We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
Reviews by Joe Geesin, Abigail Suter, Pete Whalley
MOTHER MOTHER Body Of Years
With its strutting bass line reminiscent of The Cars, Gary Numan-esque
synths and Scissor Sisters style vocals Body Of Work could sound overly retro
and derivative. But remarkably it sounds incredibly fresh, vital and unique - no
easy feat and a signal of intent from this Vancouver band who have found praise
from a church as broad as the BBC, the mainstream music press, and NME. And now
GRTR!
Surely a household name by the end of 2010. *****
Review by Pete Whalley
CLEMENT MARFO & THE FRONTLINE Champion
Normally, I'd give rap / hip-hop a very wide birth but Clement Marfo & The
Frontline - a band creating quite a stir on the underground scene - are a very
different bucket of whelks.
Building on the Roachford rock / blues / soul crossover sound, Clemet Marfo adds
a massive Wham sized pop chorus and rap / hip-hop to the mix on this single and
the b-side, Shock & Awe.
Both have the same sort of immediate impact as when Run DMC teamed up with
Aerosmith and are likely to appeal to such a wide marketplace that Champion is
surely a guaranteed knock out hit. *****
Review by Pete Whalley
SEASONS AFTER Cry Little Sister
When the almost spooky guitar intro came in on this track I have to admit I
was expecting either some sort of slow-paced Nickelback style song or something
that reminds you of Evanescnece. Boy, was I wrong.
Yes, the sound has elements of this somewhere among the big, fat pile of genres
it seems to mix together but I'd say the closest match to this track would be
something like Three Days Grace. However, Seasons After seem to create their own
sound and this means it blows away people with all sorts of music tastes. My
iTunes labels it as 'rock' yet to me, it's much more.
My verdict is that this is a must-have single for most rock fans out there so
you should definitely give it a whirl. ****½
Review by Abigail Suter
JETS TO ZURICH Crimson Tide
I'm impressed. Totally. Jets To Zurich formed just a year ago and they are
already signed to a record label and are scheduled to release their first
single, 'Crimson Tide' on the 9th of October which, to me, is pretty damn
amazing. That is before I even pressed play. If I didn't know better I would say
'Crimson Tide' was by a more well-established band such as Jet. The fast-paced
track reflects their fast-paced road to success and for a band with just three
members, they make one hell of a noise.
I would expect big things from the three-piece from Aberdare in the coming
months. Another two singles are expected to be released and I have to say,
personally, I will be buying them. If general logic is anything to go by, bands
always seem to get better as time passes and if these get any better, they will
be deserving of 5*'s for their debut album.
This is about as good as indie rock gets folks, so get out there and buy it! ****
Review by Abigail Suter
FILTER Fades Like A Photograph (Dead Angel)
Being their fifth studio album, you'd expect big things from Filter and
that's exactly what you get from this track. Frontman Richard Patrick is finally
back where he belongs to the delight of many die-hard Filter fans.
While the lyrics describe some sort of loss maybe linked to a relationship, the
actual song tells a totally different story with a cheerful, calming feeling to
it. The opening verse is especially relaxing which is then contrasted by a
slightly more powerful chorus with husky vocals.
Admittedly, this single has no energy but it is powerful in it's own emotional
way and will not disappoint because Filter definitely still are one of the best
industrial rock bands around today. ****
Review by Abigail Suter
THE MILK All I Wanted Was Danger
Jumping on the retro 60's milk wagon can be a risky move, but unsigned act
The Milk from Southend manage it with aplomb with a sound that nods it's hat to
the classics of Motown, Stax and Trojan.
All I Want Is Danger has echoes of both Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones brought
bang up to date with a delivery that is both infectious and foot tapping. These
boys won't be unsigned for long. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
LISBEE STAINTON Harriet
With a support slot with Joan Armatrading not long under her belt, Harriet is
the latest single to be released from Lisbee's Stainton's excellent Girl on An
Unmade Bed album.
Written for and about a persistent friend at university, Harreit sits at the
Kate Nash end of this promising British talent's songwriting spectrum. It's
radio friendly and almost guaranteed airplay. And with a forthcoming UK
headlining tour, the future looks bright for this very talented singer
songwriter. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
SOPHIE HUNGER Your Personal Religion
The debut UK single from Scandanavian singer songwriter, born Émilie
Jeanne-Sophie Welti Hunger in Bern, Switzerland, in March 1983.
Taken from her very excellent album 1983, Your Personal Religion is a grungy
piece of acoustic folk rock on which she takes a critical look at those who
claim to have their own personal religion. It's a real grower.
Difficut to pidgeon hole, the album is a compelling listen and well worth
checking out. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
LOUIS ELIOT & THE EMBERS Runaway Night
Singer songwriter and former guitarist with nineties bands Kinky Machine and
Rialto, Louis Eliot returns flanked by his new band, The Embers, with the
acoustic / fiddle propelled lead single from his forthcoming album Kittow's
Moor.
With vocals with the rasp of Rod Stewart, big hooks and vague echoes of Dexy's
it's a combination pop / folk song that has a real feel good factor, that spills
over into the accordion and fiddle laced sea shanty B-side I Saw Her At The
Fair.
With a support slot on Thea Gilmore's forthcoming Murphy's Heart tour, the
future looks bright for Louis Eliot. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
DARK SYNERGY You Are The Killer EP
Aussie twosome Col Brown (guitar / song writer / producer) and Nellie Mokbel
(vocals) teamed up in April 2007 when Col was auditioning for a vocalist.
Influenced by 'classic rock' guitarists such as Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan,
Gilmore, Iommi and Clapton, Col had already got three albums worth of original
material produced in demo form, and the duo took their name Dark Synergy from
one of his 2006 songs.
The band (supplemented by Simone White and Stuart J Spaans on drums and bass)
describe their sound as 'cyber goth' a blend of goth and sci-fi rock and metal.
Still unsigned the 3 track You Are A Killer EP gives a taster of what they have
to offer.
And it's pretty fine the title track is a moody slow grooved melodic acoustic
based piece with some molten fretwork and sultry vocals, No Illusions mixes some
staccato off beat metal riffs with half spoken vocals, and Altered State is
another dark acoustic based piece with plenty of wah wah infused bluesey guitar
work. Nothing groundbreaking, but perfectly listenable. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
PHOENIX 23 Outside My Window EP
Not an official release, but a three track taster for the Northern Ireland
band's debut album which has been produced by Supertramp guitarist Carl Verheyen.
With a sound reminiscent of Del Amitri's modus operandi, it's a soft rock singer
songwriter extravaganza. And with a remarkably mature and easy on the ear sound,
Phoenix 23 are almost guaranteed to strike a chord with The Radio 2 audience.
***½
Review by Pete Whalley
TRANSMIT NOW Let's Go Out Tonight
They might not have been on the scene long but Transmit Now have something
about them that resonates more than just another pop-rock band. Their latest
single from debut album ‘Let's Go Out Tonight' pushes all the right buttons
combining all the necessary ingredients of a rock song.
The track sounds similar to the likes of Jimmy Eat World and Kids In Glass
Houses and, even though it is a bit safe and predictable, for a young band that
was only formed two years ago it's still pretty good. It starts out with a
catchy guitar rhythm which soon gives way to some stereotypical pop-rock vocals
but then quickly switches to a catchy chorus which makes up for the average
sounding verse.
So, the big question; should I buy it? To all the pop-rock fans out there, yes
you should. If you're a fan of anything heavier though I wouldn't really say
this single is for you. ***½
Review by Abigail Suter
AARON WRIGHT & THE APRILS Beyond A Pale Horse EP
The release of this 5 track debut ep by twenty three year old Scottish
troubadour Aaron Wright will round off a summer of major festival appearances
(Glastonbury, T in the Park, Latitude) in just dandy fashion.
Combining the pop elements of the likes of the Beach Boys but with the lyrical
acidity of Billy Bragg, it's the sort of insane mix that could only come from a
nation with a liking for deep fried confectionery. To be fair, Aaron is actually
Canadian by birth, but his accent leaves no doubt of his real roots.
Ably abetted by a mini orchestra of players including Teenage Fanclub's Norman
Blake (bass / vocals) and Belle & Sebastian's Steve Jackson (guitar) and Mick
Cooke (horns) the set has a the feel good factor of say, early 70's Paul
McCartney, Harry Nilsson or Ronnie Lane. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
SOMA HIGH Something About You
My first impression of 'Something About You' was that it almost sounded like
The Hoosiers with the cheesy, upbeat guitar rhythm and high-pitched vocals. More
pop music than rock to be quite honest but seeing as I have a wide music taste
this was right up my street. But then something weird happens. There's a HUGE
sound shift to the chorus and then it almost reminds you of the likes of
Radiohead and Queens of the Stone Age. I can't quite decide if this is a good or
bad thing but it I think it has to be good as seen as it's head-boppingly
catchy.
The problem is, I get the feeling it will be one of those songs which will be
stuck in your head for days at a time no matter how annoying it gets.
With the next song on their second EP, you start to get used to the
mind-boggling weirdness off this band. Sean Strugnell, the crazy Frontman, drops
the falsetto vocals in 'Flashback Tuesday' in replace of a much mature sound
that resembles that of the Arctic Monkeys. Even though the guitar in this track
is relatively simplistic it seems to fit the track perfectly and just add the
finishing touches to the song.
The third track is as much of a song as it is a protest. The repeated chanting
of 'We don't want this' in the chorus is powerful, youthful and somehow makes
you want to jump out of your seat and start chanting along.
I think this is one of those discs you keep at the back of the cabinet uner the
heading of 'Guilty Pleasures' because however much of a cheesy indie EP it is,
it's also feel-good pop that makes you want to dance around like a twelve year
old girl singing into a hairbrush. ***
Review by Abigail Suter
BROKEN CITY SKYLINE You Would Run
The latest single from up and coming Welsh band Broken City Skyline deploys
an early U2-esque beat to underscore their subtle blend of accessible pop rock.
With 3 EPs and a number of singles already under their belt Broken City Skyline
could well be the next name to break out of the Welsh borders and take the UK
mainstream by storm. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
ELYSIAN BORN
Magisterium (EP)
www.myspace.com/elsianborn
Apparently a prime slab of
modern metal from a band influenced as much by Metallica and Pantera as Lamb Of
God and Children Of Bodom.
The opening track kicks
off in fine metal fashion, some good guitars, which then give way to the throat
(to say vocals would an insult to all other vocalists). The throat mixes 100
cement mixers on speed with spoken word that sounds like a 1950’s radio.
'Black Slate' opens in stoner style before the racket comes in.
Remember the guy in Monty
Python’s Meaning Of Life who is butchered in his own house giving a Live Organ
Transplant? The vocals sound like that. Or quiet in ambient stoner style. A bit
of an extreme.
I guess this wall of sound has its fans, but not me. The press release says
breathtaking. This certainly will take your breath away, and so will being hit
in the stomach by Mike Tyson. **
Review by Joe Geesin
GODSIZED The Phoney Tough & The Crazy Brave EP
www.myspace.com/godsized
3 track EP, and it's brutal metal. A mix of alt.metal and some trad metal.
Touches of Sabbath and Maiden, bit of grunge. The 3 tracks are pretty similar
and although it's uptempo, there is a sludginess to it all. **½
Review by Joe Geesin
ORPHAN BOY Some Frontier
To put it bluntly, the whole song sounds like some chant you'd hear at a
football match. The lyrics are very repetitive and they sound like they want to
be the Sex Pistols but can't quite reach that level of talent quite yet.
Listening to some of their other singles I am not really keen on any of them but
compared to their other songs such as 'Satellites' this really doesn't come
close to being any where near as good.
Maybe, just maybe, Orphan Boy will improve over time and then I will happily
admit I was wrong. I think they have potential to become a really good indie
band and I see why people may like them but this really doesn't work for me at
all. I know it's very biased of me to say that but I'm only being honest about
it.
Overall, I would give it a go if you're already a fan but I really don't think
you're missing out on much if not. *½
Review by Abigail Suter
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