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We've listed albums in order of star rating. Best first.
SYRYM
Syrym (Hatrix Records)
Featuring former Babylon AD members Ron Freschi and Jamey Pacheco, on guitar and
drums respectively, Syrym have just released their self-titled debut CD.
Comprising of 12 tracks that combine the melodic sounds of bands such as Ratt,
‘90’s era Motley Crue and Lynch Mob with the modern harder edged rock like
Velvet Revolver- vocalist Jeffrey Winslow does a sterling job of balancing the
two genres.
The album is produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Freschi and he has
captured every element of the band in a recording that sounds like it could have
been made by a big name producer such as Bob Rock. The highlights include
opening track 'Foul Mouth Blues', 'Torn in Two', slower but just as powerful
number 'The Sky Is Falling', 'While America Sleeps' and 'Breakdown'.
This album is well worth checking out, check for yourself at
www.syrym.com. Not sure we’ll ever see the
band over in Europe, which is a shame, but for our friends in The US I’ve no
doubt you’ll get a chance to catch the band live at some point this year.
*****
Review by Nikk Gunns
TRACY GANG PUSSY Number 4
www.tracygangpussy.com
Tracy Gang Pussy hail from
Paris, France and release their 4th album, the imaginatively titled 'Number 4',
shortly. The band could be labelled as glam, sleaze, bubblegum etc, but this
doesn’t do them justice, as unlike many of the newer bands in that genre what
they have produced is an album worthy of being up there with the likes of
Poison, The Backyard Babies, Hanoi Rocks, The Hellacopters and the like.
The songs
are catchy, melodic and there isn’t a weak track amongst the 12 on offer- with
Backyard Babies style harmonies, songs that DGeneration would have been proud of
and guitar work worthy of Poison guitarist CC Deville.
The standout tracks on 'Number 4' include 'No Escape', 'Miss Negativity', 'I
Have A Wish', 'Wide Open To The World' and the one slower song on the album 'I
Don’t Believe In Happiness Anymore'.
Tracy Gang Pussy have already toured parts of Europe with Skid Row, Crystal
Pistol, The Backyard Babies and Funeral For A Friend and will no doubt be
playing near you soon. ****
Review by Nikk Gunns
GRAVE DIGGER Ballad Of
A Hangman (Napalm/SPV)
Grave Digger’s 13th studio album sees the band beef up with a twin guitar
approach. It also sees the band swing nicely between extreme metal and melodic
power metal, with the opening intro/title track mixing the operatic ends of
Saxon, Iron Maiden and Megadeth.
'Hell Of Disillusion' and 'Sorrow Of The Dead' feature some intricate guitar
work, machine gun drums and some cheese grater vocals. 'Grave Of The Addicted'
has a chunkier riff, a solid noisy track. The vocals are good if rough, but at
times sound a little strained, quivering like a dog having a dump. The acoustic
touches on 'Lonely The Innocence Dies' is near as they get to a metal ballad.
A good an album as any in the extreme power spectrum, and the odd melodic
touches make it all the more listenable. The keyboards are rather low in the mix
though.
A promo with voice-overs; don’t labels realise how annoying that is? ****
Review by Joe Geesin
BILLY SATELLITE Billy
Satellite (Rock Candy)
Another long forgotten classic of melodic / hard rock with AOR leanings, this
time from San Francisco. Originally released in 1984, when hard rock ruled the
FM airwaves, this is a punchy solid affair that is thoroughly enjoyable.
From smooth AOR to some heavier tracks ('Last Call' features some haunting
guitar and a beefy riff), the album is all that was good about radio friendly
hard rock, despite the silly band name.
Some tracks like 'Do Ya' nod to the 70s, while 'I Wanna Go Back' nod at the
smooth end power pop of Sade meets Tina Turner. Melodic and easy. Compare that
to the excellent guitar solo in 'Trouble'.
One to feed that hidden AOR beast in you. ****
Review by Joe Geesin
THE WOW SIGNAL
Infinity’s Lobby
Formed in late 2007 by singer/guitarist Andrew Mangold, who had played with
ex members of both The Libertines and Happy Mondays in his quest to create a
band to fulfil his musical needs, The Wow Signal are about to release debut
album 'Infinity’s Lobby'.
The album
mixes jagged, pop tinged rock with the sounds of recent English bands like The
Libertines, The Artic Monkeys and the like, and some very U2 like moments (you
would be forgiven for thinking 'All You Will Discover' features U2 guitarist The
Edge on guest guitar - it doesn’t but Paolo Kralj does a more than passable
impression). The influences upon this four piece are varied but clearly cover
the last 30 years.
The album itself was produced by Marc Waterman, who is better know for his work
with bands such as Elastica, Ash and Depeche Mode. Highlights amongst the 11
tracks on offer include 'Silbury Street', Lovers Scam', the slower 'Still
Hunting', 'Picture of You' and 'They Got It Wrong'.
This is definitely a band to watch this year. ****
Review by Nikk Gunns
EYELASH Recession
www.eyelashband.com
Eyelash are about to
release, what I think, is one of the most consistent albums I have reviewed so
far this year. Vocalist Fe Salomon has a voice that you think reminds you of
someone but is distinctive enough that you just can't put your finger on it.
This sits nicely across sleaze laden and driven rock which has been going down a
storm with both Total Rock Radio and Kerrang! Magazine.
'Recession' was produced by the band's guitarist, Ru Cook, and he has pretty
much captured the way you would imagine Eyelash to sound live. Stand out tracks
amongst the 14 here include 'Blood On My Blue Jeans', 'Bow To The People', 'Put
Your Faith In Me', 'Still Up' and 'Party's Over'- a track that has the swagger
of Adam Ant at his peak. 'White Trash (Poppy's Song)' is a slower moving number
that fits in amongst its raucous counterparts.
The band have already appeared at Download amongst other festivals and will be
touring the UK between now and April in support of the album. ****
Review by Nikk Gunns
MATT ANDERSON Second Time Around
Hot on the heels of 2008's 'Somewhere In Between' Canadian singer/guitarist
Matt Andersen releases new album 'Second Time Around'. The album contains 12
tracks mixing country-tinged blues with more traditional feeling blues music
and, once again, Andersen is backed by Eric Clapton's post-Cream rhythm section.
If you like blues, you will no doubt enjoy 'Second Time Around'. There is a
superb take on Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine', a cover of Steve Earle's 'My
Old Friend The Blues'and other highlights on the album include the slow burning
'I Play The Fool For You', up tempo numbers ''When My Angel Gets The Blues' and
'Tell Me' plus the tongue-in-cheek 'One Size Never Fits'.
There is
also a 7 minute jam, reminiscent of the Stones when they are in blues mode, this
is a hidden track included at the end of the album and does a good job of
rounding things off nicely.
Matt Andersen is a big drawing artist in his native Canada and has been named by
Classic Rock Magazine as an artist to watch in 2009, and is currently touring
the UK. ****
Review by Nikk Gunns
FREE SPIRIT Pale Sister
of Light (Carpel Music/Edel Records)
Free Spirit are a melodic hard rock band from Finland and are about to release
debut album 'Pale Sister of Light'. The album features 11 tracks packed full of
hooks, melodies and massive choruses- other bands that come to mind whilst
listening to the CD include Brother Firetribe and Blind Guardian. Vocalist Sami
Alho’s vocals sit nicely over the joint guitar work of Vesa Yli-Maepaa and Marko
Haapamaki.
As with most Scandinavian rock bands at the moment, these boys have really hit
the ground running and this record is strong from the off, well produced and
with some superbly written songs.
Highlights include
'Radiant Light', 'Strangers' the slower 'Heroes Don’t Cry' and 'Far Away From
Heaven'. 'Until The Night' is the clear winner for me though and the band have
seen the video for this track viewed more than 82,000 times online.
Fans of hard melodic rock will not be disappointed by 'Pale Sister of Light'.
****
Review by Nikk Gunns
i-TEN Taking A Cold
Look (Rock Candy)
This 1983 Epic album is a strong AOR lost gem, just the kind of thing Rock Candy
like to not only dig up but also give fine treatment to.
The title track opens with layered guitars, loads of keyboards, soaring solos
and vocals, it mixes hard rock and pop with aplomb. I-Ten were the song writing
pair of Tom Kelly (vocals, guitars, piano) and Billy Steinberg (vocals,
guitars), who produced rock music perfect for the FM stations of the era.
The
plethora of session musicians include guitar virtuoso Steve Lukather and Toto
colleague, keyboardist David Paich. From the classic 'Alone' to the funkier hard
rock of 'Workin’ For A Lovin’', it’s a very enjoyable listen throughout,
augmented by Keith Olsen’s production.
An excellent package with all the original release details (so often overlooked
on CD reissues) and lengthy sleevenotes that feature an exclusive band
interview. ***½
Review by Joe Geesin
SABINAS REX A Rock
Opera
www.myspace.com/sabinasrexopera
The music does exactly
what it says on the tin. A full rock band with several vocalists, at least one
of which is female. There is a strong gothic feel too. Think a mix of The
Damned's ‘Phantasmagoria' with Karnataka, with strings and programming.
There are plenty of prog moments, and the music isn't as heavy as some operas,
this isn't in Rhapsody's realm. That said, the songs are succinct, well written
and the mix of vocals is good. Operatic one minute, gothic the next, then dark
and growling, then atmospheric.
The light flowing music is often soothing, and guitar solos are well worth a
listen too.
If you are prepared, this is really well worth checking out, a largely
successful experiment. ***½
Review by Joe Geesin
ALKEMYST Through
Painful Lanes (Nightmare Records)
New album from Alkemyst, who appear to have a solid and stable sound. This
French band have been going 10 years now, and power metal fans will love this.
Although labelled power metal, there is as much symphonic metal in there, and
with technical aspects that nod at prog metal too. Think Dragonforce/Darkwater
meets Kamelot, Nightwish or Iced Earth.
'The Beast Within' opens symphonically, with broken technical aspects
interspersed adding a prog metal feel. The twin guitars mix riffs with more
intricate work.
The lengthy (8 minute) 'When The Morning Comes' features some acoustic work,
while 'Enter The Carnival' is more the melodic speed metal of Freedom Call.
'Rest Show' has a piano intro that isn’t bad, a tad pedestrian, but the music
picks up in a Queensryche direction.
There are some excellent moments here, both musically and in terms of
storytelling, but some of the tracks go on a little too long. ***½
Review by Joe Geesin
LUNATICA New Shores
(Napalm / SPV)
Swiss symphonic metal band release their fourth album, and crosses over into
prog metal territory. The female vocals are distinctive, as are the pace changes
and intricate keyboards amongst the twin guitars. The title track opens, with
the drums mixing machine gun and stuttering styles.
On 'Two Dreamers' the piano intro soon becomes horns as the guitars come in.
'The Incredibles' drifts in a powerful way, reminiscent of Eloy’s ‘Ra’ opus.
Elsewhere there are touches of Karnataka.
The use of some rhythmic effects during the quieter moments of some tracks works
well, and the odd electronic rumble a nod at Porcupine Tree.
The vocal range is good, and tracks like 'Into The Dissonance' show the power
too.
One for prog metal and symphonic fans everywhere. ***½
Review by Joe Geesin
MANIFESTO Mrsvee
Artists & Collaborators
Track List:
1. Safety Deposit Box - Folk Night Chord
2. The Resonance Association - Subatonic Zoo
3. Orphidice - Coming Home
4. Svefn Plural - Fruit Photographer
5. Sand Snowman - Twilight Of The Dogs
6. Goodbye Pluto - The Hum
7. Mox - The Forming Of An Emotional Sphere
8. Electronica Ghost Voice Phenomena - Troubled Sleep
9. The 3rd Fire - What Else Could I Say?
10. The Resonance Association - Descent
11. Raelism - Somewhere In The Future, Where Everything Has Worked Okay
12. General Paulus - So How Far Would You Go?
13. Lovers Of London - Lover Of London
14. Vultures - Tower 12
"Manifesto" is freely available to download from
www.mrsvee.co.uk/manifesto under
a creative commons license (similar to the last two albums by 'Nine Inch Nails')
giving downloader's the freedom to share the music with their friends.
'Mrsvee' chooses artists
on artistic merit and not whether they are, have been or will be successful. 'Mrsvee'
simply believes good music deserves to be heard and "Manifesto" showcases the
best 'Mrsvee' has to offer.
All tracks are from around the world including "Svefn Plural" from Turkey, "Mox"
divides time between London and Moscow and "Orphidice" are based in Nashville,
USA.
'Mrsvee' champions intelligent rock, drone, ambient and electronica giving us
all the music we deserve and I sternly believe that 'Mrsvee' are doing a mighty
fine job of helping unsigned and artistic talent to be fore-fronted into the
public eye by the way of free downloading.
So is it any cop? Well, it is certainly different and certainly very artistic,
yet very calming and somewhat mood filled for come down/lazy days and reminded
me of my younger youth whilst sat watching the sun rise at the famous "Cafe
Tobac" in Ibiza; and without taking this out of context - this album would
indeed sound glorified under the influence of any psychedelic drug or hippy fest
in the forest. It definitely isn't a get up and go album or a rock album that's
for sure!
Calming bongo drums, light free guitars and occasionally some very bizarre
poetic singing yet original, individual and somewhat funky in parts.
If music of all genres is your taste, then go check out these artists,
considering it's free - what have you to lose! ***½
Review by The Fluffmeister
DRAVEN Eden (CNR)
Draven is a young up-starting British rock band that is schooled in the great
bands of the past, but unlike the recent burst of UK blues rock bands Draven are
more akin to eighties Aerosmith than any blues outfit.
They’re fronted by
identical twins Frank and Jim Paoli (guitar and vocals) and backed drummer Danny
Wood and bassist Alex de la Fuente. Despite being British they have an
Americanised sound, which is probably because the album was produced by the
revered LA based Kevin Shirley.
The band’s management sent
a demo to Shirley when they were looking for a producer and were probably not
expecting such a big name (he has produced, engineered and/or mixed for the
likes of Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Metallica and Bon Jovi) to say “Yes, I’m
in.”
The album was recorded in
Los Angeles and has already received some acclaim. It’s an album that has to be
digested over several hearings; there’s a lot going on in the production and
some of the guitar work takes time to understand. I’m not entirely sure all the
songs work for me but ‘Eden’s is certainly an accomplished piece of work. ***
½
Review by Neil Daniels
METAMORPHOSIS Dark
(Prog Rock Records)
www.progrockrecords.com
This is the brainchild of
multi instrumentalist JP Schenk, plus a guitarist or two.
Still going strong after several album, this is modern prog rock. The tracks are
lengthy, well structured, nicely layered, and in places very atmospheric. There
is a touch of Eloy in places (think ‘Ra’). Schenk is clearly a clever pianist,
writer and arranger, but just OK on drums; this only adds to the programmed
sound.
'Hey Man' features some fast crunching guitars that gives a power metal feel.
Elsewhere the searing solos nod at Pink Floyd.
The first half of 'Waking Up' is acoustic, more of a singer/songwriter in style,
and is one of the weaker moments of the album. The song builds and later nods at
Marillion.
There are some fine moments on the album, with some excellent guitar work too,
but in fluency terms it does suffer from what is effectively a one-man band.
***
Review by Joe Geesin
S.E.X Department 'S.E.X
Department' (Perris Records)
One look at the cover of S.E.X Department’s debut album, plus a quick listen to
opening track 'Call Me Baby Call Me' could have you thinking that this record
was made in late ‘80’s L.A, that is what this Italian outfit have recreated with
this record.
Vocalist Kelly 'Trash' Mendess has written and produced the album and is playing
all the instruments on each track. The songs themselves have an air of early
Pretty Boy Floyd and it will come as no surprise to learn that Mendess’ voice
bears a resemblance to the band’s Steve Summers - particluarly on the track
'Rock n Roll'.
Amongst the 10 sleaze-laden tracks on offer is 'Glitter Bitter', which features
some tasty guitar work from Mendess, 'One Way Ticket To Rock' and the slightly
amusing 'Italian Cowboy'. Whilst this album harks back to the era of old style
‘80’s sleaze, it has to be said that the singing does become a bit like
listening to The Cure’s Robert Smith on speed crossed with a member of The
Runaways after a while.
That said, it does take you back to the time of eyeliner and hairspray. ***
Review by Nikk Gunns
GO:AUDIO Made Up
Stories
After releasing their first two singles (She Left Me and Made Up Stories)
through Epic in 2008, Go: Audio (James Mathews - vocals, Josh Wilkinson - synths,
Zack Wilkinson - guitars, and Andy Booth - drums) took the brave decision to go
indie.
Since that time they've garnered further critical acclaim and built up a
considerable following, culminating with two sold out tours behind them and a
forthcoming one virtually in the bag. It makes them one of the biggest non
signed acts on the circuit.
Made Up Stories - produced by Andy Green (Keane) and the band themselves -
features the band's first two singles, their forthcoming single Drive To The
City and is almost the perfect indie pop / rock album. Of the ten tracks on
offer any one could easily be selected as single, and it should put the band
right up there alongside the likes of The Womats as indie pop rock favourites.
My complaints - if there are any - are that the album only runs to 36 minutes
(about par for the course these days) and that it is (This Isn't Hollywood
excepted) rather single paced. Each and every song explodes out of the blocks
like Usain Bolt with a raw chili pepper between his cheeks.
But anthemic songs mixing disco / Buggles synths with massive pop choruses make
this the perfect sound of the summer and perfect for festival participation.
Each song in isolation is great. And maybe that's why the album is short - more
than 36 minutes of over-exertion could overstretch even the St John's Ambulance
resources. I nearly had a coronary. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
BISH Surrounded by
Mountains (LfT Records)
Bish is the brainchild of Darryl Hunt, better know as the bass player from The
Pogues, and 'Surrounded by Mountains' is their forthcoming second album.
The album contains 10 tracks of inoffensive, jangly, upbeat pop- the kind that
will be stuck in your head for weeks, if not months.
Although 'Surrounded by Mountains' can be a tad bit monotonous at times you
should not let this put you off. Highlights include 'I Just Want To Hold You',
'Tale Of Two Cities', 'Waiting' and 'All Alone'. The album features some
accomplished, and multi-national, musicianship within the carefully crafted list
of players.
Although Darryl Hunt will be busy throughout the year with main band The Pogues,
Bish fully intend to tour in support of this album in 2009. The record itself
will be out in April, which is a good thing as this is definitely one for the
Summer. ***
Review by
Nikk Gunns GLEN
CAMPBELL Greatest Hits (Capitol)
In 2008 Glen released his acclaimed Meet Glen Campbell album - an album of
reinvention that saw him cover a range of modern classics in his own inimitable
style. It worked well, was welcomed by fans, and was crowned with a Royal Albert
Hall performance.
Naturally that gave Glen's back catalogue a bit of a boost as well. But for
those who weren't inclined to indulge, those clever chappies at EMI have come up
with an alternative - a remastered and re-released hybrid Greatest hits package
that brings the great man's career bang up to date covering everything from his
early classics (and let's be honest, no iPod is complete without Rhinestone
Cowboy, Witchita Lineman, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Galveston and Easy On My
Mind) right up to the inclusion of Times Like These and These Days from Meet
Glen Campbell.
Let's face it, the man's a legend. And if you've got no GC in you collection and
feel the need, then this is probably the one to go for. Although be warned, at
only 16 tracks it runs out considerably shorter than many previous 'best of'
compilations. ***
Review
by Pete Whalley
MIND ODYSSEY Time To
Change It (Napalm/SPV)
Melodic metal with an alternative/punk edge. Opening track 'Riding And Ruling'
mixes power metal guitars, melodic keyboards, and a punk (a la Damned, not
sleaze punk) rhythm, enjoyable but let down by the drums sounding like a panel
beater.
'Enemy Daggers' continues with a power/melodic metal vein with an alternative
edge, with a quirky roughness to the vocals and occasionally the guitars too. 'I
Want It All' does add some catchy vocal harmonies. This works well as the vocals
on their own are a tad high and thin.
Some tracks nod back to the late 80s, mixing big hair metal, thrash and indie.
Odd mix I know but they somehow pull it off.
Good but not outstanding.
Well worth a listen though. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
JOEY RIEDEL World
Without TV (Two Side Moon)
Singer/songwriter Joey Riedel is a man whose influences can clearly be heard
throughout new album 'World Without TV'. The 12 tracks on the CD are in the
pop-rock/AOR vein with undertones of Elton John, Billy Joel and Journey- in fact
there is an overall touch of late ‘70’s/early ‘80’s AOR throughout the album.
Fans of the Ben Folds Five will also be in familiar territory as the songs all
feature the keyboard as more of a main instrument than an accompanying one.
Highlights on offer include 'Take It Through The Night' and 'Carpet Lice', in my
opinion, the two heaviest tracks on the album, the Billy Joel like 'Just Like
Any Other Day', opening track 'World Without TV', 'Into The City' and 'Years Go
By Much Faster' and the piano led 'Apologizing Song'.
Not a bad collection of songs by any means, more information about the artist
can be found at
www.joeyriedel.com. ***
Review by
Nikk Gunns
ANTHONEY WRIGHT Feet On
The Ground
Anthoney Wright's recent single Reset To Zero got a fair degree of airplay
on Radio 2. He's yet another of the current crop of 'up and comings' seeking
fame and fortune by revisiting the sixties - this time the sixties classic
Motown and Stax era.
There seems to be two lines of thought - go for a modern interpretation (Winehouse/Duffy)
or go for authenticity (Imelda May). In Anthoney Wright's case one wonders how
much steer has come from the co-writing and production team of Pete and Steve
(Simply Red) Lewinson, but it veers strongly towards the former.
For a 'soul' album the opening tracks are rather heavy on the bass, with
metronomical beats that would be blow the doors off your boom box equipped
Vauxhall Corsa. It seemed somehow out of sync with the genre, but there's no
denying that Anthoney has a great soul voice.
The debut single Reset To Zero hits the money, as does the forthcoming single No
Me Without You, but thereafter the album meanders into a pastiche of the genre.
Give the man a bunch of soul veterans to work with and you suspect you may hear
magic, but to my ears Feet On The Ground ironically lacks soul. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
PERSPECTIVE X IV Shadow
Of A Doubt Nightmare Records (2008)
www.nightmare-records.com
Three piece US prog metal band who are signed to Lance King's (Balance Of Power)
record label and they certainly add a few instruments not normally associated
with prog metal like the banjo and bongo bamboo.
Overall it is not a bad
album with the band musically sounding like 70's era Rush and Fates Warning in
parts but you do think after a few listens you have heard this all before.
Musically the band can't
be faulted although the vocals aren't that strong which is often the downfall
with some progressive bands. 'Disconnected' and the instrumental 'Grey Matter'
are pick of the bunch and talented as this band undoubtedly are this is nothing
special. **½
Review by Jason Ritchie
VIDEONASTIES On All
Fours (Dead Again Records)
www.videonasties.net /
www.myspace.com/videonasties
Jangly punky guitar pop
that is very rough’n’ready. Retro touches of mid 60s British Invasion and garage
punk. Opener 'HNB' is annoyingly jangly, and 'Jelly Bean' features some cheesy
keyboards. The effects on 'Old Flowers' add a touch of distortion, and the
production is hollow, adding a tinnyness to the sound. 'Albatross' does pick
things up somewhat.
There are some decent tunes along the way, but it does sound very home made.
There is a single coming off the album, which should do well with the download
teenage set.
Hardcore punk for the Top Of The Pops generation. **½
Review by Joe Geesin
METRO STATION Metro
Station
Fronted by Trace Cyrus, son of Billy Ray and brother of teen sensation Miley
Cyrus, Metro Station deliver a NYC take on the eighties - in particular, The
Buggles / Thompson Twins era. Consummately produced in a wholesome American way,
naturally.
Admittedly, the single Shake It is rather good - a wonderful take on the current
indie brit pop scene. They sound so scarily like an NME tour band (with perhaps
just a little more US pizazz) that one wonders how they can possibly fail.
But elsewhere, Metro Station is a disposable eighties rehash. Plastic pop. Or
should that be pap? Worryingly, they could so easily become the next Busted.
**
Review by Pete Whalley
SARAH WHATMORE Time To
Think
Oh dear. Having originally found 'fame' on Pop Idol back in 2002 and
received a helping hand (and an offer of marriage) from svengali Simon Cowell
and signed to Simon Fuller's management, Sarah was brave enough to exit stage
left after 2 top 20 singles.
Having shelved plans for a debut album she concentrated on song writing, the
result Time To Think. The opening track, and opening single Undefined is a piano
riff based piece of radio friendly pop. The sort of stuff that Natalie Imbruglia
might come up with - lightweight, easy on the ear, and ultimately disposable.
Smile, is a nice reworking of the classic Hall & Oates, Sarah Smile. Heavily
sampled, so that it comes across as if Sarah is duetting with DH, it works
reasonably well. But give me the original every time.
As for the rest, I'd like to report otherwise, but its lightweight pop that at
best may have some appeal for the Leonna Lewis, teen girl, audience. **
Review by Pete Whalley
SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM
Sneaky Sound System
Hats off to SSS, they hold
the record for the longest charting single - I Love It - in Australian history.
73 weeks, if you were wondering.
But this is techno pop,
not rock, and what has Aus given us - apart from AC/DC and Missy Higgins? Food
poisoning from barbies, Jason and Kylie, and beer that tastes like knat's piss.
But if you take your
Friday night fun down at the disco, then look no further than SSS. Packed with
bouncing rhythms that Kylie would have been proud to strut her stuff to in her
heyday, its made for the dancefloor. And after a few XXXX's you may find SSS
almost as attractive as a possum kebab, or sexual relations with a koala.
But if your idea of fun is
dusting down the air guitar and sinking a few real ales, don't even think about
it. **
Review by Pete Whalley
ROCK CHILD Ten
New York City based Rock Child - Tat Jane Bego - (vocals), Chris Barry
Fischel (guitar,) and Lev Weinstein (drums), churn out what you might imagine a
talent night may bring to CBGBs.
It's grungy punk metal rock, not particularly subtle, not particularly well
played and not particularly well produced. Tat Jane's vocals are delivered in a
sub Patty Smith style, while Chris' fretwork is pondersome and bludgeoning. But
if you just want something that's 'in your face' and authentically low down and
dirty NYC … *
Review
by Pete Whalley
NAVVY Idyll Intangible
Formed from several Sheffield underground bands, it's hard to say what appeal
Navvy might have. Certainly none to classic rock fans. Angular rhythms, and a
bass sound that does, at least, perhaps remind of the Stranglers, the album was
recorded over 8 days using seven vintage synths, all sorts of percussion and a
12 string guitar. It's a disjoined and strangled affair. 'Dreadful' my wife
acclaimed. For once, I concur. *
Review
by Pete Whalley
XYKOGEN Terminology
(Line Out Records)
Holy F**k what is this? From the opening note I spat out my tea, choked on my
own tongue and needed to go to the toilet all at the same time.
A rare blend of disgust,
horror and epilepsy last brought on when a once respectable Kerrang! put The
Prodigy on the front cover.
Over programmed, over mixed, club techno rave beefed up noise trying to rock.
Occasional hints of ambience with female vocals over a drum machine. Otherwise
think Prodigy, Duran Duran’s Reflex/Wild Boys and Fatboy Slim trying to rock
out.
I think you’ll find the terminology you need is terminal spasm. *
Review by Joe Geesin
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