|
LITTLE FISH Revolutions EP (2005)
A UK based singer songwriter who uses minimum instrumentation - merely guitar and drums to create some very strong music. The title track reminds me of Skin the former Skunk Anansie singer, with a 'in your face' raw vocal power.
'Clock Face' is slightly gentler and features some very neat drum/percussion backing. 'Ashes' again captures Little Fish's raw and powerful vocal style - she is not as soothing as say Anna Nalick or Kate Bush but boy does she have a strong voice.
Only 'Thirst' fails to hit the mark for me but overall Little Fish, with some decent airplay could be a name to watch this year.
Review: Jason Ritchie
MIGHTY SIX NINETY Believable Kids 2006
Kids have come up with the goods again – another quality new band. This time Mighty Six Ninety – a San Diego outfit specialising in melodic rock inspired by The Smiths, Talk Talk and Depeche Mode.
Believable comes on like Morrissey singing a Blue Oyster Cult number played by A-ha. It’s raw, but polished and something of a gem. Perfect pop/rock which you’ll find from March 13 on strictly limited 7” white vinyl and iTunes. ****1/2
Review: Pete Whalley
THE WHIP Frustration Kids (2006)
The Whip hail from Manchester and are something of a throwback to those halcyon electro days of the eighties – think Soft Cell, think Orchestral Manoeuvres. But with a with a hint of New Order thrown in for good measure.
The B side is an exclusive techno remix by fellow Mancunians Performance that would brighten any rave. And frankly, it’s the pick of the two versions. As The Whip guitarist / vocalist Bruce Carter says – ‘it’s about wanting to dance and not give a fuck’. ***
Review: Pete Whalley
BETH ORTON Conceived EMI 2006
Beth Orton is an artist capable of brilliance and frustration in equal measures. Insistent on following her own guiding star and ignoring the yellow brick road signposts her output tends to fall into two categories - wonderfully melodic numbers and those with quirky off the wall time signatures.
Conceived - which preludes her new fourth album 'Comfort Of Strangers', unusually falls somewhere in between and should keep all her fans happy. ***
Review: Pete Whalley
BEN LEE TYLER Not My Fault Ivolution 2006
Ben Lee Tyler is a 21-year-old singer songwriter inspired by the likes of The Beatles and The Stones. Not My Fault is his debut single previews his debut album Dreamweaver’s Town.
Not My Fault is an excellent up tempo pop/rock number - commanding riffs, a catchy chorus, powerful vocal harmonies and a wonderful vocal delivery from Ben.
The promo also includes Hate My Name - an acoustic number that demonstrates both the strength of Ben’s song writing and his ability to deliver a number unplugged.
Young male singer songwriters are something of the vogue at the moment. And if Dreamweaver’s Town lives up to the promise demonstrated here, Ben Lee Tyler could be one of the names of 2006. ****
Review: Pete Whalley
STARSAILOR This Time EMI 2006
Somehow, after a promising start Starsailor seem to have stuttered. Their debut album Love Is Here was one of the highlights of 2001. But the follow up Silence Is Easy suffered the dreaded ‘second album’ syndrome. As a result they’ve been left in the shadows of the likes of Keane who have continued to raise their profile despite a lack of output.
This Time is the second single from the critically acclaimed, gold selling and return to form third album On The Outside. It maintains the band’s piano driven sound but adds a harder edge, classy vocals and shimmering guitars. A sure crowd pleaser. ****
Review: Pete Whalley
JOSEPH ARTHUR Devil's Broom 14th Floor Records (2006)
Devil’s Broom is taken from Arthur’s critically acclaimed album Our Shadows Will Remain and it’s a corker. An almost Stones type beat, Robbie Robertson vocals, wonderful guitar work and catchy as hell. It’s up there alongside the best output of the likes of Ryan Adams.
Joseph was originally ‘discovered’ by Peter Gabriel and was the first rock artist to sign to his Real World label. Our Shadows Will Remain is the follow up to his acclaimed 2002 debut Redemption’s Son. Both albums are well worth searching out. Be warned, this is seriously classy stuff and a talent not to be missed. *****
Review: Pete Whalley
ELENA I Want You Delicious Records (2006)
Elena were formed late 2003 and have a vaguely retro sort of feel. The thing that immediately hits you is the vocals that fall somewhere between Cerys Matthews, Shirley Manson and Marianne Faithful. They’re hypnotic, smokey, and dangerous.
I Want You has an almost 80’s feel - Blondie, perhaps with an almost spoken vocal. It’s catchy and it’s easy to see why Elena have been receiving rave reviews. One to watch for. ****
Review: Pete Whalley
FALL OUT BOY Sugar, We're Goin' Down Mercury (2006)
This US band have been going down a storm in their homeland and look set to take the UK by storm with dates at Astoria sized venues already sold out. Judging a band by one song is hard but boy this is one catchy little power pop/punk lite number - very Butch Walker in sound. If this ain’t a huge hit then I am a fan of Westlife! ****
Review: Jason Ritchie
JOFF WINKS BAND Share My Blues (2006)
With a name like Joff Winks it’s hard to know what to expect. But with stated influences such as Neil Young, Steely Dan, Frank Zappa and Kevin Coyne, you know this is no novelty act.
And so it proves - Share My Blues is a classy piece of pop/rock with definite nods to the Dan - but at the more commercial end of their spectrum. It’s one of those numbers that grows on you, and musically with excellent vocals, guitars and hooks.
Quite what it's about is hard to fathom - the lamentable state of children’s TV, or how a problem shared is a problem halved. But who cares? It’s a damn fine listen. So remember the name - Joff Winks - one to watch. ****
Review: Pete Whalley
MOGWAI Friend of the Night PIAS Recordings (CDS 2006)
The first single of the instrumentalist’s new album ‘Mr Beast’ and it is an enjoyable little beats. Mogwai certainly have a big following here in the UK and judging by this you can see why. It is a mix of guitars, loops and at times almost progressive rock moments. Alan McGee (the man who started Oasis off on their rise to fame amongst others) rates this as the band’s best album yet.
Not for everyone but those who like a bit of musical variety could do worse than check this out. ***½
Review: Jason Ritchie
FALL OUT BOY Sugar, We’re Goin' Down' Mercury (2006 CDS)
This US band have been going down a storm in their homeland and look set to take the UK by storm with dates at Astoria sized venues already sold out.
Judging a band by one song is hard but boy this is one catchy little power pop/punk lite number - very Butch walker in sound. If this ain’t a huge hit then I am a fan of Westlife! ****
Review: Jason Ritchie
|
