Tag Archives: Disc reviews

Razorlight – In The Morning – Single

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by Emma

Razorlight have made an excellent choice in new single from their current album. In The Morning is an upbeat, jingly and amusing song which speaks for the majority of the nation in that it’s about getting blind drunk and forgetting about whatever it is you did the night before! I can definitely say that I for one can identify! And so with a skip and a smile In The Morning will rock you into a cheery mood and probably a bit of a dance. The tune is quite regimental and will have you marching along in no time! The other tracks on the single are not quite so upbeat though…Doctor, Doctor is a bit of a ballad – tender vocals accompanied by piano only. What’s It All About? is a short and sweet track, again very gentle and harless. Razorlight can pull this style off, but they are much much better at kicking out fun and lively tunes … good job they picked one for the A-side then!

Adem ‘Launch Yourself’ single

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by Davey

Straining away from the man with the mould once again, Adem returns with his second solo single, ‘Launch Yourself’.

The song is chock full of oddities, busy with percussion, half of the emphasis on clicking, ticking and knocking, the other on simple, quite monotonous layered vocals. It’s the first time Adem has written a rhythm orientated song, rather than a melodious one, and is a risk he takes bravely.

The song is like a broken up Muse record, all love and space, but so simplistic about it, rather than epic and sweeping. It’s certainly a highlight from the ‘Love And Other Planets’ album, which is worth the money if you can find it.

Saves The Day – Sound The Alarm Album Review

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by Emma

It’s an accomplishment that Sound The Alarm was completed at all considering the amount of chaos and upheaval the band have managed to work through with the departure of original bassist and problems with their record label. The result? Saves The Day give us another major album and fans will not be disappointed. The album spits in angry bursts and is quite aggressive at times (the first few tracks led by Head For The Hills are fast and pointedly furious in this way).

Sound The Alarm does soon take a turn for the sweeter though, and Eulogy and Dying Day riff their way into a much happier mood although the lyrics still show a sadness and vulnerability. The tracks on this album are all solid and the composition is difficult to fault. Percussion is particularly good and I am impressed with the great thrashes and beats pounded out on the drums during the majority of the tracks.

Saves The Day once again prove their worth and I am sure that Sound The Alarm will contribute to another great year for this band after all it took to get there.

Moneen – The Red Tree Album Review

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by Emma

Moneen – The Red Tree

Recent release The Red Tree is an outstanding album from the fantastic Moneen, following up the Switcheroo split EP they released last year with Alexisonfire. Moneen have made a massive musical leap and The Red Tree really is something to behold.

The album kicks off with the magnificent sounding and just as cleverly titled Don’t Ever Tell Locke What He Can’t Do, a statuesque song that truly dazzles. This just begins to show us what Moneen are capable of and the rest of the album only builds on this and gets better and better. I find it almost impossible to decide on the best tracks as they are pretty much all anthemic, watertight monsters of songs. The music is grand and Kenny’s vocals are bursting with feeling and are pretty much flawless. I can just manage it though and I think that Bleed and Blister does stand out as an awesome, epic track with enough twists and turns to keep it active and exciting. The album closes on the beautiful The Song I Swore To Never Sing.

The Red Tree is perfectly orchestrated and carefully written, Moneen have put so much into this and as a result anyone listening to the album will get so, so much out of it as I have. This is without a doubt one of the best releases of this year.

Sign ‘Thank God For Silence’ LP

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by Davey

Good god, you could just inject this kind of rock straight into your veins for an instant shuddering high. That’s what Sign’s LP feels like. Fronted by the enigmatic Zolberg, the only 19-year-old guitar prodigy around, the Icelandic power quartet simply demand attention with their G ‘n’ R/Glitterati type brand of hard rock, complete with spindly threads of sadness, sex, hope, wonder, and an obvious love for what they do.

Less knowledgeable beings could mistake their music for dumb teenage din, but there’s a lot of intelligence and worldly wisdom behind this LP, as opposed to the naivety that tends to cut through and ruin much of today’s youth rock. On top of this, they are breathtakingly dexterous with their instruments, making the most of the power of the harmony, vocally as well as instrumentally.

The title track of this LP stands out as the most epic, heroic song, stretching Zolberg’s vocal talents to the limit, atop a heavy backdrop of thick, sticky-sweet rock. Opener ‘Lift Me Up’ is similarly grand; a taste of things to come. I simply cannot fault this. And it seems they’re going down well in England without my adoration, having sold out the London Barfly back in February (their first visit to the UK), thanks to the omnipotent force that is MySpace. The band is currently in the throes of a very busy schedule, so I would recommend keeping an eye on them for their next visit to our fair shores.

Trust me, they fucking RAWK. And a little something for the girls… Zolberg is VERY pretty!

www.myspace.com/sign

www.sign.is

Protest The Hero – Kezia Album Review

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by Emma

Kezia is the debut album from Protest The Hero following a couple of previous EP releases. Within seconds Protest The Hero launch a full on attack and the first thing you are hit with on this album is the face-melting opening riff of the brutal, interchangeable sounds of No Stars Over Bethlehem. Blinding.

Next track Heretics and Killers continues the assault, boasting unrelenting drums, blistering thick guitar riffs and switches between Killswitch-esque power vocals to an oddly calm speaking tone. The album is led in this way and the songs are of huge proportions, belting you through fierce riff after riff. Last track A Plateful Of Our Dead is tremendous and rounds the album off nicely.

Not for the faint hearted, Kezia is technically brilliant and bold. Excellent showmanship and range here. This album is a real credit to Protest The Hero.


Saves The Day – Sound The Alarm Album Review

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by Emma

It’s an accomplishment that Sound The Alarm was completed at all considering the amount of chaos and upheaval the band have managed to work through with the departure of original bassist and problems with their record label. The result? Saves The Day give us another major album and fans will not be disappointed. The album spits in angry bursts and is quite aggressive at times (the first few tracks led by Head For The Hills are fast and pointedly furious in this way).

Sound The Alarm does soon take a turn for the sweeter though, and Eulogy and Dying Day riff their way into a much happier mood although the lyrics still show a sadness and vulnerability. The tracks on this album are all solid and the composition is difficult to fault. Percussion is particularly good and I am impressed with the great thrashes and beats pounded out on the drums during the majority of the tracks.

Saves The Day once again prove their worth and I am sure that Sound The Alarm will contribute to another great year for this band after all it took to get there.

Moneen – The Red Tree Album Review

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by Emma

Recent release The Red Tree is an outstanding album from the fantastic Moneen, following up the Switcheroo split EP they released last year with Alexisonfire. Moneen have made a massive musical leap and The Red Tree really is something to behold.

The album kicks off with the magnificent sounding and just as cleverly titled Don’t Ever Tell Locke What He Can’t Do, a statuesque song that truly dazzles. This just begins to show us what Moneen are capable of and the rest of the album only builds on this and gets better and better. I find it almost impossible to decide on the best tracks as they are pretty much all anthemic, watertight monsters of songs. The music is grand and Kenny’s vocals are bursting with feeling and are pretty much flawless. I can just manage it though and I think that Bleed and Blister does stand out as an awesome, epic track with enough twists and turns to keep it active and exciting. The album closes on the beautiful The Song I Swore To Never Sing.

The Red Tree is perfectly orchestrated and carefully written, Moneen have put so much into this and as a result anyone listening to the album will get so, so much out of it as I have. This is without a doubt one of the best releases of this year.


Rescue The Astronauts EP Review

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by Emma

Your Scissors/My Seatbelt

Your Scissors/My Seatbelt is the first EP available to buy from Derry sweethearts Rescue The Astronauts. The four-track disc produced by Neal Calderwood is a fine introduction to the raw talents of the ever changing five-piece rock outfit. I’m just a teeny bit disappointed that the awesome Crowds Of More Than One wasn’t included.

Track one I Am Your Sugar Rush trickles in with a strange movie-esque tinkle of bells and then suddenly blasts into action with grilling guitar and kick ass drums. The verses are brilliant with colourful and slightly aggressive vocals, lyrics to die for and are peppered with raw screams. The chorus is a little more gentle and brings down the pace a little, but in true RTA form is catchy as hell.

Second track Throwing Paper Airplanes is more pop-like and is a milder track with sweet harmonies and an inoffensive backing track. This song is a theme song for the young broken hearted and is a really cute little track. Lyrics are sweet and vocals are suitably enchanting.

Finely Tuned Frequencies is the third track and the eye of the EP and is such a quirky but beautiful ballad to tug on the old heartstrings. The song is expertly written and the guitar and percussion are perfectly executed to add a heavier undertone to the track. Ferris captures a rawness, intensity and versatility that shines through this track, but writing is the key and this is where the boys’ biggest talent lies.

Last but not least is Ideas To Resuscitate, upbeat and fluctuating between soft, high pitched vocals with a toned-down backing to powered throaty bursts of musical brilliance. There are parts of this track that are so well composed I wish I had written it myself!

In short, get yourself a copy (you can order online via the website) and I promise that you will love it.


Screaming Tarts – The Album

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by Louise

Volume 3

Who’da thunk one CD could be filled with such vast and varied and wholly substantial ROCK? Screaming Tarts is a fine specimen, a credit to the fanzine world. And boy do they spoil you with their compilation albums! Volume three features tracks by the mighty Robin Black, hard-rockers Disarm, sleaze-rockers King Lizard, punk-rockers Patchwork Grace and loooads more in between. It’s fast, it’s dirty, it’s heavy, it’s rockin’, and it’s worth every penny of its wee £6 price tag.

These compilation albums are brilliant for introducing music lovers to bands they might be missing out on… e.g.; I have just been introduced to Devilish Presley, suddenly I’m rather addicted to their brilliant track; Black Glitter. Initially attracted to the song’s title, I was pleased to find that the song itself is majestically dark, yet sparkling and vivacious. Full of life and dressed with a tight ribbon of fiery vocals.

These compilation albums are also great for introducing music lovers to bands of which they have heard, but whose music they have yet to hear… e.g.; I have just been introduced to Renegade Playboys, their radiantly infectious Bad Gurlz has some awesome licks that reach out from deep within the speakers and claw at your unsuspecting ears. A song of this calibre would not be out of place in the thick of the eighties hair-metal era.

In summary, if you like your albums varied and tasteful, thick with trashy rock and with just a hint of sleaze-riddled glamour, then this is for you.

Full track listing is as follows:

01. Phluid – Bang Bang
02. King Lizard – Hell Yeah
03. Mary-Jane – Love
04. The Alive – Away
05. The Evangelists – Microwave Man
06. David R Black – Signals
07. Renegade Playboys – Bad Gurlz
08. Patchwork Grace – Nancy
09. Uniting The Elements – Thank You
10. Disarm – Getaway
11. Star Scream – Scenester
12. The Visions – Morrissey’s Tongue
13. Blow Up Betty – She’s A Gonna
14. Devilish Presley – Black Glitter
15. Chairmen of the Bored – Suffocating
16. In So Far – Dream Alone
17. Zen Motel – Head
18. Robin Black – Seventeen
19. Catfish Scar – Scarred
20. Bernard – Your Song

It’s released on June 12th. Pre-order your copy now at: www.screamingtartsthealbum.co.uk

The Pleasures EP

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by Davey

‘Cuming Out’ EP

Glamorous attention whores The Pleasures released their EP ‘Cuming Out’ in 2005. With their mini UK tour rapidly approaching, this is a naughty little taste of their wares.

The band are claiming to be the resurrection of previously stone-cold glam rock (which I will judge for myself when I see them in July), and their EP, true to form, is a swift high-speed slap in the face and a scream for attention. Confident opener ‘Yes It’s Us’ is a true rock anthem, fast paced and heavy, making sure everyone knows their name, with the aid of an official announcement to open the record. The vocals are typically manic, the music dripping with sex and eyeliner, the guitars wail and screech and the glitter flies. When you hear The Pleasures, you see The Pleasures. And yes, they do look how you imagine them to look (www.myspace.com/thepleasures). The whole EP maintains the energy displayed in the first few seconds, the most stunning song, ‘Parade Parade’ placed somewhere in the middle and radiating its hard-rocking glow far and wide.

Along with the EP, the band have recorded a couple of tasty cover versions, ‘Big L’ by Roxette and a particularly stonking ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’ (originally by the wondrous Slade, of course), both perfectly, deliciously wild and worth looking out for if you can find them.

Have no doubt, The Pleasures are cuming to get you.


Nicolai Prowse

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by Jo

AAGGHHH! He’s back! Running up fast, anyway.. Nicolai’s been a very busy boy. Writing, recording, working hard. Let’s have a look, shall we? There will be a website shortly, but for now there are four songs on myspace – www.myspace.com/nicolaiprowse – so just check that out. Don’t expect any DMBT stuff.

Actually, if you take the four as a whole and want to see/make up a story emerging, listen to them in reverse order. I have no idea if that’s intentional, or true, but it works for my tiny mind, and this is MY article!

Running Away is easily the rockiest, fastest track of them. Upbeat, but sort of a kind of fragile hope in it.. things aren’t always gonna turn out better, no matter hard you try, but you have to try. And try together.

Heart Like a Wheel is my favourite. There’s selfdoubt in here, an apology for things that could never be, delivered in that sweet, soaring voice of Nicolai’s that you should just open up to and let into your life.. sad realisation and reluctant acceptance that it ain’t gonna work. It just isn’t.

Feel So Good has slow breathy, shivery vocals. A lament for what has passed / is passing, still in the throes of grief. Watch out for the chorus, it’ll make you jump.

On to Blue Eyed Boy, then. Trying to move out the other side of that once sweet, doomed, unforgettable relationship, with a clearer view of it, anger, resignation and some bitterness. Ouch. Smooth silk of a voice, again, so versatile. There’s a bit of hope in here, too. Just a bit.

You need to pay attention to lyrics around our Nicolai’s work, and not just be seduced by light, simple tunes and harmonies. That voice is capable of a hundred emotions, but in some places, the words don’t need any special inflection to carry them home. There’s nothing where it shouldn’t be, and so much where it should. Careful, Nik, or you’ll be beseiged by those convinced they can alleviate the pain of a certain Blue Eyed Boy.

None of that may be true, so don’t sue me. Listen, instead. Wait for more. Let’s get him onto a stage.

The Crimea

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by Davey

‘White Russian Galaxy’ (single)

Oh yes, I like The Crimea. This single is cool, quirky and melodic, like the slightly rougher side of a Travis-esque emery board. Davey MacManus’s charm is enough to entrap the listener into sticking it out, and rather delightfully, the song evolves into a vibrantly pretty, huskily gentle tune, soon to be an indie favourite, in my humble opinion. ‘White Russian Galaxy’ lovingly examines the problems of teenage alcoholism on girls, in such a sweetly harmonious way, that there’s no way it could be even slightly offensive. This is going on my MP3 right now.

Adem

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by Davey

‘Love And Other Planets’ LP

Riding the wave of the soulful male solo artist, Adem comes out on top, outstripping the likes of Jack Johnson and James Blunt (that’s Cockney Rhyming slang, you know) simply with the level of his talent. Employing the bluesy Jamie Cullum type vocals with a tender, country acoustic backdrop, Adem’s ‘Love And Other Planets’ LP focuses on The Big L when others are afraid to – they all seem content to whine. Adem unzips the heart and has a good dig in there, to scoop out every emotion he can find; and I’d say he had the right idea. Isn’t that what music is about? His album is honest and simply beautiful. Not bad for a mono-aural Londoner.

Bangkok

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Bangkok

by Louise

Bangkok are a five-piece indie-rock band from my neck of the woods – sunny Warrington (North West UK).
Warrington isn’t exactly renowned for its out-put of high-quality rock bands, but Bangkok aren’t the typical produce, they’re in a different, superior vein. I’m generally not much of an indie chick, these days, but I have to say, these guys are a brilliant example of the finer side of indie….and proof that it doesn’t all have to sound the same…! Shock horror.
Their sound is their own; quite refined and I’m inclined to say well thought-out. -It’s good shit, man! Good strong vocals nestle comfortably amongst wholesome, nourishing rhythms and marvellous licks. There are very subtle suggestions of The Verve and The Charlatans in their sound, most notably, for me, a certain air of Black Crowes, but I maintain; their sound is their own. It’s fresh, distinguished, almost cultured. Trust me. Just go listen, here: www.myspace.com/bangkokmusic


 

King Furnace

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by Jet

Track Listing: 1. Crash, 2. Blemish, 3. Making of me.

A fantastic CD, the only problem I have with it is that thyere aren’t enough songs. I was just screaming for more once their quirking and exciting CD had ended. Combining guitary trills, loud thumpy bass parts and vocals that certainly stand out in out indie fuelled world. King Furnace are certainly a band that need to be watched in the future, I think they could be big. The music is the kind that makes you want to put on your best rock clothes and dance around the nearest available area such as your bedroom, workplace or local corner shop.

Go forth and boogie.

EPs and Mini-Albums

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EP’s and mini-albums…

by Emma

Good Shoes – We Are Not The Same EP

Pop-punk quartet Good Shoes released their feisty We Are Not The Same EP on March 20th through Brille Records. Their sound is an inoffensive and rather gentle sound though, reminiscent of The Jam but with a brand new edge ready to blow up in 2006.

Title track We Are Not The Same is a cute little upbeat song fundamentally based on the opposites attract aspect of love. Backed by ringing, excitable guitar and a clean drum beat just at the right level of loud to allow the vocals to shine through, this is certainly a track to make you smile. This is followed up by Southwest Trains, an amusing, observational track providing a short glimpse of the variation characters to be found on their regular train route. May Lannoye is a cool quick track taking you back to the days of the school dance or the local disco! Closing song Things To Make And Do betrays the annoyance over conformity, the over-privileged and the dull acceptance of spoon-fed ethics.

Good Shoes have a really pleasant and refreshing outlook and sound that has definitely put them in favour with me. I love the sound, I love the lyrics and what I love most is the fact that this band doesn’t need to write epic songs to get their message across, and manage to do this perfectly well within a 2-3 minute timeframe as songs often used to. A worthy purchase if I ever saw one!

www.goodshoes.co.uk

The Zico Chain – The Zico Chain Mini LP

Available to buy through Hassle Records from April 10th The Zico Chain Mini LP will certainly wake you up!

First up is Rohypnol, a loud and brash track, of which the title is self explanatory. Vocals go from raw to rawer, in a style rarely seen from recent UK bands. Memorable and pointful, this is a great song. Track two This Thing is jumpy, sharp and the lyrics are tormented and worryingly real. The non-uniform guitar and beat make this all the more appealing to me – this is one of the qualities that I always search for in music that can set bands far apart from the rest. Following up is Roll Over, a slightly less edgy track with a firm rockin’ bass line and a catchy chorus.

Social Suicide is of a more serious tone and lowers the heaviness during the verse only to rip it up at the chorus with screaming guitar and vocals. Brain is a track is a wonderfully off beat track about intellectual superiority, with a softer chorus than verse this time and a screw-you attitude. The Lonely Ones is the final track to unite a nation of those who don’t quite fit in. The track is introduced and led through by sweat-inducing drums and features thick guitar and gravely vocals.

The Zico Chain are already making their name in the industry following relentless touring and sheer hard work. Listen to this mini-LP and you will understand why they are already in demand. The beauty of their sound is that they have they have made it their own without jumping on the bandwagon of any other current styles that seem to be flooding the scene lately. I am impressed. You will be too.

Humanzi – Long Time Coming (single)

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by Emma

Long Time Coming, released on 13th February, is the first ever full scale release from Irish rockers Humanzi.

Humanzi have sparked a whole new wave of excitement with their electric and bold style that screams with a fiery aggression rarely seen from Irish bands. Long Time Coming is no exception to the rule and is a fast-moving raucous song with a firm and fearless dose of twangy guitar, quick bass and often-ignored keyboard.

Watch out for more from this band – their debut album is expected around May and might just ignite a new movement.

Fony – Waco (single)

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by Emma

Waco is the first single due for release from Fony’s forthcoming album Mercy After Fiction and kicks off with good twangy guitar and bursts into a strong riff and there follows the opening line, bursting with energy and confidence.

Waco is the perfect choice of single and has everything you want in a song – memorable tune, powerful and raw vocals with a style unique to Fony, deliciously loud drums and lyrics written with thought and intelligence.

Fony have already proved that they have what it takes and this single re-affirms this and tells me that they are ready to show the world that it doesn’t stop here. Roll on the release of Mercy After Fiction, I can’t wait to here it.

Sandy Dillon – Pull The Strings LP

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by Emma

The seventh album released from Avant Garde artist Sandy Dillon is due for release on 24th April, and is interesting to say the least!

Title track opens the LP and is unconventional yet strangely drawing. Odd scratchy vocals are somewhat overshadowed by the eerie dialogue of the puppeteer over a mismatched beat. And so goes the album as it switches from manic and crazed to calm and bluesy. The musical styling is at times reminiscent of 1960s skittle with a basic ringing guitar and the cheery addition of harmonica and keyboard.

Sandy Dillon’s vocals are certainly different, childlike yet aggressive in places. One thing is for sure though – they, like the lyrics are full of heart and soul. Of a generous sixteen tracks my favourites are the sing-song Why? and Pull The Strings.

Fans of experimental avant garde will really appreciate this record. It isn’t quite my cup of tea though, and for those like me it would take time for this to grow on you.