ALBUMs
- Album Reviews
So what can we say, this guy should go far?? Well Robert Plant already has and more than once! This record is absolutely spectacular. Like having a trifle put in front of you with so many layers, tastes, contours, colours and textures, so 'lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar’ is like having a musical trifle stuffed into your ears!
A cover of the traditional song ‘Little Maggie’ is the perfect start, so many different sounds with Plant's vocal soaring (whilst never straining) above the music, the song takes you into a kaleidoscope of a new musical world for the next fifty minutes.
Nine of the eleven songs are Plant originals and next up, 'Rainbow' is the single. The voice drops a few octaves and rises on the chorus, the guitars come in and the song just envelopes you in rhythm.
'Pocketful of Golden' starts, electronic, shifts to an Indian vibe, add the full band and now we are completely lost in this record and only three songs in! Did I dream it or does Robert sing “And if the sun refused to shine,” the opening line to “Thank You” from Led Zeppelin II on this song., Oh yes!
The Band, The Sensational Shape Shifters are; Justin Adams Juldeh Camara Billy Fuller Liam “Skin” Tyson Dave Smith and just stunning they are.
'Turn it Up' is the first time the guitar cuts loose in a heavier way and wow! The most gentle song on the record is 'A Stolen Kiss' which is divine and begs for a Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin or Julie Murphy who sings beautifully on ‘Embrace another Fall’ to duet.
'Somebody There' brings a folk twinge to a pure pop song and Lead Belly would surely smile on hearing the band’s rendition of ‘Poor Howard’
‘House of Love’ brings in some chamber strings, while ‘Hollow Hill (Understanding Arthur) has a real Zep vibe.
So yes this man will continue to go further and shine. It's a great man that can play in the biggest band on the planet and still in his sixties be treading the boards on tour with such fabulous original new music.
Thank You Mr Plant!
Pete
11/11
- Album Reviews
I've enjoyed plenty of stunning live performances from Danny and the Champions of the World down the years, but how well will that translate onto an album? A double CD recorded at a gig at the Jazz Cafe in Camden, the track listing on 'Live Champs' is certainly promising: plenty from the band's most recent 'Stay True' LP, but with enough of a selection from previous albums to keep the long term fans happy.
Like that recent album, the set here opens with 'Never Stop Building that Old Space Rocket', a wonderful road movie of a song, a rootsy eulogy to never giving up on your dreams. The intricate guitar lines are nicely rendered and the vocals clear and true, these are a group of fantastic musicians at the top of their game.
The stand out track for me on the first CD is 'The Colonel and the King', my favourite from the band's 'Hearts and Arrows' record from a few years back. This is a longer version than on that album, with some nice sax parts adding a bit of style to the whole thing. 'I'm having a brilliant time' declares lead singer Danny George Wilson after the song, reminding me that it's the infectious enthusiasm of the band that always comes across live- they just look like they really enjoy it up there. There's no danger of a 'phoned in' performance ever from these guys.
I love the closing track on CD1, a gentle rendition of 'Henry the Van' from 'Streets of Our Time', my introduction to the band, and a record I bought by chance in Rough Trade as much because I liked the cover with it's battered Converse Allstar as the searing Americana songs I heard through the headphones on the listening post in the record shop. This is a lovely track, a hymn to a much loved band tour bus, finally biting the dust 'on the road to Aberdeen'. It's full of evocative imagery: 'I guess we're both getting old, grumpy in the morning and when it's cold' Danny sings. Tell me about it Danny! 'Weren’t we just the Champions of the World?' By the end of it I think I miss that van as much as the band do.
The second CD opens with Danny asking the crowd if they're ready for a bit more rock n roll. But it's the (relatively) gentle Americana of 'Other Days' that they serve up first, before delivering on the promise with the steel guitar, screaming sax and driving baseline of the 'Hearts and Arrows' track 'Every Beat of My Heart'.
Later there's some more from 'Streets of Our Time' with a rocking version of 'Restless Feet'. Perhaps this track was an early signpost to the bluesier sound the band would move towards on later releases; it makes perfect sense alongside stompers like ' The Colonel and the King' in this live set.
An encore of 'Been There Before' and 'These Days' closes the set, Danny even forgetting the lyrics to the latter at one point. Never mind, after all it’s an old one! The band soon finds their groove again.
Let's face it, a live record will never be a substitute for going to see a band as good as this play in the flesh. I've been pretty evangelical about this bunch for some time, and of all the people I've dragged along to see them, I don't think any have ever been disappointed. It's a great live album though, the fact they've left in so much of the dialogue between the band and the audience really makes it work. I'd still rather be at the gig with a beer in my hand, but this is the next best thing for when I'm sat on the tube on a Monday morning commute, headphones on and a huge smile on my face.
Matt @mjcartledge
CD1
01. (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket
02. Cold Cold World
03. Let’s Grab This With Both Hands
04. Colonel And The King
05. Darlin’ Won’t You Come In From The Cold
06. Stop Thief!
07. Henry The Van
CD2
08. Other Days
09. Every Beat Of My Heart
10. You Don’t Know (My Heart Is In The Right Place)
11. Restless Feet
12. Been There Before
13. These Days
Live Champs! Is out via Loose Music on 29th Sept. You can pre-order HERE
- Album Reviews
A brilliantly engaging performance in the drizzle at the End of the Road Festival in 2013 was a real eye opener to check Justin’s music out much closer. Thirty Two years old and Justin Townes Earle has delivered a lovely album of Americana blues.
Talent undoubtedly passes through the genes in many cases and on this fifth album, which in itself is one hell of an achievement for someone of 32 years, Justin sounds like a veteran.
Entitled Single Mothers, the album is made up of ten songs sung with style, over some very sweet slide guitar from Paul Niehaus. Being recently married and the title of the first song on the LP is called, ‘Worried Bout the Weather’, JTE must be in a good place even though, the lyrics are about unexpected feelings of trouble on the horizon. Fictional I hope.
Co-produced along side longtime engineer Adam Bednarik, Single Mothers shines as bright as a cornfield in terms of quality Americana from a hard working musician and band. “I don’t really know what Americana means anymore,” Justin said. “That’s not a slant on Americana, it’s just become a very unclassifiable genre. It’s gone seemingly pop. There are good parts to that, but it’s getting to a point where it won’t be able to redeem itself if it doesn’t slow down. So perhaps the former description ‘Quality’ is just the right word.
The album was recorded live with his four-piece touring band with only days of rehearsal leading up to recording to keep the ideas and sound fresh. No overdubs, no other singers, no additional band members and some very effective story songwriting, plain and simple.
Justin’s signature sound will take him up there with the likes of John Prine in years to come if his music so far is anything to go by but for now, all those Ryan Adams fans should just hop on board!
Single Mothers will be released via Loose Music on 22nd September and let’s hope there are some UK dates soon.
Pete
9/11
- Album Reviews
So there are some perks to being a musician then. You can take time away, do other things, including in Ryan's case, easing into the producers chair and then come back to the day job and, Ryan's return to the day job much like Tom Petty's recent effort (Hypnotic Eye) is a blistering good affair (I just mention Tom because I think on this record Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers may have been Ryan's touchstone?).
Eleven songs on this self-produced LP; Americana, rockers and acoustic gems plus the ten songs released on the 1984 7" means the office is open for business again with 'Ryan Adams' emblazoned across store front.
The record seems like a natural follow on from 'Ashes and Fire', not busting any new boundaries just reassuringly good and one that will be on the car stereo for some time to come.
On the road perhaps for the next year with full band tours after the magnificent acoustic shows of a few years ago; we can only hope so. This is yet another great album that sits happily alongside his other records in his catalogue, so I guess its watch this space, for the next episode.
Pete
9/11
Gimme Something Good
Kim
Trouble
Am I Safe
My Wrecking Ball
Stay with Me
Shadows
Feels Like Fire
I Just Might
Tired of Giving Up
Let Go
- Album Reviews
- Album Reviews
Well from the opening song of this ep the toes are tapping. Jodie Marie and Samuel Taylor are Taylor & Marie and their Debut ep Tilt The Moon is released today (25 Aug '14)
Recorded entirely in Wales at StudiOwz which is located on a working farm, the ep really does conjure up an outdoors setting under a blue sky on a sunny day.
“We spent late nights listening through loads of old records. Just showing each other tracks we loved, “ explains Taylor. “I’d put on ‘One Too Many Mornings’ by Dylan and Jodie would put on ‘Silver Dagger’ by Joan Baez, I’d play ‘Beeswing’ by Richard Thompson and Jodie would show me ‘Love Has No Pride’ by Bonnie Raitt, and on and on”.
There must be more to come from this pair but as a starter, this ep is as fabulous as the harmonies (and they are wonderful) A very decent cover of ‘Bad Moon Rising’ as well!
Pete
Taylor & Marie will be on tour throughout August/September:
Aug 27th - SJQ, Dalston (London)
Aug 28th - The Cellars, Portsmouth
Aug 30th - Chapel Arts Centre, Bath
Aug 31st - The Druidstone, Pembrokeshire
Sep 3rd - The Greystones, Sheffield
Sep 7th - Kinross, Scotland
Sep 8th - Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
You can buy the debut EP ‘All I Need’ from iTunes or physically via Big Cartel
- Album Reviews
Described as cinematic folk and on second song, ‘Circus Elephant’ I can see where this tag comes from. These are big yet sensitive songs.
Another famous son hits the scene this time it’s, Luke Oldfield son of Mike who is one half of the multi instrumental world of Gypsyfingers. Victoria Coghlan completes the partnership. The songs on the debut album from Gypsyfingers are crystal clean, sharp and clear, with no doubt the production talents of Luke who runs Tilehouse Studios and engineers at Toe Rag Studios in Hackney.
Victoria is the principal songwriter of the duo and with Luke they seem to be able to make musical magic together. Ten songs of Love, loss, life and all those dreams. The album is a magnet for your attention throughout.
A bright and well thought through record with solo and shared voices and even spoken (on ‘You’). This pair should go far.
Pete
9/11
This Is The Way
Circus Elephant
Get Yourself Out of Town
Return
You
Eating Me
Steel Bones
Lump
Lately
The Island
- Album Reviews
Following on from her 2012 debut album, ‘Be Still Gentle Kind’, Kat and her band have released a new ep. ‘When you are gone’.
Five songs, nicely paced, beautifully sung with a sweet six piece band this is just a delightful experience.
Since her first live performances in 2005 Kat’s songwriting has grown stronger and stronger, to the point where this Edinburgh lady should perhaps be better known.
You can pick up the new EP as well as Kat’s other music HERE. You won’t be disappointed.
Pete
Live
August 20, Edinburgh, Sophis Bar (Festival show)
August 31 Glasgow, The Record Factory
Sept. 07, Dublin, The Sunday Roast Sessions
Sept. 10, Dublin, The Zodiac Sessions
October 04 Birmingham, Café Ort
December 23, Stuttgart, Germany, Sideways Bar
- Album Reviews
Growing old gracefully, well that would be the case if J Mascis was still not rocking out in the day job with Dinosaur Jr. ‘Tied to a Star’ is J’s second real solo effort following on from 2011’s ‘Several Shades of Why’
The bar is raised again this time with what is a sweet album indeed. Opener ‘Me Again’ is plainly J Mascis with an acoustic guitar and a nicely pitched vocal range. A beautiful song and there are many of those to come.
‘Every Morning’ has the band in tow on what is a cool slice of Americana with Mark Mulcahy on board followed by, ‘Heal the Star’ which starts of with vocal and acoustic guitar and ends with a full bloodied guitar and percussion work out.
‘Wide Awake’ another acoustic gem has Chan Marshall joining the party on vocals. The pace on the album really varies, as next up ‘Stumble’ has that Dino Jr grungy feel, this time on an acoustic guitar!
Many standout songs just keep coming through the speakers; ‘Come Down’ is quite outstanding.
This record is a definite road trip record and companion for the rest of the year. It must have had the guys at label, Sub Pop smiling when they heard it. J Mascis is in his prime, long may it continue.
Recorded and produced by J Mascis and mixed by John Agnello at Bisquiteen in Amherst, MA. there are also helping hands from Ken Maiuri (Young@Heart Chorus) and Pall Jenkins (Black Heart Procession).
Pete
10/11
The album is out on Sub Pop on 25th August and you can order on nice pink vinyl HERE
Tied to a Star track listing:
1. Me Again
2. Every Morning
3. Heal the Star
4. Wide Awake
5. Stumble
6. And Then
7. Drifter
8. Trailing Off
9. Come Down
10. Better Plane
www.jmascis.com | www.facebook.com/JMascisOfficial
- Album Reviews
Do you remember when The Decemberists produced interesting music, before they found the 'Safe & Predictable' dial and turned it up to 11 ???
'Constellations' is the third full length album from Moulettes, the many-membered, multi-instrumental band formed in 2002. The four core Moulettes whose musical expertise extends to 14 instruments (my personal favourites being the Hammered Dulcimer, Bassoon and a Waterharp!) are joined by the 24 members of the extended Moulchestra who contribute another 24 instruments (Singing cog, Flugel horn and Lap Dulcimer, if you please) plus additional vocals. Don't expect to see the full band arriving at your local backstreet venue in a Bedford Rascal van soon.
Whilst their musical style is difficult to adequately describe (orchestral-pop, baroque-rock ??), there are certainly elements of early Arcade Fire, Kate Bush and The Decemberists you can pick out and whilst the non-standard song construction (little verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge here) will make it difficult for some to appreciate, with so many instruments, musicians and styles there's something for everyone across the album.
Typical of this approach is the single 'Lady Vengeance' or the title track, both feature multi-tracked vocal choirs and jumpy, twitchy instrumental accompaniments changing the mood, pace and feeling during the track.
Just when you're about to accuse Moulettes of throwing everything and the kitchen sink at the listener there are two tracks in the middle of the album which provide welcome palate cleansers.'So It Goes' is the most traditionally structured song with an actual identifiable sing-along chorus, and the waltz time-signature of 'The Night Is Young', a song to a lost love remembered through a wistful, alcoholic haze “vermouth is of use when you feel aloof and you want to recapture your dwindling youth … Dance with me again. Here's to the end of a golden era!”
There's a bunch of guest musicians: 'Elegy' is sung by the distinctive Becky and Rachel Unthank; Blaine Harrison of the Mystery Jets and Arthur “I am the God of Hell fire!” Brown contribute vocals; and Herbie Flowers (sessions for Bowie, Lou Reed and writer of Clive Dunn's 'Grandad') plays Double bass and Tuba on 'Land Of The Midnight Sun'.
Whilst my opening paragraph might imply that Moulettes are a substitute for The Decemberists in many ways 'Constellations' surpasses what The Decemberists used to be good at ; providing challenging and interesting music which rewards the determined listener with something new upon each visit.
9/11
Alisdair Whyte
Glorious Year (Turn of the Centuries)
Constellations
Lady Vengeance
The Night Is Young
Between 2 Mirrors
So It Goes
Land Of The Midnight Sun
Elegy
The Observatory
Keep It As A Memory
- Album Reviews
How much originality can you fit into ten songs over a total time of 36 minutes and 42 seconds? Well, quite a bit if you are composer, multi-instrumentalist and broadcaster Ergo Phizmiz on your third album 'The Peacock'.
There are many distinctive songs and stories on the record, certainly a skilled songwriter; we get baroque, some semblance of Blur, Beirut and Beatles era psychedelia. Pop and Kinks like ballads, a whole myriad of sounds flow between the ears.
This is a great record for exploring. You are likely to re-play it many times and still hear something new ten plays in.
Ergo says "that English popular songs from the early decades of the twentieth century has been a strong influence in the making of this record, artistes like Al Bowlly or Roy Fox & his Orchestra. For the most part the song structures follow these lines".
Highlights, so far, for Ergo this year include scoring an independent film premiering at the Tribeca film festival; composing a set of songs for piano and voice broadcast on German National radio in June and, an appearance at the Hay festival among other things.
Perhaps all that activity is why we only get 36 minutes because of shortness of time available to a busy Ergo but, the 36 minutes on this LP are likely to capture your attention for a long time.
Pete
8/11
The Peacock
The Tinker Song
Smiles of a Summer Night
Mandrake
Open Artery Surgery
Consequences
Hyenas in the Hallway
All Fall Down
The Light behind You
Tour Dates:
2 Aug LONDON "Peashoot" at Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival
3 Aug LONDON "Peashoot" at Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival
7 Sept ISLE OF WIGHT Bestival
- Album Reviews
Silver Screams are from Boston, MA and are a pure rock and roll garage band with an EP called ‘Creep Joint Scratch’ released in May this year. They describe themselves as follows:
“How about three second generation punkers playing the best music they know how to nobody, with no career aspirations, zero street cred, and no greater point whatsoever.It’s a power trio screaming into a void before they die, because they’re not dead yet. They have jobs and families and the whole thing is very nearly a complete waste of time”.
Pete
6/11
Take a listen to some raw, primal rock ‘n’ roll via Bandcamp HERE
