ALBUMs
- Album Reviews
Formed in 2006 at
The colourful sleeve of pink smoke, bellowing from a green forest plus, pink vinyl is quite appropriate for such a vibrant, full of life LP. Their fifth album plus various EPS in seven years is impressive in it own right but, there is also a growing consistency and maturity throughout their collection that means this record is an even higher step above what’s gone before.
As a six piece band they are able to produce 'big songs' perhaps, best described currently as the UK's answer to The Arcade Fire their songs are joyous sounding tunes with sharp and to the point lyrics.
So if there is only one LP on your shopping list this weekend, make it ‘Los Campesinos!
Pete
10/11
- Album Reviews
Well if you are 70 years old, releasing your twelfth album on the back of a career spanning four decades, what must you be hoping for? Well Garland Jeffreys is in a rich vein of form following on from 2011’s ‘King of in Between’ so perhaps he is hoping to be a continuing shining light in today’s music marketplace and on 'Truth Serum' he most certainly is.
Not only an accomplished guitarist who has played with the likes of Lou Reed, John Cale, Bruce Springsteen and Dr. John, to name a few, Garland is also a very accomplished songwriter and social commentator.
On `Truth Serum’ we get the blues of the title track, which puts the listener into the groove straight away. A West Coast vibe (not bad for a man from Coney Island). On ‘ Any Rain’. An introspective ballad, ‘’It’s What I Am’, reggae on ‘Dragons to Slay’ and so on, the variation of the songs is very impressive. ‘Collide the Generations’ is like a CBGB’s punk anthem, nothing less than stunning from the man.
A self produced album with assistance from James Maddock and Larry Campbell. Top-notch musicians in the band and, a set of songs from a large collection of Cassette recordings. “The obsessions, the imagery, the things I care most about most were all on those cassettes” he says”. “I love their compression and ragged feel”.
This man has lived music for the last forty years and still progresses with each recording. We keep our fingers crossed for UK dates next year, in the meantime, just get out there and buy this record.
Garland Jeffries deserves the highest recognition music can give him … Lot’s of listeners! Live, breath this album over the next few weeks and months, you won’t regret it.
Pete
- Album Reviews
Scowlin' Owl, “a rootin' tootin' proper folk band”, well 'These Strange Companions' is far more than that. Very sweet harmonies and a great assortment of instrumentation are the foundations for what may be best described as gritty European Americana.
‘Message From The Psalms’ is the opener of this lengthy debut EP. The song is inspired by the 1950s film, Night of the Hunter, featuring Robert Mitchum and is sung with power and passion. The song takes no prisoners, Acoustic guitar, drums, and a wailing violin with an Eastern European twang.
The title song, ‘These Strange Companions’ and ‘Grey’ (about squirrels) takes us on a gentler pace into Staves and Smoke Fairies like comparisons
Nina Lovelace, the band’s lead singer and songwriter really has come up with some interesting song ideas; ‘Poker Alice’ inspired by the real life Poker Alice who lived in America in the late 1800s whilst, ‘Mifune’ is a song about the relationship between Japan's most famous actor Toshiro Mifune and film director Akira Kurosawa.
Every song is intriguing and the stories told, really hold your attention, indeed, 'Sugawara And The Sunflower' the final song on the EP is about how a Japanese fisherman who survived the 2011 tsunami by sailing his boat up and over the waves..
Scowlin Owl is Nina Lovelace (vocals, guitar, flute), Yvonne Bordon (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Karina Zakri (vocals, acoustic bass), and Sally Gainsbury (violin, vocals).
Their EP, 'These Strange Companions' is due for release on 23rd November. You can listen to some songs and order the EP on BandCamp HERE
- Album Reviews
This debut EP originally came to us as Audio Disease, a Dudley based band that wanted to rock like their heroes Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and You Me At Six. But a legal name wrangle later we see the same EP under the new East Of Eden moniker. Those troubles behind them now I am very please to say that the music is simply great, with most new rock bands opting for a screaming screamo match with all and sundry, these guys write their own brand of catchy, radio friendly tunes that are instantly familiar and delivered with a smiling swagger.
All seven songs are self penned and the first release “Breakaway” has benefitted from a very media friendly video released into the youtube-iverse collecting them quite a few followers as a result.
All songs follow the solid guitar riff heavy format that I so love from the 80’s brought up to date for a new generation to appreciate. Any of the seven tracks could be the single that really breaks this lot. “Worse things have happened” is the next to be released on 11th November and it’s a good choice, definitely a strong follow up to “Breakaway”. I do think that they should make use of the track “Midnight Lullaby” as a single too, my personal favourite on the EP.
With strong vocals and a very tight sound this band deserves to be in the ascendancy and I highly recommend the EP as a nice addition to keep your rock collection current and on-trend.
There are tour dates to promote the band in the coming weeks, I highly recommend you get yourself out there to see what should be a band that will be leading the new wave of British rock music.
@DocSwallow
- Album Reviews
There’s always nervousness when a member of an established band leaves, particularly if that person is generally viewed as the ‘front man’. So it was with trepidation that I approached the new offering from Midlake, their first since the momentous departure of Tim Smith 12 months ago.
To be fair, Eric Pulido had always seemed to have equal stage time whenever I’ve seen them live, and the whole band are so musically talented that I kind of guessed they’d be alright, but when their first action was to scrap the album they’d been working on with Smith for the past 2 years and replace it with one written and recorded over the subsequent six months I did wonder if they’d manage to survive.
After a few listens it’s clear that there was no need to worry. The new record is more open and accessible than ‘The Courage of Others’ – there’s a lightness of touch and a lot more variation on it than its predecessor, which as a result makes it a much more enjoyable listen.
While there may still be a few nods to Smith (the flute on ‘Aurora Gone’, the lyrics to ‘Provider’) this is the sound of a band working together on a fresh new start. The much-vaunted new ‘rock’ direction isn’t really in evidence, but what they have done is lift the oppressive madrigal feel and uncover melodies, harmonies and emotional warmth that wants to let you in and embraces you.
Highlights include the title track, and ‘The Old and the Young’, which sounded particularly good live at the Islington Assembly Hall last night and which I think will become an instant crowd favourite.
Overall the album proves the ‘if it don’t kill you, it just makes you stronger’ adage, and shows that Midlake still have a bright future ahead of them. If you haven’t seen them live you really should try and go, they are consistently one of the most polished and professional live bands I’ve ever seen. A new
9/11
@theDJCull
20th –
21st Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
22nd
23rd
25th Bristol Anson Rooms
26th London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
- Album Reviews
Los Lobos came on the radar back in 80’s big time with the hit ‘La Bamba’ but this was really I suppose a novelty for Los Angeles’ musicians who are and always have been s serious Latin roots rock, bluesy ensemble.
Following the well received album, Tin Can Trust’ and consistent touring (including Europe this year with, Neil Young & Crazy Horse) the band have a real fire in their collective belly with the release of “Disconnected in
The acoustic or ‘unplugged’ album was recorded last December at the City Winery in
There is an invigorating spirit to this live recording as they look back over four decades of music as a band.
The album is released on 29th October as a standard CD, a deluxe 2CD/DVD package and on vinyl. The band remains on the road throughout 2013 and 2014, so hopefully there will be some U.K.shows again next year.
Pete
9/11
1) Intro
2) The Neighborhood
3) Oh Yeah
4) Chuco’s Cumbia
5) Tears of God
6) La Venganza De Los Pelados
7) Tin Can Trust
8) I Got To Let You Know
9) Maria Christina
10) Malaque
11) Little Things
12) Set Me Free (Rosa Lee)
13) La Bamba / Good Lovin’ – Medley
- Album Reviews
Known previously as ‘The Boy Who Trapped the Sun’ Colin Macleod will be releasing four new songs under his own name on 21st October.
The Anchor EP is released via ‘The Middle of Nowhere Recordings’ a small label born in the Highlands of Scotland. Colin’s voice is rich rugged, and one that invokes the sprit of those majestic
Gentle acoustic guitar covers the EP front to back. A touch of Ryan Adams and Richard Thompson influences sound are in there at some points, on a really first class ep. The final song comes live from the Green Bus, overlooking the ocean, rather than the home studio and brings in a fiddle and some sweet harmonies.
A very nice EP of 4 stories told in song is all yours for just £5 HERE Colin’s full album is not highly anticipated.
Listen to 'California' HERE
- Album Reviews
Israel Nash Gripka had an album out in 2009 called ‘New York Town’ that really launched him in musician / song writing terms alongside Ryan Adams but in Israel’s case without Ryan’s commercial success.
Now a new album has arrived four years later on Loose Records. For reference points on Rain Plans’ read Neil Young, Bon Iver and Midlake, then you have albums to book end ‘Rain Plans’ and have a really great listening session.
A native of
There are fragile moments; ‘Through The Door’, ‘Just Like Water’ there is also an overlaying of beautiful slide guitar throughout. There are mandolins and there are sonic guitar moments, shearing guitar even, ‘Just Like Water’, ‘Who in Time’, 'Mansions' ; there are dark desperate lyrics and life affirming narratives.
A album that Crazy Horse or you feel someone like Jonathon Wilson could have been connected with but,
Pete
10/11
- Album Reviews
Lovin' this LP on first listen. Not what I expected at all.. it's full of sweet harmonies, soul, dance & rock, oh, & I guess we can forgive them for nickin' the intro to the Eagles, 'Heartache Tonight' on 'The Wire'
First things first, Haim are three sisters from L.A. Este Haim, Danielle Haim, Alana Haim and drummer Dash Hutton. Haim have perhaps been one of the hardest working bands around this year,. Having stormed festivals and concert after concert. Radio slots, TV slots, a couple of vinyl eps and now, well now, comes the debut LP, ‘Days are Gone’
The infectious opening song ‘Falling’ has the line ‘I’m a slave to the sound” and I defy anyone not to fall in love with this album by the second play and be dancing around the room on the third listen.
I must admit I expected a rock album on the basis of reports from the live shows but there is nothing that represents a specific genre here. Yes you can hear Prince vibes and you can hear Fleetwood Mac in there, and Christine Mcvie style vocals on ‘If I Could Change Your Mind’ and ‘Honey & I’ (very appropriate this week), but through the utter variation of pace and changing styles this is the ‘Haim’ sound, one that the band make their own.
Relentless touring through to Australia and New Zealand next year, the band are certainty on the crest of a wave, indeed it is actually quite astute to release the album after the band have been on the road for sometime. i.e. It won’t have worn thin by the time to tour is over so album number two perhaps has a little less pressure on it’s creation.
The album of choice for all freshers kicking off their Uni and college challenges over the next few weeks no doubt, but as long as you can still dance around the room or, tap those feet, this one is for you!
Pete
9/11
- Album Reviews
‘Motto’ was recorded in
Written for the most part whilst singer / guitarist, Katie Harkin was on the road playing in Wild Beasts. ‘Motto’ has the themes of love, loss and home and is primetime indie.
Sky Larkin was formed in 2005 by school friends Katie and Nestor Matthews; Since the release of their second album and subsequent tours the band 'have taken a break since 2011 with Katie on j Wild Beasts tours an as extra live band member, whilst drummer Nestor sat behind the kit to record with Menace Beach and Giant Fang.
So 2013 dawned with the pair getting back together as Sky Larkin. Refreshed, the pair spent the winter writing the new record in Yorkshire, before taking themselves to Seattle to record an LP that is as satisfying on it’s 20th listen as it first.
A road trip record without a doubt, all the song flow easily out of the speakers with a toe tapping glory that just urges you to turn the volume up.
Don’t be fooled by the ‘download this track or that track reviews, get out there and buy the record, you really won’t be disappointed.
Pete
9/11
‘Motto’ tracklist:
1. Motto
2. Newsworthy
3. The Loyal Beat
4. Treasury
5. Loom
6. Carve It Out
7.
8. Frozen Summer
9. Bravo Dodo
10. Overgrown
11. Italics
12. Que Linda (wake to applause)
- Album Reviews
During the final week of 1971, The Band played four legendary concerts at New York City’s Academy Of Music, ushering in the New Year with electrifying performances, including new horn arrangements by Allen Toussaint and a surprise guest appearance by Bob Dylan for a New Year’s Eve encore.
Selected highlights from the concerts were compiled for The Band’s classic 1972 double LP,Rock Of Ages and now all four of the concerts from this series of shows are being released on the on 30th September as ‘Live At The Academy Of Music 1971’, in a 2 CD or 4 CD+DVD collection.
The collections features new stereo and 5.1 Surround mixes, including 19 previously unreleased performances and newly discovered footage of two songs filmed by Howard Alk and Murray Lerner.
The release is produced by The Band’s Robbie Robertson, with co-producers Michael Murphy and Matt D’Amico. The stereo mixes for the first two discs and the DVD’s 5.1 Surround mix were done by Bob Clearmountain, with the stereo mixes for discs 3 and 4 helmed by Sebastian Robertson and Jon Castelli, assisted by Ryan Nasci.
The collection was mastered by Patricia Sullivan at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The concerts were originally recorded by Phil Ramone with Mark Harman.
- Album Reviews
The fourth album as Danny and the Champions of the World (DCOTW) for Danny George Wilson and his cohorts, 'Stay True' is a stormer. Wearing their collective hearts on their collective sleeves, this is Americana 'our side of the pond' style.
Influences drip readily across the album, The Allman Brothers Band, (That Old Space Rocket), The Band (Breaking Out), Paul Butterfield Blues Band, (Stop Thief), Bruce Springsteen (Other Days) and Bob Dylan (Darlin' Won't You Come In From The Cold) but, that is just the stardust sprinkled on the delivery, songwriting and performance which is pure DCOTW!
Surely this lot would go down a storm in the Country / Americana strongholds of the States and a visit to SXSW by the band should be heartily recommended to their Management.
So get your tartan Neil Young shirt out of the cupboard, a bottle of beer in hand and enjoy 'Stay True' to your Hearts content!
Pete
10/11
1. (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket
2. Cold Cold World
3. Stop Thief!
4. Darlin' Won't You Come In From The Cold
5. Other Days
6. Breaking Out
7. Stay True
8. Been There Before
9. Talkin About The Weather
10. Let s Grab This With Both Hands
11. Time Again