ALBUMs
- Album Reviews
Barna Howard has released of his second album 'Quite a Feelin'' via Loose Music this side of the pond and Mama Bird Recording Co. in the U.S.
Barna was raised in Eureka, Missouri, which already conjures up an interest of what life was like in that town then and now? After High School, Barna moved north to study animation and then, followed two friends to the Northwest, crossing the Rockies for the first time, in search of inspiration, opportunity and a fresh start.
The songs on Barna Howard's second album are pure quality Americana Folk that sticks with you from the first listen. Banjo and guitar on opener ‘Indiana Rose’ sets the scene for the album to come. “I rolled down the window for some air, stuck my elbow out the car, when I heard the music playin', from a jukebox, honky-tonkin' bar”.
‘Quite A Feelin' as an album reflects on Barna’s relationship with home in Eureka from his new port of Portland, Oregon and the title track, is a song of lost love beautifully put together as a simple slice of Americana. “I'm a dreamer in a car, bein' on the road's quite a feelin' but the feelin's right where you are, right where you are,”.
This man is the essence of a singer/songwriter who takes great care with his chosen art form for story telling. So sit back and relax with the laid back Americana of Barn Howard.
Quite A Feelin? was produced by Adam Selzer at Type Foundry Studio in Portland.
Pete
9/11
Track listing:
- Indiana Rose
- Bitter Side Of Blue
- Hands Like Gloves
- Notches On A Frame
- Quite A Feelin’
- Whistle Show
- Then And There
- Rooster Still Crows
- Pull Us Back Or Wind Us Up
- Lend Me A Moment
A short string of dates in the UK: have also been announced if you want to enjoy the music live, over a beer.
13 May - Rough Trade West, London
14 May - Servant Jazz Quarter, London
17 May - Wood Festival, Braziers Park, Oxfordshire
- Album Reviews
'High on Tulsa Heat', well you will be high on John Moreland's brand of Americana that’s for sure after listening to his third album. Like a crossover of Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams and Steve Earle this guy has a bag full of lyrics and stories to get into your head.
The album was released in April via Thirty Tigers and I stumbled on it via emusic.com, when browsing, and oh my, what a discovery.The record was self-produced and includes a band of John Moreland: vocals, guitars, bass guitar, drums, percussion, John Calvin Abney III: guitars, wurlitzer piano, organ, harmonica, Jared Tyler: dobro, Jesse Aycock: pedal steel, Chris Foster: upright bass, Kierston White: backup vocals and Camille Harp: backup vocals.
That's quite a sizable musical contribution but, it does not make for a 'big' sound on the record, far from it, this is an achingly intimate and beautiful album. Tulsa, Oklahoma sounds like if could be a vast desolate place on its outskirts. 'Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars' is the opening song, "meet me where I land if I slip and fall too far", "this life make you cold and leave you mad make you homesick for a home you never had" and those sentiments set the scene.
There are some completely outstanding songs on the album, Cleveland County Blues, "My baby is a tornado in the endless Oklahoma sky, spinning devastation and singing me a lullaby", Sad Baptist Rain and Cherokee, “I guess I’ve got a taste for poison, I’ve given up on ever being well and I keep mining the horizon, digging for lies I’ve yet to tell.”
The album is in full band and best Americana rock mode on closer and title track 'High on Tulsa Heat'. A song for the bar, with beer in hand.
Not sure if John has ever toured in the UK, there are no future dates listed but any promoters out there, listen up and get this guy over here! Perhaps a joint tour with RM Hubbert would just be perfect!
Pete
11/11
Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars
Heart's Too Heavy
Cleveland County Blues
White Flag
Sad Baptist Rain
Cherokee
Losing Sleep Tonight
American Flags in Black & White
You Don't Care for Me Enough to Cry
High on Tulsa Heat
- Album Reviews
Curse or blessing Chicago’s Plain White T’s, the platinum selling band, are best known for “Hey There Delilah” which carries the accolade of the 18th most downloaded song of all time. Roll forward a decade and a half, and free of the shackles of Fearless and Hollywood records, they are back, independent and proud, touting an all new album - American Nights, and my god! What an album it is!
Right from the off it is one of the most instantly upbeat albums of the year. Every track is a quirky delivery of melodies from a hidden gems file that only a band of this quality always seems to have in reserve when they need something special.
The whole album cries contemporary Americana and takes us through an upbeat celebration of a life reclaimed from teenage consequences that would resonate within us all. You get the feeling that the band has been given the freedom to express themselves throughout this exercise with joy and reflection. There is something for anyone here, but I would guess most likely everything for everyone.
Instantly likeable and never a downbeat intonation this work is clearly a labour of love and delivered with a lilting edifice of joyous pathos. The subject matter is often at odds with the delivery and the whole album could be interpreted either as a celebration of perfect love or a thousand loves lost.
For me this is a uniquely endearing and ageless album. Whether you are a table tapper or an embarrassing bopper, I defy you not to at least smile from note one. This is currently my unexpectedly favorite album of 2015. As the band states “this is the album we wanted to make, that’s the most exciting thing for any artist, to have free reign to make an artistic statement were rejuvenated and re-inspired”, boy does it show!
11/11
Iain @docswallow
- Album Reviews
In the admittedly small amount I have read about The Milk Carton Kids, the names of Simon & Garfunkel and even the Everly Brothers always pop up as comparisons and influences, and after listening to Monterey, their third album, this is with very good reason. I would also suggest throwing in there, The Lost Brothers and even Mark Kozelek when he’s in his Spanish influenced nylon string acoustic mood.
The Milk Carton Kids are Californians Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, and they use two instruments each : their acoustic guitars, and their voices. And what voices…think Jose Gonzalez for tone and clarity.
Each song on the 11 track 37 minutes album follows pretty much the same format - amazing finger picked guitars, and stunning 2 part harmonies creating a truly modern take on American folk with its roots firmly planted in the past.
The album was written and recorded whilst touring across the States, on stages in concert halls, churches and theatres rather than actual studios. Not surprisingly, thematically the album is either based on an actual or a theoretical road trip across the country, with song titles like Getaway, title track Monterey and Freedom giving the game away.
It’s a difficult task to point out any obvious highlights of the album, as the album as a whole and in its entirety is a highlight, and should be listened to as thus. The pace of the album remains constant throughout, although penultimate track Sing, Sparrow, Sing drops a little, and this is also the only track with only one voice on it, acting as almost a nursery rhyme pallet cleanser for the stunning final track Poison Tree when the harmonies are back in unison.
It’s also difficult to come up with anything critical about this release. I’m currently writing this on a beautiful sunny day, looking out into the garden with the birds singing and the music is perfectly sound tracking the sense of peace and tranquility. It’s that good.
I’m so glad to finally have The Milk Carton Kids in my life. Take a listen, and I’m sure you will too.
Keith @kjsmith4082
10/11
- Album Reviews
This is the eighth LP from The Wedding Present’s David Gegde's ‘other band’ Cinerama. The new album ‘Valentina’, is out tomorrow on the 18th May via Scopitones and is an amazing reworking of The Wedding Present’s eighth studio album, of the same name released in 2012.
The initial plan had apparently been to release both albums simultaneously but David soon realised that the reworking was a project that would take many years to accomplish. So after deciding on using ‘Valentina’ for the project, the decision was made to stagger the releases to complete the more complex and orchestral arrangements involved with the Cinerama LP.
The end result is a new album with a lounge jazz widescreen feel of the original. Perfect for a Sunday morning.
Valentina has all the pop sensibilities, which you would expect to hear, but the pure joy of the record is in the overall cinematic aural experience you get when just chilling and listening to the record. If the drive is to rock after listening, well just put the Wedding Present’s version on next!
Pedro Vigil assisted with the arrangements and musicians from his local area of Asturias helped out on the record as well. Valentina was mixed in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain with Paco Loco.
Cinerama have been around since 1997 and happily sit alongside the Wedding Present, yet with a totally different sound.
Alongside The Wedding Present and Cinerama, David Gedge runs his own record label, curates his own festival and publishes an autobiographical comic book series; ‘Tales From The Wedding Present’, essentially his memoirs in graphic novel style.
Cinerama, complete with 12-piece band, strings and additional instrumentation, will be performing a special one-off show at the O2 Academy Islington, London on Saturday 6th June. Tickets are HERE.
Pete
10/11
Website with all the details is HERE
- Album Reviews
Enigmatic Smile is the second album from Deutsche metallers Annisokay. For a band stylising themselves as a melodic Metalcore outfit, it seems a bit strange to hear they are named in response to a question from a Michael Jackson record, Annie are you okay? from Smooth Criminal.
hat aside these guys are the real deal. 6 foot 7 frontman Dave Grunewald is rightly listed as the scream vocalist and goes about his trade with usual frontman aplomb, whilst singing vocals fall to Christoph Wieczorek’s melodic lilt.
The balance is good and each vocal style is a great counterpoint to the other. Gone are the days when European fare in the rock word was limited to UFO or Scorpions these are a considered contemporary and welcome addition to the genre, with Stone Sour and Linkin Park style song structure this album plays well with all 11 tracks up to muster.
For those wishing to add some Germanic swagger to their rock base then this is certainly a good shout. Europe is certainly starting to deliver with style again in the metal arena
9/11
Iain @docswallow
ANNISOKAY are:
Vocals (Screams) – Dave Grunewald
Vocals (Singing) & Guitars – Christoph Wieczorek
Guitars – Phillip Kretzschmar
Bass – Norbert Rose
Drums – David Hermann
- Album Reviews
The Experimental Metalcore market is well served during 2015 with a deluxe release of West London’s Exist Immortal’s 'Darkness of an Age'. Now expanded to a 14 track format this album is a full tortured maelstrom of demonic angst delivered over some surprisingly melodic tunes.
After the lulling intro of Insanity Project the album soon delivers its power vocals and frankly never lets up. Vocalists Meryrick de la Fuente and David Billote scream and rage through the entire album, with counterpoint vocals adding to the mystery of the messages of rapid descent into insanity and mayhem.
Each track is epic in its own right, with powerful riffs required to rise above the guttural throat wrenching vocals. The album is a gritty behemoth that requires your full attention, it’s not for the faint hearted but if you like your rock hard, heavy and edgy then this is a must have ear bleeding winner.
The band are back out on the road this month, check their facebook page for details
Existimmortal are; Meyrick de la Fuente -Vocals Tom Montgomery - Guitar Kurt Valencia - Guitar David Billote - Bass/Vocals Charlie Bines - Drums
9/11
Iain @docswallow
- Album Reviews
April saw the release of Essex trio Broken Chords EP Rock & Stone, a cheeky 4 track offering of some seriously good indie rock. This band of 20 somethings have spent the last 3 years refining their trade with gig after gig all over the country supporting the likes of Bernie Torme, Electric Mary and a claiming a decent slot at the Hard Rock Hell Helloween last year.
That legacy clearly shows, this is a tight group of consummate musicians who know how good they are, the three man band line up is always pleasing on the ears as there is nowhere to hide. Not that these three do, all vying for attention throughout a great little rock n roll offering that positively bounces along with an almost retro punk feel to it.
New single 'Rock & Stone' deserves airplay and people’s attention whilst 'Wild Child' screams festival anthem at you. These are 4 tracks that can only indicate greater things to come. Punchy drums, raw guitars and great vocals, produced by Paul Tipler (The Horrors, Idlewild, Placebo) make this a great EP to add to your rock collection.
10/11
Iain @docswallow
Broken Chords are: Joe Finnigan - Guitar/Vocals Aiden Eggenton - Bass/Vocals Jamie Wilsdon – Drums.
- Album Reviews
The new album from And So I Watch You From Afar undoubtedly starts off in solid Prog fashion with 'Run Home' until midway through when the track has a Mogwai moment before returning to it’s overall prog theme. Excellent so far then!
'These Secret Kings I Know' follows a similar theme and 'Wasps' becomes something heavier but these are all widescreen songs. 'Redesigned a Million Times’ hits Arcade Fire territory, where you can imagine there are at least 8 people in the band, there is that much going on in the song.
The band who hail from Belfast are actually just four, Niall Kennedy - Guitar Johnny Adger - Bass, Chris Wee – Drums and Rory Friers - Guitar
The Prog Rock mood is pretty much where the album sits when we get to the instrumental wedge of the record; 'A Beacon, A Compass, An Anchor' followed by 'Animal Ghosts'.
The title track 'Heirs' stretches over 7 minutes and is another full headphone filling blast which sees the band in full Gentle Giant or Greenslade mode before taking off midway in a heavier Marillion style direction.
Talking about the the album, the band says "Its central theme is about the inheritance of ideas, in that we're all heirs to other peoples' passion, which in turn inspires ourselves." the 10-song album came from of over 30 tracks written in isolation spanning over 6 months in the band's Belfast home.
And So I Watch You From Afar are a prime find for anyone looking a big and expansive sound in 2015. ‘Heirs’ is actually the band’s fourth album so there is plenty to investigate if you are new to the band.
Pete
10/11
You can listen to the album HERE via those lovely people at Sargent House records.
Heirs is available via Sargent House. LP, CD and bundles HERE and digital at iTunes HERE.
The band play Reading & Leeds festivals in August. Other dates and more information can be found on their website HERE
- Album Reviews
How nice to be sent a recording by someone you’ve never heard of that turns out to be nothing short of excellent! The press note says it’s hard to find comparisons, which is very true. My initial thoughts are with the later jazz stories of Frank Zappa, and the weird loungecore of Destroyer. Further listens reveal the clues are in the album title – all the songs could be spy stories, and the release is linked to the 50th anniversary of Ian Fleming’s the Man with the Golden Gun. The vocals have the tone of a slightly sleazy thespian roué…
Said roué is apparently Timo Peach, possibly not the name he was christened with. He’s definitely from Bournemouth, and claims to record everything in a little seaside shed in the holiday town. There are videos on Youtube, which rather puncture the myth by showing a youngish chap in a suit with a rather trendy beard. Bet the live shows are a riot though, when he sings with the Momo:tempo Electro Pops Orchestra.
There’s a lot of spoken word intros, featuring a variety of voices and characters in Smiley 60s situations, with titles like Our Man in Crete and (my favourite) A Chopper, A Copper and A Motorcade.
It could all be a bit hackneyed after a while…if not for the superb imaginative music and Mr Peach’s classic ear for a tune. There’s lots of brass and big beats, funky electric grooves and a very orchestral cinematic feel – Timo has sound tracked a few films, TV shows and theatre, and it shows. At least one number, with no obvious spy links, would make a great single – Undo, about all those situations where we wish we had a command undo key in our lives; and All That Love Could Be could be a Chic Daft Punk out-take love song, sung by Tony Bennett. ‘A spy-pop rollercoaster’ and ‘a playful cinematic romp’ sums it all up but doesn’t do justice to the quality. Recommended!
Kevin Hand
Launch party 6 June, JALARRA Bournemouth
- Album Reviews
Pete & Maura Kennedy make up the Kennedys, and although relatively unknown in the UK, 2015 marks their 20th anniversary, and West their 14th album!
'West' is the first of 3 albums to be released during the year, and let’s hope the quality control is the same for the other two.
In the same mould as Buddy & Julie Miller and The Arlenes (remember them ??), this is an Americana duo with their heart based in Nashville although they are both originally from the East coast of the States.
Opening and title track 'West' is a yearning ode to be travelling in that particular direction and they both harmonise vocals to gorgeous effect. The mandolin influenced 'Elegy' has the band at their most REM-like, and I think there may even be a touch of harpsichord in there for good measure.
Album highlight for me 'Sisters of the Road', see’s just Maura on vocals, and continues the theme running through the album of touring and travelling, and has some lovely guitar work from Pete.
'Jubilee Time' see’s Pete on lead vocal, with Maura providing harmonies and it’s another slice of loveliness.
'Travel Day Blue's is a slightly more up-tempo number, again with some lovely guitar work from Pete, and I’m sure live this would be a difficult track to keep still to. Penultimate track 'Perfect Love' begins with a 60’s sounding guitar vibe, before again leading into a lovely chorus sing along.
The albums closing track 'Good, Better, Best' is a simpler acoustic love song, again with vocal harmonies, and a gorgeous way to end this travelogue.
If you need a palate cleanser from 2015’s ubiquitous guitar rock, or simply some damn fine Country/Americana, you’d do a lot worse than to check out The Kennedys.
8/11
Keith @kjsmith4082
The Kennedys Website & Tour Dates
- Album Reviews
Look carefully and you will find that France has produced several excellent rock and pop bands over the years…think Stereolab, Air, Daft Punk and Gong, and now add to that list Monochromie.
Monochromie is the musical project of Frenchman, composer and pianist Wilson Trouve and probably unknown to most people in the UK, Behind Black Clouds is one of many sublime releases but the first on the increasingly excellent Fluttery Records.
Opening track Vertiges Part 1 starts with tinkling raindrop like effects from a picked acoustic guitar over synth backing, immediately taking the listener into a different place.
L’envolee is the first track to feature the trademark piano, creating a repeating note structure over a synthesized backing and with a hint of a choral finale. This is a truly stunning track I have had on repeat since getting the album.
Fade Away has a more spacial sound like the piano was recorded in a grand old concert hall, but again has the same dream like sense of meandering.
The beautifully titled Sigur Ros-like Heart Beat is the album highlight for me, all 10 minutes of it, with its rhythmic multi layered xylophone, synths, drum machines and numerous other effects. 10 minutes doesn’t seem long enough.
Slowburner Polyhymnia changes mood to a more electronic feel, with no piano in sight and The Lost Victory is a drum lead wall of sound.
Ethereal Lights and Vertiges Part 2 close the 13 track album with further electronic effects and textures
An instrumental album primarily based around the piano, the textures, effects and noises reveal themselves with each listen. It’s a record that seems to transcend and even rise above conventional genres and pigeonholes and patience rewards the casual listener.
This is a gorgeous album, and should be listened to late at night on good headphones, and specifically for fans of the aforementioned Sigur Ros, Nils Frahm and Peter Broderick.
Keith @kjsmith4082
9/11
