We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
Reviews by Joe Geesin, Abigail Suter, Pete Whalley
THEA GILMORE Teach Me To Be
Bad
Thea Gilmore is on something of a roll at present. Her
latest album Murphy's Heart has found equal acclaim with fans and pundits, the
opening single You're The Radio got plenty of Radio 2 air time and she's just
completed a rapturously received UK tour.
Teach Me To Be Bad is
one of the highlights from the album and is bound to earn her further deserved
air play and exposure. For fans, the bonus is inclusion of 3 non-album tracks.
And there's one thing you can guarantee from Thea Gilmore - there'll be no
fillers.
The folky Favourite Absentee has a charming acoustic
Tull style, Several Angels is a lament that wouldn't be out of place on Strange
Communion, and Something To Sing About is an up tempo number as good as any in
her canon. Purchase with confidence. ****
Review by
Pete Whalley
JAMES VINCENT McMORROW James Vincent
McMorrow EP
On the back of extensive touring in America, a number 1 success in his native
Ireland, and exposure via Grey's Anatomy, Dublin's James McMorrow looks set to
be one the names to watch in 2011.
His eponymous UK debut EP,
comprising two album tracks and two unearthed demos, precedes an album release -
Early In The Morning - in the new year and the lead track - the excellent 'If I
Had A Boat' is available now as a free download (
http://soundcloud.com/partisanpr/james-vincent-mcmorrow-if-i-had-a-boat ).
The two album tracks - If I Had A Boat and This Old Dark Machine are a pair of
wonderfully soulful and atmospheric numbers reflecting McMorrow's Irish roots,
his love of West-Coast sounds (think, Crosby Stills and Nash), and crowned by
his sweet Donny Hathaway influenced vocals. And the two early demos are things
of fragile beauty with echoes of Ray LaMontagne. Exquisite. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
SONIC SYNDICATE My Own Life
The second single lifted from the AngloSwedish sextet's 3rd album We Rule The
World is something of a surprise. Because on the artwork, they look rather
menacing. And with a penchant for 'death metal', I was expecting something more,
well, 'in your face'. But My Own Life is a huge slab of melodious rock with
great vocals, and a huge hook. Whether it's representative of the band's output
in general I don't know, but it's damn fine single and one that should bring the
band wider recognition. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
SICK PUPPIES All The Same
The debut single from Australian rock trio Sick Puppies is a gentle acoustic
based affair which ratchets up as the song progresses and is, perhaps somewhat
at odds with the band's reputation of melodious aggression. It does however stem
from their band's first major label album Dressed Up For Life (2007) and already
has a pedigree of US success and a You Tube / Free Hugs campaign 'down under'
that received 63 million hits. Success beckons. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
VESSELS - Meatman Piano Tuner Prostitute
Just looking at the bizarre name of this single kind of withdraws my ability
to take any of it seriously. I mean what sort of band combines rabble about
meatmen, piano tuner's and prostitutes and maintains a serious note to their
music? It muse be pure psycho crap. Or so I thought.
As I press play I am significantly surprised and instantly take back my comment
about it being unserious. The gentle, dramatic, ambient melody makes you feel at
ease with yourself as the lulling piano relaxes you along with the stunning
falsetto vocals. Not only that but 'Meatman, Piano Tuner, Prostitute (Featuring
Stuart Warwick)' is only the first track on this elegant album.
'Meatman (Featuring Stuart Warwick)' follows the same example set by the first
track and combines the same mellow vocals with the soothing piano and
barely-there drumbeat. This definitely works for The Vessels as a drastic change
from the heavier guitar riffs of previous hit, 'Look at That Cloud'.
'Ornafives' adds catchy guitar riffs and much weightier drum beats to the
mixture although I wouldn't exactly call it heavy at any rate yet the vocals
are, once again, dynamic and absolutely captivating.
The CD closes with the Avus Minty Lamb remix of Meatman (who the heck comes up
with these names?!). Sounding nothing like the original, it remind you of
eastern cultures and is a great finish to the glorious CD.
This single, released on the 8th of November, is almost entrancing as it throws
you directly into a whirling dreamland of deep emotion which is balanced out by
a contrasting light-hearted feel. Definitely worth a listen for any fans of
music based around instrumental genius because the lack of vocal work will
disappoint some. ***½
Review by Abigail Suter
SYD MATTERS Hi Life
This single from a French five piece, fronted by the man himself (whose name is
allegedly taken from Syd Barratt and a variation of [Roger] Waters) is a rather
splendid little ditty. Opening with Kate Bush style piano and percussion before
moving into a gentle vocal / acoustic piece with subtle hints of early Genesis,
Beach Boys and Paul Simon. Rather charming. ***½
Revuiew by Pete Whalley
SENSORITES Just Because You Can
The new single from brothers Natham and Gareth a.k.a Sensorites, is the
perfect soundtrack to those chilled out winter days spent at home cuddled up on
the sofa. The soft, clean acoustic sounds blend together seamlessly and create a
sense of ease.
Ok so it's nothing you havn't heard before but the track is as cool as a
cucumber so does that really matter? The simple guitar melody is consistent
throughout yet there is a slightly more gritty solo to separate the song out a
bit more.
The raw single is followed up with five equally as stunning remixes. Personally,
the soothing piano of Muz's Get Down Remix brings the track to a whole new level
for me however, the instrumental version emphasises just how effective simple
melodies can be and reinforces the idea that not all rock music needs dirty,
grimy sounds to make it a masterpiece.
The verdict: as cool as a cucumber. Although cucumbers really aren't very cool
are they? Oh well, like I said, a brilliant laid-back track fitting the feel
it's winter release date gives. ***½
Review by Abigail Suter
NEEDS MUST Thank You For Choosing
Well first of all I must say you can tell they're from London as soon as the
vocals kick in. The husky voice of Patrick Engelbert is heavily coated with an
extremely South-East accent.
The lyrics are very... well... creative to say the least. "Fast food chains are
getting fatter/leaving our metabolism in a tatter" sings Patrick. I find myself
wondering how on earth can you take this band seriously after these lyrics but
once again my opinions are proved wrong as the track progresses into something
more dramatic becoming a perfect song for the working class society with its raw
guitar riffs and harshly crafted bass melody.
The B-side to this unusual single is 'Shrapnel Queen' which commences with
gentle vocals from Patrick (that makes a change from the thick accent!) hastily
switches back to the heavy industrial punk-rock sound which resembles that of a
much more mature version of the Arctic Monkeys.
This song really draws me in during the second half where the haunting vocals
and guitar riff resume before Engelbert begins to chant 'There she goes'
repeatedly. It sounds like the record's stuck but instead of just being plain
annoying, this creates a dramatic effect and adds to the dynamics of the tune.
This single boasts very gritty, urban sounds which will fulfil the needs of
anyone who is craving something a bit more fuzzy sounding than the likes of the
Arctic Monkeys and Orphan Boy although it's certainly not for everybody. ***½
Review by Abigail Suter
THE LIAISON Start From Scratch EP
Yet another band off the seemingly endless conveyor belt of festival friendly
bands producing up tempo, big chorus, feel good factor indie pop/rock.
Personally, I blame bands like Busted, and the likes of Avril Lavigne who pretty
much blueprinted the genre. Now, aside from headliners, the mainstream festival
stages are carpeted wall to wall with bands whose style is virtually
indistinguishable.
The Liaison, a five piece from Guilford are no exception. They're very
accurately described in their PR blurb as 'explosive' and they've brought in
John Mitchell (It Bites) on production to add a little gasoline to the flames.
Like their contemporaries, they're proficient (very), the songs are catchy and
they'll be undoubted crowd pleasers. Yes, they're radio friendly, yes, they're
fun, but it's not [classic] rock Jim, not as we know it. Beam me up Scotty.
***
Review by Pete Whalley
SWEET
JAMES Multitrack Drifting EP
www.sweetjames.ca
Young alt-rock that has influences of blues, prog and pop/rock.
The opening track 'Better For The Crime' opens in alt-pop fashion with high
vocals that then builds. Decent melody but the alternative guitar work is a bit
jangly and the vocals remain too high, both in pitch and volume.
'Get On Somethin' Good' has a more mature, middle of the road yet guitar-pop
feel with a hint of Americana and Beach Boys.
The only track not of mainstream (Q, Mojo) fare is 'The
Wonderer', which adds harmonica and picks up the blues in a more sensible
fashion.
'Make 'The Wonderer' the lead track and ditch the Americana and
Guitar Pop angles and you have something quite promising. ***
Review by Joe Geesin
LAVELLION Singles 2010/11 EP
www.lavellion.com /
www.myspace.com/lavellion
Three new songs by this unsigned
band that show a strong hard rock style.
'Believe In Me' is very 70s, solid, hard, a hint of Stray. 'Brother' is lighter,
more rhythmic. 'Truth And Lies' has a good feel going, and is probably the
strongest of the lot.
Some good stuff, but I'd like to see them beef up a bit, as
there is a danger of falling into the guitar-pop camp (Kings of Leon, Snow
Patrol et al). ***
Review by Joe Geesin
LOTTE
MULLAN Can't Find The Words
Inspired by her father's record
collection containing gems from the likes of Rickie Lee Jones, Bobbie Gentry,
Kirsty MacColl and The Beatles, and her own vocal style influenced by a throat
problem and an enforced-singing ban, the 25 year old singer songwriter's album
Plain Jane is a enchanting debut.
Rooted in folk, her wistful, Sam Brown style delivery, makes
her confessional story telling an intimate and quintessentially English
experience seldom heard in these Pro Tool days. This reworking of the melancholy
l Can't Find The Words with Italian DJ Phonat, strips away some of the sparse
fragility of the album version with the addition of a hypnotic pop beat. But for
me, it's an unnecessary embellishment - Lotte had it just right first time
around. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
AWOLNATION - Back From Earth EP
Opening the promo pack of
US band, AWOLNATION's new EP, you find everything you'd expect. Band info sheet,
album cover stating EP name and band name with track list on the back, CD also
complete with these details, 3D glasses…HUH?! Umm yeah, my eyes do not deceive
me, there is a pair of cardboard 3D glasses. You know, the classic red and blue
ones. I'm just going to pretend that this is an absolutely normal thing to be
contained in a promo pack.
Doing a bit more research makes me understand this 3D glasses thing
significantly better. They have a pretty awesome 3D website - of course I knew
this all along, honest! Anyway, now to find out if they're all show or not
because that's the image they're giving me with all this funky, cyber 3D stuff.
The vocals to 'Burn It Down' kick in after an extremely brief drum fill and one
clear question runs through my muddled up mind; are they on drugs?! I think the
best comparison I can make for this psychedelic punk-rock is to either The
Beastie Boys or Mindless Self Indulgence. This is a song which makes you
question your own sanity as you listen to the playful yet somehow violent sounds
of the weird yet wonderful AWOLNATION.
'Guilty Filthy Soul' presents a relaxing contrast after the very in your face
feel of the previous track. The song is simple in terms of instrumental features
yet the lyrics add dynamic to the melody and make you feel like you're on drugs
again as you slowly become addicted.
The third track, 'Sail' is very synth-heavy and a little on the sludgy side with
it's slow pace and lack higher pitches that the other two tracks seem to pull
off so well.
I'll leave it to your very creative imagination to think what 'MF' stands for.
Put it this way, keep this one away from the inquisitive ears of those pesky
little kids. Even though you'd expect something with lyrics like this to be even
more weighty, it's actually again rather childish and light-hearted with the
feathery synths and falsetto vocals.
The 'Back From Earth' EP is rounded off with a remix of 'Burn It Down'. The
Innerpartysystem remix adds even more electro to the mix (is that even
possible?!) and doubles the playback time of this crazy track. It's very...let's
say, colourful. That somehow feels like the best way to describe it; the ONLY
way to describe it.
Odd? Unusual? Strange? Those word's don't seem to quite sum up how outlandish
this EP is or what the band were thinking of while writing these songs. The
thing is, you SHOULDN'T like it but soon after it's finished ripping your ears
apart you gain the undeniable urge to have them ripped apart all over again.
The verdict? Give it a go whatever your music taste. you might not like it at
first but I think it's a grower once you become accustomed to the full on psycho
sounds of AWOLNATION. ***
Review by Abigail
Suter
INDICA Precious Dark
The latest offering from the Finnish five piece girl band's first English
speaking record In Passing. Despite being discovered by Nightwish boss Tuomas
Holopainen, there's no obvious metal connection and Eurovision is far more
natural habitat for the band's sound. Nothing wrong with that, and Precious Dark
would probably do rather well. Trois points. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
DORO Breaking The Law (live)
Perhaps not the best female
vocalist on the circuit, but with a Kiss size reputation on the metal circuit,
this cover of the Judas Priest classic is as much a showcase for her adoring
followers as the blonde German ex Warlock front woman. It's arguable who's
further up in the mix her or the crowd. Whatever, it must have been one hell of
a gig and a fitting trailer for her forthcoming 2 DVD + CD set 25 Year In Rock.
***
Recview by Pete Whalley
OLLIE STEWART Night Bell
Ollie Stewart is a London based
singer songwriter influenced by 70s Psychedelic Rock, 90s Trip Hop and
electronica. The opening track on his debut ep I See Love has a Tears For Fears
meets Donna Summer feel, in particular with distant refrains of her classic hit
I Feel Love. In general, the subtle electronica that underpins much of the set
gives it an 80s retro feel, accentuated by the soearing The Tears For Fears
style vocals that provide much of the melody. Pleasant enough fare even if it
doesn't set the heather alight. ***
Review by Pete
Whalley
THE UNION This Time Next Year
A 'benefit' single taken from the debut album of The Union a band put
together by Thunder songwriter / guitarist Luke Morley and ex Winterville
vocalist / guitarist Peter Shoulder. It starts well enough with strains of Mott
The Hoople style guitar work but rapidly descends into a fairly cheesy sub par
Elton John style gospel ballad. Ultimately uninspiring and disappointing.
**½
Review by Pete Whalley
STREETCORNER PROPHETS I Am The End EP
Streetcorner Prophets are an 'experimental' Philadelphia based rock band formed
in 2009 by four young jazz musicians. And between them they serve up an
apocalyptic sonic soundscape that is just, bonkers.
Requiem kicks the ep off with a drum roll, discordant chords and Arthur Brown
style spoken lyrics. It's followed by two completely spaced out numbers -
Darkness and Nyarlathotep - both featuring off kilter rhythms, and vocals from a
different plane that are neither sung or spoken.
Only The Lyricist shows signs of acceptable mainstream activity. But songs about
paraplegics in wheelchairs are unlikely to draw major airplay. Which is a shame,
because it hints at what Streetcorner Phrophets might become if they came down
off that cloud. And that's a pretty fine, female fronted rock band.
But on the whole, weird, just weird. **½
Review by
Pete Whalley
RUINS OF EARTH Ashes Of The Ocean EP
www.myspace.com/ruinsofearth
Apt name, as music like this really ruin the earth.
Extreme metal, frantic rhythms, fast guitar work, pauses, then frantic again, a
decent riff here and there. So what's the problem?
Well, if it stopped there, the average extreme metal fan would
love this. Well, into the cement mixer that is the mixing desk, you have to add
the vocals. And it's the cliché mixture of high and low, the low an ogre's
belch, or a tenor screaming too fast while underwater, the high being the oh so
pleasant scream of a cat being combed by a hedge trimmer. Both equally
unintelligible.
Not sure what started to bleed first, my brain or my ears. Thank the Norse gods
it's just a 5 track EP, otherwise my CD player would have started bleeding too.
*** (music) * (vocals and end effect)
Review by Joe Geesin
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