Boys Like Girls are going to be playing London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on Monday the 26th of April, the day both their album ("Love Drunk") and single of the same name hits the shops.
Monday, 29 March 2010
News - Libertines to Reform
Rumour has it that The Libertines are to reform and play a headline Reading & Leeds Festival show.
They are reportedly being paid £1.5 million pounds for the appearance.
If all goes well, the Barat/Doherty partnership may continue on to include new material and more gigs.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
News - Kids In California Fight Fair
Fight Fair will release new album "California Kicks" on the 22nd of June.
News - Save Your Breath - Stay Young
Save Your Breath have added a new song called "Stay Young" that features guest vocal from Sean Smith of The Blackout on their MySpace page.
News - They’re Going National
The National’s new album "High Violet" is due out on the 11th of May through 4AD.
News - The Get Up Kids New Four Song EP
The Get Up Kids will release their new four song EP "Simple Science" on the 27th of April. You can pre-order the new material on 12" vinyl or CD from the band’s official online store: www.bluecollardistro.com/thegetupkids/categories.php?cPath=46
News - The Menzingers: Chamberlain Waits
The Menzingers will release their new album "Chamberlain Waits" on the 13th of April through Red Scare.
News - Look Mexico - To Bed To Battle
Look Mexico’s new album "To Bed To Battle" is out now through Suburban Home Records. Go here to purchase your copy: http://www.suburbanhomerecords.com/2010/03/02/tppo-look-mexico-to-bed-to-battle-lpcddigitaldeluxe-set
News - Open Hand Return With New Album...
Open Hand will release their new album "Honey" on the 13th of April through Anodyne Records.
Review - Let’s Go To War - Karmageddon
Let’s Go To War - Karmageddon
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8 out of 10
Eclectic is an over used word these days. It is used with wild abandon to describe any act that doesn't write 13 identical songs & I hate words being misused. Not so with this schizophrenic opus from Toronto's club regular & Brittany Spears producing duo. I'm so confused by this record, but I like it, A lot. In fact I can't stop listening to it because its (whispering) eclecticism is downright addictive.
Second track "The Whole City's Got A Cold" is not only an awesome name for a song, but an incredibly danceable dark & dirty track that would have me on any dancefloor in seconds. It's not subtle, but it's still a clever metaphor for the rise in coke use. Third track Wolves comes off like a Florence & The Machine Dance remix & it works.
I really hated 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" I found it to be the one of the most offensive things I have ever heard & was amazed the video was shown well before watershed. I've met 50 cent, briefly, he looks like he is made from plastic & for someone who makes a living with words, I couldn't understand a single thing he said.
I mention this because it goes someway to explaining why I have such a fondness for stand out track "Internet Pornstar" seemingly an ode to cam girls (If you don't know what they are, it's like Chatroulette, but way more expensive & you are guaranteed some boob.) I like the idea of an MC not banging on about how many lay-dees he has had in his bed, even going so far as to tell us a tale of the exact opposite.
Don't get me wrong there are some missed moments on this record, but it changes & moves with such a pace that they are quickly forgotten for the next moment of brilliance that smacks you on the backside & tells you to start moving, or get to the bar.
A good example of this is miss-spelt sixth track "Push Up Ya Lighta!" which quite frankly kicks ass. It unrelentingly bombards you with the (imagined) sights & (real) sounds that revolutionary artists like M.I.A have created with the darkness & aggression of a Roll Deep track like "Heat Up". I can imagine behaving really really badly to in a club & feel damn doing it with this in the background.
One of the greatest things about this record, that isn't present in much of the charts laden with identikit Timberland cloned over produced drivel, are the surprises: Hold on, track eight are you seriously sampling Ben Folds Five? If not then he must have possessed the intro. Hot Damn. Then "Driving" harks back to "Hey Ya" or any of the other future retro Andre 3000 joints. Nice.
The last track sort of loses me completely; Maybelline is a slow ballad, well produced with some interesting sounds, but it seems like such a damp squib to go out on.
For all the T Pain iPhone app using, pseudo ballers best watch out, I think we have a record here that's good enough to go to war with, the beats are bombs & I for one am ready to fight. (Probably for the right to party)
Listen: www.myspace.com/letsgotowarmusic
Tracklist:
1. Burn Down The Disco
2. The Whole City's Got A Cold
3. Wolves
4. Internet Pornstar
5. Life We Live
6. Push Up Ya Lighta!
7. Pennychaser
8. Don’t Love Me
9. Drivin’
10. Maybelline
Review - Ash - A-Z Vol. 1
Ash - A-Z Vol. 1
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6 out of 10
So they are doing this whole thing, right. It's like 26 singles yeah, it's because like, the album is a dying medium, right, so, like, this is JUST singles. It's like a reinvention of the concept album as concept singles.
It's also not bad, bordering on interesting. Ash have always been good pop song writers with fairly interesting lyrics & that's what this is full of, 13 well written songs that all sound slightly like another song.
There's a little bit of Erasure, a bit of Elton John (Tiny dancer era), a bit of Foo Fighters/QOTSA even a Belle & Sebastian moment. This variety is great on the production side of things, but all the choruses sound a little alike.
It's all very nice, but I miss the Irish punk upstarts so inherent on mini-album Trailer, growing up doesn't mean middle of the road guys. Every track is perfectly fine & gets the job done, but I want a little more from my music than that.
Also please stop singing in an American accent. It's incredibly annoying.
Listen: www.myspace.com/ash
Tracklist:
A. True Love 1980
B. Joy Kicks Darkness
C. Arcadia
D. Tracers
E. The Dead Disciples
F. Pripyat
G. Ichiban
H. Space Shot
I. Neon
J. Command
K. Songs Of Desire
L. Dionysian Urge
M. War With Me
Review - This City - Black and Blue (Single)
This City - Black and Blue (Single)
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7 out of 10
I seem to remember This City from T4 mobile act unsigned, however if I remember correctly they had the good sense to pull out before it all became farcical. That said I do believe that they perhaps may have fared quite well, you see This City are (at least on the basis of this single) fairly accessible. They share hallmarks with many of the usual culprits, At The Drive-In, Blood Brothers and The Fall of Troy - no doubt due to Matt Bayes’ expert production. It’s typically busy with plenty of gang vocals and layers of overdubs which all contribute to a very crisp finish. It’s by no means a bad record, by no means at all, however despite the repetition of various hooks both vocally and musically it doesn’t quite penetrate to remain as infectious as you might hope.
The single ’Black and Blue’ is taken from their debut album ’We Were Like Sharks’ which was released last year. Sadly this record passed me by, which is surprising as these guys actually bought my old band’s van when we split up.
They’re playing tonnes in the future and I am sure that these guys are probably exceptional live. Probably handsome too.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thiscitymusic
Tracklist:
1. Black and Blue
Review - The Parks Dept. - No Noise
The Parks Dept. - No Noise
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6 out of 10
The first two tracks of this record are incredible. Urgent electro instrumentals that some how seem dreamy & otherworldly whilst borderline gabbaesque beats thump away, then a delicious layering of child like sounds, repetition & pleasing bleeps rise out of the speakers & head straight for my foot-tapping-on-switch. Truly magical, I'm actually pretty amazed I've not heard it in the background of a Skins episode. (I mean that as a compliment, I promise.)
So I was understandably surprised when the real life drums & guitar kick in on track three, it just goes downhill from there.
It reminds me of now defunct Nottingham post-post-punk party kings, Punish The Atom, except the drum sound is so lo-fi as to sound cheap & tinny & the vocals so bratty & bored, something I normally like, just falls utterly flat (something Punish's front man never had a problem with). This is a shame as I love the keyboard refrain & rising chorus. But I am actually irritated by this track.
The next track begins with more well chosen beat & sounds, but still these bored sounding vocals, which, when matched with a monotone delivery & repetitive lyrical refrains, make the whole song just boring.
Then we have the vocoder & comforting chords that begin Natural History, when joined by occasional hand claps & I'm straight back in love with this record again, add to that what I believe to be real drums & a fantastic Gang Of Four sounding bass & you have a track I can imagine soundtracking hundreds of adventures.
Fifth track The Neu Wave does sound like a re-imagining of new wave, but again, these deliberate flat vocals. I adore the instrumentation, but my God are the vocals just grating. I hate the idea that it's hip to be bored, I like being excited & excitable, I don't remember even Joy Division sounding so dour.
I really wish this album was instrumental; I would then be giving "No/Noise" 10/10. Mr. Farmer should take off the Super Disco Brakes (one of the darker & better of the instrumental pieces on the album, it even pulls off a guitar solo, which has no right to be there, with aplomb) & ride down the hill as fast & as far away from the post punk business post haste.
Listen: www.myspace.com/theparksdept
Tracklist:
1. French Hands Part 1
2. French Hands Part 2
3. Driver
4. Natural History
5. The Neu Wave
6. Are We On
7. Saturday
8. Super Disco Brakes
9. Patterns
10. Ok, We're Fucking Partying Now
Friday, 26 March 2010
News - 65daysofstatic - We Were Exploding Anyway
65daysofstatic will release their new album "We Were Exploding Anyway" on the 26th of April through Hassle Records.
News - Polar Bear Club Summer 2010 Shows
Polar Bear Club return for a few UK shows in the summer:
08-Aug HEVY FEST HEADLINE REDBULL STAGE
09-Aug BRISTOL CROFT
10-Aug LEICESTER FIREBUG
11-Aug SOUTHAMPTON JOINERS
12-Aug SHEFFIELD CORPORATION
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Review - Local Natives - Concorde 2, Brighton - Friday February 26th 2010
Local Natives - Concorde 2, Brighton - Friday February 26th 2010
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6 out of 10
Turning up late to a gig is a pet hate for me, and having the taxi driver asking "which way?" my mood is currently running at maniacal. Once at the bar, I find myself surrounded by a swarm of people leaving the main hall - support act missed. It was Brighton locals Peggy Sue and from post show listens, I missed a treat.
I really enjoyed the Local Natives album "Gorilla Manor" as it sounds huge at points, with sweeping strings weaving in and out of rim shots and harmonized vocals. So once a few jars had been sunk to ease me into the show I noticed that I was part of a small segment of over 25's - it was like the queue for a Topshop sale. Maybe a slight departure from the gigs I normally go to, but everyone was in high spirits, so I was taken along by the youthful energy of the attendees.
The Californian four piece take the stage to fever pitched squeal that was reminiscent of the shots of hysterical Take That fans back in't day. The band themselves are reminiscent of preppy stalwarts Vampire Weekend and Fleet Foxes but with more oomph. Although it's a shame that a lot of the album's production cannot be recreated live. Well, without additional help; a live string section would add a lot more to their live show. Two things are apparent when watching Local Natives, firstly the bassist couldn't look more "I want to be in a reggae band SO bad" if he tried and seems genuinely bored. The other grumble I have is that the band take turns in splaying a floor tom and cymbal when not playing their own instrument. I imagine this hides the drummer's shortcomings, but it seems pointless to be standing next to a keyboard and instead of adding another layer of sound, they would rather play along like some trustafarian called Charles using an oil drum to create a scene from every Reading festival from the last fifteen years (You know the ones). Poor drummer.
"Camera Talks", "Sun Hands" and "Airplanes" were all aired albeit more stripped, which is difficult to pull off to great effect when they seem to rely on studio trickery to create their sound. Or maybe it's the venue; the Concorde is a strange one in that it doesn't lend any atmosphere to the proceedings.
Highlights of the show were the beefed up "Wide Eyes" and the (sorry Byrne fans) "superior to the original" version of Talking Heads' "Warning Sign". So not a bad show by any means, but it seems the album's subtleties are wasted on some of the crowd tonight and in another venue or outside maybe.with more help onstage. This could have been great.
Listen: www.myspace.com/localnatives
Tracklist:
Review - Jon Allen - The Boileroom, Guildford - Sunday 28th February 2010
Jon Allen - The Boileroom, Guildford - Sunday 28th February 2010
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6 out of 10
On a cold Sunday it seems the T.O.G's have assembled in Guildford's best live venue for an evening of slow baked, foamy bathed, Sheba-advert soundalike tunes from England's new great white hope Jon Allen. This is Ken Bruce country son...
You're probably familiar with Jon's banker of a song "In Your Light", possibly a true heartfelt ballad from deep inside but is due to be on every TV montage that contains tears for the next 6 months, heed my words. Taking elements of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cat Stevens and Bryan Adams, some of the songs are a bit samey and rehashes of the original but keep those in attendance happy. Highlights between the constant plugging of the album I've been told I "can buy at the back after the gig" being the songs "Dry The River" which is a rolllin' number that gets the crowd going and the belter of a song "Young Man's Blues" which kept me humming until I got home that night.
The rest of the songs plod along at a safe canter, interjected with Jon's cheeky refrains between songs. He manages to embarrass himself with a trip down memory lane, regaling the crowd with tales of him travelling round the country in his Ford Focus with the band in tow..having a few cheeky spliffs along the way. WHAT!? The crowd responding with a halfhearted shrug and "and!?" attitude. Drugs are cool yeah? If the Surrey Advertiser heard about this, you would never get on local radio again!
The biggest let down of the evening was the lack of organ solo on the title track of the album "Dead Man's Suit". The song lost its vibe the instant I couldn't see anyone tickling the ivories.
A nice end to the hectic weekend I had, but I wouldn't choose to see him in any rush. My sister and my Mum might. But that's cool, eh Jon?!
Listen: www.myspace.com/jonallenmusic
Tracklist:
News - Strike First Records Signs As Hell Retreats
As Hell Retreats has signed to Strike First Records. Their debut album "Revival" will be released on the 25th of May.
News - Latitude Festival 2010 Music Additions
The latest batch of new additions to Latitude Festival have been announced:
OBELISK ARENA
~ THE TEMPER TRAP ~ JAMES ~ SPOON ~ MIDLAKE ~
~ DIRTY PROJECTORS ~ FRANK TURNER
THE WORD ARENA
~ WILD BEASTS ~ NOAH AND THE WHALE ~ YEASAYER ~ CHIEF ~
SUNRISE ARENA
~ DARWIN DEEZ ~ ARCHIE BRONSON OUTFIT ~ LUPEN CROOK ~ ACTIVE CHILD ~
This runs at Henham Park Estate in Suffolk from 15th - 18th of July.
Ticket Information:
Weekend tickets £155 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £65 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Weekend ticket prices include car parking and camping
Day tickets include car parking only
News - Christina Aguilera Is Back!
Christina Aguilera will release new album "Bionic" on the 7th of June through RCA Records. The first single to be released will be "Not Myself Tonight".
News - On The Right (Red)Track
Redtrack will release their new single "Perfectly Fine Intellectual / Imogen" on the 31st of May through Club Fandango.
Live dates:
March 30 - The Gaff, London
April 2 - Islington Academy, London
April 8 - Pulse, Barnsley
April 9 - Club 85, Hitchin
April 10 - Strummerville Fest at Music Cafe, Leicester
April 16 - Timepiece, Exeter
April 20 - Chinnerys, Southend (w/ Good Shoes)
May 7 - Charlie Brown’s Party, Luton
May 8 - Torquay International Riviera Centre, Torquay
May 9 - Ride Cafe, Plymouth
May 12 - Hector’s House, Brighton
May 22 - The Hippo, Plymouth
June 6 - Carnaby Street 60’s weekend festival 2010
June 19 - Might Dub Festival, Newcastle
July 27 - Bomfest, Barnsley
Aug 12 - Moorfest, North Yorkshire
Sep 10 - Peterlee Leisure Centre, Co Durham
Sep 11 - Ivy Live Festival, Exeter
Oct 9 - Oxford Uni
News - Textures Announce New Front Man
Textures have announced a new front man. Here’s the press release:
"TEXTURES is excited to announce that Daniel de Jongh, former front man of the Dutch metal band CILICE, will replace Eric Kalsbeek who left the band earlier this year.
Daniel had to say this about joining TEXTURES:
"I am truly honored to have been asked to replace Eric as vocalist for TEXTURES. TEXTURES is a standout band and is a band which I’ve listened to the last couple of years, like so many other metal-fans out there. Although it was a pretty tough decision to leave my former band CILICE, this was an offer I just couldn’t refuse. The guys in TEXTURES are just a great bunch of people and it is clear that there is and will be loads of inspiration for the next years to come. I also know how much Eric was respected by the fans and I hope that I can assure you guys out there that I will replace him with as much dignity as he did for TEXTURES the last 6 years. All I can say is that we as TEXTURES are ready to rock everyone out there and that the anticipation for the next album can be withhold. We are in writing process at the time and I can reveal that it is going to be kick-ass as always!!
We will see you guys soon!!"
The band about Daniel joining TEXTURES:
"It was really hard for us to part ways with Eric. Emotionally and musically. But Daniel gives us more than enough reasons to prolong our career, more hyped up than ever before. His experience, personality, musical taste and of course his awesome vocal skills make us see the future like a first spring morning after a severe winter-darkness."
Textures 2.0 has just been launched!
Daniel will make his live debut on a select number of shows this summer which will be announced soon."
News - Purified in Blood - Under Black Skies
Purified in Blood will release their new album "Under Black Skies" on the 7th of June through Spinefarm Records UK.
News - Mouse On The Keys Get Anxious
Mouse On The Keys’ new album "An Anxious Object" will be released on the 15th of April through Denovali / Cargo.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Review - Ronika - Do or Die & Paper Scissors Stone EP
Ronika - Do or Die & Paper Scissors Stone EP
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9 out of 10
When I think of DIY bedroom music I think of maybe Babybird, or possibly even La Rue, I do not think of party era Prince & perfect pop slices of disco soul goodness. When Ronika's EP was plonked into my CD player I was not expecting what came out of the speakers, not one bit.
There is absolutely nothing not to like about Ronika, underground dance scene knowledge & tasty dubstep remix? Check. Name an Obscure Star Wars reference? Check. Keyboard bass sounds? (Nothing says "party" like a keyboard bass.) Check. Frothy, light New Power Generation infused summer pop perfection? Oh check & check!
Whilst our cup may have runethed (If that isn't a word I'm making it one) over with female bedroom popstrels, we haven't had one quite like Nottingham based Ronika. For a start she can REALLY sing, secondly there is slickness to the production that brings Lady Gaga more to mind than Little Boots et al.
EP opener "Do or Die" is a fantastically danceable late-period disco, synth-pop classic, dragged shaking its booty via 1983, only stopping to listen to Daft Punk & a little LCD Soundsystem on the way. This delicious funk, soul, disco and electro swaree is certainly poptastic, but there is an underlying intelligence to the whole affair that is sadly missing from 99% of fun music these days.
The only reason I didn't give this 10 out of 10 is the tiny bit of auto-tune at the beginning of 2nd track "Paper Scissors & Stone", which thankfully when it gets going is the kind of track that wouldn't seem out of place in a compilation of Prince Protégées & couldn't be further from the T-Pain iPhone app welding toss that is attacking the charts.
I have to find a party to go to now, I need an excuse to dance around my room getting ready, as I've just found two of the most perfect tracks to do this to, thanks for that Ronika!
Listen: www.myspace.com/ronikamusic
Tracklist:
1. Do or Die
2. Paper Scissors and Stone ft. Charles Washington
3. Do or Die (Lowster Remix)
4. Paper Scissors and Stone (Ben Fawce Remix)
Review - White Belt Yellow Tag - Always and Echoes
White Belt Yellow Tag - Always and Echoes
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3 out of 10
White Belt Yellow Tag contain ex members of Yourcodenameis:Milo & The Cooper Temple Clause. Not that you'd know it here, it sounds like Coldplay doing Snow Patrol Karaoke. I was surprised, really super surprised. I've seen both their previous bands live more than once & been blown away by the ingenuity & pure adrenaline of the performance.
So why is this "See-Dad-still-likes-cool-music,-your-Dad-is-'with-it'"-whilst-the-kids-sit-on-the-back-seat-of-the-car-facepalming-themselves-to-death-because-they'd-rather-be-listening-to-Chromeo music coming out of my speakers? Why I implore you!
There's a part on one track that sounds like that Take That song when they bang on about it being the greatest day of our lives they always play over slowed down footage of football teams winning before they go off to date rape people.
Wow, I got sidetracked pretty easily, which says about all you need to know about this 4 track CD. It floated in, floated out & left me with Take That stuck in my head. Thanks for that, jerks.
Listen: www.myspace.com/whitebeltyellowtag
Tracklist:
1. Always and Echoes
2. Postcards
3. You Have No Friends
4. We All Have Sound (Rhysmix Vs. Wahs)
Review - Madness - Absolutely
Madness - Absolutely
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7 out of 10
Madness are often described as one of those 'perfect singles bands' - something decades of various 'Best of. . .' and 'Greatest Hits' packages has only emphasised. The time would appear to be ripe for a more complete reappraisal of the band's album output and live performance, therefore. Cue some sumptuous reissues. Absolutely, album #2 charting at #2 from 1980, has the gilt-edged classics (Baggy Trousers, Embarrassment, . . .Los Palmas 7), of course but its B-sides, rarities, videos and a second disc of live performance for the Beeb show Madness to be the complete package; danceable, hummable, thoughtful and provocative. This reissue will be snapped up by the nutty faithful, naturally, but others wondering just where the Madness came from and why they matter in 2010 should also jump in, feet first.
Listen: www.madness.co.uk
Tracklist:
Disc 1:
1. Baggy Trousers
2. Embarrassment
3. E.R.N.I.E.
4. Close Escape
5. Not Home Today
6. On The Beat Pete
7. Solid Gone
8. Take It Or Leave It
9. Shadow of Fear
10. Disappear
11. Overdone
12. In The Rain
13. You Said
14. The Return of the Los Palmas 7
15. In The Rain (single version)
16. The Business
17. Crying Shame
18. That's The Way to Do It
19. El Regresso De Los Palmas 7
20. Swan Lake (live)
21. Release Me / Close Escape / Solid Gone ('Patches' flexi-disc)
Disc 2 (BBC Live in Concert):
1. One Step Beyond
2. E.R.N.I.E.
3. Mistakes
4. Disappear
5. Bed And Breakfast Man
6. The Return of the Los Palmas 7
7. Close Escape
8. Overdone
9. Not Home Today
10. Razor Blade Alley
11. My Girl
12. Take It Or Leave It
13. On The Beat Pete
14. Embarrassment
15. Shadow of Fear
16. You Said
17. In The Middle of the Night
18. The Prince
19. Baggy Trousers
20. Rockin' In A
21. Madness
Review - Boe Weaver - Boe Weaver
Boe Weaver - Boe Weaver
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6 out of 10
Well, this is a bit of a time machine. To the Sixties, Batman and don't step on my cape! I'm sorry, you can't come in, your costume is monochrome and your face doesn't fit your head, if you get me. Try some of these, though, and come back in about an hour. You can enter via the skylight, it's always open. What? I can't hear you, the band are a bit loud! What? Oh, yes, I can see the giant animal masks. What? No, I don't think they're doing a Flaming Lips. . .Yes, I really can see the masks. . . yes, even the Giant Panda. . . In about an hour, yes. Don't worry yourself.
Look, why don't you sit down and listen to this track Monster Maker, it's really quite good. Morricone with a MC5 riff. . .I know, interesting mix, eh? They're doing something called The Electric Man, now. What? Who is he? I dunno. Hendrix? Link Wray? Eh? What's that? Poison Ivy? Ha! What a though and - woah! . . .Sorry, the masks just disappeared for a second, there and. . .no, no, I'm fine. What? Yeah, about an hour ago. Why?
Listen: www.myspace.com/boeweaver
Tracklist:
1. Deadpan
2. Ghouls
3. Mysterious Island
4. Let It Die
5. Monster Maker
6. Jelly Bean
7. Manhunt Part 2
8. The Electric Man
9. I Think You Two Should Leave
Review - Kaki King - Junior
Kaki King - Junior
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6 out of 10
Just looking at the song titles (and the album art, truth be told), it would appear that what we have here is the very worst kind of Emo schlock - all Jesus Christ poses and Clearasil. Thankfully, what we have is an album more reminiscent of the great Throwing Muses and Belly with, dare I say it, some guitar lines St. Richard Thompson wouldn't pass over during instrumentals of understated atmosphere (Everything Has An End. . ., for example). It makes for a refreshing mix - King's adequate-indie voice isn't overstretched - and pulls quite a Janus trick in its attitude to the future and the past. Let's hope she continues with the imaginative trip and doesn't get sucked in by any more Miley Cyrus jobs.
Listen: www.myspace.com/kakiking
Tracklist:
1. The Betrayer
2. Spit It Back In My Mouth
3. Everything Has An End, Even Sadness
4. Falling Day
5. The Hoopers of Hudspeth
6. My Nerves That Committed Suicide
7. Communist Friends
8. Hallucinations From My Poisonous German Streets
9. Death Head
10. Sloan Shore
11. Sunnyside
Review - Madness - 7
Madness - 7
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8 out of 10
Album #3 from 1981, Seven shows Madness at the height of their zeitgeist-melding powers. Mixing bounce-along musical merriment with lyrical darkness (how many pop acts today would begin an album with a song about someone having a heart attack?), Seven is an essential listen for anyone who still considers the band to be the pop-clowns of the Stiff and TwoTone era. Packaged here with relevant vids (Grey Day, Shut Up, It Must Be Love and the aforementioned Cardiac Arrest), a radio session and other rarities, it's considerably more than a cash-in - if you listen.
Listen: www.madness.co.uk
Tracklist:
Disc 1:
1. Cardiac Arrest
2. Shut Up
3. Sign Of The Times
4. Missing You
5. Mrs Hutchinson
6. Tomorrow's Dream
7. Grey Day
8. Pac-A-Mac
9. Promises Promises
10. Benny Bullfrog
11. When Dawn Arrives
12. The Opium Eaters
13. Day On The Town
Disc 2:
1. Missing You (Richard Skinner Session)
2. Sign of the Times (Richard Skinner Session)
3. Tiptoes (Richard Skinner Session)
4. Memories
5. A Town With No Name
6. Never Ask Twice
7. It Must Be Love
8. Shadow On The House
9. In The City
10. Cardiac Arrest (12" extended version)
11. Grey Day (Live) (From NME 'Racket Packet' Cassette)
Review - Various - Phantom Theory & Gunning For Tamar - Split CD
Various - Phantom Theory & Gunning For Tamar - Split CD
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7 out of 10
I like split singles, a lot. I also like CDr's. So I was pretty happy to have a combination of both to amuse my ears with. The bands in question, like real couples, whilst they couldn't be more different, are pretty good bedfellows. The spiky two man racket of Phantom Theory with the post hardcore yearnings of Gunning For Tamar, both hailing from Oxford.
Both Phantom Theory tracks, "Trancedog" & "Playground" have a catchy angularity to them that makes me very happy, like a cleaned up version of Gay For Johnny Depp, or a less dancey Death From Above 1979.
The skill is there but it's certainly nothing original. I miss bands like this, but the good thing about records is you can listen to them whether the band are still performing or not, I'm just not sure if this is something either new & fresh or accomplished enough to make me play it over, say Murder Of Rosa Luxembourg. I would be intrigued to see them live though, as it's a good amount of noise to be made by only two chaps.
Funny then that Gunning For Tamar also bring to mind bands that have long since ceased to function, in this case Far or maybe even Braid. It's so very 90's. The singer's vocals have that unhinged maudlin beauty that seemed to disappear & be replaced by that weird Fall Out Boy whining that I've never got along with.
New it is not, but both tracks have something so genuine about them I can't help not only liking them, but also feeling wistful for a time long gone. I think that's a good thing.
(Also bonus points for calling a song Norse Blood when it's the least Viking-ey song ever)
Listen: www.myspace.com/phantomtheory & www.myspace.com/gunningfortamar
Tracklist:
1. Trancedog
2. Playground
3. The Organs, The Senses, The Muscles, The Memories
4. Norse Blood
Review - My Luminaries - Order From The Chaos
My Luminaries - Order From The Chaos
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5 out of 10
Really? REALLY? We need more music like this? Quite frankly the combined output of Keane & Coldplay is quite enough overly grandiose stadium yawn I need.
There is nothing wrong with this album, there's some lovely arrangements & the vocals are nice, but my God is it dull & to me that's far worse. I'm sure all the middle aged media types who are the only people who can afford Glastonbury tickets nowadays, will eat this up, but for me, no, just no.
Listen: www.myspace.com/myluminaries
Tracklist:
1. Order From Chaos
2. Welcome To The Family
3. Parasol
4. Ambition
5. A Little Declaration
6. Homewrecker
7. Clementine
8. The Sound Of Music
9. Heads Will Roll
10. The Firemen
11. Won
Review - Motion Picture Soundtrack - The Shapes We Fear Are Of Our Own
Motion Picture Soundtrack - The Shapes We Fear Are Of Our Own
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5 out of 10
Coldplay with a side-order of Gene, anyone? If you found yourself answering 'yes' to that question, then quite clearly you have either far too much emoting to do or problems with your hormones. Or maybe, just maybe, you're unaware of the hand-wringing superstars and their colossal crystal tunes. 'Cos this is where we're at with the Motion Picture Soundtrack, my merry band of distractible goblins. It's Weep Factor Ten, with a big, jewelled stick of ROCK. Well, 'rock' of the overblown, stadium variety, at least. These tunes are clearly too enormous to be confined by a mere concert hall or (snorts, waves hand with limped wrist) club. They're so made to accompany your empty gaze through a rain-flecked bedroom window. Or as the incidental music on FIFA 2011. One of the two.
Listen: www.myspace.com/mps
Tracklist:
1. Make It Through The Night
2. Departure
3. I Clipped Your Wing
4. The String That Tie To You
5. Glass Figures
6. White Rooms
7. Mirrors
8. On Earth
9. Faults Of A Realist
10. We Don't Have To Think Like That Any More
11. When The Lights Go Out
Review - Unfolk - The Venetian Book of the Dead
Unfolk - The Venetian Book of the Dead
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7 out of 10
I don't know about you, but a mental alarm always goes off for me whenever I hear that a work of art has been based on a genuine, human tragedy. Images form of a journalist / photographer horde descending on a disaster zone, like vultures around a corpse. There's also the inevitable 'charity single' rushed out by some mega-bucked star or other to do as much for their minted conscience and bloated bank account as the regular people whose lives have been destroyed.
The difference here is that members of Unfolk - a collective of musicians based near Venice - have lived through the disaster they describe and continue to live with the consequences of the chemical nightmare perpetrated daily, for years, at the vinyl factory in Mestre; lethal working conditions and careless dumping of toxic waste into the nearby lagoon, covered up by the factory owners until the 1990s.
So, it has an unquestionably righteous morality, but what of its music? The term 'unfolk' is well-chosen, for here we have music with a traditional 'unconscious' yet a completely 21st-century execution. Mandolins trade with industrial synths, gentle rhythms rumble beneath glitch and soaring guitar. You may hear the swoops of Pink Floyd, the sonic landscapes of Vangelis and the industrial bass of Joy Division, often in the same track. Supplying the words and voice is England's own Kevin Hewick, whose heartfelt contribution recalls Roy Harper with its deceptive simplicity and emotional punch.
The album will ensure the victims of Mestre will not be forgotten. One hopes that it will go some way to prevent similar horrors in the future.
Listen: www.myspace.com/unfolk
Tracklist:
1. Cicatrice del tempo
2. The Radioactive Man
3. Black Tar Lagoon
4. Bedroom Discotheque
5. Dust to Dust
6. The Cover Up
7. Trasferibile (esp mix)
8. Early Grave
9. Destinazione Astrale
10. A Limited Edition of One
11. Someone Is Always Screwing Someone
12. Tutte le Cose Lasciate in Sospeso
13. Cancer of the Conscience
14. Forgive
15. Natura Distorta (the cover up pt2)
16. The Wave That Speeds to Shore
News - Legendary Shack Shakers - Agridustrial
Legendary Shack Shakers (featuring Duane Denison from Jesus Lizard) will release their new album "Agridustrial" on the 17th of May through Colonel Knowledge Records.
News - Pendulum Announce New Drummer
Pendulum have announced that KJ Sawka has joined as the group’s new drummer. Their new single "Watercolour" will be released on the 3rd of May.
News - Charlotte Gainsbourg New Single + Live Dates
Charlotte Gainsbourg will release her new single "Time of the Assassins" on the 10th of May through Because Music.
Live dates:
Tues 22nd June - London - Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Sun 18th July - Southwold - Latitude Festival
News - Devil Sold His Soul - Live Dates
Devil Sold His Soul have the following dates in the UK:
26th March Le Ferrailleur - Nantes, France
27th March Paris - Extreme Fest ft Arch Enenmy - France
31st March Norwich - The Marquee
7th May Hellfire Club - Peterborough
8th May Durbury Rock Festival ft Front 242 - Luxembourg
All confirmed May/June headline dates (supports all to be confirmed)
31st May Bristol - The Croft
1st June Manchester - Moho
2nd June Glasgow - King Tuts
3rd June Nottingham - Rock City Basement
Their 2nd as yet untitled album will see a summer release through Century Media.
News - It’s Mother’s Day Every Day For Mother Mother
Mother Mother’s new single "Hay Loft" will be released on the 19th of April through Last Gang Records.
Watch the video for it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiXvDsHfpdk
The single is the first to be taken from their album "O My Heart" which will come out on the 31st of May.
Live dates:
May 19 London Brixton The Windmill
May 20 Liverpool Korova UK w/ North Atlantic Oscillation & The Twin Shadows
News - She’s Such An Angel
Angel will release new single "There’s A Girl" on the 11th of April and will be made available via iTunes and all major download sites.
News - Better Left Unsaid Join Static Age Records
Better Left Unsaid have signed to Static Age Records. Their new album "Only The Dead To Witness" will be released on the 8th of June.
News - Reckless Love Confirm UK Headline Show
Reckless Love’s debut self-titled album is out now through Spinefarm Records UK. The band have confirmed a headline UK show for Monday the 24th of May at the Camden Barfly in North London supported by Brijitte West & The Desperate Hopefuls and Jettblack.
News - Fly Little Little Conchita Butterfly...
Conchitas will release new single "Butterflies" on the 19th of April through Delicious Records.
News - Voltage Black (formerly 8bitbitchslap) New Single
Voltage Black (formerly 8bitbitchslap) will release new single "Meccano Roses" on the 10th of May and will be available via iTunes.
News - Get Your Fix of Artist Vs Poet
Artist Vs Poet’s debut album "Favorite Fix" has been released in Europe through Fearless Records this week.
News - The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
The Gaslight Anthem will release new album "American Slang" in the UK through SideOneDummy Records on the 14th of June.
Track Listing:
1. American Slang
2. Stay Lucky
3. Bring It On
4. The Diamond Church Street Choir
5. The Queen of Lower Chelsea
6. Orphans
7. Boxer
8. Old Haunts
9. The Spirit Of Jazz
10. We Did It When We Were Young
News - Girls Apparently Do Not Rock
We Rock Like Girls Don’t will release their new single "Welcome to My World" on the 26th of April through Domino Publishing Co.
News - The Year of Yeasayer
Yeasayer have now been confirmed for Lovebox Festival (16th - 18th July) at London’s Victoria Park. Yeasayer will play the Gaymers stage on Saturday 17th July.
The band release new single "O.N.E." on the 29th of March. A special 12" version of "O.N.E." will be released on the 17th of April for Record Store Day.
The band are currently preparing for an extensive US tour, the band will be returning to the UK for a sold out headline show at London's Koko on 26th May.
Yeasayer will also be performing at Coachella Festival (16th April) and Barcelona's Primavera Festival (28th May).
News - Walter Schreifels (Rival Schools) Tour
Walter Schreifels (Rival Schools) lands in the UK later on this week to begin his 12 date UK tour on Saturday. His debut solo album "An Open Letter To The Scene" will be released on the 26th of April through Big Scary Monsters Recording Company but there should be a few advance copies on sale at most of the below dates.
Live dates:
27/03 - Exeter, Cavern
28/03 - Bristol, Academy 2
29/03 - Cardiff, Barfly
30/03 - Kingston, The Peel
31/03 - Birmingham, Academy 3
01/04 - Sheffield, Leadmill
02/04 - Glasgow, King Tuts
03/04 - Leeds, Cockpit 3
04/04 - Manchester, Night & Day
06/04 - Nottingham, Bodega
07/04 - London, Barfly
08/04 - Southampton, Joiners
News - Introducing: Men (the band)
Men (the band) have signed to Big Scary Monsters Recording Company with an EP and a tour coming in June.
News - Grown Ups Sign To BSM Records
Grown Ups will release their debut album "More Songs" on 12" vinyl, very limited edition CD and digital download on the 17th of May through Big Scary Monsters Recording Company.
The band hit the UK in May for a few dates with Into It. Over It in support:
14/05 - Brighton, Pav Tav
15/05 - Southampton, Goblet’s (free entry)
16/05 - Guildford, The Boileroom (free entry, matinee show)
16/05 - Kingston, Fighting Cocks
18/05 - Derby, Big Blue Coffee Shop
19/05 - Leeds, Royal Park Cellars
20/05 - Manchester, TBA
21/05 - Nottingham, The Chameleon Arts Cafe
22/05 - Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
23/05 - Birmingham, The Flapper
24/05 - London, The Social
You can also download the bands 4 track demo called "Songs" for free from www.bsmrocks.com/friend
News - Family Force 5 Return To The UK
Family Force 5 have the following live UK dates in the next few months:
27/7 Dublin Academy 2
28/7 Belfast Mandela Hall
29/7 Glasgow 02 ABC
31/7 SONISPHERE FESTIVAL
3/8 Leeds Cockpit
4/8 London Relentless Garage
5/8 Wolverhampton Slade Room
News - The Temper Trap Announce Next Single
The Temper Trap return to the UK this spring with a new single "Science of Fear" that will be released on the 19th of April through Infectious Music.
Live dates:
27 April Bournemouth, O2 Academy 08444 772000
28 April London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire SOLD OUT
29 April London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire SOLD OUT
30 April London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire SOLD OUT
1 May Cardiff, University SOLD OUT
3 May Nottingham, Rock City SOLD OUT
4 May Birmingham, O2 Academy 08444 772000
5 May Norwich, UEA SOLD OUT
9 May Manchester, O2 Academy SOLD OUT
10 May Newcastle, O2 Academy 08444 772000
11 May Leeds, O2 Academy 08444 772000
13 May Glasgow, ABC 08444 999990
14 May Edinburgh, HMV Picture House SOLD OUT
16 May Liverpool, O2 Academy SOLD OUT
2 July London, Wireless Festival
9 July Oxegen Festival
10 July Kinross, T in the Park Festival
21 August Chelmsford, V festival
22 August Stafford, V festival
News - Architects Announce UK Headline Tour
Architects have announced a headline tour of the UK for October:
01.10.10 Birmingham O2 Academy 2 (0844 477 2000)
02.10.10 Manchester Club Academy (0161 832 1111)
03.10.10 Glasgow Garage (0844 4999 990)
04.10.10 Newcastle O2 Academy 2 (0844 477 2000)
06.10.10 Nottingham Rescue Rooms (0871 310 0000)
07.10.10 Norwich Waterfront (01603 508 050)
08.10.10 London Koko (0844 847 2258)
09.10.10 Bristol Anson Rooms (0870 444 4400)
Architects vocalist Sam Carter comments "We’ve never been so stoked for a tour! We’re gonna be stepping it up in every way we can. We’re working on a new album so we’ll be playing songs spanning 4 albums which is going to be insane! Architects fans from all eras will be stoked. The UK is always good to us, we love touring at home and this is our biggest headline tour to date so why wouldn’t this tour be awesome?! Get ready!"
Monday, 22 March 2010
News - Meat Loaf - New Album "Hang Cool Teddy Bear"
Meat Loaf will release new album "Hang Cool Teddy Bear" on the 19th of April through Mercury Records.
News - Conquering Animal Sound Join Gizeh Records
Submitted: "Conquering Animal Sound have signed to Gizeh Records who will be releasing their debut album in conjunction with Edinburgh’s Mini50 Records in September.
Prior to the debut album Conquering Animal Sound have a split 7" release with Debutant on Gerry Loves Records coming out on April 5th and a selection of shows around the UK in the coming months including an in-store performance at Pure Groove Records in London on May 11th. The song ’Giant’ from the split is streaming now on the band’s myspace page alongside a brand new remix and a live version of ’Alice Shoes’ which will feature on the new record.
A free MP3 of ’Alice shoes’ is available for download below or from the Gizeh Records website.
FREE MP3 - Alice Shoes (live) - http://t.ymlp131.com/quhatamuhalamhumadaequ/click.php
Live dates:
APRIL
01 - Aberdeen - UK | Snafu w/ Debutant
02 - Edinburgh - UK | Roxy Bar w/ Debutant
03 - Glasgow - UK | Classic Grand w/ Debutant
10 - Edinburgh - UK | Cabaret Voltaire w/ Meursault
MAY
07 - Berwick-Upon-Tweed - UK | Barrels
08 - Newcastle - UK | Blank Studios
09 - York - UK | Stereo
10 - London - UK | Betsey Trotwood
11 - London - UK | Pure Groove in-store 1.15pm
12 - Leeds - UK | Gizeh House Show
13 - Sowerby Bridge - UK | Puzzle Hall w/ The Pattern Theory
14 - Leeds - UK | Packhorse w/ the Pattern Theory
15 - Edinburgh - UK | Wee Red Bar
16 - Glasgow - UK | Captain's Rest
JULY
24 - Wickerman Festival"
News - Destruction Of A Rose Enter Studio
Destruction Of A Rose have entered the studio to record their first full length album. The band is recording at Lambesis Studios, with Daniel Castleman and Kelly Cairns (Zao, Winds of Plague, Sworn Enemy).
News - Shoes And Socks Off Covers EP Released Today
Submitted: "There’s never a dull moment in the life of Tobias Hayes. Having spent years rocking out in Meet Me In St Louis (vocals) and Shield Your Eyes (bass/vocals), he has spent the past 12 months focussing on his solo project, Shoes And Socks Off. In September 2008, one afternoon whilst sitting on a chest of drawers in his East London flat, he recorded his first album. Released in December, this was followed in the summer by a second record comprised of the same 10 tracks, ripped apart and reworked with a full band. And as if that wasn’t enough, the next December saw the release of album number three, a mix of solo acoustic songs and guest appearances from some very talented friends. He ended 2009 on the Big Scary Monsters Christmas tour with Kevin Devine, and began the new year back out on the road, playing a number of free shows with labelmates Talons. So, with three albums already under his belt, where next for the heavily bearded man?
March 22nd will see the release of ’Pipeton’, a 6 track, free download EP featuring covers of some of Toby’s biggest influences. Tracklisting:
1. Lounge Act (Nirvana)
2. Not Ready Yet (Eels)
3. You Said Something (PJ Harvey)
4. Wolf At The Door (Radiohead)
5. Tame (Pixies)
6. To Forgive (Smashing Pumpkins)
The EP will be available from www.bsmrocks.com and a number of other websites, with an "enjoy this and share with your friends" policy very much encouraged.
After this, it’ll be off to the studio where Shoes And Socks Off album number four will be recorded, with a late July release currently planned, preceeded by a busy touring schedule and a re-release of the first three records, re-packaged together as one with bonus content and unreleased tracks. Also look out for the first Shoes And Socks Off book, coming later on in 2010."
Shoes And Socks Off - Piepton: http://drop.io/piepton
News - Sound of Sharp Practise
Sharp Practise release their new single "Sound of Rock" on the 5th of April and their new album "Banging The Rocks" in May. They play the following dates to promote the releases:
21st April - Firebug, Leicester
22nd April - Old Bookbinders, Oxford
23rd April - Tower of Song, Birmingham
28th April - Bannermans, Edinburgh
29th April - Faversham, Leeds
4th May - Troubadour, London
5th May - Deaf Institute, Manchester
News - Sound of Sharp Practise
Sharp Practise release their new single "Sound of Rock" on the 5th of April and their new album "Banging The Rocks" in May. They play the following dates to promote the releases:
21st April - Firebug, Leicester
22nd April - Old Bookbinders, Oxford
23rd April - Tower of Song, Birmingham
28th April - Bannermans, Edinburgh
29th April - Faversham, Leeds
4th May - Troubadour, London
5th May - Deaf Institute, Manchester
News - Sacred Mother Tongue Video Update
Sacred Mother Tongue have begun filming their new video today and have issued the following update:
"It's been a hell of a long time since our last video release and after our misfortune with the last attempt we have been planning it carefully. Of course when Two Thousand Eight Hundred was made we really had no money or in fact no idea what we were doing, so it was a small miracle that it came out ok, and actually made it on screen with Scuzz and MTV2. So our follow up video for Anger on Reflection was on a bigger budget and was meant to be the business. however due to directorial differences between the film makers and ourselves, we decided to pull the video from You Tube after a short two week evaluation period and it was never submitted to the TV stations."
"So this time we have a different approach, instead of having zero input to the video as before, this time I'm taking control. The video will feature a song from the debut album 'The Ruin of Man'. The track may not be the obvious choice commercially but it just feels right to do it this way. Thanks to everyone who's made suggestions about what song to use, it all helps and obviously some of you were right. So. what track will it be? Answers on a blogcard please."
"We start shooting on Monday and estimate a release around the end of April so watch this space. I think the premier will be on Scuzz TV even before we release it on You Tube but I'll let you know when we have a date in mind. As I said I've taken control of things this time, which means I've not only written and story boarded the video, but I've co-ordinated the whole thing, and with the help of film crew 'BearLeft', I will be directing the whole process. My debut, can't wait."
"The Lovely guys at Blackstar and Ampeg have helped us out with some gear and to top that, no self respecting metal head makes a video without a sexy chick in it; and trust me, I am self respecting!"
"That's all for now folks, keep checking back for more news about the video, have your best guess at what song we're using. We've employed the services of King Billy - Super DJ, Chris Jacks to document the making of the video so watch out for some 'behind the scenes' shenanigans very soon." Darrin South - Vocals.
News - Get The Full Dirty Picture
Taio Cruz will release new single "Dirty Picture" featuring Ke$ha in April.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Review - Four Year Strong - Enemy Of The World
Four Year Strong - Enemy Of The World
View The Review
9 out of 10
Irony of ironies, just as I go to review a band that played a role in getting through my teenage years, I get a huge spot. Thus when it came to sit down and do reviews it seemed that fate had decided that it wanted me to write about Enemy of the World. So fate here you go, here's your review, and it's a pretty easy one to write:
THIS IS A GREAT ALBUM
But because I don't want to piss off fate, and risk another mahoosive spot, I should probably write some more.
It's been a long time since we heard new, original, songs from Four Year Strong, and many will question whether the long wait can be justified. But there's only one yardstick we can measure that by and that is the music itself and I'm pretty happy that I had to wait for this. Four Year Strong weren't just being lazy in this period; they were permanently on the road, taking a break only to record a covers mini-album, and the years of playing shows really shows in Four Year Strong's music. What was tight on Rise or Die Trying sounds utterly flawless on Enemy of the World and the production work is top class, allowing the superb drum work to sit perfectly in the mix, firing everything around it forward. This album also sees the synth work become slightly more prominent without ever dominating, a balance that works perfectly.
The album kicks off in indomitable fashion with It Must Really Suck To Be Four Year Strong Right Now, a pulsating track that is guaranteed to start almost every FYS show from now on. And while On A Saturday is as catchy as anything off Rise or Die Trying, the album explodes at track 3 with second single Wasting Time (Eternal Summer). This is the best single FYS have, and possibly ever will, write. It contains all the trademark FYS moments: dual vocals, bass-heavy drum work, a moshpit inducing breakdown, and chant-able vocals. If people aren't listening to this and reminiscing for a summer long gone then there is something wrong with them. This is a summer "anthem" and while I usually hate that word there is almost no other that will do it justice. Wasting Time will be the song that gets FYS a whole new legion of fans, believe me on that.
However, what is a positive can also be a criticism.
There is definitely a trademark FYS sound, and it is all the things I listed before. Because of this the band has been open to attack by those who claim they are slightly formulaic. However, Enemy of the World certainly marks a progression from Rise or Die Trying in this respect. There is a more subtle variation in the songs than there was on Rise or Die Trying, and it is unlikely that Find My Way Back and the eponymous album closer would have made it on to their previous albums. Find My Way Back is also a perfect candidate for the next single, showcasing the bands ability to write some of the catchiest chorus' in the business. Although, this is an album chock full of potential singles, and don't be too shocked if the equally good One Step At A Time pops its head into the singles chart.
Enemy of the World is a great album, one that combines immediacy and lasting value, a combination that can only launch its score into the highest echelons. I also have a more than sneaking suspicion that this will be one of those albums that only improves when played during the summer.
I don't think too many fans will have a problem in asserting that FYS have improved as a band since their last effort, and I don't think too many people will be anything but delighted with the album FYS have put out.
Listen: www.myspace.com/fouryearstrong
Tracklist:
1. It Must Really Suck To Be Four Year Strong Right Now
2. On A Saturday
3. Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)
4. Nineteen With Neck Tatz
5. Find My Way Back
6. What The Hell Is A Gigawatt
7. One Step At A Time
8. This Body Pays The Bill$
9. Paul Revere's Midnight Ride
10. Flannel Is The Colour Of My Energy
11. Enemy Of The World
Review - Meleeh - To Live And Die Alone
Meleeh - To Live And Die Alone
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8 out of 10
Pleasantly surprised, by the cacophonous racket that is opener "Marmaverken" and its disharmonious chugging melody. You see, Meleeh seem to have hit upon a little vein of interest within hardcore. Taking elements of Breach, early Mastodon and post-rock and fusing it onto hardcore may not be new but Meleeh do it so honestly and with enough care to make it seem like it's something fresh. For example: if Modern Life is War had grown up on Entombed and Breach it may well sound like this.
Across the ten tracks they show a very broad understanding of all things noisy while keeping everything ticking along. Occasionally it slips into an almost generic hardcore template but even generic by Meleeh's standards is still more interesting than most bands.
It took me some time for this album to sink in, but once it did it is more than worthy of the time spent on it. Good, solid, forward thinking and honest music. Sweet.
Listen: www.myspace.com/meleeh
Tracklist:
1. Marmaverken
2. Vowbreaker
3. What I Carry With Every Heartbeat
4. Sun And Moon
5. To Live Alone
6. Trauma
7. Hell's Mouth
8. Panegyric
9. Thorns For Flowers
10. To Die Alone
Review - Lightbringer - Inhumation
Lightbringer - Inhumation
View The Review
8 out of 10
Sweet, sweet metal influenced hardcore. As much as it seems popular to be digging Integrity, In Cold Blood and the like these days, you at least know any band claiming these influences has some clue about quality. Lightbringer have a pretty decent clue about quality. Across these 3 tracks the band chug and stomp away at metal and hardcore leaving the pummelled remains behind as each song screams to a stop before the next starts all over again. The spirit of Holy Terror is strong with these ones. A full length album would be even more devastating.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thisislightbringer
Tracklist:
Review - Die! Chihuahua Die! - Bitch Songs
Die! Chihuahua Die! - Bitch Songs
View The Review
4 out of 10
Nice lack of contact details here but I found them myself, so no tears. Firstly the name does not suit this band in the slightest. I actually held off listening to this one for a while as my aged opinion of young people making music seemed to be summed up completely by the name.
Now the PR blurb makes comparisons to The Bronx, ETID, Gallows, Fucked Up and most of the current crop of big name making punk doing the rounds. Which in all fairness is pretty true. They are most certainly a product of these influences and it shows quite a bit in the song structures and guitar style. But.and there is a but. It's played incredibly well and tight enough to make it seem like they really are pissed off at something. Which is the main thing about punk music.
Good effort, maybe there is something worth looking out for.
Listen: www.myspace.com/diechihuahuadie
Tracklist:
1. Knife Sex
2. Stuckpig
3. Cold Caller
4. Action/Fuck/Action
5. Happy Song
6. Bitch Survive
7. Backup
8. Blow Goat
9. Brian Maiden
News - Sleeping With Sirens Full Album Stream
You can stream all of Sleeping With Sirens’ new album "With Ears To See And Eyes To Hear" through their MySpace page. It will be released on the 23rd of March through Rise Records.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Review - Grande Duke - EP
Grande Duke - EP
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8 out of 10
Bands are often described as having wide ranging influences. This claim can range from the entirely accurate to the mostly false. Grande Duke definitely fall towards the accurate end of the spectrum, drawing from some hugely varied sources.
If I had to (and I do) I think the first band I’d mention would probably be Pelican, but with much better drumming. Grande Duke are masters of finding a groove and locking into it, with huge, rolling bass lines underpinning most of the tracks and a ringing guitar sound. The rhythms meander in and out of a variety of time signatures that wouldn’t be entirely out of place in a Charles Mingus or Miles Davis track.
Although the holy trinity of guitar, bass and drums forms the backbone of Grande Duke’s sound, they’re not afraid to bring in a selection of friends to help them out - sax, trumpets, accordion, spoken word and more feature here, lending an almost Tom Waits feeling to the proceedings.
Listen: www.myspace.com/grandeduke
Tracklist:
1. Stonecutter
2. Duke of Rain
3. Lunacy by Sea Wind
4. Chora
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Review - Priestess - Prior To The Fire
Priestess - Prior To The Fire
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6 out of 10
Apparently there was an 'explosion' of music in the city of Montreal during 2003. I must say, I didn't hear anything from this side of 'the Pond', but Priestess are categorically not part of that sonic boom's fallout, anyway. They've got a track on a Guitar Hero game, for rock's sake. Which should tell you all you need to know about this 'difficult second album' of theirs, really. Thin Lizzy fans who have spent the past fifteen years wondering what their favourite band would sound like with a budget Chris Cornell as their lead singer need look no further before succumbing to further dementia. In summary; waggle that nostalgia switch until it snaps off in your greasy fingers, fill a bucket with lager, pretend it's a Watney's Party Seven and bang your head until the kids piss themselves. Should take about two minutes. Let's rock!
Listen: www.myspace.com/priestessband
Tracklist:
1. Lady Killer
2. Raccoon Eyes
3. The Firebird
4. Murphy's Law
5. The Gem
6. Communicating Via-Eyes
7. Lunar
8. It Baffles The Mind
9. Sideways Attack
10. We Ride Tonight
11. Trapped In Space and Time
News - Ill Nino Sign To Victory Records
Ill Nino has signed to Victory Records. The band will enter the studio next month for a late summer release.
News - Blakfish - See You In Another City EP Re-Release
Blakfish’s sold out EP "See You In Another City" will be re-released through Big Scary Monsters Recording Company on the 22nd of March. The CD will be limited to just 100 copies (in pop-up digipak sleeves) with any left after the final show at The Flapper in Birmingham tomorrow night being made available exclusively through www.bsmrocks.com.
Track Listing:
1. Preparing For Guests
2. My Stomach Feels Like My Throats Been Cut
3. Jeremy Kyle Is A Marked Man
4. Make Your Bed And Lie In It
5. Carnival Carnivore
Bonus Tracks:
6. Leaving Home (Dirty import, 2002)
7. 22nd (myforteistimetravel, 2005)
8. Dead of a Soap Star (myforteistimetravel, 2005)
9. Captain Burns (Gold, Live, 2007)
10. The Curriculum Vitae of Uri Gagarin (COC demo, 2008)
11. Sh*t On My Face and Tell Me I’m Simon Cowell (Ringo demo, 2008)
12. Jeremy Kyle Is A Marked Man (Game version, 2009)
13. Charmer (Rollerskates b-side, 2009)
14. A Day In The Life (un-used b-side, 2009)
News - Sick Of It All Album Track Listing
Sick Of It All will release their new album "Based On A True Story" on the 19th of April through Century Media Records.
Track Listing:
1. Death Or Jail
2. The Divide
3. Dominated
4. A Month Of Sundays
5. Braveheart
6. Bent Outta Shape
7. Lowest Common Denominator
8. Good Cop
9. Lifeline
10. Watch It Burn
11. Waiting For The Day
12. Long As She's Standing
13. Nobody Rules
14. Dirty Money
News - What A Bloody Fiasco!
General Fiasco will release their debut album "Buildings" on the 22nd of March through Infectious Records.
News - White Belt Yellow Tag’s Craig Pilbin In A&E
Submitted about White Belt Yellow Tag: "Craig had a night off from the band's recent tour and somehow managed to have a ceiling fall on his head. In A&E, feeling slightly groggy and concussed, he relays his story to the production team from BBC3’s programme 'Bizarre ER' whilst awaiting news as to whether or not the doctors will give him permission to do the last gig of the tour.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSf9wccbsUI
The band are also currently on tour, supporting The Automatic on the following dates:
MARCH
18th Sheffield Academy
19th Manchester Academy 3
20th Leeds Brundenell Social Club
22nd Norwich Arts Centre
23rd Nottingham Rescue Rooms
24th York Fibbers
25th Birmingham Academy
27th Brighton Audio
28th Bristol Thekla
29th Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
30th London Garage"
News - Save Your Breath Join Adeline Records
Save Your Breath have signed to Adeline Records and will release a digital EP called "Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy" on the 13th of April.
News - Good Old War Album 2
Good Old War will release their new self-titled album on the 1st of June through Sargent House.
News - The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster Are Back!
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster’s new album "Blood and Fire" will be released through Black Records on the 17th of May. A limited vinyl & download single "Love Turns To Hate" will come out on the 10th of May.
News - Call To Preserve - Life of Defiance
Call To Preserve are currently recording their latest album at Warrior Sound Studios (Advent, He Is Legend). The album is titled "Life of Defiance" and is due out on the 8th of June through Facedown Records.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
News - Katie Melua Is Back With New Album
Katie Melua will release her new single "The Flood" on the 17th of May with album "The House" following on the 24th of May throughDramatico Entertainment.
Katie has announced an extensive European tour for autumn 2010 which will include 13 shows in Britain in December. She will also be playing at festivals and outdoor concerts this summer.
News - Ictus Send In The One Two...
Ictus will release the mini-album "Handmade & Homegrown" on the 10th of May through One Two Records.
News - Graffiti6 - Stone In My Heart EP
Graffiti6 will release their new EP "Stone In My Heart" on the 22nd of March.
News - April Maybe May Debut Album
April Maybe May will release their debut self-titled album on the 24th of May through Crash Records / Seahouse Records.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
News - Signal the Rescue
Mike Naran (ex-Signal the Escape) will be replacing Patrick O’Connell in Sparks The Rescue.
News - Chaos Days Split Up
Chaos Days have split up.
"So i thought it was time to make the confirmation that Chaos Days has officially split up.
For various reasons we decided to call it a day.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way.
CD x"
Review - Detroit Social Club - Kiss The Sun
Detroit Social Club - Kiss The Sun
View The Review
6 out of 10
From Newcastle they might be, but singer David Burn and his crew manage to live up to their name slightly by taking the acid drenched, psychedelic moments of the pioneering 1960s Detroit Garage rock scene (MC5 et al) and supplanting it in northern England. Well, sometimes. 'Kiss The Sun' is trapped between the pioneering spirit of Detroit and copying the templates of Kasabian, The Stone Roses and Mancunian space rockers The Longcut.
Things start off well, with the soulful brace of the title track's driving motorik & roll and 'Black & White'. The latter's Britpop arrogance ("You're nothing without me," sings Burn) is overwhelmed by the song's lo-fi industrial klang and fuzzy synth organs reminiscent of Spiritualized.
But DSC's momentum starts to run out on the plodding 'Never Too Late To Try', on which Burn loses his own voice for Kasabian's Tom Meighan's and random heavy riff is clunked on the end. By the time the folksy Britpop of 'Thousand Kings' arrives DSC are more Ocean Colour Scene than scene stealing. If Burn and his club could keep up the pace of the first two tracks then they would be on the way to becoming worthy successors to some of Motor City's finest.
Listen: www.myspace.com/detroitsocialclub
Tracklist:
1. Kiss The Sun
2. Black & White
3. Never Too Late To Try
4. Thousand Kings
Review - Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - The Logic Of Chance
Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - The Logic Of Chance
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7 out of 10
The Essex duo of beardy performance poet Scroobius Pip and DJ/producer Dan le Sac, who have been collaborating since 2006 when le Sac remixed Pip's solo collection 'No Commercial Breaks', struck gold with 'Thou Shalt Always Kill', their 2007 alt-hop single that trashed pop culture and pop snobbery in equal measure. But it undoubtedly became a bit of an albatross and while there's nothing as funny on second LP 'The Logic Of Chance', to call the pair one trick ponies or a novelty would be wrong. On 'The Logic Of Chance' the beats are bold and Pip "fucks with words and their arrangements" with some skill.
After the angsty opener 'Sick Tonight', with its multiple scatty beats and '8 Mile' style pre-gig unease ("I feel sick tonight... but I got to overcome it and keep spitting right"), 'Five Minutes' is more subdued, with spacey Warp-style big beats and a more sombre Scroobius. Mostly, though, the sound if upbeat or up for a scrap. The blaring bleeps on 'Great Britain' almost drown out Pip's wordplay, which bring new angles to the familiar topics of youth and knife crime. On 'Get Better' he stands up for the kids through the medium of Anglicised filter disco and a hope-filled post-Obama manifesto.
Fittingly, 'The Beat' is the cue for le Sac's production to take centre stage (as Scroob says, dance music is "all about your feet"). 'The Beat' takes the old school electro hip-hop of the likes of occasional NWA man Arabian Prince, adding some D&B womp and glaring rave sounds. The bold and brassy production on 'Last Train Home' and 'Snob' nods towards some more old school pioneers, the Beastie Boys, with its snappy beats, siren samples and neat parody of Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab'. The former also features some of the record's funniest lines, such as Pip telling us that "since 9/11 this beard doesn't travel well".
The soppy 'Cowboi' is an odd closer. The 10 riotous (and occasionally righteous) polemics that preceded it might annoy some, but they sound more alive and show off le Sac's talents and Pip's original voice to much greater effect.
Listen: www.myspace.com/lesacvspip
Tracklist:
1. Sick Tonight
2. Five Minutes
3. Cauliflower
4. Great Britain
5. Get Better
6. Inert Explosions
7. Stake A Claim
8. The Beat
9. Last Train Home
10. Snob
11. Cowboi
Review - We’ll All Be Heroes - Everything Must Go
We’ll All Be Heroes - Everything Must Go
View The Review
4 out of 10
There’s no doubt that the trio on 'Everything Must Go' can play and can craft catchy melody after catchy melody. Singer/guitarist cut his chops as a session musician in LA before returning to north east England to form We'll All Be Heroes (who have become a foursome since this EP was recorded with the addition of drummer James Waterson's sister Kim).
But just as session musicians express little identity of their own on record, WABH do little on 'Everything Must Go' to really stand out. The twiddly metal solos on the title track and the combination of one whiny, nasal voice with another affected, screamy one (best displayed on 'Burn Your Bridges') have been deployed by countless post-hardcore and screamo bands across the UK and US - from Kids In Glass Houses to Broadway Calls, to The Used before them.
A youthful swagger rather than emo whinging is on show on 'I Just Wanna Party!' An element of carefree daftness and a chunky, groovy riff are welcome additions to WABH's arsenal. Unfortunately it's not maintained on 'Locked Out', which is by-numbers scream save for a few eerie, gothic interludes. This lot have a little way to go to before they reach hero status.
Listen: www.myspace.com/allbeheroes
Tracklist:
1. Everything Must Go
2. Burn Your Bridges
3. I Just Wanna Party!
4. Locked Out
News - The Bluetones: A New Athens
The Bluetones will release their new album "A New Athens" in June. A full UK tour is scheduled throughout April and May:
APRIL
Sat 10th Edinburgh - Bongo
Sun 11th Aberdeen - Moshulu
Mon 12th Dundee - Doghouse
Wed 14th York - Fibbers
Thurs 15th Newcastle - Academy 2
Sat 17th Aldershot - West End Centre
Sun 18th Sheffield - Academy 2
Tues 20th Liverpool - Academy 2
Wed 21st Bristol -Thekla
Thurs 22nd Nottingham - Rescue Rooms
Fri 23rd Crewe -The Box
Sun 25th Preston - 53 Degrees
Mon 26th Wrexham - Central Station
Tues 27th Manchester - Moho
Fri 30th Oxford - Academy
MAY
Sat 1st Yeovil - Orange Box
Sun 2nd Cardiff - Club Ifor Bach
Mon 3rd Birmingham - Academy
Wed 5th Brighton - Concorde
Thurs 6th Portsmouth - Wedgewood Rooms
Sat 8th London - Forum
Sun 9th Leicester - Music Café
Tickets are priced £13 (£16 London) - subject to booking fee. Tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 24hr cc hotline 0844 277 0700.
News - The Smoking Hearts On Tour
The Smoking Hearts have announced additional tour dates:
March:
18th - The Devonshire Arms Camden
19th - Goblets Southampton
26th - Esquires Bedford
27th - Man on The Moon Cambridge
April:
1st - The Hat Factory Luton
2nd - George and Dragon Chesham
3rd - Club 85 Hitchin
4th - Student Union Luton
5th - Railway Club Watford
Monday, 15 March 2010
News - Scouting For Girls Tour Dates
Scouting For Girls have the following upcoming tour dates:
19th April - Savoy Theatre, Cork
20th April - Dolans, Limerick
21st April - Mandela Hall, Belfast
23rd April - Olympia Theatre, Dublin
24th April - TF Royal, Castlebar
28th April - Royal Centre, Nottingham
29th April - University, Liverpool
30th April - O2 Academy, Birmingham
2nd May - City Hall, Newcastle
3rd May - HMV Picture House, Edinburgh
4th May - Academy, Glasgow
6th May - O2 Academy, Leeds
7th May - Apollo, Manchester
8th May - Empress Ballroom, Blackpool
10th May - O2 Academy, Sheffield
11th May - Oasis, Swindon
12th May - Colston Hall, Bristol
14th May - Solent, Bournemouth
15th May - Pavilions, Plymouth
16th May - Guildhall, Portsmouth
19th May - HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London
24th May - Centre, Brighton
News - Mayday Parade Support Madina Lake
Mayday Parade will support Madina Lake on their forthcoming UK tour, dates below:
27th March - Rock City, Nottingham
28th March - Waterfront - Norwich
29th March - Academy 2 - Birmingham
30th March - Academy 2 - Manchester
1st April - Garage - Glasgow
2nd April - Empire - Middlesbrough
3rd April - Leeds - Cockpit
4th April - Sheffield - Corporation
6th April - Wedgewood Rooms - Portsmouth
7th April - Cardiff - Millennium Music Hall
8th April - The Forum, London
News - Think of an Odd Number
Stanley Odd will release their second single "Think of a Number" on the 22nd of March.
Live dates:
March 21st - The Royal Hotel, Penicuik, Midlothian
March 22nd - SINGLE LAUNCH - The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
March 25th - Hope and Anchor, Islington
May 8th - Twa Tams, Perth
News - Don’t Be Afraid Of Attack! Attack!
Attack! Attack! are set to release first single "Not Afraid" from forthcoming 2nd album on the 3rd of May through Atticus Black.
Live dates:
APRIL
30 - LONDON Borderline (SOLD OUT)
MAY
01 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy
02 - NEWCASTLE O2 Academy
03 - GLASGOW King Tuts
04 - ABERDEEN Warehouse
06 - SHEFFIELD Corporation
07 - OXFORD O2 Academy 2
08 - SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
09 - CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach (SOLD OUT)
News - Bring On The Halestorm!
Halestorm will release their self-titled debut album on the 29th of March, preceded by single "I Get Off" a week earlier on the 22nd of March through Atlantic Records.
Halestorm are touring the UK in April, dates as follows:
APRIL
(Dates supporting Theory Of A Deadman)
Sat 3 LEEDS Metropolitan University
Sun 4 GLASGOW ABC
Tues 6 WOLVERHAMPTON Wulfrun Hall
Wed 7 LIVERPOOL Academy
Fri 9 LONDON Electric Ballroom
News - James - The Night Before
James will release their new mini-album "The Night Before" on the 19th of April.
Track Listing:
1. It’s Hot
2. Crazy
3. Ten Below
4. Porcupine
5. Shine
6. Dr Hellier
7. Hero
James live dates are as follows:
APRIL
Monday 5 - Edinburgh Corn Exchange (0844 499 9990)
Tuesday 6 - Newcastle O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Thursday 8 - Sheffield O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Friday 9 - Preston Guildhall (01772 258858)
Saturday 10 - Cambridge Corn Exchange (01223 357 851)
Monday 12 - Southend Cliffs Pavilion (01702 351 135)
Tuesday 13 - Bournemouth O2 Academy (0844 477 2000)
Thursday 15 - Bristol Colston Hall (0117 922 3686)
Friday 16 - London Royal Albert Hall (0207 589 8212)
Saturday 17 - Liverpool University (0151 256 5555)
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Review - Castrovalva - We Are A Unit
Castrovalva - We Are A Unit
View The Review
8 out of 10
'This is for c*unt who's at the back. . .' After hearing this, I assume the said C-U-Next-Tuesday dissolved into a pool of his own fear. Castrovalva are clearly not for the faint of anything; heart, mind, body, whatever. Musically we're in Lightning Bolt territory but with added funk and stomp (Thuglife, for example, where the fist-slamming bass riff winds down into a synthoid crush that Cypress Hill would love to have done). The other ingredient is Leemun Smith's face-melting vocal style, which clamps down, chews up and shits out Yow, Axl Rose and Rollins, amongst anyone else.
As a British band molesting hip-hop, there are moments where the listener is left wondering whether they're not taking the pistol. 'Motherfucking Castrovalva on your ass' from Unit Radio is an example and do they really shout 'I pooed on your clothesline' in Hooliganz R Us? No matter - that's the smallest of niggles. Prepare for an aural enema.
Listen: www.myspace.com/castrovalvamusic
Tracklist:
1. We Are A Unit (Intro)
2. Pump Pump
3. That's What I'm Talking About
4. Thuglife
5. Unit Radio
6. We Don't Go To Ravenholm
7. Hooliganz R Us
8. You Better Make That Money
9. Outlawz
10. Bison Scissor Kick
11. Triceratops
12. We Are A Unit (Outro)
Review - Turin Brakes - Outbursts
Turin Brakes - Outbursts
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3 out of 10
Turin Brakes have managed to produce a new album that is exclusively 'filler'. The listener is kept on tenterhooks, expecting something - anything - to happen at any minute. Time is beginning to have no meaning before they realise that they're on track seven with the worst song title ever committed to paper and regretting another three-quarters of an hour they'll never get back.
"We loved the idea that these songs were outbursts that were going to happen whether we liked it or not," 'Brake Number One says. No thought for the poor listener, clearly. Plus, the title is more than a little disingenuous - an 'outburst' suggests something with punch, assertion, aggression, even. Certainly passion, at any rate. If this collection of twee acoustic muzak is an 'outburst', expect Mike Tyson to lose his next fight to Alan Carr. And don't get me started on the 'emotional' vocal on songs like Paper Heart. The 'Brake voice resembles nothing more than James Blunt singing with a gobstopper. Who wants this music for beige-brains? Well, possibly your Mum. Or those middle-managers that pack out the V Festival. Yeah, this is for them.
Listen: www.myspace.com/turinbrakes
Tracklist:
1. The Sea Change
2. Mirror
3. Rocket Song
4. Paper Heart
5. The Invitation
6. Will Power
7. Apocolips
8. Embryos
9. Never Stops
10. The Letting Down
11. Radio Silence
12. Outbursts
Review - XodiacK - Shinra Bansho -Setsuri-
XodiacK - Shinra Bansho -Setsuri-
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3 out of 10
Oh, good. Another Japanese band marketing themselves as aliens. Or, in the case of XodiacK (note the use of capitals at the beginning and the end of the name - can't think where they got that idea from. . .), 'the ultimate inter-dimensional band' who play (Heaven help us) 'Galaxy Metal'. Watch any anime for about five minutes and you'll hear this kind of 'genuine innovation', probably while a giant robot turns into a schoolgirl with rabbit ears. Or something.
Listen: www.myspace.com/xodiackofficial
Tracklist:
1. Sinra Bansho -Boutoku-
2. Kuroi Taiyou
3. Kiminifuru Zetsubo no Ame
4. Kimino Koe
5. MasK
6. HELLRAISER
7. Vorte-X-
8. Shinra Bansho -Saisei-
9. Kiminifuru Zetsubo no Ame Clip
Review - Neil Cowley Trio - Radio Silence
Neil Cowley Trio - Radio Silence
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6 out of 10
Despite iTunes sucking this one in as 'Unclassifiable' and the PR rather over-optimistically describing the 'unique sonic skin', this trio are Jazz with a capital 'Mmmmmm'. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and indeed there are flashes of things other than the cocktail lounge in the likes of Gerald, for example. The track takes something which, in the hands of, say, Ben Folds, would be turned into contrived-kook overload and manages genuine uplift, in the manner of a well-fitting bra.
There are even moments when you sense the band are, shock horror, 'rocking out' but as they consist of piano, bass and drums this is inevitably somewhat limited. And that's where I have to leave them - talented, certainly. Interesting, yes but unique? Unclassifiable? They take more than a few clever track titles, I'm afraid.
Listen: www.myspace.com/neilcowleytrio
Tracklist:
1. Monoface
2. Radio Silence
3. Vice Skating
4. A French Lesson
5. Gerald
6. Desert to Rabat
7. Stereoface
8. Hug the Greyhound
9. Portal
Review - North Atlantic Oscillation - Grappling Hooks
North Atlantic Oscillation - Grappling Hooks
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8 out of 10
Ears tickled by last year's Callsigns EP or the more recentDrawing Maps From Memory single will not be disappointed by this, the debut long slog by Caledonian button-pushers North Atlantic Oscillation. It's modern Psychedelia without being shite. You're perfectly safe on this space journey, my cool-addicted little friends. Where bands like Yeasayer throw the kitchen sink at the studio and hope everyone's too arch to question them, the 'Oscillation put in the graft required to sculpt true beauty. Muse may trot off and play to pseuds in their private enormo-domes, now. This band channel the spirit of Pink Floyd through the Flaming Lips and Mogwai to produce something other than else.
Listen: www.myspace.com/naoband
Tracklist:
1. Marrow
2. Hollywood Has Ended
3. Cell Count
4. Some Blue Hive
5. Audioplastic
6. Ceiling Poem
7. Alexanderplatz
8. 77 Hours
9. Star Chamber
10. Drawing Maps From Memory
11. Ritual
Review - Human Demise - The Odditorium
Human Demise - The Odditorium
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8 out of 10
Human Demise is broadly speaking a hardcore / metalcore band from the Netherlands, their new album The Odditorium on WTF Records is a brutal, balls out, punch in the face which I was only too happy to receive.
This band clearly do not sit comfortably in the hardcore / metalcore pigeonhole, or any pigeonhole for that matter, as they are definitely varied and interesting enough to surpass any pre conceived notions of genre, much in the same way as bands like Converge and The Dillinger Escape Plan manage to do without sounding forced, or gimmicky.
The Odditorium begins with a blast of pacey, in your face hardcore punk, then promptly backed up by some amazing riffage, harking back to the good old days of bands like Downset, obviously minus the rapping thank god. This is non more evident on tracks such as ’Drowning In Sludge’ which has a more minimalist, stoner feel, complete with some lovely feedback work, which I am partial to.
There are also plenty of ’traditional’ guitar solos on this album which, depending on your stance, may enhance or worsen your experience. I for one was happy to let it wash over me without focusing on this slight comedy element.
If you are lucky enough to witness this band live, you should prepare for war, as I get the feeling that the raw energy of the music mixed with the aggression of vocalist Maurice’s style would make for an awesome festival of power violence.
Listen: www.myspace.com/humandemise
Tracklist:
1. Novum Aevum
2. Born/Unborn
3. Brutiful End
4. Drowning In Sludge
5. Apocalypse Manmade
6. 5x2
7. Desolate Screams
8. Humanity’s Downfall
9. Fall Of Man
10. Bad Blood
11. Mass Monologue
12. Damocles
Friday, 12 March 2010
News - Sparks The Rescue Lose Guitarist
Patrick O’Connell (Guitar) has announced that he is leaving Sparks The Rescue.
News - Maprs & Atlases Sign To Barsuk Records
Maprs & Atlases have signed to Barsuk Records.
Source: http://maps-and-atlases.tumblr.com/post/442103259/barsuk-records
News - Played in Space: The Best of Something Corporate
Geffen Records will release "Played in Space: The Best of Something Corporate" on the 27th of April featuring five tracks of previously unreleased material.
Track Listing:
1. Space
2. I Woke Up in a Car
3. She Paints Me Blue
4. Hurricane
5. Me and the Moon
6. Fall
7. Ruthless
8. I Want to Save You
9. Cavanaugh Park
10. If You C Jordan
11. Down
12. Punk Rock Princess
13. Walking By
14. The Astronaut
15. Konstantine (Previously Unreleased)
16. Watch the Sky (Previously Unreleased)
17. Forget December (New Mix)
18. I Woke Up in a Car (Adam Young Mix)
19. Wait (New Recording)
News - The Bigger Lights - Queen of Broken Hearts
The Bigger Lights have posted a new song called "Queen of Broken Hearts" on their MySpace page. The band’s new album will be released on the 30th of March through Doghouse Records.
News - Secret And Whisper Post Two New Songs
Secret and Whisper have posted two new songs called "Edge Of Wilderness" and "Warrior" on their MySpace page. The songs are from their forthcoming album "Teenage Fantasy" which is set to be released on the 6th of April through Tooth & Nail Records.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Review - run,WALK! - I Hope All This Works Out So I Can Stop Standing On Even Amounts Of Manholes In The Street
run,WALK! - I Hope All This Works Out So I Can Stop Standing On Even Amounts Of Manholes In The Street
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8 out of 10
Combined with the recent Throats self-titled album, Holy Roar has made me even more envious of the youth of today. Youngsters are now writing and creating music that I struggle to do myself as a jaded adult. Of course we are talking of two very different styles here. run,WALK! have a total wig out feeling to their bass/drums racket. Yes, another 2-piece band trying their luck. Over saturating the world with more low end, distorted chaos at the end of a series of effects pedals.
run,WALK! has another angle though; a very tuneful ear. One which has more than likely been listening to as much Lightning Bolt as it has Bloc party. Tempering the distorted chaos with blasts of melody, squeaks of electronics and twisted little tunes that stick right in your head.
It's still very early days but the youngsters are doing pretty fine and maybe we will have something to shout about soon.
Listen: www.myspace.com/runwalk
Tracklist:
1. Back Of My Mind
2. Projections On The Wall
3. Trees Are Raw
4. NBY
5. He Who Must Not Be Named
6. Horizons
7. I hope this all works out so I can stop standing on even amounts of manholes in the street
Review - Les Claypool - Koko, London - Monday 8th March 2010
Les Claypool - Koko, London - Monday 8th March 2010
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10 out of 10
The Koko audience couldn’t agree when it was that Les Claypool had last visited these shores - was it ten years ago? Twelve? I was plumping for seventeen, since that was when, on a balmy (and, indeed, barmy) afternoon at the Reading festival, I had last seen the Thumb of God. On that day he was, of course, leading Primus. This evening he was ring-master to a trio of identically-masked Fancy bandmates; lead duties were taken by a gentleman doing unfeasible things to a cello, whilst a double percussion team handled wall-thumping. As for the man himself, well, mere words can do him no justice at all. From the opening Rumble of the Diesel through cuts from his last album Of Fungi And Foe (Red State Girl, Amanitas, Ol’ Rosco) to the epic closer Riddles Are Abound Tonight, we were taken on a glorious trip. A nugget from Mr. Krinkle lead to the inevitable cacophony of Primus titles being bellowed, which were finally rewarded with a stunning run at Southbound Pachyderm in the middle of an equally gargantuan David Malakaster. He even found time to sneak in a few bars of Led Zep’s Kashmir - as if the crowd weren’t ecstatic enough as it was (the massed singalong to D’s Diner showed that).
There was no extended bass soloing, however. No Hamburger Train, no One Better and certainly no Tommy the Cat. The percussive duo took that mantle, practically shattering Koko’s giant disco ball with a drum-and-vibes duel to conjure the ghosts of Bonham and Moon. Les seemed in fine fettle, yet the tour has a sad tinge - his father-in-law died recently and he really felt he wanted to be with his wife - the Iowan Gal. There are few in Claypool’s class either technically or creatively. Here’s hoping he doesn’t stay away for another seventeen years.
Listen: www.myspace.com/thereallesclaypool
Tracklist:
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