bono Adrenalin Shock' - with tangled up, chugging Foo Fighters riffs amongst the feedback and blasts of prog and techno bombast. Fittingly, 'Dave Grolsch', alongside 'Evan Dido', has one of the most heavy, nagging riffs here: primitive metal, like when Black Sabbath were trying to sound like the steelworks, with splattering, pounding drumming kicked in. It's sure better than Grohl's Probot project.
'Mr Blood' - a Matt Bellamy tune-up turned dance-rock thumper - rides on a buzzing, elastic bass line and is almost acceptable for radio, while 'Keanu Reef' is niggly math-rock from previous TFT records combined with prog and techno breakdowns. The latter's finale, like the noisy, menacing 'Ludwig II Of Bavaria' (which has a studio chat between band and producer left in), shows that while 'Tanknology' has melody, Abbott and Islip are still capable of meticulous chaos.
Final track 'Stephen Hawkwind' (eight minutes long and songtitle of the year if nothing else) gallops towards the close, mixing up elements of every TFT song so far, on this record and beyond - prog-metal, fuzz from machines turned up too loud, math-rock, a piano pinched form 'Sgt Pepper's...' and Hendrix guitar heroism. It's fucking nuts and they're fucking brilliant.
Listen: www.myspace.com/landsandbody
Tracklist:
1. It's Your Letters
2. Keanu Reef
3. Mr Blood
4. John Faheyshanu
5. Dave Grolsch
6. Nancy Mustaine
7. Evan Dido
8. Bruce Springstonehenge
9. Ludwig II Of Bavaria
10. Stephen Hawkwind
Review - The Friday Night Boys - Off the Deep End
The Friday Night Boys - Off the Deep End
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3 out of 10
I'm not quite sure what to make of Virginian quartet Friday Night Boys' debut album. I love pop-punk, I always have, but there are times when I feel too old for it and I think this album has finally pushed me over the edge. I am now far too old for this. FNB are not the only band that has helped me reach this decision but they may be the straw that broke the camel's back. It's a shame because in many ways this is a brilliant summer album, and I can see it being played at pool parties and barbeques. But that is because it will work in the albums favour to be in the background because, if you sit down and listen to it, you may have to listen to the lyrics, and they are just atrocious.
Just by looking at the track listing you know what you are getting, and FNB do nothing to make you think that they have much hidden depth. Marvel as they sing the chorus of Stuttering by, wait for it, stuttering the word 'stuttering'. What a lyrical device, why hasn't anyone done that before.oh wait. Rejoice as FNB discover the wonders of alliteration in Suicide Sunday and Molly Makeout (a prime candidate for worst song of the year). I mean I know what it is like to sit down and try and write lyrics, it's damn tough. Hardest of all is trying to maintain a voice that is your own and being original in your lyrical style. It seems that FNB have just ignored this and raided their 14 year old brother's journal and copied things out verbatim.
Aside from the lyrics, what is the rest of the album like? Well it's not bad; there are enough nice touches musically to think that FNB have a future doing this. And it is hard not to bop your head and tap your feet during some of the chorus'. I can honestly see this album selling ridiculously well and FNB getting some pretty devoted fans, which I can see from their MySpace page they already have. But that doesn't make it a good album, because it really isn't.
Suicide Sunday sounds like a Cyndi Lauper b-side and Stupid Love Letter could well be a Katy Perry song, if she toned down her rock side. There are, the now obligatory, keys and synths and annoying auto-tuned bits. It just exists as an album, neither being good enough to be well liked, or offensive enough to be particularly bad. I can guarantee that one of these songs will be stuck in your head, so in terms of writing a catchy song, FNB have that nailed. But still, and while I keep harping on about this, I just can't get over the piss-poor lyrics. Molly Makeout has a chorus so very bad, that I just stopped listening to it. I can't see how any "rock" band thought that those lyrics were good enough. The First Time (Natalie's Song) is an ode to a girl's virginity which handles the issue about as sensitively as a bulldozer handles a small wall.
So really if FNB set out to become popular and shift a shit load of copies then I think they have been successful, well done you! But if they set out to write a record that they can be proud of when they look back in a few years, I feel they may be disappointed. This is a product of the current crop of pop-punk bands and conventions. It appeals to 14 year old boys and girls who think that starting a MySpace page for your band embodies the DIY ethic. And I think that is the worst thing about this. I know it's going to sell, and I'm sorry, but it really doesn't deserve to.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thefridaynightboys
Tracklist:
1. Permanent Heartbreak
2. Stupid Love Letter
3. Suicide Sunday
4. Finding Me Out
5. Stuttering
6. Can't Take That Away
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. Hollow
9. The First Time (Natalie's Song)
10. Molly Makeout
11. Unforget You
12. Sorry I Stole Your Gurl
Review - Fightstar - Be Human
Fightstar - Be Human
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8 out of 10
With their first two albums Fightstar tried hard to break free of the stigma associated with front man Charlie Simpson's former chart topping band. Be Human sees the band launch themselves onwards and upwards and out of the ballpark boundary. Solidifying their influences and putting their own unique stamp on proceedings, Fightstar have released what can only be called an awesome record. Especially when you find out that drummer Omar Abidi broke his wrist during recording and the band had Simpson take over on drumming duties and on one occasion the pair performed in tandem on the track Damocles.
Interwoven amongst the lush melodic guitar passages are grandiose backing vocals courtesy of the Rugby School Sixth Form choir and a 16 piece orchestra conducted by celebrated arranger Audrey Riley who is most famed for working with Muse and Coldplay.
It's hard to pick stand out tracks from the album as each song is perfect in its own little way. 'Mercury Summer' sounding a little like The Cure jamming out with Lost Prophets whilst 'The English Way' sees the band cut a sound that is quite their own. The aforementioned 'Damocles' shows the bands heavier inspirations with a screamed vocal line and jittery off timed guitar work that is reminiscent of one of the more chilled out Sikth tracks.
Be Human is Fightstar personified and whilst they wear their influences on their sleeves, they manage to sound nothing like them whilst retaining a sense of purpose and solid direction all of their own.
Listen: www.myspace.com/fightstarmusic
Tracklist:
1. Calling On All Stations
2. The English Way
3. War Machine
4. Never Change
5. Colours Bleed To Red
6. The Whisperer
7. Mercury Summer
8. Give Me The Sky
9. Chemical Blood
10. Tonight We Burn
11. Damocles
12. Follow Me Into The Darkness
Review - Stuck In Conflict - Embers Glow
Stuck In Conflict - Embers Glow
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5 out of 10
Norwich's Stuck in Conflict have created a very rough EP which aims to showcase their potential for the future. Unfortunately, it isn't very good, and Stuck in Conflict may want to start focusing on their next record instead of lingering too much on this one.
Apparently, this is an EP that focuses on change (there is an obvious joke here about changing the whole EP but I will resist the temptation to say that), while combining the pop rock of the Get Up Kids with the heavier Coheed and Cambria. While in fact it sounds like a group of 5 guys having a good time in their garage.
Wearing Black is supposedly about the fact that we can all change the world if we individually change. Whereas all I could think about was the fact that the lead singer sounds like he is in the process of shitting out a particularly troublesome pinecone when he was recording his vocals. Seemingly all of the songs have some hidden meanings that I couldn't penetrate, but good luck to the band if they want to do that. I am sure someone, somewhere, is being affected by their lyrics in a positive way.
So let's not dwell on the bad points - perhaps I am nit-picking. Despite the singer straining his way through most of the songs, there are some decent vocal harmonies going on at times. Sam Dunning on the drums does a decent job of keeping everything in check which does help Stuck in Conflict to sound slightly more professional.
Going through the effort of writing and recording an EP will have done Stuck in Conflict no harm and I'm sure they are already thinking about the next record they will produce. I think however, it is important that Stuck in Conflict get out there and start playing some shows, something they admit to not having done a lot of.
It cannot, however, hide the fact that much of this EP is below par and needs some serious work, firstly to sound much more polished, and also to nail out a sound that is distinctly their own.
Listen: www.myspace.com/stuckinconflict
Tracklist:
1. Tonight: Reality Becomes our Dreams
2. Wearing Black
3. Cracks Amongst the Ashes
4. You Talk Too Much
5. Heartfelt
Review - Tryangle - Tryangle
Tryangle - Tryangle
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8 out of 10
Portuguese trio Tryangle rock their way into your lugholes straight from the outset, like an uber rocked up Queens of the Stone Age with Layne Staley on vocals. You can also hear the influences of Led Zeppelin and Soundgarden as the ethereal guitar sounds are weaved into the songs with great effect.
The only complaint I have, and it's a minor one, is that the vocals could have been slightly higher in the mix so that I could make out the lyrics a bit more. But other than that this is a very impressive debut and I imagine they are awesome to behold live. And not much is more awesome than the crescendo like end to the album with final track The Universe which is simply put - immense and is reminiscent of original stoner rock gods Kyuss.
Listen: www.myspace.com/tryangletheband
Tracklist:
1. Digital Bee
2. My Way
3. A Burn Carol
4. White Dress
5. Sound Of Freedom
6. The Neverending Lecture On Breathing
7. Blind Hate
8. All That Was Left To Take Was This
9. Dear Poem Of Mine
10. U
11. The Universe
Review - Various - While She Sleeps / And White Stars - Split
Various - While She Sleeps / And White Stars - Split
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6 out of 10
Both bands on this split EP are both South Yorkshire (SoYo for the cool kids) based. Both peddle their wares in a metallic way.
While She Sleeps sound like Killswitch Engage would if they were to take lessons off the Dillinger Escape Plan. Off time chugs, blast beats a plenty and a vocalist who could make blood curdle into some kind of gore filled yoghurt. The real stars that shine through on the WSS side of this split are the guitarists. They weave in and out of the machine gun chug with melodic twiddles that wouldn't sound out of place on the latest Eyes of a Traitor release.
And White Stars do a similar thing to While She Sleeps, but take a more Massachusetts approach. Their first track on the split, 'Atlantis' reminds me of Blood Has Been Shed if they were to get rid of Howard Jones and have a rather angry Yorkshire man take over vocal duties.
This split doesn't break any new ground, but it does the metalcore thing quite well when everything else around seems to be locked into a breakdown orientated dick measuring contest. It's metal, it's fun and it chugs and barks in all the right places.
Listen: www.myspace.com/whileshesleeps & www.myspace.com/andwhitestars
Tracklist:
While She Sleeps
1. Embedded In Sand
2. Homecoming
And White Stars
3. Atlantis
4. Seasons
Review - The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (Single)
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (Single)
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8 out of 10
By now most people will have heard a song, or some of the recent press buzz about The Gaslight Anthem. If you have heard any of their music, chances are it was this song; it received airtime on Radio 1 and was a mainstay on the MTV2 chart.
It is inevitable that any reviewer who ever listens to a song by The Gaslight Anthem will compare them to Bruce Springsteen. That is just fact. Death, taxes and Bruce Springsteen comparisons - simply unavoidable. So, here we are, this song sounds a lot like a rocked-up Bruce Springsteen song. From the rabble-rousing chorus to the chiming chords that permeate the entire song, it sounds like Springsteen. Anyway, this is a great song, one of the best on a very good album. The '59 Sound has a catchy chorus and a haunting lyrical tale to tell. It has been hugely popular in America, and judging from the bands tour dates, they are doing everything they can to replicate that success over here, including dates at Reading & Leeds festivals.
However, unlike Bruce, I feel this band has more cross-over potential, with fewer songs that appeal predominantly to the blue-collar workers chasing the American Dream. The Gaslight Anthem are a rock band first and foremost, and if you are looking to get into them, you could do worse than to check this out first.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem
Tracklist:
1. The '59 Sound
Review - Loney, Dear - Dear John
Loney, Dear - Dear John
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7 out of 10
Few artists have as much cult status kudos as Emil Svanangen, the solo Swede behind Loney, Dear. He's been releasing homemade CD-Rs since the early 2000s (four albums, to be precise), before getting deals with Sub Pop and Polyvinyl and becoming an anti-hero for fans of folk, indie and electronica . 'Dear John' has been touted as his "masterpiece" be some reviewers, although many others would say that 2007's 'Loney, Noir' gets that title, this album is still very good indeed, if sometimes formulaic.
Most of the songs here, like the King Creosote-like folktronica of 'Airport Surroundings', begin with fizzing electronics before building up to a crescendo of orchestral instruments, harmonies and sad, longing lyrics. Fortunately it's a formula that works well, and the likes of 'Everything Turns To You', 'Violent' and the title track are reminiscent of indie/Americana legends Grandaddy's magnum opus 'The Sophtware Slump'.
There are some surprise s though, none more so than album centrepiece 'Under A Silent Sea'. It begins as a chillily, with delicate, tricksy guitar work and foreboding strings, before an unexpected rush of tribal drums and trance synths (like Orbital or Underworld) come in, alongside a menacing Balearic music box piano riff. It's ripe for remixing - as most of the LP is - by the likes of Hot Chip and Maps. Elsewhere there's a more softly-softly approach, on 'Harsh Words' and 'I Was Only Going Out'; modern sea shanties backed by a bedroom Arcade Fire. 'Dear John' is a gorgeous journey full on melancholic lyrics and upbeat music.
Listen: www.myspace.com/loneydear
Tracklist:
1. Airport Surroundings
2. Everything Turns To You
3. I Was Only Going Out
4. Harsh Words
5. Under A Silent Sea
6. I Got Lost
7. Summers
8. Distant
9. Harm/Slow
10. Violent
11. Dear John
Review - Papa Roach - Lifeline (Single)
Papa Roach - Lifeline (Single)
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7 out of 10
Is this Papa Roach, I thought they were Nu Metal? Evidently as their latest album title 'Metamorphosis', suggests that they've changed. And they've managed to make that change into another currently popular style of rock, what a surprise! Looking at the photo on the CD cover it's My Chemical Romance that has inspired the nu look and musical style, so now you know what they sound like, is it good? The answer is yes it does, but it's very generic with obvious hooks, a good chorus to sing along to and very slick production.
Listen: www.myspace.com/paparoach
Tracklist:
1. Lifeline (Radio Remix)
2. Lifeline (Radio)
Review - Revere - As The Radars Sleep (Single)
Revere - As The Radars Sleep (Single)
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5 out of 10
There are eight people in this band. That's eight universes' worth of potential creativity. Eight talents. Eight spirits. So what have they come up with, this eight-headed groove machine? The short answer is 'Radiohead with strings and light Mariachi horns'. It's a departure, this, apparently - Revere's usual musical fare being 'a list of seven-minute slow-burning epics'. I suspect that what we have is one of those 'slow-burning epics' with a couple of bits singed off.
Listen: www.myspace.com/reverelondon
Tracklist:
1. As The Radars Sleep
Review - Loqui - Hermes Pan (Single)
Loqui - Hermes Pan (Single)
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3 out of 10
Whilst definitely not 'low key' (despite the name), this lunatic Leeds collective do verge on the, ahem, wank-y. Pourquoi le sarcasme? You may ask, if you haven't clicked somewhere else already. Allow me to explain. Singing a song named after Fred Astaire's choreographer, sounding like a lost B-side from some obscure 1980s band no-one can quite remember before crashing into a nastily tinny rock-out ending, Loqui's imagination and pretension need further mixing. The actual B-sides on offer, a floaty wisp of a thing which almost expires under the effort of being listened to and a pointless vox-out of the lead track, don't set anything racing, either. Apparently they're great live. They'd have to be.
Listen: www.myspace.com/loqui
Tracklist:
1. Hermes Pan
2. I Think It's Going To Rain Today
3. Hermes Pan (a capella version)
Review - Buck Brothers - You’re So Good, Good, Good You’re Great (Single)
Buck Brothers - You’re So Good, Good, Good You’re Great (Single)
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5 out of 10
Standard nu-school punk (I hope I haven't just coined another genre, there), your appreciation of Buck Brothers may jump or hump on the strength of the vocal herein. Whilst musically a lime-Green Day or an airbrushed Buzzcocks, vocally we have someone who may have been in a jangly indie band before losing interest and ripping their jeans a bit. There's a Gedge dryness to the delivery and the lyrical stabs at the privileged, too, but things are coated with a light sheen of whine which could grate. Thankfully, though, with a tune clocking in at ten seconds shy of three minutes, there's not much time to get annoyed. It's good but it's not the one. Yet.
Listen: www.myspace.com/buckbrothers
Tracklist:
1. You’re So Good, Good, Good You’re Great
Review - Christina Courtin - Foreign Country (Single)
Christina Courtin - Foreign Country (Single)
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7 out of 10
Given that Ms. Courtin is a Julliard violin graduate, you could be forgiven for expecting her non-Classical work to be painfully exact and soul-less to the point of dull devilry. It is a more than pleasant surprise to report, therefore, that Foreign Country is a bright, brisk piece of Americana. Courtin's voice adds a wonderful French-café feel to proceedings - when she's not trying too hard to belt things out. She seems to be able to vocalise hot, Summer evenings in Paris without lapsing into irritating pretence at chanson, which affects many. If only she didn't try and cram so much in. Less is more, girl. Didn't they teach you that at fiddle school?
Listen: www.myspace.com/christinacourtin
Tracklist:
1. Foreign Country
Review - Zeya - I Love You X 3 (Single)
Zeya - I Love You X 3 (Single)
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1 out of 10
Is the general public's appetite for musical magnolia paint bottomless? It must be, as the powers-that-be keep making the stuff. There's no need for us to build Orwell's automatic music-making 'versificator' from Nineteen Eighty-Four when real people are coming up with glossy dross like this - a nightmarish Alanis Morrissette-goes-Eurovision chimaera, singing along to what sounds like an over-priced keyboard's 'demo' mode.
Its producer seeks the next Celine Dion or Cher, in the manner of a vulture seeking the next corpse or an MP seeking the next expense claim. Janis preserve us. One can only hope that he or Zeya herself have an epiphany the size of Lady Gaga's backside and decide to do something more useful with their lives, like taking a blowtorch to the buttocks of popular culture and its never-ending sewer of shiny cack.
Listen: www.myspace.com/zeyamusic
Tracklist:
1. I Love You X 3
Review - Various - ATP V.S The Fans - 8th , 9th and 10th May 2009
Various - ATP V.S The Fans - 8th , 9th and 10th May 2009
View The Review
10 out of 10
HEALTH - A great way to kick start your weekend! Los Angeles based noise quartet leaped out of the blocks, head first into a cacophony of ring modulation, off- beat blasts of noise and occasional melodic vocals, all set to pounding drum lines. From the sound of it, their new album is gonna be special, so watch out this autumn.
ANDREW WK. - Hard House Beats, King Ralph piano, idiots in silly costumes, it can only be Andrew WK. The party metal legend delivered on every level, a triumph in modern musical performance. Even though the Andrew WK band were absent, he still got the party started in style, with all of his classic hits.
DEVO- Sorry scenesters and bandwagon jumpers, I fucking hate this band .They try to sound like a shit kraftwerk but actually sound like gimmick laden pub rock. On a side note: if you brought a devo hat for £20 you are a moron and should consult your nearest euthanasia clinic. This band was also not helped by the piss weak sound on the pavilion stage.
LIAM FINN - I was surprised when, what I thought to be another bland, toy indie songster turned out to be a very well textured feast of looping and drumming over said loops. Nicely melodic without sounding lame. Good work Liam.
ANTIPOP CONSORTIUM - To me, this band represent what is lacking in 99% of modern hip hop, intelligent musicianship in the form of killer 4-way live programming, underpinning alternatively phrased rhymes.
JESU- Birmingham's finest, Justin K. Broderick produced a typically enthralling performance, sadly minus the drum work of Ted Parsons, They sailed through classics as 'Silver' Leaving the crowd staring at their shoes in awe.
ELECTRIC WIZARD- At last, the riffs have arrived! The south west stoner legends really rocked the party. The crowd responded in turn with fists in the air and semi violent altercations as the more 'true' members of the audience jostled for position in front of the hot bird with the upside down cross necklace, though I admit I was one of the aforementioned jostlers.
FUCK BUTTONS - for the first time in what seems like years we got some new material from the ATP records darlings. Having seen this band about ten times, always playing the same set , it was like a breath of fresh air running through centre stage forcing you to remember just how good they are. The new material is not dissimilar to the debut record however it seems richer sounding, more textured and layered but still underlain with slammin' minimalist beats.
LORDS - A not-so-delicate mix of blues, folk, maths and power rock. I am a big fan of Lord's records and they don't disappoint in the live arena and were deservedly embraced by the capacity crowd in reds, or the 'Gonga Memorial Stage' as it is known in certain circles.
QUI -Fresh from the heart attacks, collapsed lungs and strokes incurred during last years tour , Qui are back with a vengeance pounding out new and old material in typical style. I couldn't help thinking though that David yow was saving himself for his two Jesus Lizard performances later in the weekend.
HARVEY MILK - Athens Georgia's metal veterans produced an expected high volume, balls out performance. I am not a fan of the bluesy aspects to this band , but they always make up for it with lengthy sections of down tuned power sludge which soon gets everyone's fists in the air once more.
ERRORS - Arguably the best performance to that point, the Scottish alternative electro poppers brought a different party aspect to the proceedings. They seemed to have become more accomplished performers since I last saw them, utilising the lighting rig better than any other band also. The combination of which had the whole room bopping like a Saturday night in the Balearics, though sadly minus the chavs and pissed up slappers .
MARNIE STERN - The smoking hot NYC twiddle rocker delivered her own brand of high intensity guitar technique and vocal chirping. Disappointingly her usual tour drummer, the legendary Zach Hill, was not present and when replaced by any other drummer, no matter how accomplished, his absence is very noticeable.
SLEEP - The loudest thing I think I have ever witnessed, they seemed to make all the other bands seem frail by comparison. Armed with a wall of amps and weapons grade riffage they completely destroyed the festival, a truly seminal reformation and performance. Raise your fists (and doobs) to the sky, Sleep are back!
GRAILS - Produced a typically atmospheric performance, playing the lion share of their latest record, the fantastic 'Doomsdayers Holiday', let down by a disappointing set time, and they were on far too early on Sunday afternoon.
!!! - On at a disappointing 6.45 pm, !!! did bring their typical style of party vibes to the proceedings , for an apparent break from the recording studio. The crowd were rocking in places, however I suspect that a later set time, once the booze starts flowing would have produced more legendary results.
PARTS & LABOUR - Again struggled to replicate the greatness of their records in a live setting, not helped by the pathetic sound of the pavilion , their low end sounded weak and treble tones too wishy washy. The smoking hot guitarist, the high point in my view and she is very hot and very smoking, she could be the future first Mrs Goodenough if she plays her cards right.
THE JUSUS LIZARD - The veteran grunge/alt punkers produced a high energy performance that rolled back the years. Now distinctly middle aged and witnessed by their wives and kids at the side of the stage, this was, for me a glimpse of what I should have been listening to in the early nineties. Mad props to the old geezers!
Overall the festival was amazing, the best one in at least 2 years, maybe my favourite since the Mars Volta one. Long live ATP!!
Tracklist:
News - Lovvers - OCD Go Go Girls
Lovvers will release their new single "OCD Go Go Girls" on the 3rd of August. There’s a track from their new album "OCD Go Go Go Girls" up here: www.4shared.com/file/114051887/d38936d8/08_AXTXTXIXTXUXDXE.html called "AXTXTXIXUXDE".
News - Slaves To Gravity Go Down To Doll Size
Slaves To Gravity will release their next single "Doll Size" through Universal/Spinefarm on the 27th of July.
News - Fightstar Headline iTunes Festival 2009
Fightstar are headlining the iTunes Festival 2009 next Thursday (2nd July) at the Roundhouse, Camden. The band will be supported by In Case Of Fire.
News - Mogwai Play All Tomorrow’s Parties Film Premiere
Here’s the full press release to explain what’s been going on and what will happen:
"Mogwai were the secret act who played to a packed out audience at a spectacular concert that followed the UK Premiere screening of ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES at the Edinburgh International Film Festival last night
The concert was part of a unique live cinema event presented by Future Cinema - the creative force behind Secret Cinema - and Warp X, which saw the Edinburgh Picturehouse transformed into a 1950s Holiday Camp for the night. The film was brought to life through a fusion of music and performance, complete with midnight bingo, Northern Soul dancers and blue coats.
The concert also featured live music and DJ's including Belle and Sebastian’s Chris Geddes, and culminated in the very special headlining set from Mogwai.
Luke Morris, the film's producer said: "When we arrived at the venue to find 3 donkeys outside and a full marching band playing Battles' Atlas we knew we were in for a good night. To screen the film in front of 800 people then have it brought to life with a surprise Mogwai set was a great way to launch the film."
ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES is a kaleidoscopic journey into the parallel musical universe of the cult music festival of the same name. The film is a semi-found multi media bricolage shot by over two hundred filmmakers, fans and musicians over the festival's recent history, with key contributions from co-director Jonathan Caouette (Tarnation) and cinematographer Vincent Moon (The Take Away Shows, Arcade Fire). The film is co-developed and financed by the Warp X partners, Film4, UKFC, EM Media and Screen Yorkshire.
Following its Edinburgh premiere, there will be a series of special events across the UK in September to tie-in with the DVD release of ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES."
News - Gotthard - Need To Believe
Gotthard will release their new album "Need To Believe" on the 4th of September through Nuclear Blast Records
Track Listing:
1. Shangri-la
2. Unspoken Words
3. Need To Believe
4. Unconditional Faith
5. I Don't Mind
6. Break Away
7. Don't Let Me Know
8. Right From Wrong
9. I Know, You Know
10. Rebel Soul
11. Tears To Cry
News - The Sophomore Attempt Call It Quits!
In a suprise announcment not long after the release of their new CD The Sophomore Attempt have split up. Here’s the MySpace blog statement:
"Dear Friends-
I’ve thought about how I would start this message for a very long time. Even when we were at our best, the thought of how we would announce our end always passed through my mind. The past five years have been far more fruitful, painful, and incredible thany any of us could have ever imagined while we were sitting on Donnie’s bed talking about our possible future. We have accomplished things we never dreamed of, seen places and things we will never forget, and have created relationships that will last our lifetime. We could not ask for more.
I know this is coming as a shock to most of you. To be honest, it’s somewhat of a shock to us. 2 months ago, we saw our future ending in a far different place than here at Logan’s house in Jacksonville, FL. It’s hard to explain all the reasons that have led us here, but I’ll do my best to tell you what I can. To put it simply, the industry is in shambles. It is next to impossible for bands like us to survive for more than a few years. We’ve done everything we possibly could to help our chances [toured the country, recorded with a big name producer, shot music videos, promoted ourselves non-stop, changed members, etc...] and it just seems survival was just not in the cards for us. Making music and playing shows is no longer enough. That’s just how it is, and we’ve come to terms with it. I can tell you this: we are satisfied. We are leaving on a high note and our terms. We couldn’t be more sure of our decision. So many times, bands break up or go on hiatus, or whatever you want to call it, and lose the friendships that got the band together in the first place. This is not the case with us. All of us are closer now as friends than we ever have been, and this break up has only strengthened our relationships with each other. That is amazing to me.
This does not, in any way, mean we are quitting music. Music is not only our job, it’s our life. It’s what we do. We are using this break up as an opportunity to push all of us forward into new and exciting directions!
I [Jeremiah] am going to pursue my producing career. I’ve just partnered up with My Platinum Sound, and I cannot even begin to describe to you my excitement for this. I’ve been producing and recording bands for a long time, and it’s finally becoming a full time job. Please check out WWW.MYPLATINUMSOUND.COM for more information. I’m also in the process of writing and recording my next musical project. I don’t want to use this message as a self-promotion forum, so I will only tell you that I am working very hard on making something that you’ve never heard before. More info will be coming soon. I know you’ll love it.
All the rest of the guys [Donnie, Logan, Jeremy and Zach] are moving on to a new project and are currently looking for a lead singer. I cannot give you any details yet, but I can tell you that what I’ve heard and what they have planned will blow your mind. Every one those guys is so insanely talented! It’s going to be absolutely incredible. No question.
We are still going to be involved in both parties future projects, and even though we will no longer be "The Sophomore Attempt", we will still work very closely with each other to bring the best out of both new bands that will form from our break up.
The point we want to leave on is a grateful one. Since day one, all of you have made our dreams come true. It’s a cheesy way to say it, and it’s been said a thousand times by a thousand bands, but it’s really the only thing to represent what we feel. You have no idea how much you mean to us. You have effected our lives forever, and we will never forget how well you have treated us. Thank you a million times over. You are a blessing.
We WILL still be playing all the listed shows and will be playing a farewell show August 29th at the Murray Hill Theatre! We would love to see each and everyone of you there one last time.
God bless every one of you.
-The Sophomore Attempt"
News - Hello Breathe Carolina
Breathe Carolina will release their new album called "Hello Fascination" through Fearless Records on the 18th of August.
Track Listing:
1. Hello Fascination
2. I’m the Type of Person to Take Things Personal
3. Take Me to Infinity
4. Dressed Up to Undress
5. I.D.G.A.F.
6. Welcome to Savannah
7. I Have to Go Return Some Video Tapes
8. The Dressing Room
9. Tripped and Fell in Portland
10. Can I Take You Home?
11. My Obsession
12. Velvet
13. Rescue
News - Farewell: Run It Up the Flagpole
Farewell will release their new album called "Run It Up the Flagpole" on the 18th of August.
Track Listing:
1. We All Fall Down
2. Devoid (That’s What I Think About It)
3. A Collect Call to Arms
4. Rock on the Radio
5. Sucker Bait
6. Before I Wake
7. Catch-As-Catch-Can
8. Priorities Intact
9. Drop Dead
10. Expect the Worst
11. Take It From Me
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
News - Bridge Nine Records Summer 2009 Compilation
Submitted: "Bridge Nine Records is excited to announce the release of their Summer 2009 Compilation, featuring eight new and never-before-heard tracks as well as music from almost every active band on the B9 roster. Additionally, a one-time pressing of 1,000 copies of the summer exclusive tracks will be made available on the B9store on 45rm LP format for only $9. The amazing track list can be found below, and all new songs will be streaming at www.Bridge9.com/new_player beginning Friday, June 26th.
Why a physical CD compilation? Bridge Nine owner Chris Wrenn stated, The compilation with exclusive songs seems to have been lost to the internet. And with the popularity of the CD dwindling, its much easier to lean towards digital samplers. But we kept having people reference the 11-song comp we put out in 2006 and we decided it was time to put out something that was tangible this year that had rare and unreleased songs from new record were doing with Strike Anywhere, Polar Bear Club, Death Before Dishonor, Ruiner, Dead Swans Soul Control, Crime In Stereo and Have Heart along with a Paint It Black song only available on 7 or iTunes. And all of the songs are incredible.
Aside from putting out one of the most kick-ass compilations this year, Bridge Nine Records is touring throughout the entire summer with the infamous Warped Tour. B9 will be setting up shop every day of the tour to bring shirts, CDs and other merch to music fans across North America. Every morning, check out Bridge Nines Twitter page to find out where their booth is located, as well as the witticisms of the surly booth guy Chris Hayslett at www.twitter.com/bridge9.
The Bridge Nine Summer 2009 Compilation will be up for sale (or free with purchase) at Warped Tour or at www.B9store.com for $3 beginning this Friday.
Bridge Nine Summer 2009 Compilation
1) Hand of Glory-Strike Anywhere (from Iron Front out October 6)
2) Better Ways To Die-Death Before Dishonor (from Better Ways To Die out
July 28)
3) Living Saints- Polar Bear Club (from Chasing Hamburg out September 8)
4) Two Words- Ruiner (from Hell Is Empty out September 18)
5) Thinking Of You- Dead Swans (from Sleepwalkers out August 11)
6) Beyond Words- Soul Control (from Cycles out August 25)
7) war- Crime In Stereo (from LP title TBA release date TBA)
8) Salem- Paint It Black (from Amnesia EP, 7/Digital only EP)
9) Lions and Lambs- Have Heart (previously unreleased-From Songs To
Scream At The Sun sessions)
10 Sunday- H2O*
11) Wisdom/Pain- Cruel Hand*
12) A Blight On Mental Health- Ceremony*
13) The City By Dawn- Defeater *
14) 400- Energy*
* CD only."
News - Enter Shikari Announce UK & Ireland October Tour
Enter Shikari have announced a UK tour for this October:
Fri 2 Oct - BELFAST Mandela Hall
Sat 3 Oct - DUBLIN Academy
Mon 5 Oct - NORWICH UEA
Tue 6 Oct - SOUTHAMPTON Guildhall
Wed 7 Oct - BRISTOL Academy
Thu 8 Oct - PLYMOUTH Pavillions
Sat 10 Oct - LONDON Roundhouse
Sun 11 Oct - OXFORD Academy
Mon 12 Oct - MANCHESTER Academy
Tue 13 Oct - BIRMINGHAM Academy
Thu 15 Oct - SHEFFIELD Academy
Fri 16 Oct - DUNDEE Fat Sams
Sat 17 Oct - GLASGOW ABC
Sun 18 Oct - ABERDEEN Music Hall
Tue 20 Oct - NEWCASTLE Academy
Wed 21 Oct - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Thu 22 Oct - LIVERPOOL Academy
Tickets for the tour go on general sale from Friday 26th June, but those signed up to the members area of www.entershikari.com (the Lion’s Den) or the band’s mailing list will have access to special pre-sale links which will give them a few days head start on the wider world.
News - Sergeant Major
Sergeant will release their new single "Counting Down The Days" on the 27th of July through Shy Recordings with an album to follow later in the Autumn.
The album was recorded at Rockfield, Rak and Abbey Road studios with producer John Leckie (Stone Roses, Radiohead, The Verve).
News - Rx Bandits - Hope Is A Butterfly, No Net Its Captor
Rx Bandits have posted their new track "Hope Is A Butterfly, No Net Its Captor" on their MySpace page. Their new album will be available from the 14th of July.
News - Moneen - The World I Want to Leave Behind
Moneen will release their new album "The World I Want to Leave Behind" on the 15th of September.
News - Mayday Parade Get An Album Release Date...
Mayday Parade’s as yet untitled new album will be released on the 6th of October.
News - This Century - To Love And Back
This Century have posted a new song called "To Love And Back" on their MySpace page.
News - Protest The Hero August UK Dates
Protest The Hero have a handful of UK dates coming up in August:
17th August - London - Underworld
18th August - Manchester - Moho Live
19th August - Plymouth - White Rabbit
News - The Dear Hunter: Act III Album Stream
You can stream the new The Dear Hunter album "Act III: Life and Death" through this link: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/13
The album is out now.
News - Jersey Budd 9-Date Tour Announced
Jersey Budd has announced a 9-date Autumn Tour.
Fans who buy advanced tickets for the tour can download a free 4-track acoustic EP including: 'She Came Back' featuring Tom from Kasabian on backing vocals and brand new track 'Thinking for Two'.
Jersey Budd's Autumn UK Dates are:
September
Thu 24th PORTSMOUTH, Wedgewood Rooms
Fri 25th LEICESTER, Y Theatre
Sat 26th SHEFFIELD, Leadmill
Mon 28th GLASGOW, King Tuts
Tue 29th MANCHESTER, Night & Day
Wed 30th LEEDS, Brudenhall Social Club
October
Thu 1st PUREGROOVE - Instore 6.30pm
Fri 2nd LONDON, The Garage
Sat 3rd SOUTHAMPTON, The Hamptons
News - Let’s Get It: Pre-Order & New Song!
Let’s Get It’s upcoming release "Digital Spaces EP" is now available for pre-order. Check out their new song "Ciroc & Roll" and pre-order details on their MySpace page.
News - I See 3D Stars
I See Stars have added the title track from their new album "3D", which was released through Sumerian Records to their MySpace page.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
News - Never Shout Never Love The Sound Of Summer
Never Shout Never has released "The Summer EP" today through Loveway Records.
Track Listing:
1. Happy
2. Hummingbird
3. I Just Laugh
4. Simple Enough
5. On the Brightside
6. Losing It
7. Liar Liar (iTunes ONLY)
News - Artist Vs Poet: Studio Update #1
Artist Vs Poet is currently with Zach and Ken recording their upcoming full-length album. Check out their 1st studio video update here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=252158621&blogId=496318051
News - Alberta Cross: Broken Side Of Time
Alberta Cross will release their new album "Broken Side Of Time" through Ark Recordings on the 21st of September.
Live Dates:
JUNE
25th London Brixton Academy (support Dave Matthews Band)
26th London Brixton Academy (support Dave Matthews Band)
27th London Hyde Park supporting Neil Young
28th Glastonbury Festival, Park Stage - 2pm and Dirty Boots Stage - 6:30pm
29th Wolverhampton Civic Hall (support Dave Matthews Band)
30th London Water Rats
News - Arch Enemy - The Root Of All Evil
Arch Enemy will release their new album "The Root Of All Evil" through Century Media Records on the 28th of September.
This special release features a selection of completely re-recorded songs from the first three Arch Enemy albums "Black Earth", "Stigmata" and "Burning Bridges".
Guitarist Michael Amott comments: "This one took some time to get done, despite the fact that the actual songs were already written a good few years ago! The album was recorded at a few different locations locally here in Sweden - produced by ARCH ENEMY, with Daniel Erlandsson (Drums) handling a lot of the engineering. It was then sent to Andy Sneap in England for the mixing/mastering and I simply can't stop listening to this since I got the final mixes!"
News - Latitude Festival - 23rd June Additions
Latitude Festival additions for today:
OBELISK ARENA
~ The Broken Family Band ~
~ Broken Records ~
UNCUT ARENA
~ Miike Snow ~ Gurrumul ~ The Vaselines ~
~ Manchester Orchestra ~ Alela Diane ~ Red Light Company ~
SUNRISE ARENA
~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band ~
News - Smoke Fairies: Frozen Heart
Smoke Fairies will release a new EP called "Frozen Heart" on the 15th of July through Music For Heroes Records as a 7", CD package and a digital download.
Track Listing:
1. Frozen Heart*
2. Fences
3. Morning Light
4. We Had Lost Our Minds
5. He’s Moving On*
* = 7" only
They will support The Dead Weather at London’s Forum tomorrow night (24th June).
News - Earth Crisis / Sworn Enemy 2009 Tour
Earth Crisis and Sworn Enemy return to Europe/UK on the Hell On Earth tour 2009.
Also playing are: Neaera + Waking The Cadaver + War Of Ages + Thy Will Be Done + War From A Harlots Mouth
21.09.09 - Plymouth - White Rabbit
23.09.09 - Birmingham - Eddies Rock Club
24.09.09 - London - ULU
News - The Used Launch TheUsed.net
Submitted: "With their upcoming album "Artwork" on the way in September, The Used are thrilled to announce the launch of their new website. www.TheUsed.net is a unique experience for fans that will allow them to create their own site design, upload photos and video, artwork, instrument tabs and more. www.TheUsed.net will also feature, in July, new handwritten guitar tabs for the entire record leading up to the release, a tourography and a content upload bank where users can upload photos and videos from past shows. Visit www.TheUsed.net today."
Monday, 22 June 2009
Review - The Saturdays - Work Tour - Wolverhampton Civic Hall - Saturday 20th June 2009
The Saturdays - Work Tour - Wolverhampton Civic Hall - Saturday 20th June 2009
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8 out of 10
Row upon row of colour co-ordinated Saturdays fans took their seats at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall and were forced to stay in them, due to an over the top health and safety policy; like a real life Footloose - dancing was banned! Where was our Kevin Bacon shaped saviour?!!!
Clearly not in the form of support act Jessie Malakouti and her goons; with a grating voice and songs indistinguishable from one another, the only thing keeping you watching was the challenge of fathoming the logic behind her costume choice: a white Madonna-esque bodice circa 1984, red sequin shorts and flat, knee high riding boots - I'm still confused.
The Saturdays outfits were evidently given more consideration and when they took the stage, it's guaranteed the only thing running through the collective audiences' mind was "Damn, they look HOTTT!", followed by approximately 99% thinking "I hate myself". Thankfully we were quickly distracted from our self-loathing by debut single 'If This Is Love', which still hits all the right spots, as do album tracks like 'Keep Her' and 'Set Me Off', performed with sass and surprisingly solid vocals.
The girls mixed things up with a Motown version of album track 'Why Me, Why Now', a medley of hits from Rhianna, Katy Perry and P!nk, a video of funny backstage snippets (including a 'Team Sats' rendition of Kanye West's rap from Estelle's 'American Boy') and sneak peeks of tracks from The Saturdays second album; 'Wordshaker' and 'One Shot' which sounded immense and had the crowd bopping in their seats.
Current single 'Work' closed the show and left us all wanting more - cue eardrum exploding screams, the rumble of stomping feet, whistles, woops and a thunder of handclaps until The Saturdays reappeared, bedazzling in skimpy sequinned outfits to perform girly favourite 'Issues' and the electro-pop stomper 'Up'! Rochelle shone like a Bacon beacon, as her feminine charms persuaded the venue security to cut loose and allow the audience to rise from the confines of their seats to shake it very briefly before The Sats shimmied off stage.
(Pixie Lott was also scheduled to appear, but due to unforeseen circumstances the chart-topper couldn't grace Wolverhampton with her presence).
Listen: www.myspace.com/thesaturdays
Tracklist:
Review - Zao - Awake?
Zao - Awake?
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8 out of 10
In the past, most of the articles and reviews concerning Zao have focused mainly on the revolving door line-up changes, or their Christian beliefs. Now, after 15 years and nine albums, the focus should finally have shifted elsewhere. You could argue that it's due to the relatively stable line-up (unchanged for 4 years and counting), or the move away from religious-themed lyrics, but I disagree. My personal theory is that it has more to do with people being unable to concentrate on anything but frontman Daniel Weyandt's circus strongman facial hair. And this isn't just some throw-away tour beard competition, oh no. He's obviously sinned and taken enough pride to wax it with care. Seriously, check their website for the awesome promo shot.
As with their beliefs, line-ups and facial hair, the music has also changed over time. Starting off as hardcore punk, Zao gradually headed into more metal territories until 2006's 'The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here', with Steve Albini's engineering probably taking the band as far as they could go with just harsh production and aggression. Consequently, the band seem to have taken a step back into a more commercial sound (relatively speaking of course), this time aided in production by Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying. The songs definitely still have the requisite crunch, whether it's through the trademark stop-start rhythm of 'The Eyes Behind The Throne', or the pure velocity and punch of 'What Will you Find?'. Weyandt's vocals are still ironically hellish, only really straying from a positively acidic death metal growl in order to go with spoken word over more minimal instrumentation, which adds a nice depressing turn to the proceedings. Unfortunately, too many of the songs are let down by the inclusion of clean vocals (I think from the other members) on the choruses, dragging the band back down with the metalcore masses that sprung up in their wake. Most of it could be compared to Killswitch Engage, but some parts of Romance Of The Southern Spirit and the title track sounded positively Atreyu (if that can be used as an adjective).
For my money, the singing only really works on the closing track, but that might be because it's not entirely a metalcore song. After a standard beginning, it all goes a bit post-rock, with some choral vocal harmonies over a more melodic guitar riff, which gradually increases in volume and noise, and repeats to fade. When it kicks back in to what I would assume is 'The World Caved in' portion of the track, it's again switched to an acoustic guitar and spoken word, which gives an even more sombre end to the album.
Listen: www.myspace.com/zao
Tracklist:
1. 1,000,000 Outstretched Arms of Nothing
2. Entropica
3. The Eyes Behind The Throne
4. Human Cattle Masses Marching Forward
5. Romance Of The Southern Spirit
6. What Will You Find?
7. Awake?
8. Quiet Passenger Pt. 1
9. Reveal
10. Quiet Passenger Pt. 2/The World Caved In
Review - Kidnapper Bell - The Great Outdoors
Kidnapper Bell - The Great Outdoors
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8 out of 10
Good thing - Hand-stamped promo case, lovingly wrapped with a silk ribbon to keep the CD in. Bad thing - worrying that the heat produced by my car stereo will melt the thick layer of paint on the CD. I mention that now because it might be the only downside I can think of to this CD, and since it's only a promo, you shouldn't even have to worry about it.
The opening title track borrows some of Bloc Party's guitar chimes and drum clatters, but thanks to the accents and female backup vocals, there's also a decent hint of fellow Brummies Johnny Foreigner in the mix. The JoFo comparisons inevitable stick around for the rest of the tracks, but Bloc Party is gradually edged out in favour of Biffy Clyro, with everything becoming a bit more angular and awkward. 'An Evening' is more thoughtful and ethereal, but still manages a pretty full-blown finish, while 'The Way It Goes' is more at the playful and punchy end of the scale, thankfully making the first instance of beatboxing in an indie song (that I've encountered) seem totally natural. 'Collapsible Friend' switches schizophrenically between understated melodies and riff-filled blowouts, but stops abruptly, which I suppose is appropriate, even though it could have continued to seesaw back and forth for another few minutes to great effect. They use much the same approach on 'What Arthur Said', but make it slightly heavier in both modes, and with more electronic effects to keep any rot from setting in. 'Sleepwalk' then adds a more post-rock/shoegaze leaning to the proceedings, before 'Targets' rounds it all off by throwing a bit of everything that has come before into the blender and seeing what comes out. Fortunately, it's a glorious mess instead of an unpalatable one, and if there's any justice it should soundtrack a glorious summer.
Tracklist:
1. The Great Outdoors
2. An Evening
3. The Way It Goes
4. Collapsible Friend
5. What Arthur Said
6. Sleepwalk
7. Targets
Review - El Dog - The Lamps of Terrahead
El Dog - The Lamps of Terrahead
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6 out of 10
We all know how the music 'business' likes things - ready-made and profitable. No-brainers definitely preferred, doing first what everyone else is doing and selling it for the GDP of a medium-to-large North American state. How bands like Glasgow's El Dog manage is anyone's guess, what with their choice of the pretty well-worn path of 'post rock' and all. But manage they do and for a debut, The Lamps of Terrahead is pretty damn startling. Alright, it's not a colossal, platinum erection from beginning to end but if you want one of those, you should be greasing yourself over the Pussycat Dolls or something. The rest of us, who can remember when the phrase 'a grower' wasn't snorted at by the massed ranks of bean-counters and too-cool-to-drool journos, will simply get hold of the album and keep listening.
They're Biffy Clyro but not as dull. They're Mogwai but with more changes. They're Muse without the wank. Here's hoping they survive long enough to build on these girders.
Listen: www.myspace.com/eldogmusic
Tracklist:
1. If That Was The Last Time We Met
2. A Princess, A Monkey, The Stars and The Sea
3. Bah Rock
4. Rhythm Tooth
5. Oo
6. Ha Ha! Nae Joy!
7. Fire In Your Eyes
8. I'm In A Car
9. Glass of Water
10. Monsters Final Hour
11. Rebecca's Spine
12. Sham Rock
Review - None The Less - The Way To Save Ourselves
None The Less - The Way To Save Ourselves
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5 out of 10
Hurrah, another three word "Something The Something" band name. So what do we think it's going to sound like? Bulgarian jazz-grind? Afrobeat sludge? Nope, it's another serving of metalcore come melodic rock for the masses. I must be getting old, since I can't see how bands still playing processed palm-muted riffs this tried and tested can get a video on Scuzz, a nationwide tour with Young Guns (although I must also add - who?), or a slot playing the Download festival.
'The Payout' fades in to a fairly stomping riff and breakdown, like a less epic Bullet For My Valentine, or a more metallic Alexisonfire. There's the bits of screaming on the verse, a melodic chorus, a breakdown, but then it doesn't really do anything but repeat on itself. 'Define' is more of the same, albeit with a bigger breakdown, but 'News Of Cancer' at least has a more interesting structure, kind of like an erratic riff-collage. The fourth track is a minute and twenty second melodic interlude, which seems a bit of a cheat, throwing in some filler on what is only a seven track mini-album in the first place. Essentially, it's an extended intro for 'I Had The World Resting On Me', where some syncopated drum rhythms at least make the segues between verse and chorus a bit more interesting.
Two tracks later, after the admittedly catchy gang chant of "I Feel Like Your Enemy", it's all over. All the requisite parts are there, but they've been done before, and in better arrangements. To intentionally misconstrue a lyric from 'Four Fours', it's passable, but unfortunately "Nothing is amazing".
Listen: www.myspace.com/nonethelessonline
Tracklist:
1. The Payout
2. Define
3. News Of Cancer
4. .
5. I Had The World Resting On Me
6. Four Fours
7. I Feel Like Your Enemy
Review - Vandeville Falls - When I Fall (Single)
Vandeville Falls - When I Fall (Single)
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6 out of 10
A pleasant-enough bimble through glade planted with Harriet Wheeler, Eddi Reader and some Cyndi Lauper shoots. Violins reel, everything's bright and sparkly. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the nurseryman responsible has previously watered the likes of the Cranberries and Texas. There's a Radio Two, Four or Six guest slot with their name on it somewhere, Loose Ends if they're (un)lucky.
The accompanying cover of the club classic doesn't quite work, as the vocal is a bit too close to Nadia Ali's delivery for comfort. Also, the dodgy lyrics can be heard in full, without the safe cover of a thumping drum track. Coming soon to a festival acoustic tent near you.
Listen: www.myspace.com/vandevillefalls
Tracklist:
1. When I Fall
2. Rapture
News - Raise Your Hands Up!
Hands have posted a new song from their forthcoming Facedown Records debut album "Creator" which is due to be released on the 21st of July. The track is called "Resistance".
News - The Virgins: One Week of Danger
The Virgins are releasing their new single "One Week of Danger" on the 6th of July.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Review - Black Sabbath - Master of Reality (Deluxe Expanded Edition)
Black Sabbath - Master of Reality (Deluxe Expanded Edition)
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10 out of 10
The influence of Sabbath and of this album in particular on anyone professing to be 'heavy' is undeniable. The opening track alone can be said to have spawned an entire genre. There was always more to the band than simply primordial riffs, of course (despite what idio-critics of the time said) and Master of Reality exemplifies this. After Forever and Orchid display the oft-forgotten jazz leanings of the band, Solitude the oft-ignored restraint, such that the body-crushing power of Lord of this World and Into the Void are increased by the bit of relief beforehand - to say nothing of the unstoppable juggernaut that is Children of the Grave.
Disc two shows us some rough notes; Weevil Woman '71 has the band still messing around with clunky boogie as they did on their debut's Evil Woman. Thankfully, the track didn't make the cut, although Ritchie Blackmore may have been listening. . . Solitude's out-take is probably the most interesting, with the sparse production giving the track a more intimate feel and a better idea of Ozzy's vocal skill, as he's neither belting it out nor smothered in blankets of reverb.
Overall, the remastering is, again, a triumph and makes for that most rare of beasts - a re-issue well worth buying.
Listen: www.black-sabbath.com
Tracklist:
Disc 1:
1. Sweet Leaf
2. After Forever
3. Embryo
4. Children of the Grave
5. Orchid
6. Lord of this World
7. Solitude
8. Into The Void
Disc 2:
1. Weevil Woman '71
2. Sweet Leaf (Studio out-take, alt. lyrics)
3. After Forever (Instrumental)
4. Children of the Grave (Studio out-take, alt. lyrics)
5. Children of the Grave (Instrumental)
6. Orchid (Studio out-take, Tony counts in)
7. Lord of this World (Studio out-take with piano and slide guitar)
8. Solitude (Studio out-take with alternative guitar tuning)
9. Spanish Sid (Alt. version of Into the Void)
Review - Marmaduke Duke - Silhouettes (Single)
Marmaduke Duke - Silhouettes (Single)
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4 out of 10
From the cover of this release, it is hard to know what to expect of the music, given that the Marmaduke Duke duo of 'the Atmosphere' and 'the Dragon' look like steampunk luchadores. What we have is hyper-speed dance music, where the drums almost run into one continuous sound, so fast is the tempo. It swoops in all the right places and would do well on a night where everyone is nursing exploded adrenal glands but for all that, lacks real energy. Over in a flash, it makes three minutes seem like three seconds.
Listen: www.myspace.com/themarmadukeduke
Tracklist:
1. Silhouettes (Jacknife Lee Remix)
Review - Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (Deluxe Expanded Edition)
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (Deluxe Expanded Edition)
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10 out of 10
Sounding like it was recorded in a cave, this album is still one for which no stereo is loud enough, no Mother scared enough. The title track oozes menace like fog and would be worth the price of entry alone, yet we have the next three tracks ripped from some few milliseconds after the Big Bang. Bill Ward's drum breaks on The Wizard are absolute perfection. Even gormless debut single Evil Woman comes across less like naff 'filler' and more like a gang of demons pissed up on virgins' blood. Its nasty boogie serves to make Sleeping Village and The Warning crash in like sparking comets, festooned with diamond drum crashes, Iommi and Butler on total riff-destroy mode.
Disc two's reason-to-buy tracks do not disappoint. Given that this most influential of albums was recorded and mixed in three days, you would think precious little 'previously unreleased' material would exist, but what we have provides a look at the human side of the creation of some of the most frightening music ever committed to tape. 'I can't remember the fuckin' words', moans Ozzy, shortly before stumbling through an otherwise-flawless take of the title track. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is the Prince of Darkness' contribution which serves as the main differentiation between the versions on disc two and the final release, as musically they differ very little. Evil Woman excepted - it really doesn't work with flute and horns. It doesn't work without them either, of course, but enough of my yakkin'. If they'd crashed out of existence after this album their place in history would be assured. But there was much, much more to come. Whaddaya say? Let's boogie!
Listen: www.black-sabbath.com
Tracklist:
Disc 1:
1. Black Sabbath
2. The Wizard
3. Behind The Wall of Sleep
4. N.I.B.
5. Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games)
6. Sleeping Village
7. The Warning
Disc 2:
1. Wicked World (Single B-side)
2. Black Sabbath (Studio out-take)
3. Black Sabbath (Instrumental)
4. The Wizard (Studio out-take, with 'jocular banter')
5. Beyond The Wall of Sleep (Studio out-take, with 'dry' vocal)
6. N.I.B. (Instrumental)
7. Evil Woman (Alternative version with horns and flute)
8. Sleeping Village (Intro - studio out-take 'alternative mix')
9. The Warning (Part 1 - studio out-take)
Review - The Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club - Parrot (Single)
The Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club - Parrot (Single)
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6 out of 10
Monty Python's infamous sketch as done by Sonic Youth, circa Goo. The gloriously chewy bass-line is offset by a rather disturbing Adam & the Ants-style 'woah-ohh' bit but let's not quibble - this shows a band preparing to take the elevator well past the 13th floor. There's an album coming in September - pince-nez at the ready, everyone.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thevictorianenglishgentlemensclub
Tracklist:
1. Parrot
Review - The Third Degree - Mercy (Single)
The Third Degree - Mercy (Single)
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8 out of 10
A musical time-machine of very best kind, Third Degree's reworking of Duffy's squawk-athon is uplifting magic. Soul bursts from it, making the original track appear like a piece of expensive karaoke. Put it at the top of your Summer music list - you may find it finds its way into your 'forever music' one, as well.
Listen: www.myspace.com/trisoundmyspace
Tracklist:
1. Mercy
2. Mercy (Instrumental)
3. Mercy (Greg Wilson's Extended Mix)
Review - The Hickey Underworld - Mystery Bruise (Single)
The Hickey Underworld - Mystery Bruise (Single)
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4 out of 10
The Hickey Underworld are very big on 'keeping it real'. Which is why, despite coming from Antwerp, they sound like any one of a gazillion other punky-rock bands currently thrashing themselves stupid the world over. This is not to say the band is terrible - far from it. It's just that this track is. . . OK, which is worse than calling it either genius or abject failure. Comparisons with the Jesus Lizard and Minor Threat are quaintly optimistic, at best. It's Bloc Party moulded around a Straight-Edge collection. If that sounds like your bag, climb in.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thehickeyunderworldmusic
Tracklist:
1. Mystery Bruise
Review - The Nightjars - The Nightjars
The Nightjars - The Nightjars
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4 out of 10
This debut full-lengther from Manchester's The Nightjars is a case of could-do-better, as all good debuts should be - only without too many early gems. The overall productions isn't punchy enough, the attempts at psychedelia aren't psychedelic enough, there are jumps in vocal volume where there shouldn't be, etc., etc. Still, the band have potential; Valentine echoes Roy Harper in more than just the title, Recognition In A Crowd trips merrily along with Radiohead and Husker Du, but it's left to Logic Has No Part In It to show any real spark. Still, as a first attempt at working with a larger canvas it's not bad and the Wicker Man-like cover art is great!
Listen: www.myspace.com/thenightjars
Tracklist:
1. You In A Fine Light
2. Valentine
3. Recognition in a Crowd
4. Defeated
5. Out of Love
6. Logic Has No Part In It
7. We Fall
8. Machines Down
9. Crash This Car
10. In Parallel
11. Now You're Gone
12. Into The Sun
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Review - Placebo - Battle For The Sun
Placebo - Battle For The Sun
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7 out of 10
So Placebo is back with their fifth studio album and a new drummer to boot! And Battle for the Sun is an eclectic album to say the least. To my mind they are borrowing sounds from other successful acts such as Muse and Biffy Clyro but attempting to use them their own way. Placebo are an individual band who have carved their own niche in the rock world, so it's a shame that whilst the music on this album is some of the best I've heard recently, the vocals and lyrics really let it down.
Brian Molko's vocals are unique to say the least but they're just too whiny for me. And the lyrical content is too much laboured on repeating the words to get the message home, take for example the title track Battle For The Sun, it think there are only four lines in it and it's a five and half minutes long. Fans of Placebo are in for a treat, fans of really good rock music are also if they can get past Brian.
Listen: www.myspace.com/placebo
Tracklist:
1. Kitty Litter
2. Ashtray Heart
3. Battle For The Sun
4. For What It’s Worth
5. Devil In The Details
6. Bright Lights
7. Speak In Tongues
8. The Never-Ending Why
9. Julien
10. Happy You’re Gone
11. Breathe Underwater
12. Come Undone
13. Kings Of Medicine
Review - The Guilty Hands - Gregory And The Birds (Single)
The Guilty Hands - Gregory And The Birds (Single)
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8 out of 10
When the first track Gregory And The Birds started I thought, this sounds a bit Franz Ferdinand and then thought a bit Bloc Party. But when the vocals kicked in I was pleasantly surprised to hear something a bit different from the norm and then the chorus came and I was bowled over. Add the second track Upsticks with its immense sound and chorus and you can add a new number to The Guilty Hands fan base.
They have fused the instrument sounds so that it doesn't come over disjointed as many indie bands of today tend to. Also, these are songs you can sing along to, which I found myself doing the next day after only listening to the songs a few times. The maturity of the overall structure and lyrical content hopefully means this band will be around for a long time to come.
Listen: www.myspace.com/theguiltyhands
Tracklist:
1. Gregory And The Birds
2. Upsticks
Review - Wave Machines - Wave If You're Really There
Wave Machines - Wave If You're Really There
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8 out of 10
Like all the best bands from Liverpool, Wave Machines have done it their own way. There's no need for Beatles, La's or Coral comparisons here, because the masked four-piece don't sound like them, but they do capture the city's riotous nightlife and hotchpotch landscape as well as anyone. Perhaps unsurprising, when you learn that they recorded this collection of lo-fi, slow-burning odd disco in St Brides Church, with a view of the Mersey and both cathedrals.
Previous single 'I Go I Go I Go' and second track 'Carry Me Back To My House' are the songs that could give Wave Machines a summer hit - the former all springy and La Roux-80s revival; the latter starry-eyed 'Hot Fuss' indie-disco with Royal Albert Hall-bound choruses. But it's elsewhere that 'Wave If You're Really There' reveals its hidden charms and nervous ticks, like 'The Warning' by Hot Chip or Friendly Fires' self-titled debut, this is an dance record full of idiosyncrasies and a lot of heart.
There's 'You Say The Stupidest Things' and its plinky-plonky keys and hazy organ; the soulful 'Greatest Escape We Ever Made'; and 'Keep The Lights On's' bass-heavy glittery funk, with singer Tim Bruzon sounding like Scissor Sister's Jake Shears; or 'The Line' - a playful update on 'You Can Call Me Al'. They'll make you dance, but it's when Wave Machines slow down that they really move you.
'Punk Spirit' is an Americana anthem out of nowhere, like something Jason Lytle or Stephen Malkmus could write, with killer lines like, "Later when you left the room/I whispered, 'You can fucking die.'" Vidar Norheim's marching band drums come from his time doing Norwegian national service, but 'Punk Spirit' is regal. What they really get, though, is that often the best dance music is about heartbreak, melancholy and loneliness - like Grace's 'Not Over Yet' - and on the title track and the closer, 'Dead Houses', Wave Machines stun and move. 'Wave If You're Really There' is sunburnt extended synth drones, deep squelch and - in the title - a heartfelt cry for interaction. While 'Dead Houses', about the hundreds of abandoned houses and "faded glories" in Liverpool is so simple - just a buzz, rattling drums, claps and great harmonies. It's one of the best songs about the city and on its own shows that Liverpool's still a capital of (sub) culture.
Listen: www.myspace.com/mywavemachine
Tracklist:
1. You Say The Stupidest Things
2. Carry Me Back To My House
3. I Go I Go I Go
4. Keep The Lights On
5. Punk Spirit
6. The Greatest Escape We Ever Made
7. Wave If You're Really There
8. I Joined A Union
9. The Line
10. Dead Houses
Friday, 19 June 2009
News - Ruiner - Hell Is Empty
Ruiner will be heading into The Magpie Cage with producer J. Robbins (Paint It Black, Against Me, The Promise Ring) beginning on July 6th to record their new album "Hell Is Empty" which will be released through Bridge Nine Records on the 22nd of September.
News - One eskimO Self-Titled Debut Album
One eskimO’s debut self-titled album will be released on the 22nd of September.
News - Rx Bandits Album Pre-Order Packages
Rx Bandits have added some pre-order packages for their new album called "Mandala" which is coming out on the 14th of July up here: http://rx.hellomerch.com/
News - Boys Like Girls - Love Drunk
Boys Like Girls’ new album will be called "Love Drunk" and is being released on the 8th of September.
"We’re so stoked to be done with the record and out of the studio. We had such a blast making this record for you guys and can’t wait to see you out on the road this summer and fall. Stay tuned for details on when and where you can hear our first single!
-Martin, Paul, Bryan, John"
News - Big Scary Monsters Records ’Summer 09 Collection’ CD
Submitted: "Big Scary Monsters Records ’Summer 09 Collection’ CD is now available to pre-order from www.bsmrocks.com for £5, or you can subscribe to the four-part, year-long series for £15, which includes a limited edition collector’s tin. Tracklisting is...
01. Mutiny On The Bounty - 1, 2, 3, 4, I Declare A Thumb War
02. Adebisi Shank - Shunk
03. Shapes - You Butcher
04. Kevin Devine - Another Bag of Bones
05. Mimas - SMOM (demo)
06. Talons - Comiserations Buff Orpington
07. Shoes And Socks Off - I’m A World Class Assassin
08. Colour - Unicorns (acoustic)
09. Pennines - Billie Jeans
10. Wintermute - Disco Loadout
11. Tubelord - I Punched A Lion In The Throat (PABH cover)
12. Standish Smithwick - Finders Keepers
13. Blakfish - Economics
14. The Tupolev Ghost - Autodidact
15. Pulled Apart By Horses - E=MC Hammer (Richmanu Remix)
VIDEOS
16. Copy Haho - This Retro Decade (Live Beastcast video)
17. Mimas - Cats On Fire live (promo video)
18. Shapes - Trampled By A Horse (bootleg promo video)"
Thursday, 18 June 2009
News - As Tall As Lions - Circles
As Tall As Lions have added their new song called "Circles" to their MySpace page. The track is from their forthcoming new album "You Can’t Take It With You" which is being released on the 18th of August.
News - That Was Something Says Goodbye
That Was Something have broken up. Read the blog taken from their MySpace page here:
"Hey everyone, we all realize that there has been a lack of updates, lack of tour dates and I guess overall lack of That Was Something. There is good reason for this because there is a light at the end of this tunnel. That Was Something started as kids in high school pursuing their dreams, we have toured the U.S numerous times, released 5 cd’s and have had the time of our lives. It sounds so cliche but we honestly could have never done it without the amazing people that have helped us along the way. It does sound like this is going somewhere dark and sad. However this is being written with the utmost positive feelings we have had in such a long time. We feel like the sun is shining brighter than it has in so, so long. And we cannot wait to show you guys what some of us have in store for you. All this time we have been quiet, we have been tirelessly at work on something brand new. Certain members of this band decided to combine the best things that were "That Was Something" with a new spark and bring you something new, something refreshing, and something beautiful. Please stay tuned in the next few days. We love you guys so much.
Thank you for all the memories,
That Was Something"
Review - Kong - Snake Magnet
Kong - Snake Magnet
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9 out of 10
A swaggering, jerking corpse of an album we have today. All crazy percussion, jagged guitars, rumbling bass and not-full-shilling-vocals. Kong are the band that have been shoved in an attic away from the rest of the family since birth and left to play roll around in their own mess with a copy of "Songs About Fucking" to keep them company and social services out to lunch.
There is an unashamedly Albini influence here. One that is assimilated and used in the good way. Ignore the fact that a couple of members moonlight in Oceansize and knuckle down to "Snake Magnet" and its collection of dynamic, guitar skronk.
Opener "Leather Penny" staggers in on a bruising bass line and dirty riffing straight out of the Shellac book of guitar annoyance. Settling down into a rough pattern of noise and melody with the vocals kicking up a stink. It continues on with "Blood Of A Dove" and "Wet Your Knives" carrying on the aural abuse and bewilderment until the sinewy bass of "Good Graphics" rolls in and the track starts it downward spiral into electronic bleeping hell. The album keeps its own pace throughout the many changes and dynamics. Ending with the repetitive, rotating "K(l)ong" and its 8 minutes of tantrum. Awesome.
There is a carefully drawn line that dictates over the top for the sake of it "wackiness" and Kong are bouncing all over it.
Listen: www.myspace.com/kongdom
Tracklist:
1. Leather penny
2. Blood of A Dove
3. Wet Your Knives
4. Gwant
5. Good Graphics
6. Nih
7. Sport
8. A Hint Of Rennit, Innit
9. Count To Nine
10. K(l)ong
Review - For Today - Portraits
For Today - Portraits
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6 out of 10
The big boys are back in town again! Courtesy of Facedown Records and a whole heap of metallic, heavyweight riffs. For Today recorded this with some dude who has produced Between The Buried And Me and The Human Abstract and it defiantly shows; production wise and in the mixture of the two aforementioned bands. Not as technical as the former and not as melodic as the latter, For Today exist somewhere in between. Pandering to the technical side but also it seems they want mosh acceptability. This in turn makes it sound quite a lot like Into The Moat. Tech-mosh or some other wanky term. The playing is flawless and the vocals growl across the dynamic soundscape with menace, but it's all been heard before.
The saving grace is the careful balance of technique and brute force; it lifts this above the hordes of similar sounding bands. There are better things to come though, BTBAM used to sound like this, and look where they are now. Keep an eye on this one.
Listen: www.myspace.com/fortoday
Tracklist:
1. Immanuel
2. Saul Of Tarsus
3. Nicodemus
4. Joel
5. Immanuel
6. Elijah
7. Benedictus
8. Ezekial
9. Isaiah
10. Talmindon
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