We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
LOZ JONES Idiot Room
Hats off for the most garish labels I've seen on a CD, to Loz Jones - a six
piece pop / rock band from from Luton. Their new single Idiot Room is a catchy
piece of radio friendly pop, but is heavily derivative of Spirit In The Sky and
the sing along chorus delivery of Doctor And The Medics.
But the b-side Awakening Times, shows there's more to the band than a novelty
single. With a more ethereal feel, some nice lead vocals and evocative keys
hooks, it hints that the band could easily move into the territory vacated by
Enigma. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
ANDREW MORRIS Longbeach
Hotly tipped by iTunes (whatever that means) Australian singer songwriter Andrew
Morris releases his new 5 track ep Longbeach.
Close your eyes and only one name springs to mind - David Gray. The song
structures and vocals have a distinct similarity. But with the absence of any
new material from Mr Gray, Andrew Morris more than ably fills the void. And when
DG returns to the fray, he could well find himself usurped.
Andrew Morris masquerades as a criminal lawyer when not writing, recording and
supporting the likes of Marillion. But on this form, it will be a crime if he
doesn't find fame and fortune beyond the court circuit. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
LISA HANNIGAN I Don't Know
The first single to be taken from acclaimed Irish singer Lisa Hannigan's
excellent debut album Sea Sew.
Responsible gilding the lily and
providing some of the highlights on recent Damien Rice albums and live shows, I
Don't Know is one of the more immediate and catchy tracks from an album that is
likely to enhance the lady's career on both sides of the Atlantic.
More accessible than Rice's work, the single and album are
gentle and calming - beautifully played and recorded, with Lisa's breathy vocals
well up in the mix. It's a combination that's going to appeal those who like the
likes of Cowboy Junkies and Sarah McLachlan. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
NEW EDUCATION Another Miracle
Released on digital download and 7" single only, the new single from New
Education is another piece of soaring anthemic pop.
Stoke-On-Trent based, the band were formed in early 2008 by brothers Ryan
(vocals, guitar) and Jack (bass) Dooley with David Cartwright (guitar) and John
Bradbury (drums).
Influenced by the likes of Oasis, The Cure and The Clash, the
band have a built a solid fan base and if the promise of their debut single
Today, and this follow up Another Miracle can be translated to an album, then
the band have a bright future. Quality melodic pop / rock. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
DAVID CRONENBERG'S WIFE The Fight Song EP
Formed back in
2004, David Cronenberg's Wife deliver scuzzy blues harp, 'talky' vocals that
brings the likes of Sergeant Buzzfuzz, festivals and The Young Ones to mind on
the lead track, The Fight Song.
The band's first release since their acclaimed debut Bluebeard's Rooms last
year, the set is edgy and full of sardonic wit - perfect for those quieter
festival moments this summer. Expect a second album later this year. Deranged.
***
Review by Pete Whalley
TINY SPARK For You The World Waits EP
With their debut
endorsed by Ben Sherman clothing and previewed at the flagship Carnaby Street
store, London / Portsmouth based Tiny Spark follow up with their second ep, the
title track allegedly a Bond-esque nod to the band's formative past of composing
scores for independent films.
It's decent enough pop/rock but lacks the requisite big hooks for a Bond number.
With their roots deep in the melodic pop/rock of the sixties, the five track EP
is nothing if not pleasant - well played, great vocals and some nice harmonies,
but for this reviewer, at least, it just lacked that je ne sais quo, to lift the
band above throbbing crowd. But well worth researching if you're into melodic
pop rock pedalled by Travis, Snow Patrol and the like.
And if you can pick up the limited edition release (which includes the first ep),
that's the one to go for. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
EL DOG A Princess, A Monkey, The Stars And The Sea
El Dog
are a Glasgow four-piece who post rock cinematic short films for your ears
(allegedly).
Now while that may sound barking, what you get is a Scottish act who have
somehow managed to combine the best bits of Biffy Clyro (angular, staccato
rhythms) with the melodies of the likes of Travis, Snow Patrol and Deacon Blue.
Rather nice, and an ep that bodes well for the band's forthcoming album The
Lamps Of Terrahead. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
THE RUSKINS
Slow Down Jessica
www.myspace.com/theruskins
Ska country punk rock, an interesting sound. The vocals on the
opening track come out so fast it’s almost a rap, but it’s a bit of fun. A
little jangly, a bit on the party side of things. Fun, but not to be taken too
seriously. If a drunken No Doubt did an impromptu high speed country rap at your
party, it wouldn’t be too far off this. ***
Review by
Joe Geesin
BUCK BROTHERS
When I Look At You (All I Think About Is Sex)
www.myspace.com/buckbrothers
I think this can be described
as heavy pop; guitar pop with influences of rock and punk and energy. From The
Ramones to indie / new wave, yes it’s a hybrid but in terms of both honesty and
energy as well as balls, not to mention a tune, it’s a breath of fresh air
compared to the plethora of guitar pop around at the moment. Shallow lyrics
though (you probably guessed by the title). ***
Review
by Joe Geesin
CAPTAIN DANGEROUS The Terrorist / Merrow Song
Danqua Records
www.myspace.com/captaindangerous
Available on iTunes, the single’s lead track 'The Terrorist' is
jangly and harsh yet melodic guitar pop with indie/rock overtones. It’s ok, but
would be easy to say it’s a terrorist on my ears. 'Merrow Song' is an acoustic
number with gentle rap like vocals and backing harmonica and a sound resembling
a banjo. Not bad, I just feel indifferent to it. **½
Review by Joe Geesin
EG Broken
Lead single taken from the solo album from the man behind the recent hits
for Duffy (Warwick Avenue), Adele (Chasing Pavements, Will Young, James
Morrison, Joss Stone, Take That, Natalie Imbruglia and Kylie, to name but a few.
Pleasant enough fare, but Eg's solo outing is not the stuff of hit singles,
being aimed more squarely at those seeking greater depth, irony, and
sophistication. Close, but no cigar. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
THE A TRAIN Black and White Memories
Debut single from Oxford based The 'A' Train, a band originally put together
by brothers James and Dan McKean (song writing, vocals, guitars and keys).
With a sound that is catchy folky pop, Black and White Memories is pleasant in a
Macca sort of sing along way. In value for money terms, you get 3 b-sides and a
music video, but there's an absence of killer hooks and it's difficult - on this
form - to see the band progressing much beyond the folk club / pub circuit.
**½
Review by Pete Whalley
SIERRA ALPHA Superhero EP (Major G Records )
www.myspace.com/sierraalphamusic
Interesting guitar pop; the label founder’s work with the likes of Alanis
Morissette and Paul Weller has rubbed off. Melodic, jangly guitar, some
aggressive indie moments. Vocals take control on the quiet moments, and the
title track tries to rock out. In contrast, the vocals aren’t strong enough to
match the music’s more powerful moments.
Again worth a listen, should get radio airplay, but not the most enticing thing
I’ve heard this year. **½
Review by Joe Geesin
DINOSAUR JR Over It
Firstly marks off for a CD with no more than a sticker and no website
details.
New single from the forthcoming album Farm.
That said, it’s the kind of indie/alternative rock with plenty of melodic
riffery and elements of 70s epics that still has a vibe of jangly tunelessness.
It’s not monotonous, the jangly style just gives it that feel. Always has done,
always will.
The guitars either jangle, distorted or they crash along with the cymbals. Fair
track otherwise. **½
Review by Joe Geesin
THE JOY FORMIDABLE Whirring
www.myspace.com/thejoyformidable
Noisy, cluttered and banging guitar indie with female vocals
and keyboards. There is a melody in there somewhere, but there’s just a grating
banging sound throughout. NME say they’re a bit special. But they’re not.
Two more previous singles on this CD (???), all under the art-indie banner which
doesn’t really flow. Monotonic bass and a tuneless sporadically filling the
sound grunge style. **
Review by Joe Geesin
THE HARRINGTONS Set In Our Ways
www.myspace.com/theharringtonsuk
Melodic modern guitar pop/rock/indie with a hollow jangly edge
(an element of early Cult / U2). It’s OK, worth a listen, but the most annoying
thing is when the guitar fluctuates quickly between two high notes (U2/Big
Country style).
If you like proto Brit-pop you might enjoy. **
Review
by Joe Geesin
DEATH BEFORE SUNRISE Hundred Questions, Thousand Answers
www.myspace.com/deathbeforesunriseband
Pop/punk and high energy high octane noise. Melodic shouting,
even the instrumental bits.
And definitely not for fans of Guns’n’Roses as the press release would have us
believe.
The second track is mildly better, but over reliance of fuzz on the guitar, and
sounds too much like proto Green Day.
A thousand answers, mostly 4 letters. One question, I’m sure you can guess it.
**
Review by Joe Geesin
THE KING BLUES I Got Love
Indie/guitar pop that has been doing well with both Radio 1 and Kerrang.
This single from the acclaimed new album mixes rock guitar with strumming, pop
vocals and a typical mid 80s rock/pop rhythm. Radio 1 and Kerrang success
doesn’t really impress me, and the music does only a little more. **
Review by Joe Geesin
WHITE LIGHT PARADE Wake Up (Split Records)
www.myspace.com/whitelightparade
An intro of mid range jangly tuneless guitar may be popular but it’s not me.
There’s more melody in the bass than the guitar, indie guitar pop with a nod
back to the 90s. Solid, should do ok.
I thought it was above passable, until I heard the reggae mix, which had the
same effect me as suffering from dysentery. **
Review by Joe Geesin
THIS IS RADIO FREEDOM Family Man (Side W7lk )
The intro of a driving bass line with some spacey vocals gives some kind of
hope, or at least anticipation. But then enter drum machine and dance music
rhythm that even the guitar and a couple of drum rolls cannot save. Think Run
DMC covering Hawkwind. Heavy metal discotastic. About as pants as a pants
factory overflowing with pants. The Dan Le Sac remix is as pointless as a very
blunt object and as much fun as rubbing your nether regions with sandpaper and
raw chilli. *½
Review by Joe Geesin
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