ALBUMs
- Album Reviews
Today 10th March sees the release on Club AC30 of the debut ep from Melbourne based Psychedelic shoegazers Flyying Colours (notice the far out extra ‘y’) although to be fair, these are not aged 60 rockers, this is a hard working young band, learning their trade at a rapid pace.
There are five solid tracks on this ep for you the turn the volume up too, all of which are crafted with skill and killer riffs.
Formed in 2011 Flyying Colours are Brodie, Gemma, Sam and Joshua and before this debut ep they have been earning their spurs on the Australian gig circuit and gaining an impressive reputation for their live shows as well as, the confidence to get this ep recorded and work started on their debut LP.
In the safe hands of Club AC30 there should be a lot more to come from this band in the near future.
Buy Here @ Club AC30
Pete
- Album Reviews
I have lived with these nine songs for the past week in the car. Deeply epic, I think would be the summary. Tom has a deep voice. He writes deeply reflective songs which with the range of the vocals, range from gentle to epic.
The nearest comparison would be fellow Londoner Dan Michelson, whose baritone is even deeper by the way! The songs on Tom's debut album could not be described as jolly. They are songs of life and death, and in many cases, songs that could be transported to a West End stage production as easily as a concert hall.
Tom is the son of Richard Hickox CBE, a renowned conductor and Grammy Award winner and his mother was an orchestral timpanist, this rich musical heritage is embedded on this weighty record.
All songs on the album were written by Tom Hickox with co-production from Colin Elliot at Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield. The backing band on all tracks was 'borrowed' from Richard Hawley whilst Richard himself plays slide guitar on 'Out of the Warzone'.
The song are stories, mainly dark stories but ones that you can listen to with ease quite comfortably for any amount of time. I recently saw Tom play live on this home turf at the Garage in Islington. Live, as on record Tom's voice is equally as powerful, with the songs perhaps even more dramatic.
Let's hope the next record is not too far behind this Fierce Panda Records release, Tom hopefully has a lot more to offer.
Pete
9/11
Songs
The Angel of the North
The Pretty Pride of Russia
Out of the Warzone
Your Baby Was Asleep
White Roses Red
Let Me Be Your Lover
A Normal Boy
The Lisbon Maru
Good Night
'War, Peace & Diplomacy' is released via Fierce Panda records on 10th March 2014 and is available to pre-order here:
- Album Reviews
- Album Reviews
The more you play this record, the more it becomes a friend. Perhaps, post middle age helps because the songs are very honest, pure and poignant and reflect a time of Henry's life, that provides songs, that everyone can or will rate too as they grow older.
Stories of Love, passing, children moving out of the house, a yearning for youth, it is all there, with delicate phasing from Henry's warm vocals and sublime musicianship throughout, this album deserves far more exposure than it is actually likely to get.
Henry has been involved in the music world for over 35 years and was a member of 'The Christians' way back when. Henry's latest album was three years in the making and follows his solo debut released on island records in 2009 called 'Chronicles of Modern Life'. This time around, 'The Last Mad Surge of Youth hits the street via Proper Records.
There is a brass opening to 'At the End of the Day' which kicks off the album with a warm reflective glow. The song is co-written with singer/songwriter, Lotte Mullan who provides harmonies as well. There is however, more than just a reflective glow; the storylines are varied as are the songs so, you really find yourself becoming immersed in the record the more you play it.
However old any musician becomes most still remain passionate about their craft as Henry shows on this record.
Pete
10/11
Songs:
1. At The End Of The Day
2. True Believer
3. We Used To Be You
4. Goodbye Common Sense
5. Valentine Song
6. In My Head
7. The Last Mad Surge of Youth
8. Rant 'N' Rave
9. Huntin' & Gatherin' (Ain't What It Used To Be)
10. Same Circus, Different Clowns
11. I Cried Today
12. A Pint of Bitter & Twisted, Please
- Album Reviews
- Album Reviews
Well here I am playing an exceptionally dreamy debut ep from the west coast psychedelic, errr Southend-on-sea band, Velvet Morning. (Well they sound like they live in San Francisco)
If this was new music by say, Tame Impala, or Pond I wouldn't have been surprised. Opening songs, Paranoia, and Octcity just soar in a Galaxie 500 way. There is a feel of early Floyd particularly on the title track but what strikes is the quality and warmth of the psychedelic experience found here.
The group’s main songwriting source is Samuel Jones (Vocals/Guitars (John Kirkwood (Bass), Luke Elgar (Guitars) and Chris Richardson (Drums).
If this band can pull out an album's worth of equally majestic music then they will be heading for the musical stratosphere. There must really be something in the water down on the Essex coast!
Velvet Morning is out on 24th February and the band are playing at Paper Dress Vintage store in Shoreditch on Saturday 8th February.
Pete
9/11
Velvet Morning are on facebook
Tracks:
Paranoia
Octocity
Black Velvet Morning
She's a Live Wire
Blue
I Got You
- Album Reviews
I'll happily admit that I'm turning 28 before the half way point of this year, a relevant fact? Yes.
When everyone thinks of TV talent show acts, they will automatically think Leona Lewis, Matt Cardle and Ollie Murs perhaps however; people seem to have forgotten about another TV show whose victors were Bombay Bicycle Club. Having won the Channel 4 show 'Road To V' in 2006 while preparing to take their GCSE's, they were rewarded with opening the 2nd stage at that Summer's shindig. I was there that year, to see Radiohead most importantly, but remember seeing BBC opening in the Staffordshire sunshine and thinking...this is the first band that's way younger than I am, and they've made it. They actually bloody made it which was a depressing thought for me at the time.
Having, been probably told by their parents to, put their education first, they waited until 2009 to release their debut album 'I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose'. An album I named as my number one of that year. In the meantime time, two more records, EP's and countless tours have followed as they have matured into a well-structured and sophisticated band.
This record, produced by lead singer Jack Steadman, shows the bands style, and still demonstrates a song writing ability beyond their years. Despite the odd filler track such as 'Feel', the singles 'Luna' and 'Carry Me' show the intent of this band to firmly cement themselves as one of the great indie bands this country needs.The odd appearance of the talented Lucy Rose also helps, obviously.
With a sold out tour on the cards, and the festival season on the horizon, expect a lot more from these boys. A lot more!
8/11
@thejoeeley
1. Overdone
2. It's Alright Now
3. Carry Me
4. Home by Now
5. Whenever, Wherever
6. Luna
7. Eyes off You
8. Feel
9. Come To
10. So Long, See You Tomorrow
- Album Reviews
This is the sixth solo album from Northern Ireland's Bap Kennedy, and a sweet album it is too.
Ex singer of Belfast rockers, Energy Orchard, Bap has carved out a career as a rootsy, Americana singer / songwriter for some time now. Previous records were recorded both sides of the pond in England and America but this time around, it was back to Northern Ireland to work with local friends and musicians, drummer Rabb Bennett, guitarist, Gordy McAllister and obviously Bap didn't have to travel too far to use the bass playing and harmony talents of his wife Brenda.
Always supported by his peers, Van Morrison, Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler and Shane MacGowan, this time around the album has that hometown intimate feel of just making good music with family and friends.
The styles and pace change over the course of the eleven songs on the record, but the underlying theme remains of quality musicians delivering a quality record and a live show to match no doubt.
8/11
Pete
1. Let's Start Again
2. Revelation Blues
3. If Things Don't Change
4. King Of Mexico
5. Song Of Her Desire
6. Radio Waves
7. Heart Trouble
8. Under My Wing
9. Strange Kid
10. Fool's Paradise
11. Let It Go
- Album Reviews
Tom the Lion otherwise known as ? (I can't actually find Tom's real name) excels at two things at least. Firstly he has beautifully and artistically packaged CDs. His first album was in a wooden box and 'Sleep' comes in a rice paper like covering to house two CDs and various art cards. Very classy.
The second thing is that Tom is obviously a very fine musician and song writer. 'Sleep' starts off with a slide guitar but quickly develops a sweet groove that would make Warpaint proud on a very widescreen song. Song two, 'Motorcade' has a Boz Scaggs vibe which again explodes into a big soundscape.
Variation is the key on the record and the album is well paced. 'Silent Partner' more the ballad that exposes Tom's full vocal range. 'Oilman' is a James Blake esqe soundscape, and 'Beholden' again changes the vibe with something reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie and, we are just midway through the record.
I'll leave you to discover the rest of the record, which gets a definite 'thumbs up, must buy LP' for your collection and is certainly an early contender for those year-end lists.
Pete
10/11
1. Sleep
2. Motorcade
3. Silent Partner
4. Oil Man
5. Beholden
6. November's Beach
7. Every Single Moment
8. Winter's Wool
9. Our Beloved Past
10. Ragdoll
11. Heal
12. Come to Life
- Album Reviews
A greatest hits / covers album with a difference as suggested to Beth by BBC DJ Bob Harris, this is an album of Beth originals that she herself wrote with and for other artists.
The album is bursting with other artists helping out, Vince Gill duets with Beth on 'Here We Are' a song they wrote together for Alabama whlist Darrell Scott sings and plays on 'Maybe That's All It Takes' which, was a hit for Don Williams.
'Meet Me Halfway' includes Bekka Bramlett, 'Almost Home, which closes the record features Gretchen Peters, Suzy Bogguss and Matraca Berg but, for all the special guests it's Beth that shines though with her sheer class of performance.
Songs written for Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker and Jim Brickman all appear on the LP, which was recorded on both sides of the pond in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Nashville!
Beth is an undeniably talented singer and songwriter and this album continues to demonstrate her still growing talent.
Pete
8/11
- Album Reviews
You sit down at the computer to do some emails, search around for some music to listen to at the same time and then, find some music that just makes you sit back and listen with avid attention.
Try mixing Anais Mitchell or Jonsi with Allo Darlin’ and you start to get close to the delightful opener ‘SoND’ which band Leader Inge Chiles describes as "In my mind I was addressing a dear friend who, as a woman, felt pressure to define herself according to whatever boy she was dating. It’s a dreamy song for sure.
‘Bird Years’, is immediately a more upbeat and extremely catchy song that has the feet tapping in no time as does ‘Sleepy Blinking’. Later on ‘Hi-Fi is back in the fragile beauty realms of the opening song. ’Hi-Fi’ is a beautiful song. The title track finishes the EP on an ‘up’ and with the listener waiting for more.
The band hail from Springfield, Missouri and earlier this year were playing under the name of Plaid Dragon, receiving some great reviews from their appearances at SXSW.
The EP ‘Dog Physics’ lasts under 20 minutes and it is available on bandcamp under a Radiohead ‘Pay what you like scheme’. So please do give it 20 minutes of your time and a fiver from your pocket, it contains some lovely music start to finish.
The band’s debut LP is due in the Spring of 2014
- Album Reviews
Buzzard Lope are a trio (although a 5 piece on the album) from Bedford, Birmingham and Brazil who we are told "bonded over long drives round Europe in the rain, crammed in an old estate car with just their manager, keyboard, drum kit and double bass to keep them sane".
The Band actually sound like they are next best thing out of Brooklyn on their debut album which is out on 18th November and is called 'Pyrrhic Victories'.
Like The National producing an album of slow smoky beer stained ballads this album hits that spot straight away. The opening song starts with a ‘Devotchka’ like accordion before Roger Illingworth’s vocals start their brooding drive through the eleven songs on the album. As Bryan Ferry said once, “Always start a record with something up”
Second song on the record, ‘Walk don’t Run’ is a slow song that entices the listener into a dreamy state of concentration which, continues through 'Blue Arsed Fly' and the title track ‘Pyrric Victories’.
The album is well paced, there are changes in style and lyrics are always interesting. Gill Sandell (of Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo) provides the accordion, and Oberheim and the band recorded, mixed, produced and mastered the album themselves, which is a band taking full control it seems. Very brave but in this case very successful for a debut album.
So when you first play this record, grab a whisky, a fireside armchair and sit back and let it sweep over you.
Pete
9/11
