We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
ALICE IN CHAINS Your Decision (Parlophone)
The current renaissance of AIC makes us realise just how influential they are:
their post-Grunge vibe a template for many nascent nu-metallers. That
could be a bit off-putting depending on your viewpoint, but 'Your Decision' has
all the classic hallmarks, insistent and driving rhythm, and infectious
harmonies. A fine taster for the well-received album 'Black Gives Way To
Blue' and to the forthcoming UK shows . *****
Review by David Randall
SHINEDOWN If You Only Knew (Atlantic)
On tour in the UK in November, this is a highly accessible track from their
excellent album 'The Sound Of Madness'. This is class American alt-metal
of the kind that evokes prime Nickelback or Alter Bridge and is just made
for (packed) stadia. *****
Review by David Randall
FM Wildside EP (
www.fmofficial.co.uk )
Released to coincide with Firefest VI there is an urgency and purpose on this
track that typifies the best melodic rock. Topped with Steve
Overland's ever-expressive vocals, quirky production effects, and a great guitar
solo it makes FM seem both contemporary and relevant again. *****
Review by David Randall
THE OCTOBER GAME Greenbacks
A band to watch in 2010 as they have already been gaining rave reviews on BBC 6
Music amongst others. They sound like Arcade Fire at their more accessible and
Elbow, as the band manage to go off in a variety of musical avenues within the
same song.
They have plenty of musical instrument variety as well to keep the listener
engrossed. The live acoustic version of 'Concrete' shows another side to the
band, as stripped of all the instruments the song and vocals show just how
strong they are. ****½
Review by Jason Ritchie
ODETTE Ride Your Bike
A very catchy little ditty that stays in your head after first play. Odette has
a lovely, bright vocal and if there is any justice in the pop charts this would
be a hit. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
EL DOG Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (Lo-Five Records)
Agggh ... I hear you say. The first Christmas 2009 record? A reminder that
it will be soon time to deck the halls with holly and wonder where you put that
spare bauble. El Dog perhaps have more cred than most indie contenders,
with a fine debut album in 'The Lamps Of Terrahead'.
This is a grungey take on the Christmas classic and proves the Spirit of
Christmas is not dead: it's just lurking in a glass or bottle somewhere near
you. ****
Review by David Randall
ELIO PACE What A Day
Elio Pace has already garnered rave reviews and airplay from the likes of Sir
Terry Wogan and Dave Lee Travis. This is his Christmas single which certainly is
an instant toe tapper with its big band sound and Elio's very mellow vocal. As
Christmas songs go this one you can see yourself playing again each Christmas
time unlike most of the rubbish that gets released at this time of year.
****
Review by Jason Ritchie
LAURA CATLOW Skin & Bone
Hailing from Blackpool, Laura Catlow has frequently been compared to Alex
Turner in terms of her songwriting skills. It's definitely not a bad comparison.
New single 'Skin & Bone' features quirky guitar parts and a masterclass in
storytelling skills that wouldn't be at all out of place on the latest Monkeys
offering.
It would be easy to dismiss Catlow as just another singer/songwriter, but this
isn't just strum and sing. Underpinning the warm tones of her acoustic, are dark
lyrics oozing with cynicism. Intelligent, ironic and above all else actually
pretty damn good. ****
Review by Darren Coomber
KATIE V Songs From Under The Covers
Written while she starred on the Coca Cola web reality series Green-Eyed
World, Katie V has taken the clever route of collaborating with some established
songwriters whose credits include James Blunt, Amy Winehouse, Gwen Stefani and
Seal, in producing this excellent 5 track debut EP.
A multi instrumentalist from North London, Katie V has already written with
partners including the Sex Pistols Glen Matlock and the Blockhead's Chaz Jankel.
Add these influences to her own love of 50s / 60s swing and jazz and you come up
with a heady mix, and an excellent addition to the emerging 'quirky' female
singer songwriter genre. And with vocals reminiscent of a young Sam Brown, Katie
V's future looks assured.
File next to Paloma Faith and expect an imminent appearance on Later With Jools
Holland. Katie V - a name for the future. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
L-MO Simple Living (Gumption Records)
Jovial upbeat acoustics, with a funky backing rhythm. This is a perfect summer
road trip tune. Jack Johnson-esque with some nice vocals. ****
Review by Darren Coomber
THE LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS Carry You Home/Chippy Tea
(Townsend Records)
Championed by both BBC Radio2 & Steve Lamacq The Lancashire Hotpots are a
brilliantly funny comedy folk band. Having played twice at Glastonbury earlier
this year they are back with a new album Christmas Cracker.
'Carry You Home' shows a rare serious side to the band. It's a touching drinking
song about loved ones gone and nostalgic tales of yester-year.
In stark contrast 'Chippy Tea' is a tale of a working man from Lancashire and
his love of simple grub. Lyrically very funny, as is final track 'A Lancashire
DJ 2009'. A masterclass in parody, think Wurzels meets Hayseed Dixie and you're
bound to be on to a winner. ****
Review by Darren Coomber
JARMEAN? Mind The Gap
Upon first listen your immediate thought is 'bizarre' after a further couple
of listens to this London quintet, bizarre seems a fairly apt description.
Blending ragtime, brass band, jazz, poetry and ukelele licks that George Formby
would be proud of, 'Mind The Gap' is what kids would be dancing the charleston
to, if it was still 1920. B-Side 'Prophet of Doom' is the James Bond theme tune
that never was.
Listening to their music is like being at a carnival. Jarmean? and their
brilliantly different sound is destined for cabaret clubs up and down the
country. ****
Review by Darren Coomber
ISOLATED ATOMS Tell Me What I Want (Weekender Records)
Exciting electro rock from Black Country four piece. 'Tell me what I want' is a
slice of electro indie at its finest. Opening up with a dirty sounding guitar
riff, the drums and synths soon kick this track into fourth gear.
Frontman Grant Ashman's vocals are laced with the sleaziness of Brian Molko
(Placebo) and the melancholy of Paul Banks (Interpol). Having already come to
the attention of electro indie pioneer Peter Hook (confirmed to produce their
next single 'The Truth') 2010 could see these Atoms move from isolation to the
mainstream. ****
Review by Darren Coomber
GASOLINE QUEEN Gas For The Underclass
www.gasolinequeen.com
Gasoline Queen are another great Swedish band that play loud, dirty, energetic,
powerful, sleazy rock n’ roll- and very good at it they are too.
'Gas For The Underclass' is a 4-track EP that does a good job of selling the
band, and should win them a number of new fans.
Taking inspiration from both ‘70’s bigger rock acts and the sleaze of ‘80’s LA,
the band sound like they could be an explosive live act and nowadays, that is
what counts.
Great vocals, solid guitars and rhythm section - combined with well crafted
songs, catchy choruses and a sound that draws you in - this EP is a great taster
of more to come from Gasoline Queen. ****
Review by Nikk Gunns
THE FLOE I Hope You Know
(Nettle Records)
One of the best kept secrets, and best debut albums of recent years was
Sketch by Essex based quartet AloneMe.
Alas, AloneMe are no more. But on the plus side, they have simply morphed into
The Floe with the line-up of singer Sarah Springett, singer/guitarist Dave
Booth, Simon Edgoose on drums/programming, and singer/ multi-instrumentalist Liz
Townsend (piano/ cello/ flute/ bass), all present and correct.
After a brief hiatus while Sarah underwent surgery to donate a kidney to her
boyfriend, the re-branded band have re-emerged and picked up where Sketch left
off with another piece of classy female fronted singer soft pop/rock.
But the real gem is the B-side - a wonderful interpretation of the
Holland/Dozier/Holland classic (Love Is Like A) Heatwave - slowed down to a
sultry ballad.
A debut album (or follow up to Sketch) - No Looking Back - is set for a 1
February 2010 release. Watch out for it. Meanwhile, all proceeds from I Hope You
Know, go to The Transplant Trust. ***½
Review by Pete Whalley
THE ROCK DOLLS Frame
www.myspace.com/therocketdollsmusic
Three piece who feature Ben Knopfler, son of Dire Straits mainman Mark, althugh
musically this band have nothing to do with Dire Straits.
The Rocket Dolls take the ultra catchy riffs so beloved of sleaze bands/Motley
Crue and add aggressive vocals backed by smash-the-kit drumming. It makes for
one loud noise but a catchy one at that. The title track and 'Broken' are the
pick of the four songs on here.
This EP shows the band have promise and a band to watch out for in 2010 and
beyond. ***½
Review by Jason Ritchie
BIFFY CLYRO Many Of Horror (When We Collide)
After several hard hitting blockbuster singles - The Golden Rule and The
Captain - taken from their current album Only Revolutions - Biffy have tamed it
down a bit for their latest single Many Of Horror.
Produced by Garth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, Many Of Horror is a delicate string backed rock
ballad.
From a gentle acoustic low key start, Simon Neil's vocals are impeccable with
the number building and building to what will no doubt become an audience
participation favourite.
Many Of Horror shows the more subtle side of the band, but remains unmistakeably
Biffy. Undoubtedly another massive hit. ***½
Review by Pete Whalley
LAST LETTER READ These Stories Roll EP
The West Sussex based 5 piece punk pop act Last Letter Read, release 4 track EP
These Stories Roll in December to whet the appetite for a full length release
early 2010. Opening track 'Penniless But Grand' is catchy enough.
Following in the traditions of New Found Glory and a softer Blink 182, it's not
the most original sound you'll hear, but it has a optimistic charm.
'Your year' and the infectious 'Escape' are straight from the soundtrack of a
U.S teen drama, with the latter bearing a strong resemblance to the likes of
Fall Out Boy. Final track 'Miles Away' is a slower more melodic number than its
formers. In a movie, it would be played over the bit where the main two teen
characters are pretending they are 'fine' on their own, but secretly miss each
other.
Ultimately, they sound a bit too much like a group of English lads, trying to be
American rather than finding their own sound. That said, they do it well and if
you're a fan of the aforementioned bands, then you'll appreciate these nicely
written, well polished pieces of punk pop. ***
Review by Darren Coomber
MODERN CLICHES Your Lucky Numbers (Crash Records)
A nice little indie-pop number from the London based three piece. The raw
sounding production, bold guitars and calming vocals are catchy but it's there's
nothing too standout here. ***
Review by Darren Coomber
A-Ha Nothing Is Keeping You Here (Universal)
The second single to be taken from recent album 'Foot Of The Mountain', A-Ha are
about to release new single 'Nothing Is Keeping You Here'. Whereas the album
version has a sparser feel to it, the single has been re-mixed to sound more
like the band’s earlier hits - a good idea as A-Ha will be on tour in the UK at
the beginning of November and the current nostalgia for all things ‘80’s will
have no doubt been taken into consideration.
The track itself is 3 minutes of easy to listen to pop that features all the
hallmarks that you would expect from an A-Ha single. Expect to hear 'Nothing Is
Keeping You Here' quite a lot over the coming weeks. ***
Review by Nikk Gunns
NEW EDUCATION Arcane
Recorded and mixed by Chris Potter (The Verve) Arcane follows on from New
Education's two previous sold-out singles Today and Another Miracle.
Formed in 2008 and influenced by bands like The Cure, The Clash and Oasis, New
Education describe their sound as 'the midlands calling'. In fact, they serve up
an almost unique mix of anthemic rock and electronic soundscapes.
Somewhere between Oasis, U2 and Duran Duran, with some neat lead guitar work
from David Cartwright, Arcane can only enhance the band's growing reputation.
And while the words 'drum 'n' bass' should never sound good together the B-side
remix works remarkably well adding a moody Gallagher style twist to proceedings.
***
Review by Pete Whalley
TWIN ATLANTIC What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?
The latest cut to be released from hot Glasgow act Twin Atlantic's excellent
Vivarium album.
With a unique blend of melodic rock, metallic crunch, angular time changes, and
front man Sam McTrusty's distinctly Scottish vocals, the band have come up with
a unique sound.
Yes, it may have Biffy Clyro - who they've supported - overtones, but the band
have a monstrous sound, packed catchy hooks, great riffs, and impassioned
vocals. Twin Atlantic look set to become a major force. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
THE SOLID Arrivals And Departures (EP)
This five track EP opens in great hard rock fashion, 'Blues For The Rapture'
having a touch of Led Zeppelin, The Cult and Zakk Wylde. Later on a hint of
G'n'R too. Think Bad Company for 2009, straight solid hard rock.
'Mabel' is a more acoustic track, while 'Hoop' opens with a lot of fuzz and
mixes Sabbath and The Cult.
Well worth checking out. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
THE BLIZZARDS And Another Thing...
Multi-platinum selling Irish pop outfit The Blizzards release a one off
single to celebrate the release of the latest instalment of the Hitchhiker's
Guide To The Galaxy series by author Eoin Colfer.
Both book and single bear the title And Another Thing ... and there's a mutual
'love in' going on between band and author who see their artistic creativity on
a parallel universe far, far away. Or perhaps not.
Running out at 2:55, And Another Thing ... is only a brief moment in the history
of the cosmos, and is a quirky piece of pop that sound like Lightening Seeds
meet the B-52's head on in the hadron collider. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
LITTLE COMETS Adultery
After an eventful summer of festival festivities, Newcastle indie hopefuls
Little Comets release their latest fun filled and up-tempo single - Adultery.
Self produced and with just about everything but the kitchen sink thrown into
the mix (kettles, sofas and other assorted percussion) the single is already
causing a stir on the Radio I / NME circuit.
With upcoming support slots with The Twang, and Noisettes, there's no denying
the band are on the rise. But it all rather depends on your musical taste. Maybe
fine for a whiling away a Glastonbury hour, but classic rock fans may want to
tread warily. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
THE KNOTFAL This Thing (EP)
This debut EP (5 tracks running to under 20 minutes) mixes hard rock with
alternative metal (think Tool) with beefed up guitar pop/rock. Lots of chunky
guitar, crash bang wallop rhythms that occasionally nod at metal, and in the
opening track 'Curly Friday' backing vocals that stink of guitar pop. That said,
a good effort on the guitar solo.
Some good stuff, plenty noise, but they're trying to cross two genres.
Good but really not my thing. **½
Review by Joe Geesin
BAD BAD MEN Bones, Bones, Bones
Glasgow based Bad Bad Men - a line up of vocals, piano, double bass and
drums - serve up a rootsy brew on this 5 track EP.
Drawing on folk, country, rock and pop influences, these modern day troubadours
have a typically 'authentic' sound - like Springsteen or Waits exploring their
Americana roots.
In the case of Bad Bad Men, we're talking wet and windy heather, not spurs and
rawhide. But the EP artwork suggests that in the minds of Bad Bad Men their
musical roots lie in the land of six-shooters, bucking broncos, and barroom
brothels.
The songs - or stories with musical accompaniment - are dominated by atmospheric
whiskey soaked vocals that intrigue and intoxicate. With tales of gallows,
bones, traitors and collaborators, the band have a unique sound ideally suited
to the folk circuit.
While they may not be to everyone's taste, Bad Bad Men are most likely shine in
the live 'campfire' environment where they bring in mandolins, harmonicas,
cellos and squeezeboxes. More beans, anyone? **½
Review by Pete Whalley
ROXY SWAIN New Love Designers
The debut ep from Chicago band Roxy Swain, adds the vocals of singer Roxy
Swain and guitarist Matt Walters, to Tom Valenzano's power pop trio Loomis (Tom
Valenzano - guitars, Melissa Kempfer - bass, and Chuck Harling drums).
And with over 20 years experience under their belts, it's a competent and
professional debut. But the 4 tracks show two very different faces of the band.
Without You and Linda showcase chiming guitars and Roxy's cleanly recorded
vocals. On the flipside, Tom Valenzano takes the mic for the acoustic Duo Jet
and progressive Spread Eagle.
As a whole the set has a pleasant AOR retro Californian sound and is a
respectable debut. But the band are going to need more in the locker if they're
going to progress beyond the local indie / support act circuit. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
BROKEN LINKS Resisting Movement And The Almost Advisory
Broken Links are a three piece post punk indie rock band from Southampton -
Mark Lawrence on vocals and guitars, Lewis Betteridge on bass and Phil Boulter
on drums.
Heavily 80's influenced (Joy Division, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode), the band's diy
ep is a mix of driving indie rock garnished with evocative vocals and
underpinned by great retro melodies.
And with support slots to the likes of British Sea Power, Boxer Rebellion and My
Vitriol already under their belts, the future looks bright. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
BEN DALBY Doctor Can
A pleasant pop ditty from the pen of singer songwriter Ben Dalby who, by day
- when not composing - is programming traffic control systems.
Having plied his craft for 20 years, Ben's aim is light-hearted satirical radio
friendly tunes. And with Doctor Can he's hit the Radio 2 bull's-eye dead centre.
With warm, semi-spoken vocals Doctor Can is a novelty confessional ode by a man
helplessly in love with his GP. And let's face it, we've all been there.
Produced by Mark Wallis (Travis, The Smiths, U2) and with an OMD influenced
acoustic style backing it's what it says it is on the can - 'pop' that's easy on
the ear, but ultimately disposable. **
Review by Pete Whalley
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