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We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
THE CORAL Who's Gonna Find Me (Deltasonic)
The return of one of the more innovative bands of the past few years, who after a career hiatus moved into Oasis' studios early this year to record their new album (due 6 August).
This track is perfect for a warm summer's day but as the Great British Summer is not really shaping up I fear this might be lost in the downpour.
More accessible than of late, the band are not trying to cram so much into this instrumentally, and what emerges is a truly great pop song. Catch them supporting Arctic Monkeys July 28/29 and at V in August.****½
Review by David Randall
THE POLYPHONIC SPREE Running Away Gut Records
Having only witnessed this band live before at a previous Guilfest I was intrigued to hear their new single and boy is it good! They really do throw everything into the musical mix be it brass, layered harmonies, catchy chorus - you name and it is all on here.
Even after just one play you want to hear it again and that surely is the acid test for any single? Superb song and here's hoping the album is as good as this single. ****½
Review by Jason Ritchie
THE SONIC HEARTS Hold On
(EMI)
Another new band from Liverpool who are currently recording their debut album.
This is another well-timed piece of summer pop, good harmonies, and a general feel that will take you back to more innocent times. ****
Review by David Randall
FABLES LAST STAND Bite The Hook
The band's debut single and they have already been gaining favourable reviews from amongst others ‘Classic Rock' magazine. They really have tapped into the AC/DC sound riff wise and it is not a bad tune at all. Nice mean and dirty chorus makes for a very strong tune. The other track ‘Road Religion' is okay but nowhere near as good as the title track.
A band to watch and I am sure live they will be even better than on CD.
****
Review by Jason Ritchie
DAVID CRONENBERG'S WIFE I Couldn't Get Off/My Date With Jenna
Bush Blang Records BLANG4 (2007)
The name of the band alone might make you realise you are in for something different. In truth this hip young outfit offer a slow burning slice of uncompromising sexually charged minimalism.
If anything I prefer the second track 'My date With Jenna Bush' with its post-Velvet's feel, and its warped tale of the supposed seduction of George Bush's daughter.
Played out over a stripped down arrangement with deft use of dynamics, the narrator comes across in the same detached way as Glen Tilbrook from Squeeze. There is a sense of irony, and mischief, and outrageous name dropping that makes it almost surreal.
The lead in track, the self explanatory 'I Couldn't Get Off' is a kind of alt.dance piece with a big, up in the mix, drum sound as the vocalist unravels a tale of unrelenting sexual frustration.
It makes you wonder if this is the stuff of a concept album or an itch they got while in the studio?
****
Review by Pete Feenstra
BAND OF HORSES The Funeral
(Kids)
Formed in 2004, Band Of Horses rose from the Stateside ashes of Carissa's Weird. In particular the band was put together by drummer Ben Bridwell.
Now playing guitar (and taking lead vocals) Ben is accompanied in the band by Rob Hampton (guitar/bass) and Creighton Barrett (drums).
Their debut album Everything All The Time has been well received back home and The Funeral is a great taster for a band who should appeal to those who like The Verb's delicate reverb soaked rock. And Ben's plaintive vocals suit it perfectly.
****
Review by Pete Whalley
THE CRUCIBLE Maybe Reality, One Day (Sub-Mariner Records)
This London trio are gaining attention on their local circuit. The rolling guitar and vocals smack a bit of seventies Floyd and there's a great grungy middle section. Worthy of investigation.****
Review by David Randall
JOHN ZEALEY Preparations EP
Zealey says the intention behind this mini-album was 'to create a totally chart unfriendly collection of connected tracks'.
If that's slightly self-deprecating, it is perhaps consistent with a guy who gives away his music software and believes in 'free media'.
The music is in the mainstream of pop singer-songwriter fare and highly enjoyable.
Lead track 'You Are Here (And Nothing Changes)' sets the high standard, there's an uptempo 'Duped By The Day' and, really, it's all good.
'Rights Of Way' and 'Deepend' further reiterate Zealey's pop writing credentials.
This EP also includes a remix of his collaboration with Martin Grech, 'Progress Has Stopped'. Very eighties Talk Talk and perhaps a bit out of kilter with the rest of this CD.
Overall, Zealey shows himself as a performer of real merit and anyone who savours classic pop rock will not be disappointed. One to watch. ****
Review by David Randall
SCOTT MATTHEWS Elusive
Scott has recently won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically with Elusive.
Originally released last summer on an independent label it now gets the endorsement of Island records and could signal the start of something big for the Wolverhampton based singer /songwriter.
Opening with a sigh, gently strummed guitar and plenty of echo on the haunting vocals there's no doubting the pedigree of the song or performance. One that will appeal to James Blunt and Snow Patrol fans alike. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
JACK VIPER Devil May Care
This is more like it. Sleazy, heavy, harking back to the halcyon days of Hanoi Rocks and Motley Crue.
Already gaining a wider audience through their appearances with Vixen, The House of Lords and Robin Black they give sleaze a good name.
****
Review by David Randall
RAY LAMONTAGNE Three More Days
One of the more up tempo tracks taken from Ray’s Ethan Johns produced Till The Sun Turns Black album. Clearly designed to show the listening public that there is another side to his repertoire, Three More More Days is an rock / r&b style number that should be a blast on US FM radio.
As a purchase incentive for album owners, Three More Days will include an exclusive b-side cover of In A Station by The Band recorded live at The Union Chapel last year.
Ray will be touring the UK in October / November. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
KORN Evolution Virgin
Korn return with the first single lifted of their upcoming new album. This is classic Korn with a scathing lyric, heavy guitars and sampling all topped by the distinctive vocals of Jonathan Davis. On this song they put Linkin Park in the shade, especially after the latter's so so new album.
If the rest of the album is as good this single then fans are in for a treat. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
CANDIE PAYNE One More Chance (Deltasonic)
Liverpool lass Candie has produced a real retro offering with her debut album, complete with crackles and pops for authenticity.
In truth the album is patchy although this is one of the standouts together with the title track and In The Morning.
Big production, swirling string sounds, twangy guitars, the only thing missing is a beehive, but Candie's far too sophisticated for that.
***½
Review by David Randall
GROOVE ARMADA Song 4 Mutya
Taken from their acclaimed Soundboy Rock album, Song 4 Mutya is a Groove Armada collaboration with former Sugarbabe Mutya Buena.
It's a huge slice of dancefloor pop that should have the party fizzing this summer. Perfect for the disco, the radio, the barbeque and just about everywhere this summer. 80's pop brought bang up to date.
***½
Review by Pete Whalley
THE FAVOURS Islands Stonetrax Records
This single showcases the band's latest efforts (and lineup) well. Post punk / indie metal with touches of Nirvana and PJ Harvey.
Not too dissimilar to Wire Daisies, with vocalist Sara Sanchez rivalling Treana as a feisty female front man. Catchy too. Should do well.
***½
Review by Joe Geesin
OCEAN COLOUR SCENE I Just Got Over You (Absolute/Universal/Mosely Shoals Records)
Second single from the band's latest album and classic Brit-rock it is too. It's a little too derivative of Brit-pop ere Oasis to be the best OCS single around but it's still a damn fine tune that deserves Top 40.
The second track 'William Bailey' is a touch acoustic, with a McCartney sound.
OCS are still one of the better UK guitar bands, not afraid to show influences without being manufactured.
***½
Review by Joe Geesin
KRISS MORRIS Little Light EP
Aussie Chris delivers his own brand of Dylan, LaMontagne, Finn, Adams influenced country, folk, blues. And as he describes it himself, the Little Light EP is an honest collection of songs.
It's a DIY effort (recorded in the kitchen Kris is planning to broadcast webcasts from?) and suffers from that - the vocals in particular sounding thin and in need of a bit more production work. Which is a shame, because the vocal performance is spot on, as are the songs and general 'feel'.
The closest touchstone is Ray La Montagne and Little Light is well worth a listen if you're into that pared back singer/songwriter angst genre. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
SOCIAL 4 Track Sampler Celestemusic (2007)
Social apparently take their name from the club in London that houses a procession of similar melodic acoustic popsters.
And there in a nutshell is the problem for this accomplished band whose brand of melodic pop is pleasant but hardly original.
It may be that the 4 cuts - full of fine harmonies, Beatlesue bv's, insistent little riffs, and subtle hooks - will eventually throw up a classic. But for now the band are at the stage of adding an occasional lush arrangement to a countryish outing such as 'Always the Same'.
On 'Seven Days' they quickly demonstrate the efficacy of reaching for the chorus early, while they cleverly restate the case of for simplicity as they top and tail the impressive closing 'Free' (acoustic) with a simple guitar line.
Vocalist Mark Healey has a pleasant MOR style voice, and everyone plays their parts well. What's perhaps needed is something a touch more adventurous.
***
Review by Pete Feenstra
BLACK THE BRAWL Heart Shaped Scar (EP)
A four-piece from Lincolnshire who are evidently enjoying themselves. Whether anyone else will is another thing.
This is melodic metal, but frankly when they burst into metalcore vocals the whole effect is diminished and unconvincing.
Citing influences such as Underoath and Saosin, the market is brimming over with their ilk and whilst there's potential here there's going to be some hard graft ahead to get noticed.
***
Review by David Randall
REASONABLE DOUBT Built To Resist EP (Casket/Copro Music)
Influenced by Trivium and Killswitch Engage this is competent but derivative metal. Chunky riffs and metalcore vocals, but nothing particularly original. Another band that may be better heard when in the mosh pit and (in the nicest way possible) when three sheets to the wind.
***
Review by David Randall
SECRET POLICE Bootie Call
Fine guitar pop/rock with melody and a range of influences. Imagine Smashing Pumpkins without the morose, Guns'n'Roses without the whine, Foo Fighters with talent.
Some decent guitar work, a memorable melody, and an acoustic second track that should please, it's a good single that's well worth checking out. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
UXL Beautiful Today
Indie guitar pop from the mid 90s with a hard rock edge. The Chorus of 'Isn't She Beautiful' very reminiscent of 'Breakfast At Tiffany's', only the track as a whole is better, more guitar rock oriented.
Second track 'Stay A While' a little grungy, opening with a stringed acoustic ballad and moving to almost extreme metal and back again.
Some nice touches, rock for the younger generation. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
THE SKIES Bring It On
Don't let the name confuse you, this is not some lightweight indie/pop type band, these guys mean real business. This is the debut single from the Reading youngsters who cite AC/DC, Guns N' Roses and The Faces amongst their influences.
They fly straight for the jugular, bristling with youthful enthusiasm, punchy drums and heavy riffs. This lot are The Kaiser Chiefs - with added balls! ***
Review by Dave Hunter
ASSEMBLY NOW Graphs Maps & Trees
Four-piece indie outfit Assembly Now show yet another side to their repertoire. Their debut single Magnetic was a fast and furious combination of punk, rock and pop, while Leigh On Sea was a fast and jerky number combining pop, punk, and rock with some great rhythms.
Their latest offering is another quality indie pop nugget that should have them darlings of the festivals this summer.
***
Review by Pete Whalley
THE VICTORIAN ENGLISH GENTLEMEN'S CLUB La Mer/Stupid As Wood
Somewhere between rock, pop and punk TVEGC don't subscribe to the current vogue of indie bands.
More true to their punk roots, their sound is abrasive, brutal and raw. With driving bass lines and hypnotic rhythms it's a concoction that's unlikely to attract widespread appeal. The 7" version comes in a wooden sleeve. Another nail in the coffin? **
Review by Pete Whalley
THE KING BLUES Come Fi Di Youth
Ska with a bit of rap is not my preferred choice of listening and it has to be said the 'vocals' are frankly pants. Doubtless someone will like them but most will pass them by.
*
Review by Jason Ritchie
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