ALBUMs
- Album Reviews
Los Angeles based Bob Malone is best known as the keyboard guru in John Fogerty's band and from the sound of 'Mojo Deluxe' you can see why; blues, rock, New Orleans R&B and a beautiful soulful voice, just listen to 'Hard Times' for proof of that, it's a blues stunner!
Bob headlines over 100 shows a year in the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA, and has played with (or opened for) the like of Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffet, Rickie Lee Jones, The Neville Brothers, Rev. Al Green, Dr John, Leon Russell and many others.
This is the type of record that gets classed as specialist and hits the blues and classic rock audience who are in the know but, really it deserves a far wider audience just for the musicianship alone.
Across the whole record the songs are toe tappers or blues screamers. A real under the radar gem that you can impress your friends with!
Pete
10/11
- Album Reviews
I can count on the fingers of, er, 1 finger as to how many albums I have by Italian bands, and this is it.
Lags are from Rome, and comprise of Antonio Canestri on vocals and guitars, guitarist Gianluca Lateana, bass player Daniele De Carland and actual Italian athlete Andrew Howe on drums (apparently the band has a co drummer who substitutes for Howe when he is training).
The press release suggests the bands style is post hardcore, or indie punk, and who am I to disagree. Closest sound-alike to me are At The Drive In, as they have the same urgency and playing style.
Yes there are shouty lyrics, buzz saw guitars and furious drumming, but there are also memorable riffs and melodies.
At just 30 minutes long, the album doesn’t hang around for its 11 tracks (all sung in English by the way), and it's all the better for that fact. It wouldn’t make sense to appraise each track individually as that would detract from the overall listening experience of putting the album on and letting it wash over you.
For a debut album, this is a very assured and promising start, and they have created a sweaty, adrenaline soaked record that I hope will translate to the live stage in the UK in the not too distant future.
Keith
7/11
- Album Reviews
'Didn’t He Ramble', is the second solo outing from singer songwriter and ex-Frames front man Glen Hansard. A very engaging record and one with a warming feel when played on a cold dark night.
The record was produced by Thomas Bartlett and former Frames band-mate David Odlum and was recorded in New York, Dublin, Chicago and France. Glen explains, “I feel I’ve really dug deep for these songs, and I’ve been chasing specific ideas asking myself ‘what is it I’m trying to say with this line or idea?’ One would hope that through all of this that you find your voice. And, amazingly, you might find it in the smallest gesture of a song.”
Glen was also one half of duo The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová. The pair really gained a lot of international recognition with the film and Broadway/West End adaptation of 'Once'. After all those bright lights it good to see Glenn make such a down to earth album.
'Didn’t He Ramble' features John Sheahan (Dubliners), Sam Beam (Iron and Wine) and Sam Amidon which all just adds to that overall warmth. The record opens with the spine tingling 'Grace Beneath the Pines', which really shows a songwriter being serious about the job in hand. “There’ll be no more running round for me, No more backing down, you’ll see Whatever lies in store for me, I’ll get through it”.
"Wedding Ring' concludes with the line "Will you be strong enough to keep her, To keep her love from going cold"? Yet third song 'Winning Streak' has hope , "May your winning streak, May it never end".
This is a real grower of a record, there is even a jig in there as well!
Pete
9/11
1. Grace Beneath the Pines
2. Wedding Ring
3. Winning Streak
4. Her Mercy
5. McCormack's Wall
6. Lowly Deserter
7. Paying My Way
8. My Little Ruin
9. Just to be the One
10. Stay the Road
- Album Reviews
Loose Music really has grown a fine roster of artists over the years but, particularly, recently we have seen excellent releases from Justin Townes Earle, Sturgill Simpson, Joe Pugg, Barna Howard, and Danny & The Champions of the World on the label. Now arrives Frankie Lee from the banks of the Mississippi River.
Frankie’s style of music and vocals actually match closer to Danny Wilson (of Danny Champs) than to any of the aforementioned U.S. artists. This is a great debut record and it only takes to the second track, ‘Where do we Belong’ for there to be a potential hit single.
Frankie’s background has always been immersed in music from a young age so the Americana vein in his bloodstream means that the record just sounds so natural and relaxed.
‘Queen of Carolina’ has a Springsteen vibe. ‘ Black Dog’ is bar, sawdust on the floor, gritty rocking gem.
The record is well paced and varied. Ballads are sung with real feeling. Ten songs conclude with the title track and a strong appetite for a live show!
So hopefully live dates soon and in the meantime, ‘American Dreamer’ is released on 02 October via Loose Music.
Pete
9/11
- Album Reviews
From the bleak grey album cover, with just am embossed stark leaf-less tree impression, to the first distinctive throbs of opener 'Gentle', this could only ever be the new album from Low.
'One and Sixes' is the band's 11th album, and the 5th for the ever excellent Sub Pop. As for the cryptic title, maybe something to do with six of one, half a dozen of the other?
Following the scratchy, and clearly digitally enhanced effects of the opening track, we’re back on familiar territory with 'No Comprende', the first single released. Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker’s harmonious entwinement somehow just seems to get better with age, and the thunderous and maybe portentous pulse acts as a counterpointing backdrop. Shivers down the spine material.
'Congregation' is the first track with Mimi taking lead on the vocals, and even harmonising with herself over a ticking backdrop and droning guitars. I’ve heard interviews with Alan, suggesting fans would prefer an album full of Mimi singing solo. Not me however; as lovely as her voice is, it's the interaction between the two of them that makes Low special.
One criticism aimed at Low, is they don’t write tunes….well check out 'No End'….a pop tune, Low style of course, magically catchy and up there with 'California' from 'The Great Destroyer'.
'Into You' brings the pace and the temperature back down, again with Mimi on vocals to devastating effect.
Frustratingly, the lyrics aren’t included with the album, however 'What Part Of Me?' seems to be a question aimed at each other - they have been together since teenagers, both living and touring together, and potentially the strain that puts on a relationship.
'Kid in the Corner' is a pacier affair than most tracks here, and one could almost say it’s upbeat….of course, everything’s relative.
'Lies' and 'Landslide' represent my favourite tracks on the album, the former being a more fully formed song, with added keyboards, but with the epic Landslide this takes me back to when I fell in love with Low a decade ago - funereal pace, thumping bass, minor chords and down tuned guitar interludes. Beautiful, mesmeric, hypnotic.
What’s remarkable for me is the consistency Low show, album after album, whilst quietly evolving their sound. What did John Peel say about The Fall - “Always different, always the same…”, well that sums up Low for me, and with this latest album, they have produced something out of their top drawer to rival Secret Name and Things We Lost In The Fire, whilst never straying from their well-worn template. This is a magnificent album.
Keith
10/11
- Album Reviews
'Gone by the Dawn' is without doubt a record that is 1950/60’s inspired first class 'rock n garage roll'. First listen it seemed decent enough but straight away on subsequent plays you really begin to appreciate the varied vocal styles of Shannon Shaw, singer and bassist of Shannon and the Clams.
A brilliantly paced and varied record Shannon casts a giant spell across the entire record, as does guitarist Cody Blanchard with his killer riffs.
There are some toe tapping classics, ‘ I will Miss Jasmine’, ‘Point of Being Right’, ‘Baby Blue’ and ‘Telling Myself’. ‘Corvette’ is a gem, with decade spanning guitar and the sultry soulful tones of Shannon to the fore.
The album was apparently written as one member of the band was recovering from a serious breakup and another was deep in one. The lyrics are definitely reflective of those opposite emotions.
Thirteen songs on the record the shortest 1 min.47 secs the longest 4 mins .24 secs all thirteen will get a reaction from the listener either jumping around the room or, sitting down to swoon.
The band is based in Oakland, California and 'Gone by the Dawn' is their fourth album and one, which should really open some doors in Europe. The band has two UK dates planned so far for November;
11th November - Oslo, London
12th November - Sticky Mike's Frog Bar, Brighton.
This is a joyous record that you will still be playing in your car next year when it’s warm enough to roll the windows down again
Pete
9/11
- Album Reviews
Yet another fine EP from Stratus, one that this time seeps into the ears on a different level. A more chilled out relaxed type ambience with takes in electronics as well as guitars and sitars.
This is now, this ever evolving band’s fourth EP and is a long way removed from the (excellent) Krautrock of their album ‘As The Crow Flies’ released in 2012.
Stratus are Mat Anthony and Martin Jenkins and they are based in London. Their music is well worth checking out!
8/11
Pete
- Album Reviews
After the recent single and video collecting good reviews Gloucester rockers Future Talk have quickly followed it up with, quite frankly, a very impressive debut EP which may only be 4 tracks but it’s hauntingly familiar and very well executed.
Alex Taylor’s lilting vocals are an accomplished counterpoint to the tight guitar prowess of Jay McQuilkin and Jack Cadenhead. All the tracks are instantly airwaves friendly, Sleeping Pills the standout for me, though none are feeble cousins.
With the support of the better national rock stations these guys will justifiably pick up fans in spades.
As Jay stated with this release “We want to become unavoidable” and by my reckoning they surely have with the bands collaborative writing talents shining though and shouting for recognition. It may be early stages for a band formed as recently as 2014, but it has all the potential for a stellar ride.
8/11
Iain @docswallow
- Album Reviews
Introducing Michael Tomlinson (Guitar & Vocals), Macks Faulkron (Drums) and Gabi Woo (Keys) who go by the name of Many Things.
After the release of several singles over the last year or so, this London based trio finally release debut album Burn Together. The band are already getting some exposure and press from the likes of NME and Radio One, and the album is finally released on Australian label Dew Process, the very same label that hosts Mumford & Sons and Circa Waves.
Don’t be fooled by the label mates though, because although the songs have a hugely infectious swagger, that’s where the comparisons end.
Album opener, the 7 minute epic Holy Fire is a Simple Minds style romping stomp of a track, all pianos and backbeats, and the scene is set for the rest of the cuts.
An Abba style piano riff over thumping drums introduces following track Dear One, before cascading into another track that is crying out for a dance floor filling remix - you start to see why Radio 1 and the NME are interested in the band.
Alpha Romeo is track 3, and despite some potty mouth lyrics, is surely the next single (cleaned up first of course), and you can even see this being sung back to the band at next year's V Festival.
Chains, halfway through the album sees the first change of tempo, and possibly mood, talking about the chains of love and all, all sung over a 80s style synth led new romantic backdrop.
I Won't Run Away on Love (who will?) begins with an Editors-like lyrical style, before again fast forwarding into an impossibly infectious chorus and beat.
Best song title on the album Paranoid People Meet Me in the Middle starts with an almost choral, muted opening before again developing into potential floor filler, just like most of the tracks on show here.
This is an album that deserves to be played loud whilst getting ready for a Friday night on the town, and quite possibly could be playing at the clubs you stumble into. Try playing it and keeping still; almost impossible.
Many Things, may indeed be influenced by many things and styles, but the result is joyous, genuinely infectious and no reason why this won’t propel the band into the limelight.
Keith
7/11
- Album Reviews
‘A Thousand Hands’ is a dark brooding record from of all places, sunny LA and the band is Sextile.
You would be thinking Horrors and The Jesus and Mary Chain on opener 'A Thousand Hands' as the bass, drums and reverb guitar kick in, on only the second song, 'Flesh' and you start thinking this record must have been recorded on a cold rainy day in Bradford.
There is a lot of power to consume on the relatively short tracks, 'Can't take it' brings in a drums and synth intro but any brightening of the mood is soon crushed by the dark storm clouds of guitar and vocals that threaten to floor any listener.
'Truth and Perception' rings out like a horde of banshees chasing down their prey as the synth screams it radio waves direct into your ears.
'Romance' finally brings the pace down with a touch of menacing ambience after which 'Minds Eye' and 'Shattered Youth' elevate the pace of the record up to the wider screen sound of the epic 'Into the Unknown'
A fine debut with plenty to listen to, A stage full of dry Ice one would imagine for the live show as the closing of the album, really does power to an end Horror's style, on 'Visions of You' before we arrive at the tolling bells of the last track Introvert'.
Pete
9/11
‘A Thousand Hands’ is released on 21stAugst via Felte,
Sextile are: guitarist/vocalist Brady Keehn , drummer/vocalist Melissa Scaduto, bassist/ guitarist Kenny Elkin and keyboardist/synths Eddie Wuebben.
Here's our recent interview with the band
{https://soundcloud.com/felte/sextile-visions-of-you }
- Album Reviews
The ever impressive list of talented young rock bands continues to grow, this time with a debut ep from indie rockers Elasea.
The Berkshire based 4 piece have recently decided to ditch their covers band image and release their writing talents on to the world. With an obsessive combination of melodic riffs and soaring vocal harmonies, Elasea stand out as a clear talent.
Favourable comparison to Twin Atlantic and Lower Than Atlantis is a justified compliment to the strength in depth of their mature writing skills. Title track Where I Belong is a grand rocker eminently likeable, instantly catchy and memorable.
As you would expect from the song titles it’s an album dedicated to the pain and angst of love in the modern age. It’s poetic, well delivered and very pleasing of the ear. More considered rock rather than Nu Metal, which is a pleasant surprise from a new band.
Definitely one for the collection, watch out for Glass Heart which is no slow burner and, as the stand out track for me, warrants being a future single.
Iain
7/11
@docswallow
Where I Belong’ track listing:
1. Glass Heart
2. Where I Belong
3. Lost In The Dark
4. Time Is Against Us
5. On The Line
Elasea are:
Andy Bradford – rhythm guitar & vocals
Olivia Jones - bass guitar
Calum Radmore – lead guitar
Jevon Smith - drums
- Album Reviews
Crikey O'blimey thank the lord for City of Thieves! I very much appreciate today’s wave of new metal, but... the whole rock genre has been crying out for the next AC/DC, Airborne type raw rock band and City of Thieves could well be it. If you like unabashed denim rock and an old school tour shirt, then this could well be the way forward.
With the band making their live debut at this year's Camden Rocks Festival and also confirmed for Bloodstock Festival, Legends Of Rock and the increasingly cool Planet Rock ROCKSTOCK festival they really seem to have hit the ground running
This five track offering is really on the money, produced by Little Angels Toby Jepson, this is a band that has really set sights on a gap in the market that we want to see covered, this type of quality Rock n Roll is never going to lose its appeal if done right. Loud proud and unpretentious it is a glorious smorgasbord of rock rilff and raw vocals.
With the support of the Planet Rock empire this is, potentially, the new face of genuine rock. Loud proud and acceptable to play unsociably loud in your car. Rock horn salute is alive and well in these guys hands. Invest the time to check these guys out, you won't be sorry
Iain
10/11
@docswallow
City Of Thieves – Incinerator EP is released on 22nd September 2015 via Townsend Records
Watch 'Incinerator' (lyric video)
City Of Thieves are:
Vocals/Bass - Jamie Lailey
Guitar - Ben Austwick
Guitar - Adam Wardle
Drums - Will Richards