Review - Above Them - Blueprint For A Better Time

Above Them - Blueprint For A Better Time

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5 out of 10

When I was seventeen I loved the shit out of Hundred Reasons; in my eyes, those five guys form Surrey were one of the best bands ever. They could do no wrong. The first time I saw them they were opening for Idlewild and had only just released their first EP on Fierce Panda (remember them?). After that gig I was hooked. I bought everything they released, and I mean everything. CD singles, limited edition video tapes, 7"s, you name it, I bought it. Bear in mind this was when bands would release a single across three formats. That's two CDs and one 7" per single - why anyone would need that many copies is beyond me, but for some reason my seventeen year old self sought out anything and everything bearing the Hundred Reasons logo. By the time they got around to putting out their second album I had already lost interest, having moved onto more obscure, more pretentious music; I would never be caught dead listening to such questionable Brit-rock. Now as I enter the wrong side of my twenties, I can look back on my misled youth and admit that, yes, Hundred Reasons had quite a few decent songs, and I don't regret any of the ten or so times I saw them. Yep, ten times. I saw Hundred Reasons at least ten times. And you know what, I bet the members of Above Them saw Hundred Reasons way more times than me.

The debt these guys owe to Hundred Reasons cannot be understated. 'For Those Who Paved The Way' kicks off proceedings with a bit of feedback and the riff from 'I'll Find You' before a big "WOOAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH" from the singer and it goes all Something To Write Home About-era Get Up Kids then straight back into the Hundred Reasons riff. It's like they distilled my two favourite albums from when I was a teenager and someone how made a record which lacks any of the charisma or excitement that my teenage self loved. One thing that puzzles me about Above Them is their vocals - at times their vocalist slips into an American Rock voice, almost gruff but not quite, a bit like if the singer from Nickelback tried to sing like the guy from Hot Water Music. Affecting an American accent is fairly common from British rock bands, but given that at certain times he uses his normal accent, it does beg the question why he can't sing everything like he's from Wakefield, rather than trying to sound like he comes from the home of Classic American Rock.

Overall, Blueprint For A Better Time isn't bad, but is far from good. Unremarkable is what it is. Not quite punk enough, not quite poppy enough, not quite gruff enough; Above Them are destined to be an also-ran on the arse end of a scene, destined to always be the kind of band you see playing at an all dayer at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. In a way timing's been unfair to Above Them. Had they released this about four years ago, when Punktastic was a bigger player, when Out Of Spite was still going, even when Fracture was still being made, when every good DIY band in the country seemed to come from either Leeds or Wakefield, Blueprint For A Better Time would have a far more receptive audience, an audience ready to accept their somewhat average record. As it is, the window of opportunity for this kind of record has long closed and as such any potential for this to be thought of as more than just another average record in a sea of mediocrity has long passed.

Listen: www.myspace.com/abovethem

Tracklist:

Review - Setting The Woods On Fire - Setting The Woods On Fire

Setting The Woods On Fire - Setting The Woods On Fire

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8 out of 10

Certain countries lend themselves well to certain styles of music. France has produced a glut of emo; Italy has a number of screamo bands; Germany is home to many a goth or industrial group and the less said about true Norwegian black metal, the better. I think I can say for certain that I have never come across a band from Poland, nor did I expect them to be so good. I think I can say for sure that Setting The Woods On Fire are the best Polish band I have ever heard. That's not hyperbole. This is a very good record. But instead of me telling you what's right with it, here's what's wrong with it.

One: The recording isn't great. If you only like to listen to super produced, shiny pop records you'll probably struggle a bit with some of the sounds but otherwise you'll be fine. Next!

Two: The song 'Just Forget' - frankly, it's just not very good. It's the token quiet song of the album, one for the ladies if you will. Compared to the rest of the album, it sounds like they're trying too hard to sound like a straight up rock/pop band. But in all honesty, it's the only bad song on here, and out of seven, that's not bad odds.

Luckily, 'Just Forget' is followed by 'The Letter', which easily makes up for it. It slowly builds and builds before exploding into a raging bit of epic screamo, similar to say Funeral Diner or Saetia. Next track 'Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder' ploughs the same screamo vein, but this time with a slight Sonic Youth slant to it. There's a hint of Superchunk thrown in as well. All good.

If you're a fan of any sort of loud music with yelling vocals you should do yourself the service of picking this up. I only managed to find two faults with it, and I normally hate everything.

Listen: www.myspace.com/settingthewoodsonfire

Tracklist:
1. It Ends Today
2. You Started The Fire, I Was Burnt Alive
3. Now Or Never
4. Lost Is All We Are
5. Just Forget
6. The Letter
7. Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder

Review - House That Jack Built - Pipeage (Single)

House That Jack Built - Pipeage (Single)

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4 out of 10

I have to be honest. I've not actually listened to this CD. I have a good reason though. It's a 3" CD and I can't get it to play on either my stereo or my computer. It's a shame that it won't play as it looks very pretty. The little CD case is made to look like a Scrabble board and it comes in a bag that looks like the one from Scrabble. There are even a couple of badges made to look like letters. I appreciate the effort they've gone to with the packaging. It's just a shame that they couldn't come up with anything good musically (the songs are online, so I have heard them).

To quote the lyrics to 'Pipeage' "If it's bad/but not so bad/then what's the point?" Honestly, I've got no idea. Sub par, slightly wacky (posh?) Liverpudlians ape XTC with limited results. 7 out of 10 for the packaging, 4 out of 10 for the songs.

Listen: www.myspace.com/housethatjackbuiltband

Tracklist:
1. Pipeage
2. No Paper

Review - The Mission District - So Over You (Single)

The Mission District - So Over You (Single)

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2 out of 10

Initially my stereo refused to play this single at all, at which point I was poised to give it a default score of 0/10 (and the stereo a solid 8/10), but eventually I relented and gave Montreal five piece The Mission District a provisional place on my iPod. I was already suspicious from learning they'd toured with Elliott Minor but I attempted to listen with unbiased ears regardless. After all, when a press release describes a song as "brain-conquering" then you're in for a good time right? Apparently not, for if Jordan Pundik from New Found Glory and Trey Cyrus of Metro Station collaborated to reveal their true contempt for music it would probably sound a lot like this. The first twenty seconds bear a startling resemblance to a midi version of The Bloodhound Gang's 1999 hit The Bad Touch and somewhat terrifyingly this is the high point of the song. From there it's simply the usual neutered guitars glazed over cheesy synths, standard whiny vocals and the odd woah for good measure. Girls under 15 will probably add it to their myspace pages; everyone else will ignore them until the album bombs and they get dropped.

The b-side is an instrumental version, the inclusion of which can be viewed from multiple perspectives. Either it's there so fans of the band can learn the words, get some friends round, turn it up and take it in turns to play Mission Districtaoke! or it's simply an incredibly cheap way of filling the second track without paying out for studio time to record a proper song. I'm inclined to veer towards the latter, simply as I can't believe any Mission District fan would have friends.

Turns out my stereo had the right idea from the start.

Listen: www.myspace.com/themissiondistrict

Tracklist:
1. So Over You
2. So Over You (Instrumental)

News - In:Aviate Split Ways With Rise Records

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Take from In:Aviate’s MySpace blog:

"Hey friends! We have been getting a lot of mail lately asking us about our situation with Rise Records, and to answer all of you: We have in fact split ways with Rise. It is definitely bittersweet but as a band we feel it is in our best interest that we part ways.

Let us be the first to say that there is no "beef" between I:A and Rise. Craig Ericson is a brother to us; he has helped us achieve goals that we had always dreamed of, and he surrounds himself with an amazing staff. Unfortunately, sometimes things just don’t work out. Take JLO and P Diddy for example.

In better news, we have a tour coming up in September with our good friends, Dr. Manhattan.

Sep 15 2009 Club Retro Orangevale, California
Sep 16 2009 Shooters Nightclub Barstow, California
Sep 17 2009 Cobalt Cafe Canoga Park, California
Sep 18 2009 tba Phoenix, Arizona
Sep 19 2009 The Electric Theater St. George, Utah
Sep 21 2009 Red Electric Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep 22 2009 The Avalon Salt Lake, Utah

Come and hangout during our Fall Semestour.

In:Aviate is not a band that relies on hype or image for success, but by hard work, and conviction. We know that you hear it from every band on earth, but sincerely, we would not be in this band if it wasn't for all of your support. Thank you all so much for caring enough to write us concerned about our situation. You are the fire beneath us. Expect something new, change is good.

The Night Is Always Darkest Just Before The Dawn, I:A"

News - Welcome To Hollywood.

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Allstar have signed to Hollywood Records.

News - On The Rocket Side Of The Moon

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A Rocket To The Moon will release their new album "On Your Side" on the 13th of October.

Track Listing:

1. Annabelle
2. Mr. Right
3. She’s Killing Me
4. On a Lonely Night
5. Dakota
6. Life of the Party
7. Like We Used To
8. Where Did You Go?
9. Sometimes
10. Baby Blue Eyes
11. Give a Damn
12. On Your Side

News - Quietdrive - Jessica

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Quietdrive have added their new track "Jessica" off their forthcoming EP "Close Your Eyes" to their MySpace page.

News - Us, From Outside Signs To Tragic Hero

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Us, From Outside has signed to Tragic Hero Records. The band plans to release their first album at the beginning of 2010.

Review - Mamas Gun - You Are the Music (Single)

Mamas Gun - You Are the Music (Single)

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0 out of 10

From what I can work out Mamas Gun consist of one Andy Platts and an assortment of hired hands with daft pseudonyms ('The Professor'? 'Union Jack'?!), who were in all likelihood paid with the blood of newborns given the musical evil on show here. In what can only be described as the epitome of insipid, the chorus goes: "you are the music in me girl/everything beautiful and true/all of the wonders of the world/nothing compares to you". I almost didn't hear the latter two lines due to involuntarily throwing up virtually all my bodily innards following the first two, a perfectly natural reaction to such hollow sentiment.

This lightweight funk feelgoodery is surely the sound in Jay Kay's head when he opens a bank statement, as smug as Piers Morgan and fully twice as irritating. There's also a key change so spectacularly predictable Westlife would raise an eyebrow, which conjures up images of stools, cordless mics and other assorted boyband paraphernalia. Platts himself appears on the cover with enormous curly hair, a Brent-esque goatee and a Libertines style jacket which together make him look like some kind of Mars Volta Bond Villain. Or Mika. Interestingly the copy of this I received was a CDR, suggesting that someone had already been instructed to do the decent thing and burn it.

Listen: www.myspace.com/mamasgun

Tracklist:
1. You Are the Music (Radio Edit)
2. You Are the Music (Album Version)

Review - You Me At Six - Kiss And Tell (Single)

You Me At Six - Kiss And Tell (Single)

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8 out of 10

Finally we have a commercially successful pop punk band from the UK, and for this alone, You Me At Six should be applauded. However, after their energetic, yet slightly generic, debut album, Take Off Your Colours, doubts remain over whether their success is more down to geography than talent. Their aforementioned debut polarised opinion and is due a re-release with five extra tracks including two new singles, the slightly disappointing ’Finders Keepers’ and this, ’Kiss and Tell’.

It will surprise no one that ’Kiss and Tell’ is about a girl and it doesn’t exactly break new ground. If you like ’Take Off Your Colours’, chances are you’ll love this. The song however, does everything the best You Me At Six songs do, a clappable intro which shifts seamlessly to a perfect sing-a-long chorus which will embed itself in your head for hours. The mildly menacing, slowed down, section towards the end draws you in beautifully before climaxing spectacularly with a further reprise of the chorus, which, even on first listen, you’ll be humming along to.

Whilst You Me At Six are inoffensive in the extreme, they sure know how to craft a tune that will get daytime radio airplay and festival crowds bouncing and singing along and that’s what makes a great pop-punk band, traversing the mainstream with a sound rooted in the underground. With more like this, arguably the best song of their fledgling career, You Me At Six have the potential to silence the doubters, and their forthcoming album, pencilled in for early 2010, should make for an interesting release.

Listen: www.myspace.co.uk/youmeatsix

Tracklist:
1. Kiss And Tell

Review - An Ocean Between Us - Drowning

An Ocean Between Us - Drowning

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6 out of 10

An Ocean Between Us are a female fronted Italian metal band, so comparisons with Lacuna Coil are inevitable, but, apart from the vocal set up, the two couldn’t be further apart. Their metalcore sound borrows heavily from scene titans Killswitch Engage and 36 Crazyfists.

’Reignite the Heart’ sets An Ocean Between Us’ stall out early, all savage guitars and frenetic drums, it’s a formula that is followed, admittedly to lesser effect, throughout the five song EP. The intro riff from ’Shoreless Love Song’ is memorable, though the song runs out of steam pretty quickly; the same could be said of ’Black Will Turn To Grey’ which passes the listener by somewhat. Closer ’Path To Your Demise’ is another reminder of the potential of An Ocean Between Us, unfortunately the five songs on ’Drowning’ fail to offer anything new in an over-crowded genre. What sets An Ocean Between Us apart from the crowd is the use of female vocalist (Kla) backed by a male (Dan), his screams are not over-used, a failing of many bands of the genre, the band preferring to rely on the vocals of Kla. As most European female vocalists tend to, she sounds fantastic, a cross between Cristina Scabbia and Maria Brink of In This Moment.

This is a decent album, one that gets the basics right, but strives for little else. A little more adventure would not have gone amiss, there are signs of a fantastic band here, but ones that needs a little more time to develop and hone their sound.

Listen: www.myspace.com/anoceanbetweenus1

Tracklist:
1. Reignite The Heart
2. Shoreless Love Song
3. Black Will Turn To Grey
4. This Time I’m Holding On
5. The Path To Your Demise

Review - 8th Time Luckie - PTO

8th Time Luckie - PTO

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7 out of 10

Middlesex’s 8th Time Luckie are clearly devoted pop-punk fans. Their latest EP exhibits an array of influences from the world of modern pop-punk, they’ve certainly been to the Fall Out Boy school of song titles, ’Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right (but they do make us even)’ being a particular favourite. Their sound flits seamlessly from the more melodic stylings of ’Coming Home’ era New Found Glory to a more straightforward pop-punk reminiscent of Fall Out Boy’s ’Take This To Your Grave’. Tracks like ’Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right’ and the excellent ’Living Ain’t Living...’ bounce along with youthful exuberance, think early Blink 182 with more mature lyrics, and set a high precedent for the rest of the album, one that is thankfully maintained.

There is a tendency for English pop-punk bands to try to sing in an American style, fortunately this issue is side-stepped by vocalist James Palmer who sounds satisfyingly English, if borderline morose on closer ’Paper Notes’. It is this and ’The Other Side of Nothing/We Are’ that lends the album something different and ably demonstrates 8th Time Luckie’s versatility, the former with a delicious acoustic intro before breaking into an sprawling ballad and the latter with its soaring, epic chorus reminiscent of Snow Patrol.

Overall this is a really good pop punk album, it doesn’t fall into the trap of striving for the perfect bouncy anthem, rather it showcases different sides of the genre suggesting that 8th Time Luckie have longevity and an adaptable sound that many more established acts would kill for.

Listen: www.myspace.com/8thtimeluckie

Tracklist:
1. PTO
2. Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right (but they do make us even)
3. Living Ain’t Living (unless you’re dying)
4. Diligent at Being a Disaster
5. Goodbye
6. The Other Side of Nothing/We Are
7. Paper Notes

Review - Calvin Harris - Ready For the Weekend

Calvin Harris - Ready For the Weekend

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8 out of 10

There are two schools of thought surrounding the origins of disco music, the most widely recognised of which concerns African American communities in New York in the early 70s. The other, slightly less subscribed to version of events is that it was in fact created by a lanky Scotsman in his Dumfries bedroom circa 2006. While we may never know the truth, the aforementioned Scotsman's affection for the genre has thrown up a second Calvin Harris album, Ready for the Weekend.

While 2009 has seen a deluge of synth-toting female stars (Lady Gaga, Little Boots, Pixie Lott), the boys have had less of a look in with Frankmusic as the only real notable (unless you count Dan Black of course. Let's face it; no-one should count Dan Black). Harris is a far less marmite proposition than Frank however and it's quite easy to like much of Ready for the Weekend even if you could only manage thinly-veiled disgust for his debut.

I Created Disco was an enjoyable record in places, but for the most part it was rigidly formulaic. While several of the songs on RFTW adhere to the same template, it's when Harris experiments with additional instrumentation such as the acoustic guitars at the beginning of Blue or Relax that the sonic landscape moves beyond a gauntlet of synthesisers and drums machines and finds a niche of its own. Worst Day also features an acoustic intro but is arguably the worst track on show here, neither catchy enough to make anyone want to dance nor strong enough in its narrative to be a compelling listen. It does feature an excellent cameo from US rapper Izza Kizza though, provided you make it that far into the track.

Aside from session backing singer Mary Pearce's powerful bluster through the chorus of the titular second single, the only other real collaboration is the chart-topping Dance Wiv Me which still sounds as fresh as when it was first released and contains the best bass line Harris has mustered since The Girls. It also marks the beginning of what could be a long and fruitful partnership with Dizzee Rascal; Harris has since produced the UK star's latest single Holiday and Dizzee has recently gone on record as saying a whole album starring the two is a possibility.

First single I'm Not Alone shows a side to his songwriting that his debut barely hinted at and is the first real surprise of the album. Building again from a simple base of guitar and vocals, the themes of isolation and insecurity lend it a weight that "I get all the girls, I get all the girls" wouldn't be able to achieve if it was tied to a lorry load of bricks. Luckily before things get too depressing and dance floors across the nation are strewn with corpses, the inevitably massive synth kicks in and normal service is resumed. In contrast to this and by his own layered standards, You Used to Hold Me is positively minimalist and all the more effective for it.

While there's plenty of positives in the above chunks of text, one thing still grates about the Calvin Harris experience; the words. Simplicity's not necessarily a bad thing but the lyric sheet (were the album to actually come with one) reads like something a five year old would scrawl with a crayon. After a lobotomy. He sets the bar too high too early with the colossal four syllables of 'colosseum' in opening track The Rain and after that it's downhill to the trough that is Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La. While mainstream dance music may not be renowned for its wordiness, the fact that both online and in interviews Harris comes across as an intelligent, articulate guy can make this a mildly frustrating listen. The two weak instrumentals Burns Night and 5iliconeator don't cover themselves in glory either, the former pointless and the latter a lazy blend of beeps and piano chords with a total of zero emotional resonance.

In summary: Pretty likeable bloke makes pretty likeable album. Buy it or don't; either way there's little chance you'll be able to escape it over the coming months.

Listen: www.myspace.com/calvinharristv

Tracklist:
1. The Rain
2. Ready for the Weekend
3. Stars Come Out
4. You Used to Hold Me
5. Blue
6. I'm Not Alone
7. Flashback
8. Worst Day
9. Relax
10. Limits
11. Burns Night
12. Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La
13. Dance Wiv Me
14. 5iliconeator

Review - Dawn Landes - Sweet Heart Rodeo

Dawn Landes - Sweet Heart Rodeo

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6 out of 10

If you like Laura Cantrell's voice but find her music 'a bit too Country' then fret not - even pedantic idiots like you have a saviour and her name is Dawn Landes. The third album from this Kentucky singer-songwriter, Sweet Heart Rodeo manages to be pleasant and inoffensive without being tedious or twee. Quite a feat. Even the experiments with electronica come off and sit well with the overall acoustic vibe. Not a triumph, perhaps more an Austin 7.

Listen: www.myspace.com/dawnlandes

Tracklist:
1. Young Girl
2. Romeo
3. Money In The Bank
4. Love
5. Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
6. Clown
7. Wandering Eye
8. Little Miss Holiday
9. Dance Area
10. Brighton
11. All Dressed In White

Review - Chickenhawk - A. Or Not?

Chickenhawk - A. Or Not?

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9 out of 10

Not content with unleashing the mighty Kong on an unsuspecting planet, Leeds' Brew Records threaten to upset Earth's rotation yet again with Chickenhawk and their apparent addiction to Big Black and copious amounts of steroids. In a good way, obviously. 'Metal' hasn't sounded this vitalised for years, decades, even. Yes, it's that good. No unnecessary guitar-widdly, no self-indulgent Cookie Monster vomiting, no surrender. Just a sound that is not so much 'in your face' as 'through your skull.'

Listen: www.myspace.com/chickenhawk

Tracklist:
1. I Hate This, Do You Like It?
2. Son of Cern
3. NASA vs ESA

Review - Fukkk Offf - Love Me Hate Me Kiss Me Kill Me

Fukkk Offf - Love Me Hate Me Kiss Me Kill Me

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4 out of 10

You may dismiss this sort of malarkey as 2 Unlimited taking themselves 2 seriously and you would not be far wrong. What might work as a single track in a club when one is the worse for Saturday night and its flashing lights becomes disorienting-ly repetitive as a whole album. Drums are ice-picks in the skull, vocals cling to the psyche like toxic fog and synths stink the whole place out with electro-farts. About half-way through (Bloodfuck, to be exact) one's mind gives in, as on some subconscious level brain waves have become beat-synced to the incessant 4/4 tish-tish thud-thud. Needs to come with; a free dark room, wizzy popper and a life-size cardboard cut-out of a large man sporting a moustache, mirror shades and leather cap. And nothing else.

Listen: www.myspace.com/fukkkofff

Tracklist:
1. Love Me Hate Me Kiss Me Kill Me
2. More Than Friends
3. Rave Is King
4. Love My Shake
5. I Give You Bass
6. The Bottom
7. Bloodfuck
8. I'm A Freak
9. Black Phantom
10. Famous
11. Rock, Paper, Scissors
12. Pretend
13. Bad Boy

Review - Milow - Ayo Technology (Single)

Milow - Ayo Technology (Single)

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6 out of 10

'Fiddy Polished Up By Belgian Shock' could very well be the headline somewhere fo' this pizzle-o shiz-lo, which has ripped through mainland Europe like a dose of schwein flu. You may disagree, fans of the original, as Milow has shorn the track of its lumbering sense of being beaten around the head by a giant black dildo and, instead, crafted a lightly dark acoustic guitar trundle. Fiddy should get tha' drop on this mofo before his next album and do the double - disc one, regular hippity-hop thuggaloo. Disc two - Fiddy breaks out his Lil' Martin and goes all Cat Stevens on disc one's silvery ass. Slo-mo shots of jiggly jugglies at sundown in da vid and you gots a winner. Fo'sho'.

Listen: www.myspace.com/milowbe

Tracklist:
1. Ayo Technology

News - Abandon Kansas Have Got A Gotee

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Abandon Kansas has signed to Gotee Records. Their new EP "We're All Going Somewhere" will be released on the 8th of September.

News - The Thought Criminals - All The Freaks

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The Thought Criminals release their new single "All The Freaks" on the 31st of August through WTII Records.

Track Listing:

1. All The Freaks (Radio Edit)
2. All The Freaks (Deep City vs Drifta Remix)
3. All The Freaks (Deep City vs Dance Remix)
4. All The Freaks (Acapella)

Review - Dinosaur Jr - Pieces (Single)

Dinosaur Jr - Pieces (Single)

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7 out of 10

Y'know, Dinosaur JR are one of the few bands I was genuinely pleased when they got back together. Often reunions stink of money grabbing, and whether or not this was the case with Dinosaur JR their comeback album, Beyond, was great - retaining much of what made them special in the first place, but without trying to hang on to the youthful vitriol that they could never hope to recapture as older men.

This song of the new album, Farm, continues that trend. One of the bands slower, more relaxed pieces (see what I did there?), it still features their trademark buzzsaw guitars and J Mascis' distinctive, drawled vocals. Basically, if you like Dinosaur JR you'll like this.

Listen: www.myspace.com/dinosaurjr

Tracklist:
1. Pieces

Review - Sights & Sounds - Monolith

Sights & Sounds - Monolith

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5 out of 10

You know when hardcore bands have done a couple of albums and actually learnt to play their instruments they usually stick one or two kinda post hardcore tracks on their next album just 'cos they're a bit bored of constantly playing three chords as fast as they possibly can, and those tracks are usually quite good in the context of the album 'cos they give you a break from the constant aggression and fit in well with the usually by this point more complex and interesting hardcore tracks? A bit like the last (or first, depending on whether or not you remember them as American Nightmare) Give up the Ghost album?

Well, imagine if a band (less good than Give up the Ghost) were to make a whole album of those songs. Would it sound a bit like a butcher .And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead or one of those bands the kids probably likes Thrice? Would you expect the hints of Deftones? Well that's what you get here, although it's not as bad as that probably makes it sound. There are some nice ideas here, and the slower songs in particular are quite good, even if they do drag on a bit sometimes - there's a nice sense of building atmosphere and impending doom, especially in some of the instrumental moments. But then there are moments (and tracks) that are quite frankly bland and dull, which is a shame because the good tracks would probably have made a really good EP.

Listen: www.myspace.com/sightsandsounds

Tracklist:
1. Sorrows
2. Shudder, St. Kilda
3. Storm &The Sun
4. The Clutter
5. Neighbours
6. The Furthest Truth
7. Pedal Against The Wind
8. Night Train
9. Reconcile
10. Borderlines
11. Subtle, Severe
12. Sorrows II
13. Pillars

Review - El Dog - A Princess, A Monkey, The Stars and the Sea / -00-

El Dog - A Princess, A Monkey, The Stars and the Sea / -00-

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3 out of 10

You know what this is like? It's a lot like Muse, only less wanky. It also has hints of Mogwai, Biffy Clyro, The Smashing Pumpkins. But no, it's basically a less wanky Muse. That's not a bad thing, I mean if you like Muse but you think they're a bit too wanky you might like this. If, on the other hand, you think Muse are little but wank, then you probably won't. I don't like Muse.

Listen: www.myspace.com/eldogmusic

Tracklist:
1. A Princess, A Monkey, The Stars and the Sea
2. -00-

Review - Gray Young - Firmament

Gray Young - Firmament

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8 out of 10

It's a fairly well known trait of "post rock" music that the songs tend to be really, really long. Epic masterpieces with dips and swells, crushing lows and triumphant crescendos. Gray Young aren't like that.

They somehow manage to distil that indefinable essence of great post rock into short, punchy three minute pop songs. Imagine The Get Up Kids and Explosions in the Sky jamming together after having listened to The Beach Boys and A Brief and Triumphant Interlude off Against Me!'s second album. On the beach, in the sun.

It's really good, and it's not just achieved by playing faster than post rock usually is (although it is faster, I think). There's some really good songwriting going on here, and the whole CD has a lovely sprightly summery sound that you just can't help but smile to. And it does have crushing lows and triumphant crescendos; they're just a bit more compact.

Listen: www.myspace.com/grayyoung

Tracklist:
1. Provenance
2. Convoy
3. Tilling the Wind
4. Cavalcade for Sundown
5. First Perennial Fall
6. Across the Loft
7. Firmament
8. (Ghost Notes)
9. Precipice
10. Woven
11. Sway
12. Doorlight
13. Aurora

Review - LDZ - The Puppa Murc EP

LDZ - The Puppa Murc EP

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6 out of 10

I think it's fair to say this is a dancefloor record. The basslines and beats are definitely designed to get the floor moving, and that's fair enough - I reckon it'll do that amply. What's a bit more surprising is that the EP (mostly) works really well in a home listening kinda way too. I say mostly because "Bitch" is pretty rubbish. The first two tracks are dubstep style, but elevated by MC Dabbla's rhyming and some really quite filthy basslines, that must sound enormous through a big sound system. Go This Way is much more of a hip hop track, with Dabbla completely changing his style to fit the hip hop breaks.

I reckon these guys could do great things, I just hope Dabbla's lyrical prowess doesn't get diluted for the masses in the process.

Listen: www.myspace.com/londonzoo

Tracklist:
1. Wave 2 da Floor
2. Bitch
3. It's Not Relevant
4. Go This Way

Review - Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers - When Harry Met Charlie (Single)

Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers - When Harry Met Charlie (Single)

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8 out of 10

Is it even possible to dislike a band who writes a love song about Charles Darwin and a tortoise (the titular Harry, who actually turned out to be a Harriet and died aged 176 in an Australian zoo)?

No, of course it's not, especially when that band write a particularly charming style of folk pop. Even the dub remix is really good, as is the alternate version of the main song, even if it does sound a bit like it should be on a bad US sitcom.

Listen: www.myspace.com/findlaynapier

Tracklist:
1. When Harry Met Charlie
2. Out All Night (Andy Taylor Pimp My Pickup Dub Remake)
3. When Harry Met Charlie (The original Queen Anne's Revenge version)

Review - Paalmer - Old School

Paalmer - Old School

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3 out of 10

When I first put this on I thought maybe it was a joke. As it turns out it's actually French. I don't know whether that makes it better or worse. Musically reminiscent of various bands on the People Like You label (which I'm sure used to be I Used to Fuck People Like You in Prison Records) and Status Quo, with straightforward crunchy punk rock chords it's the lyrics where this really shines. They're awful. Really, really awful - as you may have gathered from the song titles. It gets worse from there. I think I'd prefer it if they sang in French, it'd be less cringeworthy.

Listen: www.myspace.com/paalmer

Tracklist:
1. Punkrocker
2. Sleep With U
3. I Believe
4. Ramones Fever

Review - Zenyth - Fall

Zenyth - Fall

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1 out of 10

From the cover I was expecting this to be rubbish black metal. It's not, it's rubbish middle of the road pop rock, which is possibly worse. It's like a Welsh Daughtry with latter day (read: shit) Manics as an influence. I hate Daughtry and I hate this. Ooh I just looked at the photo in the CD booklet, one of the band has a potato head that looks a bit like Daughtry's Mekon head. Brilliant.

Listen: www.myspace.com/zenythmusic

Tracklist:
1. Fall
2. Death of the City
3. Adore You
4. Dirt
5. Voices

Review - The Poison Arrows - First Class, And Forever

The Poison Arrows - First Class, And Forever

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8 out of 10

They have some pedigree behind them already. Members have played in Don Cab and Atombombpocketknife, they have shared tours with Boris, Battles, Holy Fuck and Dianogah and this very album was recorded at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio Studios. Pretty sweet. Then you listen to it and realise that the music is even sweeter! Forward thinking, progressive indie rock.

There are ghosts of Don Cab and Atom in here. But these sit alongside a far more cohesive and slightly reigned in musical outlook. Employing far more light and shade, a healthy dose of effects and strong vocal lines has got me thinking about The Cooper Temple Clause jamming with Battles. Which depending on how you view those groups is either amazing or daft. If it's the latter then you are obviously retarded and this album needs to be heard.

Listen: www.myspace.com/thepoisonarrows

Tracklist:
1. Future Wine
2. Total Beverage
3. Fire Up The Happiness Center
4. Twenty Percent Brighter
5. Casual Wave
6. An Unexploded Dream
7. The Path of Least Resistance
8. Peruvian Mountain Fight
9. To Meet Eyes
10. Ideal Omens

Review - Rat Attack - This Is Art

Rat Attack - This Is Art

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4 out of 10

How do you update your love of SOIA and old Fat Wreck punk with that trendy old school/new school hardcore attitude that is so common these days? Well in the case of Rat Attack, you do what they sound like on this release. Pretty honest, simple and slightly derivative at times.

They have the skill and a good resume, they can certainly play there instruments well enough and sling together cohesive songs but the main problem is the fact that it sounds very much like we have heard it all before. Gallows, The Ghost Of A Thousand and even second rate dross like Lower Than Atlantis are bouncing down this path at the moment. Rat Attack are good enough to join the herd but need something else to stand out.

Listen: www.myspace.com/ratattack

Tracklist:
1. The Southern Lights
2. I Still Function
3. This Is Art
4. Lets End The World
5. Sleep in The Wreckage
6. Forced Smile

Review - Mrkaxn - Demo

Mrkaxn - Demo

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7 out of 10

Ripping hardcore thrash with a left field attitude? That takes your fancy? Well Midland newcomers Mrkaxn (sorry spell check) sound just like that. A slightly more drawn out take on crossover/hardcore. Imagine Trash Talk, up the slow grinding parts, chuck in tons more screaming and you have this lot. Really good, honest, fast, slow, discordant, aggro music. Bend your ear around it.

Listen: www.myspace.com/mrkaxn

Tracklist:
1. -
2. -
3. -
4. -

Review - Placebo - The Never-Ending Why (Single)

Placebo - The Never-Ending Why (Single)

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7 out of 10

Taken from their latest album, 'Battle for the Sun', Placebo's latest release is going to take quite a lot to beat. For fans of their earlier stuff, do not panic, 'The Never-Ending Why' is perfect to get back on track and feel the energetic buzz that Placebo once had. It is safe to say that it oozes with earlier Placebo riffs whilst Brian Molko's powerful vocals magnify their finest energy.

After being put off a little by the direction of Placebo recently it is refreshing to hear that they are now back to their old selves. This is reinforced by the opening of the track stabbing out with a classic Placebo bass line. With festival appearances and a tour it seems the wiser option to revert back to the sound of classic albums such as 'Black Market Music' and retain old and new fans alike. Some people may argue that Placebo lost their buzz before the release of their previous album 'Meds', but even if this is true they are back to prove you wrong.

Available on CD single and 7" vinyl this is definitely one for the collection of any avid Placebo fan as well as new fans. Let's rekindle our love for Placebo and not forget that they still have that spark.

Listen: www.myspace.com/placebo

Tracklist:
1. The Never-Ending Why

Review - Eskimo Project - Once Around The Sun

Eskimo Project - Once Around The Sun

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8 out of 10

To describe how this band sound I would ask you to imagine a sliding scale with The Bluetones at one end and The Feeling at the other, then you can put Eskimo Project right in the middle of that scale. Add a dollop of Beatles essence and you can pretty much get an idea of what to expect on Once Around The Sun - total singalongability from start to finish.

From the start with Fly in the Ointment you get songs that you can easily remember, sing and dance along to. The stand out track of the album for me is single Hydrogen Bomb, which is power pop at its best. Apparently this album was made on the shoe-iest of strings which is quite simply amazing as the quality of the production is awesome. The only real let down is that at first listen many of the songs sound very similar, in fact I didn't realise that the last two tracks Stay and Rumbled were separate songs for a few listens.

Overall thought this album is very promising and I look forward to hearing more from Eskimo Project in the future.

Listen: www.eskimoproject.com

Tracklist:
1. Fly in the Ointment
2. Hydrogen Bomb
3. Grey Matters
4. Time
5. Dreaming of Summer
6. Your Signal's Fading Out
7. Invisible Man
8. More to Life?
9. Fair Cop
10. Stay
11. Rumbled

News - We Shot the Moon: A Silver Lining

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We Shot the Moon will release their new album "A Silver Lining" on the 6th of October digitally through Afternoon Records.

Track Listing:

1. Miracle
2. Woke Her Up
3. Should Have Been
4. The Brightside
5. Come Back
6. Red Night
7. In Good Time
8. A Silver Lining
9. Amarillo
10. Amy
11. Candles

News - This Romantic Tragedy New EP

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This Romantic Tragedy will release their new EP "Trust in Fear" on the 22nd of September through Tragic Hero Records.

Track Listing:

1. The Worst Part of Waking Up
2. Trust in Fear
3. I’ll Shut You Down
4. Gray’s a Shade of Black
5. Sound’s Delicious

News - Celebrate Madonna...

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Submitted: "Warner Bros. Records has confirmed the final track listing for Madonna's upcoming "Celebration" CD - The "Ultimate" Compilation - and "Celebration: The Video Collection" DVD. The songs which were selected by Madonna and her fans have all been exquisitely remastered. "Celebration" will be available as a two-CD set as well as a single CD.

"Celebration: The Video Collection" DVD will include unedited and never before seen footage of "Justify My Love" along with 27 Madonna videos to be released on a 2 disc DVD compilation for "the very first time" including "Into The Groove" and "Give It To Me" as well as the just completed video of Madonna's new single "Celebration."

Madonna Celebration CD Track Listing:

CD 1:
01) Hung Up
02) Music
03) Vogue
04) 4 Minutes
05) Holiday
06) Everybody
07) Like A Virgin
08) Into The Groove
09) Like A Prayer
10) Ray Of Light
11) Sorry
12) Express Yourself
13) Open Your Heart
14) Borderline
15) Secret
16) Erotica
17) Justify My Love
18) Revolver

CD 2:
01) Dress You Up
02) Material Girl
03) La Isla Bonita
04) Papa Don’t Preach
05) Lucky Star
06) Burning Up
07) Crazy For You
08) Who’s That Girl
09) Frozen
10) Miles Away
11) Take A Bow
12) Live To Tell
13) Beautiful Stranger
14) Hollywood
15) Die Another Day
16) Don't Tell Me
17) Cherish
18) Celebration

Madonna Celebration DVD Track Listing:

01) Burning Up
02) Lucky Star
03) Borderline
04) Like A Virgin
05) Material Girl
06) Crazy For You
07) Into The Groove
08) Live To Tell
09) Paper Don't Preach
10) True Blue
11) Open Your Heart
12) La Isla Bonita
13) Who's That Girl
14) Like A Prayer
15) Express Yourself
16) Cherish
17) Vogue
18) Justify My Love
19) Erotica
20) Deeper and Deeper
21) Rain
22) I'll Remember
23) Secret
24) Take A Bow
25) Bedtime Story
26) Human Nature
27) I Want You
28) You'll See
29) Frozen
30) Ray Of Light
31) The Power Of Good-Bye
32) Beautiful Stranger
33) American Pie
34) Music
35) Don't Tell Me
36) What It Feels Like For A Girl
37) Die Another Day
38) Hollywood
39) Love Profusion
40) Hung Up
41) Sorry
42) Get Together
43) Jump
44) 4 Minutes
45) Give It 2 Me
46) Miles Away
47) Celebration

News - Man From Another Time = Seasick Steve

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Seasick Steve will release new album "Man From Another Time" on the 19th of October through Atlantic Records.

News - JLS - Everybody in Love

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JLS will release their second single "Everybody in Love" on the 2nd of November with their debut album following on the 9th of November.

News - Baddies Are Set To Do The Job

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Baddies will release their debut album "Do The Job" on the 21st of September through Medical/Proper Records.

Live dates:

Aug-09

Thu, 27, England, Bedford, Esquires
Fri, 28, England, Leeds, Festival
Sat, 29, England, Reading, Festival

Sep-09
Thu, 10, England, Southampton, Hamptons
Sat, 12, England, Bestival
Fri, 25, England, London, This Feeling

Oct-09
Thurs, 1, Ireland, Dublin, Academy 2
Fri, 2, Ireland, Belfast, Auntie Annies
Sun, 4, Scotland, Glasgow, Captains Rest
Mon, 5, England, Newcastle, Cluny
Wed, 7, England, Leeds, Cockpit
Thu, 8, England, Manchester, Moho
Fri, 9, England, Nottingham, Rock City
Sat, 10, England, Birmingham, Academy 2
Mon, 12, England, London, Borderline

Review - Pearl Jam - The Fixer (Single)

Pearl Jam - The Fixer (Single)

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7 out of 10

They've a new album out towards the end of September, various enormo-dome gigs around Europe and this, the 'hottest record in the world', according to one Zane Lowe (I think he works for radio or something, not sure). Let's ignore that last plaudit, shall we? Because the track itself is pretty damn good, with P to the J sounding for all the world like a rocked-up version of The Police, at least to start with. It's not an instant classic by any means and won't turn any non-Jammers heads but when you have the personnel they have, it's pretty hard to go wrong - Eddie Vedder can perform Sabbath's Iron Man on a ukulele and still make it sound awesome.

Listen: www.pearljam.com

Tracklist:
1. The Fixer

Review - Man The Destroyer - Man The Destroyer

Man The Destroyer - Man The Destroyer

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2 out of 10

Man The Destroyer are your go-to band for bemoaning the evils of Homo Sapiens; 'Here come the soldiers from the other side / Carrying flags and guns that severed heads / Children crying "Where's my dad?" ' (Soldier), "I have read between the lines, and came to realize / That freedom is a lie" (When Freedom Fails). You get the general idea, I'm sure. What one needs to underpin this chest-beating hand-wringing (is that possible?) is a sound of majesty and power, a sound to thrill hearts, inspire minds and drop knickers. That's a pity, because what we have on this album is the kind of stumbling, generic metal that gives the genre a bad name.

There a brief flickers of flavour; All Form A Line shows a glimmer of dark imaginings, Freakout attempts a half-decent riff and Push It Down wants to ram it, but they are overwhelmed by undercooked stodge. They name check Metallica and Guns n' Roses. I laughed.

Listen: www.myspace.com/manthedestroyermusic

Tracklist:
1. Wasted Life
2. When Freedom Fails
3. Forever June
4. The Hole
5. All Form A Line
6. It Ends With you
7. Seven Deadly Sins
8. Freakout
9. Push It Down
10. Soldier
11. Something Of That Nature

News - blessthefall South America Tour Video Update

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blessthefall have put up two new tour update videos from their recent trip to South America on their MySpace page.

News - Attack! Attack! vs Go:Audio

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Attack! Attack! will support Go:Audio on their tour on the following dates:

OCT 03: OXFORD, Academy
OCT 04: LIVERPOOL, Academy
OCT 05: NEWCASTLE, Academy
OCT 06: GLASGOW, ABC
OCT 07: LEEDS, Academy
OCT 09: SHEFFIELD, Academy
OCT 10: MANCHESTER, Academy
OCT 11: NORWICH, UEA
OCT 12: BIRMINGHAM, Academy
OCT 14: NOTTINGHAM, Rock City
OCT 15: BRISTOL, Academy
OCT 16: YEOVIL, Westlands
OCT 17: LONDON, Shepherds Bush Empire

News - Wallis Bird - New Bootique Tour

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Submitted: "Wallis Bird is very pleased to announce details of a mini 'tour' of London shoe boutiques to help celebrate the release of her new album "New Boots" which is released on the 7th of September.

Both performances are free and on the release date of the album:

1:30pm - Laura J London, 114 Islington High Street, London, N1
5:00pm - Poste Mistress, 61-63 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H"

News - Alice In Chains New Album!

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Alice In Chains’ new album "Black Gives Way To Blue" will be released on the 28th of September through Parlophone. The single "Check My Brain" is coming out prior to the album on the 21st of September.

News - Polar Bear Club - One Hit Back

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Polar Bear Club’s new album "Chasing Hamburg" will be released on the 8th of September. A new track called "One Hit Back" is streaming on Absolutepunk.net now. You can pre-order the album through the Bridge Nine Records store here: www.b9store.com

News - Rise To Remain Sign To Transcend Records

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Rise To Remain have signed to Transcend Records.

The bands front man Austin Dickinson said "As a new band, we want to do things our own way, not follow the crowd and to be our own entity instead of trading quality for quantity, so to speak. For the sake of our longevity, its crucial that we get the right people, our own people, behind us. Transcend Records, boasting a stellar roster already, absolutely came through for us and are the ideal label for where we are currently at. We’re incredibly happy that Rob and the rest of the Transcend team are working with us, and we absolutely can’t wait to unleash hell with them!"

News - Jennifer’s Body Soundtrack Out Now

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The soundtrack to the new film Jennifer’s Body starring Megan Fox, Adam Brody and Amanda Seyfried is in stores today through Fueled By Ramen.

It features new music from Panic! At The Disco, Cobra Starship, All Time Low, Dashboard Confessional and Hayley Williams of Paramore.

It is also available on iTunes as a Deluxe Version with three bonus tracks and Panic! At The Disco’s music video for ’New Perspective.’

Florence + The Machine - Kiss With A Fist
Panic! At The Disco - New Perspective
Hayley Williams - Teenagers
Little Boots - New In Town
Dashboard Confessional - Finishing School
Low Shoulder - Through The Trees
Cute Is What We Aim For - Time
Screeching Weasel - I Can See Clearly Now
Cobra Starship - Chew Me Up & Spit Me Out
All Time Low - Toxic Valentine
Black Kids - I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
White Lies - Death
The Sword - Celestial Crown
Silversun Pickups - Little Lover’s So Polite
Lissy Trullie - Ready For The Floor

News - The Used - Artwork (Album Stream)

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The Used's new album "Artwork" is up for streaming now through the band’s MySpace page. It’s released on the 31st of August.

News - Taio Cruz Will Break Your Heart

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Taio Cruz will be releasing new single "Break Your Heart" on the 14th of September. It’s taken from his second album "T.W.O. (This Way Out)" which will be released later in the year.

News - Capital Lights Are Over!

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Capital Lights have called it quits. Read their MySpace blog about it here:

"Hello everyone,
I just signed on the myspace for the first time in forever and I realized that it’s been a long time since we have given our friends and fans an update on whats going on with Capital Lights. I know there are rumors, and a lot of people have come to us asking whether or not it’s true that the band has broken up. The truth is that yes, with a whole lot of prayer, we have decided to call it quits. All of us in Capital Lights discussed and prayed about this for a few months before we mutually agreed on the decision. Although it’s sad to see something that meant so much to us come to an end, it’s with complete confidence when I say it’s for the better. We all felt God had different plans for our lives, and it would have been impossible to pursue those plans while continuing with the band. I know that’s the same thing you have heard time and time again with so many bands. I’ve always hated when bands break up because members feel themselves being pulled different directions... but the truth is, you never really understand it until your at that point yourself. Words can not stress how thankful we are for everyone who supported us over the past couple years. We loved playing music for all of you and thank God for providing us with that oppourtunity. Without our fans, we wouldn’t have ever done anything more than just jammed in a garage somehwere. We had a blast touring the country for the past year and a half and feel lucky that we were able to meet so many new people. To everyone who ever bought a cd, shirt, sticker, or even dropped change into the tip box at our merch table, thank you so much... without realizing it, you were a blessing that helped get us from one town to the next. Maybe somehow we will see you all again one day. We also want to thank the Hill family, and everyone who ever gave us a home to sleep in. You all made us feel very welcome and ANYTHING beat the van!
It’s crazy to reflect on the last year and a half and realize how much has happened. We signed with Tooth & Nail, recorded an album in Seattle, then toured the country. It was something we all wanted to do and once again, we appreciate you all for helping us live our dream. All of us in Capital Lights are back in school and as of last night, Brett is now engaged. So message him and tell him his life is over.
just kidding.
God Bless you all and thanks again!

-Bryson, Brett, Michael, Jonny, Jon, and Justin.

ps- As of right now our cd’s are still being sold in Best Buy, Fye, Indies, Hastings, etc... so go and buy a copy if you havent already!!!"

News - Secret and Whisper: Teenage Fantasy

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Secret and Whisper’s new album is called "Teenage Fantasy" and it should be out on the 9th of February 2010.

News - The Ataris New Album Title

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The Ataris’ new album will be called "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" and released later this year.

News - Hatebreed - In Ashes They Shall Reap

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Hatebreed have posted a new song called "In Ashes They Shall Reap" on their MySpace page.

News - Sonic Syndicate Announce Their New Singer...

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Nathan J Biggs is the new singer for Sonic Syndicate.

Sonic Syndicate commented:

"The search is over and the band is complete once again! Nathan is probably the best thing that ever happened to Sonic Syndicate since the discovery of distorted guitars and the work we´ve done together is by far the best we´ve achieved to date! He´s like the long lost brother we never had and has also fused the rest of us together more closely than before. The rebellion has begun!" - Sonic Syndicate

Nathan commented:

"Something incredible and totally unpredictable has happened here! Not only have I managed to land myself in one the most promising bands in the world, I’ve gained a new family too. The energy between Sonic and I is electric and its producing some breath taking results. We’re taking it to the next level - Don’t blink or you’ll be running to catch up with us!" - Nathan J. Biggs

The band will be releasing a new EP called "Rebellion", which contains two brand new songs ("Burn This City", "Rebellion In Nightmareland") featuring Nathan, on the 6th of November.

News - Gwen Stacy Sign To Solid State Records

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Gwen Stacy has signed to Solid State Records. Their new album "A Dialogue" will be out on the 20th of October.

Track Listing:

1. The First Words
2. Profit Motive
3. A Dialogue
4. Creation and How I See It
5. Words of the New Prophet
6. Devil Devil
7. Addictionary
8. Braveheart
9. A Middle Ground
10. The Maknig Of
11. The Sound of Letting Go

Review - Cobra Starship - Hot Mess

Cobra Starship - Hot Mess

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9 out of 10

'Hot Mess' is the third release from the mock pop (or is it?) super group Cobra Starship. Still Signed to Pete Wentz's (of Fall Out Boy fame) Fueled By Ramen label the group are probably still best known for their debut dingle "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)" which was release in promotion of the film of the same name. While probably the best b movie of all time, the accompanying single naturally included the infamous Samuel L. Jackson quote, "I have had it with these motherfucking snakes on this motherfucking plane!"

The debut single set up Cobra Starship as the perfect bed mates for the movie, both being campy pastiches of pop culture, lack any seriousness or subtly. Three albums later the Starship evidently haven't looked back.

Their third release 'Hot Mess' continues their cheestastic endeavours, blending bubble gum pop songs, indie and retro style synths to make a strange blend of dance floor and iPod sleaze. Shania Twain, Cher, Westlife, Micheal Jackson, Wham, Fall Out Boy, all could be considered influences, from gentle hand clapping to hardcore pick racking Hot Mess uses every trick in the book form every genre to craft a motley collection that detail the subversion of rich girls and stand offs with the cast of 'Cats'.

Admittedly Cobra Starship aren't Boyzone but neither have they sat down and decided to make an album with a strong political message or anything of that sort (see Street Sweeper Social Club).It's basically a big fat pile of American party rock that pastiches any scrap of pop culture in reach,

"Whadda wanna do thirst? How bout a keg stand? Or play bails on chin wid' a fat chick?"

Nevertheless there's some great melodic interludes thrown in for good measure and rich vocal tapestries going down here, but make no mistake, as professional and polished as it sounds it's not serious music by any stretch of the imagination.

"Good Girls Go Bad" sounds like the Back Street Boys after a heavy night of crystal meth/autotuner abuse that leads to a decrepit mid 90's club track about sexual vampirism, leading into the next track "Fold Your Hands".

The title track "Hot Mess" is perfect dance floor freak-out material, sounding a little bit like CSS, while exploded all over your face whether you wanted it to or not. "Living in the Sky with Diamonds" is an unholy but catchy blend of about five different golden oldies, from the obvious Beatles reference to the Stones. "The Scene is Dead: Long Live the Scene" sounds like Justice Vs. simian sound clashed with Celine Dion. However the Hands down winner has to be "Pete Wentz is the Only Reason we're Famous" (partly true), only six words can do this beauty justice; "Take me to the danger zone".

Looking for some seriously introspective, deep and emotional music? Well, look somewhere else. But if you're after an album to stick on at your next house party before the wet t-shirt competition starts, then this is the ticket you're after.

Cobra Starship has done it again.

Listen: www.myspace.com/cobrastarship

Tracklist:
1. Nice Guys Finish Last
2. Pete Wentz is the Only Reason we're Famous
3. Good Girls Go Bad
4. Fold Your Hands Child
5. You're not in on the Joke
6. Hot Mess
7. Living in the Sky with Diamonds
8. Wet Hot American Summer
9. The Scene Is Dead; Long Live the Scene
10. Move Like You Gonna Die
11. The World Will Never Do

Review - The Hot Melts - Red Lips (Single)

The Hot Melts - Red Lips (Single)

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7 out of 10

Red Lips swaggers along the track burned by Guns n' Roses et. al. - well, it swaggers as much as a British band can let themselves, anyway. In the hands of an American band a track like this would be nothing but swagger, of course, so the Hot Melts should be commended for retaining some soul and balls, as opposed to soulless bollocks. It stomps, it grinds and has a riff so in-your-face it's practically up your nose. How has this emerged from the Wirral?

Listen: www.myspace.com/thehotmelts

Tracklist:
1. Red Lips

Review - ist - Toothpick Bridge

ist - Toothpick Bridge

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6 out of 10

This is a big band, with a big voice - a voice sometimes too big for the music backing it, if this album is anything to go by. One senses great things to come, like watching an Australian batsman take guard at a roaring Oval. Demand, You Should Be Ashamed and Would You Buy A Bible From This Man? certainly show song writing of a depth and imagination lacking in 99% of popular music at the moment, with the delivery to back them up. For a similar feel, stick on some Ball Boy or Hefner. Call me an ungrateful pedant but I feel a truly massive sound is required. Regardless of that, however, ist's space is most definitely to be watched.

Listen: www.myspace.com/ist

Tracklist:
1. The Boy's Not Right
2. Pep Talk
3. Headache
4. Rebecca
5. A Scotsman In A Church
6. Would You Buy A Bible From This Man?
7. Demand
8. Remington Steele
9. Social Workers #12 & 35
10. Company of Sense
11. This Must Be The Desert
12. You Should Be Ashamed
13. Yer Man's A Bingo Caller
14. She Clears Her Throat

Review - Martin Heslop - Martin Heslop

Martin Heslop - Martin Heslop

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5 out of 10

Musically, Martin Heslop mainlines Tom Waits; accordions, gypsy guitars and drunken rhythms are all very much to the fore. Unfortunately, his voice isn't. There's little character or strength but at least he doesn't pretend to be American, and his songs have an affecting honesty which wins the listener over, much in the mould of John Tams: 'No attention do I crave / that's a game that I won't play' (No Lullaby). Let us, once again, see if he gets the choice.

Listen: www.myspace.com/martinheslop

Tracklist:
1. As The Stories Burn
2. No Lullaby
3. Away With The Wagon
4. Mince and Potatoes
5. The Prisoner

Review - Answers On Postcards - Holiday / Do You Miss Me (Single)

Answers On Postcards - Holiday / Do You Miss Me (Single)

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3 out of 10

This has got 'Battle of the Bands runners up - two years running' all over it. Jolly, bouncy, indie cod-ska. Yes, it's that interesting. Strictly for those who think music begins and ends with Toploader. Anyone with a V Festival ticket, in other words. Yawn.

Listen: www.myspace.com/answersonpostcards

Tracklist:
1. Holiday
2. Do You Miss Me

Review - T.I. - Remember Me (feat. Mary J. Blige) (Single)

T.I. - Remember Me (feat. Mary J. Blige) (Single)

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2 out of 10

This is probably already a hit, downloaded to a gazillion mobiles and ripe for playing on tinny speakers in bus-shelters throughout the land. La Blige lends her customary divaship to what is, essentially, a by-the-book 'R n' B anthem' from a gentleman who is so passionate about his music that he can only be dragged out of the studio to commit some unspecified crimes with guns. Great.

Listen: www.myspace.com/trapmuzik

Tracklist:
1. Remember Me (Clean Radio Edit)

Review - Sick City Club - Valletta (Single)

Sick City Club - Valletta (Single)

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3 out of 10

This band are damn lucky England have won the Ashes, that's all I can say. Anyone hyped by the airbrushed pricks of Radio One or cited as 'the mainstream darlings of the future' by someone who pays more attention to their hair than their spirit naturally receives the Eldritch stake-burning. I found my head nodding to this, however. My head has obviously served its purpose and, like Freddy Flintoff's knee, needs replacing. Excuse me while I find a suitable kitchen knife. . .

. . . Can't find one. Oh well. I'll just have to try and find some words to describe yet more aurally-beige nonsense, then. This track should be top of the Ikea Radio playlist. Will that do?

Listen: www.myspace.com/sickcityclubmusic

Tracklist:
1. Valletta

News - Callahan Summer Sampler EP Stream

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Callahan are streaming their new EP "Summer Sampler" now through their PureVolume page.

News - Love Travels With Angel Taylor

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Angel Taylor will release her new album "Love Travels" on the 22nd of September through Columbia Records.

News - Nephu Huzzband - Elementary

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Nephu Huzzband will release their debut album "Elementary" in October. A full UK tour will be announced soon.

News - Got A Problem? Is It Fake?

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Fake Problems’ new single "Diamond Rings" is out on the 28th of September through Side One Dummy.

A European tour blog is up here: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=62351130

Live dates:

Aug 27 UK Kingston - Banquet Records acoustic set + New Slang clubnight
Aug 28 UK Reading Festival
Aug 29 UK Brighton Freebutt
Aug 30 UK Leeds Festival

w/ Frank Turner

Oct 15 UK Glasgow QMU
Oct 16 UK Manchester Academy 2
Oct 17 UK Newcastle University
Oct 18 UK Nottingham Rock City
Oct 19 UK Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
Oct 20 UK Oxford Academy
Oct 22 UK Leeds Met University
Oct 23 UK Cambridge Junction
Oct 24 UK Plymouth University
Oct 25 UK Exeter Lemon Grove
Oct 26 UK Bristol Anson Rooms
Oct 27 UK Cardiff University
Oct 28 UK Winchester Guildhall
Oct 29 UK London Shepherd's Bush Empire

News - Part Chimp: New Album & Tour Dates

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Part Chimp will release their new album "Thriller" on the 21st of September through Rock Action Records.

Live dates:

18-Sept Folkestone The Bar Below (The View) with AEF!
19-Sept Bristol The Croft with Hey Colossus & Tractor
20-Sept Manchester Islington Mill with Hey Colossus, Dethscalator, Hammers, & Apes Fight Back
21-Sept Leeds Packhorse
23-Sept Liverpool Static Gallery with The International
25-Sept Glasgow Stereo with Divorce
26-Sept Nottingham The Art Organisation night with Souvaris
27-Sept London Corsica Studios

News - Ian Brown - Winter UK Tour

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Ian Brown has announced details of a UK winter tour in late November:

Sun 29 November Leicester De Montfort Hall (tickets: 0116 233 3111)
Mon 30 November Southend Cliffs Pavilion (01702 351 135)
Tue 01 December Ipswich Regent (01473 433 100)
Thu 03 December Bournemouth O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Fri 04 December London Brixton O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Sat 05 December London Brixton O2 Academy (8PM-2AM) (0844 477 2000)
Mon 07 December Cambridge Corn Exchange (01223 357 851)
Tue 08 December Sheffield O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Thu 10 December Leeds O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Fri 11 December Leeds O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Sat 12 December Liverpool University (0151 256 5555)
Mon 14 December Newcastle City Hall (0191 261 2606)
Tue 15 December Edinburgh Picture House (0844 4999 990)
Wed 16 December Glasgow O2 Academy (0844 4999 990)
Fri 18 December Birmingham O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Sat 19 December Manchester MEN Arena (0844 847 8000)

Tickets go on sale at 9.30am Thursday 27 August, and can be bought online at gigsandtours.com & ticketmaster.co.uk or via the 24hr hotline: 0871 2200 260 / 0844 826 2826.

The new album "My Way" is due out on the 28th of September through Fiction.

News - Black Sabbath - Five Albums Re-Issued

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Submitted: "The 21st September 2009 will see five classic Black Sabbath albums with original tracklistings remastered and re-issued in deluxe digipack formats - featuring brand new liner notes. The albums to be re-issued are "Vol 4" (1972), "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (1973), "Sabotage" (1975), "Technical Ecstasy" (1976) and "Never Say Die!" (1978)."

News - Snow Patrol Reworked Tour

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Snow Patrol have announced a winter tour in November as follows:

18TH NOVEMBER BRIGHTON CENTRE - 0844 847 1515
20TH NOVEMBER BRISTOL COLSTON HALL - 0117 922 3686
21ST NOVEMBER NEWCASTLE CITY HALL - 0191 261 2606
23RD/24TH NOVEMBER LONDON ROYAL ALBERT HALL - 0845 401 5028/ 0844 844 0444/ 020 7734 8932
27TH NOVEMBER MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE - 0844 847 2328
30TH NOVEMBER GLASGOW CLYDE AUDITORIUM - 08444 999 990

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 9AM THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST
24 HOUR TICKET HOTLINE: 0871 2200 260
www.gigsandtours.com www.gigsinscotland.com

News - VV Brown: Game Over

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VV Brown is set to release her brand new single "Game Over" on the 21st of September. The single is taken from her album "Travelling Like The Light", which was released earlier this summer.

Video up here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtTWIQmntaE

News - It’s Solid Black Gold!

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Black Gold are set to embark on a UK tour in September:

06/09/09 Gateshead - Sage
07/09/09 Glasgow - Oran Mor
09/09/09 Preston - Harris Library
10/09/09 Manchester - Royal Northern College of Music
11/09/09 Edinburgh - Voodoo Rooms
12/09/09 Nottingham - Arts Theatre
14/09/09 Norwich - Arts Centre
15/09/09 Colchester - Arts Centre
16/09/09 Portsmouth - Wedgewood Rooms
17/09/09 London - Barbican

Their single "Breakdown" is out on the 28th of September and their debut album "Rush" follows on the 5th of October.

News - The Bravery - New Album

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The Bravery’s new album will be released on the 10th of November.

News - AFI: Crash Love

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AFI will release their new album "Crash Love" on the 29th of September through DGC/Interscope Records.

News - Say Anything New Song Online

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Say Anything have posted a new song online at this link: www.sayanythingmusic.com

Review - Broadway Calls - Good Views, Bad News

Broadway Calls - Good Views, Bad News

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9 out of 10

I'm steadfastly of the opinion that pop punk done well is pretty much unbeatable. Ever since I heard Green Day's Dookie back in 1994 (or whatever it was) the combination of snotty punk attitude with catchy pop tunes has had a place in my heart. Broadway Calls are one of those bands that reinforce that view absolutely.

Oregon, their debut album was one of my favourite pop punk albums of recent time, so Good Views, Bad News had a lot to live up to - and it fails to disappoint. Perhaps a little more mature than the debut it still retains all the charm and power that made it so great. Imagine Nimrod era Green Day and Through Being Cool era Saves the Day mixed with Strike Anywhere, Kid Dynamite and The Lawrence Arms with a hint of Alkaline Trio and Propagandhi played with massive dollops of passion and energy - you can really imagine the band bouncing round the studio as they recorded this.

Oregon lost a mark or two for feeling just a tiny bit padded out, with a couple of songs not quite up to the high standard set by the rest of the album. Good Views, Bad News manages to keep that high standard going all the way through its much more focussed 11 tracks, although there is nothing here to quite touch the truly magnificent Save Our Ship from the debut. No matter though, it's an awesome album regardless and let's hope Broadway Calls head over to the UK and do a proper tour to promote it, not just supporting other bands and playing festivals!

Listen: www.myspace.com/broadwaycalls

Tracklist:
1. Midnight Hour
2. Be All That You Can't Be
3. Election Night
4. Basement Royalty
5. To The Sheets
6. Give Up The Ghost
7. Sundowners
8. Tonight Is Alive
9. Best Year
10. Wake Up Call
11. At The End

Review - Switchblade - Switchblade

Switchblade - Switchblade

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9 out of 10

Holy crap. Or possibly unholy crap, considering the apocalyptic noise that erupts from the speakers the second you put this record on. This is, simply put, sheer evil - in the best way possible. To start with a sparse, uneasy silence is punctuated with stabbing, throbbing guitars which then steadily build up (the shortest of the three tracks is over 12 minutes long) to thunderous, cacophonous crescendos where thick, claustrophobic waves of noise ebb forth, washing over you, pinning you to your seat. Tortured, guttural vocals drift in and out, and the three tracks run into one another to create one epic wall of sound for almost 50 minutes.

Simple words cannot convey quite how harsh and bleak this record is. Switchblade are a heavy band in the truest sense of the word. If you like your metal almost painfully slow and crushing, in the vein of Khanate, Palehorse or Snowblood then I can virtually guarantee you'll love this. Now all I need is a copy on heavyweight vinyl and I'll be in heaven. Or hell. I would also suggest that it's really important to listen to this through either a GOOD pair of headphones or speakers - your tinny little computer speakers or earbuds just won't supply you with the nuances of the sound, which really make this as special as it is.

Listen: www.myspace.com/switchblade

Tracklist:
1. Part I
2. Part II
3. Part III

Review - Last Stop China Town - Into The Volcano

Last Stop China Town - Into The Volcano

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8 out of 10

And the winner most inappropriate band name of the year goes to....Last Stop China Town. That's two words: China and Town, as in a town made of China...oh-kay.

It's a shame they have a name that sounds like a Fall Out Boy, as these guys are pack a punch...or should I say chop?

"Into The Volcano" is a slab of modern metal that starts off with the rolling "Mechanical Sunrise" which is a belter of a calling card for the West Midlander's. "Blood In The Snow" is an unnecessary intro to "Pain Of A Thousand" which has a tight groove and a chorus that is reminiscent of Andy Cairns (Therapy?). Unfortunately "Voices" is their attempt at a power-ballad but comes across as a Silverchair b-side. I think it is singer Alon's chameleonic vocals that seem to range from Bruce Dickinson to Glenn Danzig with a little "urggh" here and there which sounds like an afterthought. Lead track "Into The Volcano" picks up the pace again and has some great drum work from Adam - power metal without the cheese. My personal highlight is "Raised to Ruin" which gallops into an awesome riff and chorus that could give any modern metal band a run for their money.

My only negative comment about "Into The Volcano" is the production. Either Mr John A Rivers has never heard a metal record in his life or he just sent the demo's off to the factory. The mixing really lets down the record in a "..and justice for all" kind of way; as if each member of the band was sneaking in the studio after hours to push up their levels. I think I heard the Bass once and the Guitar!? C'mon Mr Rivers...these riffs shouldn't be hidden. Research showed that his credits include Fun Boy Three!? Apart from that minor gripe, theses guys rock. Please show your tickets please...Last Stop China Town.

Listen: www.myspace.com/laststopchinatown

Tracklist:
1. Mechanical Sunrise
2. Blood In The Snow
3. Pain of a Thousand
4. Voices
5. Into The Volcano
6. Rage Within
7. Remnance
8. Raised To Ruin
9. The End of Days
10. Just Surrender

Review - Iceberg Interactive - Killing Floor (PC)

Iceberg Interactive - Killing Floor (PC)

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6 out of 10

Who doesn’t love Zombies ey? A likely statement made in a pitch to produce ’Killing Floor’ and essentially it’s correct, the mass public tends to have an overwhelming appetite for zombie (or do we called them "infected" nowadays? ) based media which shows no signs of slowing down, especially in the video game market.

So the premise is there, Left 4 Dead was hugely successful so who wouldn’t want a piece of that pie? But that’s the biggest problem with Killing Floor; it’s trying so hard to replicate a successful formula that it fails to gain any real identity of its own. The only area Killing Floor really flourishes is in showing us how fantastic Left 4 Dead really is!

I’m sure on paper Killing Floor reads like a riot, it has some ideas and hints of originality that it wanted to achieve but is simply let down by its delivery, for example; ’Zedtime’ in principle is a great idea, time slows down mid attack to truly regale in the violent destruction of the unfortunate zombie, and it works...sometimes. The problem being that you don’t actually trigger it! It’s just kicks in completely at random (or if there was a trigger point I sure as hell wasn’t seeing it) so sometimes it’s perfectly timed to enhance your violent decapitation of the nearest undead, other times it kicks in when your turning round to try and see the zombies behind you, not really ideal.

Another neat idea is the welding gun, during waves of Zombies you can back yourself into a bottle neck style situation and in true ’Aliens’ fashion weld the door shut, although this is more of a tactics treat and less of a visual one.

So something I’ve failed to mention so far is the single player and there is a perfectly good reason for that, it’s pretty much none existent! Sure you can play it on your own but you’re simply recreating the online multiplayer environment with you on your lonesome, words of advice, DO NOT buy this game unless you plan on playing it online.

While we're rolling out the flaws (or ’floors’ if you love a good pun!) the presentation is nothing short of hideous, the menus lack any kind of simplicity and are extremely over cumbersome, not that they’re not manageable but it’s in dire need of streamlining, the graphics also lack any real quality although they’re nowhere near as bad as the menu screens might imply.

So in closing; the story feels useless and irrelevant, the dialogue and aesthetic are embarrassing and the single player mode is redundant, but do you know what? There are far worse shooters out there and if you want some quick and easy yet strangely satisfying zombie destruction then you could do far worse, just don’t expect a revolution.

Game Website: www.killingfloorthegame.com

Tracklist:

Review - Cuddly Shark - The Sheriff of Aspen Bay (Single)

Cuddly Shark - The Sheriff of Aspen Bay (Single)

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8 out of 10

This band is a breath of fresh air from a pissed-up dragon. They seem to manage that most desired of effects in audiences of 'I don't really care, this is fucking excellent'. Yet again, a band has managed to pull something wonderful from the flyblown corpse of electric guitar-driven music. They even shout and stomp all over Neil Diamond without sounding shite. I don't know what it is, but whatever it is, they've got it. Long may they retain it, 'ken.

Listen: www.myspace.com/cuddlyshark

Tracklist:
1. The Sheriff of Aspen Bay
2. Cherry Cherry
3. Cuddly Jim
4. The Sheriff of Aspen Bay (Clean Version)

Review - Aimee Newsome-Stone - Spacemen and Monsters

Aimee Newsome-Stone - Spacemen and Monsters

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5 out of 10

Right don't get me wrong, this is nice. It's OK. But. It's just not any more than that. A couple of years ago I put out a compilation, and it had a track on it that could easily have been off this CD. It was OK too, quite nice in the flow of a bunch of different songs. But to be honest after a couple I'm starting to get a bit bored. Aimee has a nice voice, and her Dad plays nice guitar, and she writes nice, inoffensive acoustic pop songs, but it's all a little bit too nice. It does get better as the CD progresses - I think "Radio Says" is my favourite, but there's still something lacking.

Listen: www.myspace.com/aimeensaccoustic

Tracklist:
1. Just Another Day
2. Madeline
3. Radio Says
4. Drive Me Down

Review - Lily Allen - Twenty Two (Single)

Lily Allen - Twenty Two (Single)

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5 out of 10

Second albums are always a troublesome task for artists and Allen's 'It's Not Me, It's You' seems to betray a lack of artistic navigation - at least as far as the singles coming from it are concerned.

While the humorous "Not Fair" was in the style of country and western "Twenty Two" has a waltzing ballad feel complete with both twinkly and honky tonk piano lines, moaning organ and finger snaps giving a steady groove. Lyrically it's the Story of a girl whose life has seemingly slipped through her fingers and at 30 society is telling her that her life is already over; in a dead end job, waiting for the man of her dreams to sweep away but instead gets loveless action from men never see's again.

The vibe seems similar to the desolate teenage wasteland spoken of in The Who's "Baba O'Reily", except instead of the derelict dystopia of 16 year old, it's the bleak grey of 30.

Yet there is something unmoving about this piece. While Lily's latest thing seems to be pop ballad's in a variety of style, each telling the story of various women unsatisfied with their life and their men, this one seems a little too predictable, a bit too much like a rather unbelievable background character from Eastenders. On the subject of single 30 year old females Allen stated, "It hits them that they’re not doing anything with their lives and it’s too late."

Maybe it's based on some truths but it just seems just a bit too much of a black and white stereotype to have a sad single woman who can only be made happy and seen as a social success with the aid of a man. Unless there is actually a scathing sense of irony and social criticism in there, its doubtful Ms. Allen will be invited to play any feminist benefit rallies In the near future.

Otherwise it's, well, Lily Allen, you either think she's a naff' chavette or a latter day diva. Whatever your opinion this single won't sway you in the opposite direction much.

Listen: www.myspace.com/lilyallen

Tracklist:
1. Twenty Two
2. Twenty Two (Instrumental)

Review - The Perfect Crime - The Perfect Crime

The Perfect Crime - The Perfect Crime

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4 out of 10

This is one of those CDs that are just. Alright. There's nothing deeply wrong with it, but there's nothing terribly exciting going on either. There's a bit of Muse, a hint of The Smiths, maybe a nubbin of Deftones but nothing to really make you sit up and notice. Maybe one for fans of slightly overblown austere rock operas.

Listen: www.myspace.com/theperfectcircle

Tracklist:
1. Give Peace a Chance
2. Speechless
3. Soviet
4. To the Kindness of Strangers

Review - General Midi - Operation Overdrive

General Midi - Operation Overdrive

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2 out of 10

Oh great. Another album with "Not for resale" samples on every track. Does that really stop people? To be honest with this one it doesn't really matter, 'cos I don't like it at all anyway. It's probably really good in a nightclub when you're a bit drunk and getting your dance on, but sat here listening to it I really feel the complete lack of any emotion or humanity on any of the tracks. It's just a series of bleepy bloopy noises that don't mean anything, although some of the guest MCs are OK. It's also weirdly lacking in bass in a lot of places, and just feels very sparse. I dunno, maybe that's what the kids like nowadays.

Listen: www.myspace.com/generalmidi

Tracklist:
1. 4 Million Ways
2. Absinthe
3. Audio Assault
4. Back for More
5. Get it Down
6. Kickbox
7. Misbehave
8. Poker Face
9. Out of Control
10. Milton
11. When I Rock
12. I, Robot

Review - Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend (Single)

Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend (Single)

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3 out of 10

Scotland's very own Calvin Harris recently released his second full length album (after apparently losing it at an airport) and his latest single happens to be the title track from this follow up. Harris has repeatedly spoken of his affection for the eighties (including his top ten single "Acceptable in the 80s" from his debut) but "Ready For The Weekend" seems to go just a little bit too far.

The main theme is a weird hybrid form of disco pop, brimming with retro casio synths, electric drums and campy, semi-lisped and occasional vocodered vocals, with lyrics about getting ready for a few days of indulgence before Monday inevitable rolls around,

"I'm gonna buy shoes and I'm ready for the weekend"

The chorus vocals have a real diva like quality to them, being contributed by guest session singer Mary Pearce, yet despite the depth she brings the overall product sounds like the Venga Boys sounds clashed with Queen on a bad day; not so much of a club song, unless you're referring to a gay bar in the mid 1980's.

The vibe of the song conjures horrific mental images; David Dickinson is golden hot pants and high heels shaking his flabby orange ass in a New York swinger's bar. More disco than disco, the results are a mirror balled tinted nightmare.

Yet the b-side remix by Welsh drum and bass DJ High Contrast is a more palatable with a much harder edge , both slamming and brooding and ready for the dance floor of a d'n'b night near you, not a gay bar in the mid 1980's.

Listen: www.myspace.com/calvinharris

Tracklist:
1. Ready For The Weekend
2. Ready For The Weekend (High Contrast)

Review - tELLEY - Now I'm The Big Sister

tELLEY - Now I'm The Big Sister

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4 out of 10

Yes, it's the late 1970s / early 1980s again; Squeeze, XTC, Orange Juice etc. If you weren't there originally or like to combine your nostalgia with a desperate attempt to remain up with new music, this is the band for you. They even chuck in a Sparks cover which passes by almost unnoticed - perhaps there's a New Wave plug-in somewhere and tELLEY maxed it out. Who knows, or cares? Somebody must, they're not that bad. Just a bit, well, OK. Finger of Fudge, anyone?

Listen: www.myspace.com/telleyuk

Tracklist:
1. Bad Boy, Good Girl
2. All of the Girls Want to Love You
3. Red is My Key
4. Get in the Swing
5. Good At What You Do
6. Settle Down
7. This Is What You Can't Have
8. We Are Not Like You
9. The External Fixator
10. Over The Sea

Review - The Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club - Watching the Burglars (Single)

The Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club - Watching the Burglars (Single)

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4 out of 10

Despite the expected Elvis Costello references, Watching the Burglars is more Adam Ant channelling British Sea Power. The track steams along at a relentless pace without really going anywhere - quite a trick. Polish Man seems to be Squeeze on crack with a Lydon-lite vocal, apparently making some sort of observation on the UK's reliance on Polish labour and its propensity for random acts of extreme violence. Been reading too many newspapers, clearly.

Listen: www.myspace.com/thevictorianenglishgentlemensclub

Tracklist:
1. Watching the Burglars
2. Polish Man

Review - Something Delicious - No Fun Intended

Something Delicious - No Fun Intended

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3 out of 10

Never was an album more aptly named. Let us wander into a Fishbone rehearsal whilst the Cookie Monster lies, miked up, in the corner having 40,000 volts rammed up his rectum. If they were Japanese, this band would be massive. Unfortunately, they're Canadian.

Listen: www.myspace.com/somethingdeli

Tracklist:
1. Gamblor
2. Faker
3. Soup Juice
4. Business Strategies Control
5. Our Biographies
6. Publicity Stunt
7. Pirate Zombies
8. Awkward Comfort
9. N.A.O.R.

Review - RazorBladeKisses - Ballerina (Single)

RazorBladeKisses - Ballerina (Single)

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3 out of 10

I bet this pair are cheesed off that Bananarama have reformed. Although I don't think the pioneers of female zero-harmony singing have any plans to move in on the Goth / Manga market, so perhaps RazorBladeKisses' niche is safe, for now. They've kept it for the past nine years, it would appear, anyway.

Both tracks here aim for maximum spookiness and fail utterly. Sure, they tick all the genre boxes; guitars that grind (but not too much), strings that swoop (but not too much), vocals that talk rather than sing (way too much) but the overall effect is wan and soulless. Mind you, that's probably what they're after.

Listen: www.myspace.com/razorbladekisses

Tracklist:
1. Ballerina
2. The Butterfly