ALBUMs
- Album Reviews
Described as an “Ambient doom-rock solo artist” Pete Koronios, A.K.A.The Black Atlas, has released an intriguing EP entitled 'Devils'. The EP is the follow up to his debut EP, 'The Other' both of which are available to stream on buy on Bandcamp.
It’s pretty safe to say that many styles of music are covered from ambient, to post rock, to prog on the record. A drummer by trade the The Black Atlas, created in 2013, extends his drummer’s role to horizons far and wide from the drum stool.
Recorded in four days in Charlotte, North Carolina with Jesse Clasen (HRVRD, The Bear Romantic), Devils is the second volume of The Equinox series. Featuring a second instalment of artwork by California-based visual artist and musician Colin Frangicetto (Circa Survive, Psychic Babble), the EP also features guest vocals by Ally Hoffman (MTHR). .
Pete
1. Moonsong 05:49
2.Black Milk 05:34
3.XIII 05:51
- Album Reviews
"Don't touch the dial, we've got bullshit by the pile, radio bubblegum". So goes the lyric on ''Radio Bubblegum' and Asian Dub Foundation's slant on FM radio fortunately, you don't need FM radio to listen to this album, just a large space to jump around in!
The record is a myriad of sounds and is a brilliant soundtrack to the summer. 'Zig Zag Nation' kicks off activities and is an absolute blast of fun and excitement as is,'The Signal and the Noise', just two songs in and this sounds like a totally reinvigorated band at the top of their game.
A NIN induced Blade Ragga is followed by a Jethro Tull like intro on Semira. The flute both aggressive and melodic is ever present throughout this fine record. Pure reggae and rasping keys on 'Stand up' and a full assault on the senses of ‘Flyover 2015' get the record really motoring through the remaining songs.
Perhaps someone could arrange a joint gig with Asian Dub Foundation and Dengue Fever, now that would be a great night out.
So a top album, give it a spin!
Pete
10/11
1. Zig Zag Nation
2. The Signal And The Noise
3. Radio Bubblegum
4. Blade Ragga
5. Semira
6. Stand Up
7. Flyover 2015
8. Hovering
9. Get Lost Bashar
10. Fall Of The House Of Cards
11. Dubblegum Flute Flavour
- Album Reviews
Mark Morriss seems very busy this year what with, The Bluetones reunion tour upcoming in September and now a 12-track labour of love,covers album which I am guessing, Mark selected as his current faves from his own record collection?
The records provide an eclectic mix of covers, including The Sisters Of Mercy, Madonna, Laura Brannigan, Weezer and REM to name just a few. The album flows extremely well and is very enjoyable on a summer's day.
There is no in-depth meaning to the music here, it's just a nice record made from the heart and executed very well.
Pete
1. Jess Conrad - This Pullover
2. Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman
3. OMD -Souvenir
4. Laura Branigan - Self Control
5. Scott Walker -Duchess
6. Rain Parade - You Are My Friend
7. Sisters of Mercy - Lucretia (My Reflection)
8. Madonna -Angel
9. Jesus & Mary Chain - Almost Gold
10. Weezer - Don't Let Go
11. Pet Shop Boys - Love Comes Quickly
12. REM - Good Advices.
- Album Reviews
According to his PR Team Joe Satriani is the world’s most commercially successful solo guitar performer. He has six gold and platinum discs already in his locker and has a very successful sideline with all star band Chickenfoot.
So with more than 10 million sales to his name already, July see the release of his 15th solo album Shockwave Supernova. Recorded last year at Skywalker Sound in California Satriani has gathered an impressive array of world class musicians to complement his quite extraordinary guitar talents. Keyboardist and guitarist Mike Keneally, veteran of several Satriani tours, albums and, in a past life, tours with Frank Zappa. Drumming duties fell to Marco Minnemann who's busy year included recording the critically acclaimed Hand Cannot Erase with Steve Wilson and Marco's Aristocrats bassist extraordinaire colleague Bryan Beller completing the line up. Satriani once again continues his relationship with co-producer and engineer John Cuniberti, their shared history dates back to the guitar star’s 1986 debut album, Not Of This Earth and its follow-up, the platinum-selling Surfing with the Alien.
Minnemann and Beller step aside for four of the tracks passing the rhythmic duties for the driving “Keep On Movin’,” “In My Pocket,”“Crazy Joey” and “Scarborough Stomp” for which Satriani created another power base rhythm section comprising drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa, Sting, Paul Simon) and Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney (whose additional credits include Alanis Morrisette, Celine Dion and RobZombie).
The entire album is a wonderful example of the full range of Satriani's effortless guitar wizardry and Keneally’s playfully complimentary piano, and switches with ease from their version of their “deliciously greasy, souped-up take on Swing" to his world renowned relentless upbeat rock offerings that we know and love him for.
A world tour has its UK leg in November to showcase the album, which quite frankly I already have pegged as a classic, my house and commute have fully road tested the record and the quality, power and passion are evident and reflected in my repeat,play, repeat commitment to its entire tracklisting.
Iain
10/11
@doc swallow
1. Shockwave Supernova
2. Lost In A Memory
3. Crazy Joey
4. In My Pocket
5. On Peregrine Wings
6.Cataclysmic
7. San Francisco Blue
8. Keep On Movin’
9. All of My Life
10. A Phase I’m Going Through
11. Scarborough Stomp
12. Butterfly and Zebra
13. If There Is No Heaven
14. Stars Race Across The Sky
15. Goodbye Supernova
Joe will embark on his Shockwave Supernova UK Tour on November 1st at the Manchester O2 Apollo with special guest Dan Patlansky.
- Album Reviews
Fluffer Records, have announced the release of their newest signing, Grimsby rocker’s Sewer Rats whose mighty debut EP ‘Money Maker’ EP is out on 27th July
Their vinyl EP is a powerhouse of noise, power and energy. Beer soaked crowd surfing must be the order of the day at any Sewer Rats gig.
A nod to Motorhead undoubtedly flows through the five track EP and whilst the first two songs ‘Skint’ and ‘Devils Blues’ would blast the roof off any house, third song, ‘Black Label Serotonin’ is an attempt at a psychedelic interlude before the steel melting power of title track ‘Moneymaker’ and ‘So far away’ wind up the EP.
The band are Dean Robbins, drums, Iain Morrison, bass and Luke Morris, guitar and vocals. It may be a bit premature to call Sewer Rats “The Future of British Rock N Roll” but, with this much power they will soon be collecting a legion of fans.
Pete
8/11
Watch the brand new video for 'Devil's Blues'
The Band’s EP launch is at The Stags Head in London on 24th July and tickets are HERE
EP pre-order is HERE
Upcoming dates
23/07/15 Replay Records / Grimsby (IN STORE EP LAUNCH SHOW)
24/07/15 – Stags Head, London (EP LAUNCH SHOW)
30/07/15 - Dublin Castle / London
31/07/15 – Night & Day / Manchester
01/08/15 – Matrix / Grimsby (EP LAUNCH)
15/08/15 - The Washington / Sheffield
20/08/15 - Fiddlers Elbow / Camden London
26/08/15 – The Shed / Leicester
29/08/15 - Northern Lights Festival / Cleethorpes
25/09/15 - Waves / Cleethorpes
26/09/15 – Fantasy Island Festival / Cleethorpes
- Album Reviews
I had the Ezra Furman on order for a while, then I cancelled it thinking it was George Ezra, whose last album I enjoyed but was not was sure about a second that quick, then realising it wasn’t George nor the guy from Vampire Weekend after a visit to Rough Trade in London, where ‘Perpetual Motion People’ (comes with a bonus disc of covers) this clearly is Ezra Furman from Chicago, so I brought it and what a wise decision that was!
What a breath of fresh air, an album bursting with fun, excitement, depression, indeed, life itself. Full of energy and full of life’s experiences, “My arms around the toilet, like a long lost chum” for instance!
The melodies are bright, lively and 60’s influenced, the lyrics are intense, well thought through words in rhythm and rhymes. 13 songs from a potential 80 made the album so there must be a lot more of these gems to follow.
Perpetual Motion People was recorded with Ezra's’s current band The Boyfriends who are made up of Jorgen Jorgensen (bass), Ben Joseph (keyboards, guitar), Sam Durkes (drums) and Tim Sandusky (Sax). The band now based in San Francisco recorded the album at Ballistico studios in Chicago
When you buy this album I strongly recommend you read the sleeve notes where Erza describes his life from 17 to to date. Its an open and honest journal, at one point in which, Ezra runs from the grind of his cinema job and vows to pour his energy into music. with the hope of making a really good record, well the guy has done precisely that with ‘Perceptual Motion People’.
Erza Furman promises to be a real star …. grab hold of his coattails now!
Pete
11/11
1. Restless Year
2. Lousy Connection
3. Hark! To the Music
4. Haunted Head
5. Hour of Deepest Need
6. Wobbly
7. Ordinary Life
8. Tip of a Match
9. Body Was Made
10. Watch You Go By
11. Pot Holes
12. Can I Sleep in Your Brain?
13. One Day I Will Sin No More
- Album Reviews
Rock, Pathos and Poetry, delivered with Churchillian values......
Eight years since formation and The Fuse could be forgiven for running out of passion for the business but, in true rock tradition, they have defied the odds and produced an album of wise reflection and insight into the frustrations of the music industry.
Singer Alex Lato is a man so passionate about his work that the band's website is an encyclopaedic collection of musings and thoughts on why, where and when every track on the record was conceived and subsequently dragged screaming into the public domain on their many tour dates. This band have toured extensively, supporting acts such as Foreigner, UB40 and even with rock's new kids on the blocks, EofE.
'Alamein' is an affirmation that all their hard work has paid off, all eleven tracks have been fully road tested and, in the main, have been chosen by the fans themselves. The band have created their PEFF (panel of elite Fuse fans) fans forum on their media sites to allow direct feedback from fans, and critics, in a bold move that will see all the songs released on Soundcloud in July ahead of the September album release date to enable the public in general to vote with their ears.
The album carries two versions of their Roman anthem 'Black Lion', a live favourite. 'Sleuth' is my top track, but feel that either 'Paint this Town' or 'Phantom' will win the the fans vote for first single. One nugget is the track 'White Shark' which seems to harp back to the 70’s and has more than a passing resemblance to Sparks (now teamed up with Franz Ferdinand).
Overall a great album and a testament to one of the hardest working bands around.
A favourite quote of Alex is Churchill’s “Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat”. A metaphor and the reason behind the album's title, no doubt.
The Fuse are: Alex Lato, Simon Bowker, Ed Thorne & Simon James White
10/11
Iain @docswallow
Black lion
Misfit
Oxygen
Sleuth
White Shark
Rainbows
3AM
Paint this Town
Phantom
In this World
Black Lion (alt v)
Released on Soundcloud on 10th July
Album released for sale on 7th September
- Album Reviews
The five track ep Master of Disguise is a new release from the very interesting Silent Divide, a five-piece rock band hailing from the Republic of Essex. Formed in 2014 and fronted by the amazing rock voice of Marianne Harrington they have a quite remarkably polished debut effort that has me thinking, is this the breakthrough rock act this year?
Five gloriously scripted and performed rock classics that beg me, play louder and on repeat!
The exciting range of the band is highlighted by the contrasts of the haunting “Silhouette" with the folksy beginning, and ultimately, stadium filling rock sound of “Crimson Crier”. With a stand out vocalist you need an honest band and they have nailed it with this combo.
Joe Wright and Anthony Berry form the artistic guitar foil with some beautiful riffs and the power drive of Luke McCormick on drums and the stylish bass of the brilliantly named Jonny Darko bring this home with aplomb. This is a band to watch for me and standard bearers for the Essex rock scene.
Check out their ReverbNation site; Pretty Reckless and Halestorm fans won't be disappointed
10/11
Iain @docswallow
- Album Reviews
'Paris of America', the second album from Sheffield's The Payroll Union, continues the band's fascination with America's darker bygone era. The eight song / story cycle tells tales of a city tearing itself apart, life in chaos, a warzone on the streets. No not New York in 70's but Philadelphia in the 1830's and 40's.
The record is a result of a collaborative project with Arts Enterprise at the University of Sheffield. Songwriter, Pete David, worked with historian, Dr Andrew Heath, to look at how stories of the past can be told in different ways. Along the way, they worked with a film-maker to chart the process of their work together, Sheffield illustrators and artists, and a number of other musicians, to bring to life these complex narratives of a 19th Century American city.
The band are musically excellent and the vocals that tell the stories from Pete are akin to a Dan Michaelson, Slow Show or Nick Cave style, just a higher pitched baritone. The effect is mesmeric.
The Payroll Union formed in 2009 in Sheffield, after releasing two EPs - 'Underfed & Underpaid' and 'Your Obedient Servant' - they toured the UK in 2013 with their debut album. 'The Mule and the Elephant'. Alas at present there are no signs of live dates other than Tramlines in Sheffield nor, is the album being made available on vinyl it seems. A CD or download and can be found on Bandcamp.
The band is: Pete David - guitar, vocals, Tom Baxendale - guitar, Paul Heath - bass, Ben Fuller - drums and Shane Surgey - keys
Pete
9/11
The Ballad of George Shiffler
Bull
The Winter of '41
White Slave of the North
The Mission Field
Wo Unto Sodom
Blood or Bread
Will You Still Remember Me?
- Album Reviews
Probably the best lyricist in today's world of music and definitely one of the top five guitarists in the country, Richard Thompson again weaves a magical album this time produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.
'Still' was recorded in Jeff's rehearsal loft in Chicago over the course of just nine days Jeff's production skills were sought out "in an effort by Richard to shake up his own creative approach to making records". “It turned out be really good idea,” says Thompson. “Jeff is musically very sympathetic. Although some of his contributions are probably rather subtle to the listener’s ear, they were really interesting and his suggestions were always very pertinent.”
The songs as ever paint a picture in your mind of the people being sung about. Gallows humour firmly intact we learn all about the lovelorn characters in the songs, even the very opening tune " She Never Could Resist A Winding Road' "She knows you love her, but she can learn to live without you" conjures up a picture in your mind straight away, with the aid of the very first song on the record.
The album is a treasure trove of stories, another gem from Richard Thompson for your collection.
Pete
10/11
Out on June 29, 2015 via Proper Records, 'Still' will be available in several configurations including a twelve-track CD, a twelve-track double 180-gram vinyl album and a deluxe CD package that includes a five-song EP from a previously un-released session.
1. She Never Could Resist A Winding Road
2. Beatnik Walking
3. Patty Don't You Put Me Down
4. Broken Doll
5. All Buttoned Up
6. Josephine
7. Long John Silver
8. Pony In The Stable
9. Where's Your Heart?
10. No Peace No End
11. Dungeons For Eyes
12. Guitar Heroes
Website & Tour Dates
- Album Reviews
An album that you quickly make friends with and one that sticks to the turntable like glue. It's an accomplished record of Americana rock n' roll from The Heartless Bastards who have spent the past decade dishing out great albums and gigs but, 'Restless Ones' is the record that should really push this band to the next level.
Four albums so far, the fifth opens with 'Wind Up Bird', a bluesy gravelled rocker that sets the tone. This is a bar, sawdust on the floor gem as the next song 'Gates of Dawn' testifies. Erika Wennerstrom's vocals are as solid as ever and although this album seems to have more production to it than usual, overall the album portrays exactly the opposite feel, there is a real fire burning here, which must also be down to the work of producer John Congleton.
“John came down to Austin and sat in with us for a couple of days,” says Nathan. “That was really great – it was important to get an outside ear and it helped make the process more concise. I’ve never seen anybody get sounds as good and as quickly as he does.”
Now based in Austin, the band’s current incarnation was formed six years ago as, Erika Wennerstrom, vocals, guitarist Mark Nathan, bassist Jesse Ebaugh, and drummer Dave Colvin “We took a lot of chances,” Erika says, “taking the sounds in different directions in order to grow. I don't ever want to make the same album twice".
Songs like 'Hi-Line' and 'Journey' are songs you would have in car with the roof down quite happily. 'Pocket Full of Thirst' is the sweet dustbowl ballad. 'The Fool' is a soulful journey leading into the storming psych rocker 'Eastern Winds'. The album closes with the longest track, 'Tristessa' which is an ambient, reverb, feedback driven five minutes plus.
The record was recorded at Sonic Ranch in El Paso with the band being as one, living together, dining together, and always conversing about the project in hand. “There was no break from the process,” says Nathan. “In some ways, it made the good things better and the bad things worse, but looking back, it was a different experience and I’m glad we did it.”
An organic whith plently of variation. A record rich in passion and inspiration. The band plays UK dates in September.
Pete
10/11
'Restless Ones' is out now on Partisan Records
1. Wind Up Bird
2. Gates of Dawn
3. Black Cloud
4. Hi-line
5. Journey
6. Pocket Full of Thirst
7. Into the Light
8. The Fool
9. Eastern Wind
10. Tristessa
Dates
01 Sep Borderline London
02 Sep The Lantern Bristol
06 Sep The Ritz Manchester
- Album Reviews
Susan James returns with her third album since her hiatus to allow her time to raise her family and with Sea Glass it seems Susan has delivered her classiest album to date.
Americana / Country have been to tone of her last two fine albums, Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home from 2011 and Driving Toward The Sun in 2013.
Based in California, Susan’s album Sea Glass seems the equivalent of Jane Weaver’s Silver Globe over here in the U.K. An artist that has made consistently good music who, with a slight tweak of style finds more deserved recognition. Jane turned the Psych button up and Susan, has taken a more progressive and jazzy style to Sea Glass.
Orchestral string arrangements abound as the layer on which Susan’s divine vocals sit. Working closely with her longtime friend Sean O’Hagan of The High Llamas the record has a rich instrumental landscape of strings, flutes, harpsichords, keyboards, horn, marimba and Susan’s excellent vocal arrangements.
The songs are expansive with Susan’s soaring voice. Songs like ‘Poseidon's Daughter’, ‘Ay Manzanita’ and Odyssea 1201echo Annie Haslam of Renaissance. Whilst songs like Hey Julianne and Calico Valley could appear quite happily on a movie soundtrack.
Title track ‘Sea Glass’ evokes any lady of the canyon. It’s a beautiful song.
An album written and produced by Susan herself is a major step on the road to hopefully some long warranted recognition for this fine artist.
Pete
10/11
Poseidon's Daughter
Awful Lot
Hey Julianne
Calico Valley
Ay Manzanita
Odyssea 1201
Sea Glass
Truth Or Consequence
Tell Me Cosmo
Last Song