ALBUMs
- Album Reviews
No surprise to me, but the current hotbed that is the North East music scene has produced yet another winning rock outfit. This time it’s the turn of Carlisle in the northern borders to send us The Sun Explodes, a progressive metal group that, in their latest ep, are sending a delightfully haunting 5 track delight.
Slow burning and melancholy the classy vocals of Dave MacLachlan build each track emotionally into bursts of almost operatic choruses’ and heavy riff glory. With heavy production values and bordering on Grande Dame indulgence the whole album is delivered with such confidence a quintet of clearly talented musicians. From opening Calm to the final Storm (of light) the passion is evident and entices the listener through to its tortured conclusion.
The Unnatural, as a single, has received some airplay, but in truth any could justify airtime in the usual rock channels. I walk Alone is the emotive killer track for me, but it’s very close to call. Recent tourers with The Marmozets, Aliases and on the bill at last year’s UK Tech Metal Fest in Newark, this is a band on my need to see live list, let’s hope they venture south soon.
9/11 Iain
@docswallow
Track-listing:
1. The Calm
2. The Unnatural
3. The Grand Design
4. I Walk Alone
5. Storm Of Light
The Sun Explodes - The Calm, The Storm (EP) is released 18th May 2015
The Sun Explodes are:
Dave Maclachlan – Vocals
Jamie Harris – Drums
Alex Adamson – Guitar
Mike Walker – Bass
Alex Harris - Guitar
- Album Reviews
Progressive tech Metal is certainly in the ascendency and Cambion have clearly joined the party.
Virus released in April is an expansion of their debut EP into album format. Fronted by the enigmatically named Elliott Alderman-Broom you would expect a career forged in diplomatic circles rather than the powerfully angry roar that defines this hugely entertaining outfit.
The trick to this album is the unexpectedly expansive instrumentals which elevate it from run of the mill post hardcore nu metal into the tech genre. The diseased, demise and redemption subject matter may not be to everyone’s taste but it’s a cleverly executed and produced effort that is definitely worth a listen.
Having played Bloodstock twice and numerous euro fests they have earned their spurs and demand respect. If you like it loud and powerful then this is for you.
7/11
Iain
@docswallow
- Album Reviews
Just where has Jane Weaver been hiding from us? The Silver Globe is her 6th full length album and its a physcodelic dream.
The title track itself is a 47 second opener into the 8 minutes of ‘Argent’, which is a magnificent song. The album actually samples Hawkwind’s ‘Star Cannibal’ as the central theme on next track ‘The Electric Mountain’. ‘Arrows’ is a beautifully spacey ballad. That much joy and we are only a few songs into the album.
Jane Weaver hails from Liverpool and is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. She was part of indie band ‘Kill Laura’ and has worked alongside Elbow, Doves, and Badly Drawn Boy. As well as recording her own records she also runs her own label Bird Records and is one of the main people at the archival Finders Keepers label.
The Silver Globe was released in 2014 but has really picked up airplay this year particularly the songs ’Don’t take my Soul’ and the superb ‘Your Time in this Life is just Temporary” (which closes the album) via BBC6 music and the album was re-released in deluxe form in April 2015.
Following the record’s initial release, Jane took to the road via tours with friend Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab Black Rivers (two thirds of Doves) and her own shows.
This expanded edition of The Silver Globe includes a second full-length album called The Amber Light. This album is beautifully physcodelic and ambient. The added album includes four brand new songs, three instrumental themes and three collaborative re-workings and duets based on tracks from The Silver Globe.
Added onto the back of the Silver Globe this makes this an indispensable release for your collection. Jane has also teamed up with Toy for a song called ‘Fell From The Sun’. Have a listen here; it seems a perfect match up.
Among other dates Jane plays Field Day in June and The Liverpool Psych Fest in September.
Pete
10/11
- Album Reviews
The sounds on Bop English are from James Petralli of White Demin, unleashing his solo debut onto your Stereo.
The man himself is pictured on the back sleeve in a retro England football track suit top and the opening song Dani's Blues bleeds English legends Supergrass. This is a bright and fun record, ideal for the car with the roof down during the upcoming British spring and summer and all from an American!
There is an array of musical melodies to keep the senses sharp throughout the record. The songs are short and sparky with easy to get along with lyrics. The wah wah pedal and brass on 'Trying' for example, get your toes tapping instantly. 'Have I Got It Wrong' has a dreamy jazz vibe that is quite heavenly and 'Fake Dog' is the psych maths rocker of the album.
'Wille Spends an Evening' has a sweet muscle shoals guitar on board. 'Sentimental Wilderness' even has a Jethro Tull feel, that's how diverse the album is.
These must have been pretty dream recording sessions where all ideas were open to experiment with. The record is the result of four years of effort and among the many musicians on the ten songs, these included White denim bandmates, drummer Josh Block, guitarist Austin Jenkins and bass player Steve Terebecki, as well as former Shearwater bassist Kevin Schneider.
This record is a grower, I did not appreciate it until four or five listens in and with every listen you hear something new. It's an unexpected, summer gem.
Pete
9/11
Dani's Blues (It Was Beyond Our Control)
Struck Matches
Trying
Have I Got It Wrong
Fake Dog
Willy Spends an Evening
Sentimental Wilderness
Falling at Your Feet
The Hardest Way
Long Distance Runner
UK dates:
Friday, 29 May - Broadcast, Glasgow, United Kingdom
TICKETS
Saturday, 30 May - District, Liverpool, United Kingdom
TICKETS
Sunday, 31 May - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, United Kingdom
TICKETS
Monday, 1 June - Louisiana, Bristol, United Kingdom
TICKETS
Tuesday, 2 June - Sticky Mikes, Brighton, United Kingdom
TICKETS
Wednesday, 3 June - Oslo, London, United Kingdom
TICKETS
Thursday, 4 June - Night and Day, Manchester, United Kingdom
TICKETS
- Album Reviews
Nadine Shah is a unique talent. This is no ordinary singer-songwriter, Her voice is special, deep and melodic, comforting and warm. The instrumentation on Fast Food is superb, the songs are gritty and the album rocks and soothes in equal measure.
Second album after 2013’s ‘Love Your Dum and Mad’ the progression is notable. Nadine hails from Whitburn on the Northumbrian coast, which must be where her voice matured into something quite extraordinary, certainly in the bracket of Lucinda Williams and Laura Marling, that is the class we are talking about here.
There is a level of experimentation and intricacy with the music on the songs , via guitars, strings, electronics or just the foundation of the bass lines which can only be applauded. the album features contributions from guitarist Nick Webb and bassist Pete Jobson (of I Am Kloot).
The album artwork is also strikingly red so we recommend the vinyl version for the full effect. We are certainly in the presence of someone who can only get better with each album Surely the author and singer of a future James Bond theme, this is a widescreen album that will grow and grow on you.
If you can’t get a ticket for Nadine’s current spring tour, then her show at London’s Union Chapel on 01 October should be something very special indeed. Tickets are available via Communion.
Pete
10/11
1. Fast Food
2. Fool
3. Matador
4. Divided
5. Nothing Else To Do
6. Stealing Cars
7. Washed Up
8. The Gin One
9. Big Hands
10. Living
- Album Reviews
Hailing from the west coast of Canada, Weed have released their 2nd LP called 'Running Back'.
The difficult-to-Google band formed in 2010, and after gaining local momentum in their own continent supported by an increased backing colloquially called The Field Trippers, their debut slipped out in 2013.
Running Back is now unleashed onto a wider, albeit alternative audience in the hope for global domination.
While the band have clearly been listening to a lot of My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus And Mary Chain, their wall of sound and distortion kicks off with the fabulously woozy 'Muscles', all oscillating guitars, off kilter vocals and urgent percussion.
'Stay in the summer' continues the trend, again with the distinctive sound of the guitar sounding like it's going out of tune mid chord. Album highlight for me is 'Meet Me with Ease', a slightly more straightforward rock song, with massive drums and chiming guitars.
Sixth track 'Puncture' starts with a screaming vocal, before again the band kick on into the all-enveloping wall of sound. You wonder if this is a deliberate reaction after listening to the relentless onslaught from side one.
Final cut 'They Don’t Ask Me' closes the album, and is also the longest track on the record at five and a half minutes long. Dinosaur Jr springs to mind on this track, which for fans of the band is by no means a bad thing.
At just over 35 minutes long, the ten track album never outstays its welcome and despite the wall of sound (and undoubted volume it is designed to be played at), there are also moments of subtlety and reverence.
OK, it's unlikely you will be humming or singing along to the album after listening to it, but after a few headphones listens, I found myself increasingly exhilarated by the effect and wanting to experience the live act. I’m sure UK fans of the aforementioned influences will embrace Weed with open arms.
7/11
Keith @kjsmith4082
- Album Reviews
It is only right to realise early on in listening to this record, how important a band like Wire are in the modern scheme of things, music wise. This band have been around since 1976 and yet in 2015, they release an album with as much vibrancy as if it were their debut.
Not a band to look back or take to the megadomes to play a greatest songs set. They stick to smaller venues, and original new music. Much like the Gang of Four, their legend grows with every release because they refuse to do anything but look forward.
Their 13th studio album, titled Wire comprises material that was toured extensively first, as well as songs that frontman Colin Newman introduced to the group in the studio just prior to recording. "The idea was to get the most spontaneous reaction possible from the musicians" and the result is a seamless production of those songs, that grow in statue with each run through of the album.
Swooning sharp tunes soon have the listener hooked in a warm glow of sonic rhythm. From truly epic songs around the eight minute mark, 'Sleep-Walking' and ‘Harpooned’ to vibrant pop on 'Joust & Jostle' and ‘In Manchester’ to the majestic ‘Swallow’ and album opener ‘Blogging’ this is a prime record of 2015.
The basic tracks were recorded at Rockfield Studios near Monmouth, with overdubs added at Brighton Electric last December following the group’s DRILL : BRIGHTON Festival. The 11 tracks selected for release "were the ones that came together most naturally" according to the band.
The new album will be launched by the fourth event in the band's DRILL series entitled DRILL : LEXINGTON - five nights (14-18 April) at the Lexington in London with Wire headlining, plus a different "curated" support each night. This will be followed by a UK tour, all dates are below.
So in conclusion all I can say is purchase the record and see a show, it may well be the most satisfactory decisions you make this year.
Pete
10/11
Blogging
Shifting
Burning Bridges
In Manchester
High
Sleep-Walking
Joust & Jostle
Swallow
Split Your Ends
Octopus
Harpooned
See Wire live:
April 12-13 - UK - BRIGHTON - Prince Albert
April 14-18 – UK - LONDON – DRILL : LEXINGTON
April 20 – UK - SOUTHAMPTON – Engine Rooms
April 21 – UK - RAMSGATE – Music Hall
April 22 – UK - NOTTINGHAM – Rescue Rooms
April 23 – UK - LIVERPOOL – Kazimer
April 24 – UK - HEBDEN BRIDGE – Trades Club
April 26 - UK - ABERDEEN – Lemon Tree
April 27- UK - GLASGOW – King Tuts
April 28 – UK - LEEDS – Brudenell Social Club
April 29 – UK - MANCHESTER – Club Academy
April 30 - UK - BRISTOL – Fleece
- Album Reviews
Following previous releases Giant and A Tale of Sailors comes Rain, from the Bristol 5-piece Heg & the Wolf Chorus. This last installment in their trilogy of mini releases feels less overtly story-based, focusing more on building mood.
Featuring three atmospheric tracks, this EP is at times reminiscent of Clannad, especially in the strength and depth of their vocal harmonies.
Song for Home is a strong opener, setting out a rich vocal arrangement peppered with grace notes and complemented by sparse instrumentation.
Tone shifts and lifts for Rain, which is more upbeat. The melody is piano-driven with accents of violin, and harmonies at times swirling around the main vocal line, at times adding gentle rhythm.
Sail On is the final track and is the most ballad-y of the three tracks, seamlessly blending changes in tempo. The main vocal glides, and again mellifluous harmonies wrap around it.
This is a strong EP, which gets better with each listen and I'll be looking out for their debut album, planned for release in 2016.
Rain is released 13th April and while their spring tour is over, they are playing a number of festivals this summer. Check their website for details.
Gráinne
@grainne4u
- Album Reviews
After a couple of years of gigging and writing, Cambridge indie 5 piece Tape Runs Out hit us with their debut AA side single : Friends/Flowers.
Friends leads us off with shimmering electric guitars, leading into a synth and bass rhythm section before the vocal harmonies kick in and a dreamy wooziness overtakes the listener. The overall atmosphere is a Radio Dept/Cocteau Twins inspired dream pop, but just as the track is getting going, after 2 minutes it just disappears….Less is more ?
At over 4 minutes, Flowers feels like the fully formed track of the two, again with its dreamy atmosphere created over what appears to be samples of nature - birds, running water, etc. It’s multi layered spectral stuff inducing a blissed out state of relaxation. Gorgeous.
This is a really promising debut release, and to answer the question is less more ? In this case it absolutely is. Looking forward very much to hearing more from this band.
Have a listen via Bandcamp
8/11
Keith @kjsmith4082
- Album Reviews
Hot on the heels of supporting indie rising stars Catfish & The Bottlemen during 2014, Talk in Code have released their self titled debut album and it happens to be produced by Geoff Swan of a certain Ed Sheeran fame.
The Swindon based indie 5 piece are comprised of frontman Chris Stevens with Mark Turner on bass, Al Sneddon on guitars, Stuart Marsh on Synths and Leks Wood on drums.
The poppy Limitless jauntily kicks off the album, with a keyboard riff Mark Kelly of Marillion would be proud of, and the scene is set for the remaining nine tracks.
Singles Stand and Catapult mix the same synths/guitar with a dance beat and a euphoric sing along chorus. Album highlight and potential ear worm material is Face to Face, again a simple song structure but with a pounding sing along chorus which I’m sure will be a live favourite.
Part dance, part indie, part power pop (if we were still in the 90’s, we’d be calling this synth rock), ridiculously melodic and memorable, TIC seem to have taken influences from the 90’s such as Mansun, Sleeper, yet remain contemporary towards the growing trend of rock-pop bands like the aforementioned CATB and Eliza And The Bear.
TIC are one of those feel good bands that seem to be growing in reputation and fanbase by good old fashioned hard work and word of mouth, and good luck to them for that.
There’s definitely a place for indie pop, and I defy anyone to listen to this album and not feel cheered up. Give it a go.
8/11
Keith @kjsmith4082
- Album Reviews
This is an epic album; ‘Salome’ by Marriages is one that certainly should not slip under your radar.
Like pairing Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky and Esben and the Witch, ex- Red Sparowes, Emma Ruth Rundle, sings as those her life depends on it, on the album opener, ‘The Liar’.
From the stark black & white cover through the nine tracks, the record is a room filling, wall to wall soundscape that pulls the listener into the album. You find yourself wholeheartedly concentrating on the music hitting your senses.
The record follows Marriages' promising 2012 debut EP, Kitsune and Emma Ruth’s fine solo album Some Heavy Ocean in early 2014
The Los Angeles-based trio first began life as Marriages in 2011, a collaborative effort between former Red Sparowes members Emma Ruth Rundle (guitar, vocals) and Greg Burns (bass, keyboards). Marriages was designed to give focus to Emma Ruth’s vocals and on Salome this has been spectacularly achieved. The vocals on this LP are entrancing.
Full time drummer Andrew Clinco completed the band line-up in late 2012 and he provides the bedrock of ‘Salome’ on which Emma Ruth’s voice and sonic guitars combines with Gregg Burn’s keyboards to dynamic effect.
A very fine debut LP indeed, don’t miss out!
Pete
9/11
Marriages will be playing at the Hoxton Bar & Kitchen in London on the 1st May and Salome is released on 6th April via Sargent House.
UK Tour dates
1st May London @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
21/22August Bristol @ Arctangent Festival
Track Listing
1. The Liar
2. Skin
3. Santa Sangre
4. Southern Eye
5. Binge
6. Salome
7. Less Than
8. Love, Texas
9. Contender
- Album Reviews
This is a blues record from the younger generation and in 22 year old Krissy Matthews we have as they say, an old head on young shoulders. Very fine guitar playing throughout is the mainstay of the record, which was produced by the legend that is Pete Brown of Cream fame.
Not afraid to take risks with the song structures, you can get to the end of track four 'Day by Day' and it's like you have heard a complete album, with so much variety present already. Whilst not pocessing (yet) the gravel voice of a veteran bluesman, Krissy's virtuoso guitar playing is something to behold.
Album opener, ‘Time Machine’ is a bit stuck between a pop, blues, psych rock song but the album really settles in with 'I've been Searching' a powerhouse blues rock tune in the vein of Jeff Healey, if you are looking for a sound touchstone.
'It Ain't Worth it’ is underlying BB King smooth with George Throgood blues rock added in for good message and with some good old New Orleans piano as well.
Generous comparisons perhaps but, Krissy is a young man loaded with potential, the album also contains some sweet, ballad’s 'Day by Day' and ‘Heading South’
‘Scenes from a Moving Window’ contains twelve songs and is thoroughly entertaining. It’s going to be interesting to watch this young man's progress unfold.
Pete
8/11
