Peace - In Love (Album Review)
Birmingham has taken a real bashing recently, with various news outlets saying that it’s not a great place, not the prettiest city, even bringing Jane Austen into it by using a quote she wrote in her book, “Emma”: “They came from Birmingham, which is not a place to promise much, you know, Mr Weston. One has no great hopes of Birmingham. I always say there is something direful in the sound." This quote has been used against the city since 1816 when then book was published.
Written by: Emma Dodds | Date: Monday, 25 February 2013
Altaar - Altaar (Album Review)
We’re all about easy listening here at Stereoboard and so we are proud to recommend to you the self-titled debut album by Altaar. A work of not insignificant quality, and also quantity. Although there are just two songs you will be hard pressed to find something quite so deep in all of 2013. Seriously, this is weighty stuff. You’ll be crying your eyes out more than that time James Blunt’s 'You’re Beautiful' stole your heart with its sincere bed-wetter refrains.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 25 February 2013
Vreid - Welcome Farewell (Album Review)
Vreid are one of those metal bands it’s hard to get excited about. Ostensibly a black metal act, in actual fact they are more latter day Darkthrone than a cursory glance at their Wikipedia page might admit. There is little ferocity in their work, and they aren’t kvlt because they don’t wear corpse paint in every photograph of them ever taken. Amateurs eh?
Robbie Williams - Be A Boy (Single Review)
I was there, aged 16, in 1990 when everyone was swooning-to-death over Take That. Not as delirious as the rest, but I was a fan. Now, here we are 23 years later, the glitter from the boy's second record-breaking reunion is settling, and the band's original breakaway artist Robbie Williams is set to launch 'Be a Boy', the third single from his ninth solo album, 'Take The Crown', scheduled for release March 11th.
Written by: Helen Marie Grant | Date: Monday, 25 February 2013
Sound City Players - Sound City: Real To Reel (Album Review)
Unless you’ve been living on the moon recently, you will know that legendary LA studio Sound City is the subject of a must-see documentary devised and directed by Dave Grohl, which was subsequently released on the 1st February.
Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Monday, 25 February 2013
Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance (Album Review)
Some people will never get over the fact that Darkthrone are no longer the ultra-kvlt and true Norwegian black metallers they once were. For these people the fact that Fenriz and Nocturno Culto are now openly plundering the annals of heavy metal history for inspiration apparently equates to some kind of insult. If Darkthrone aren’t going to bother producing black metal at its frostiest then who else is?
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 22 February 2013
Man Without Machines - The Kreuzberg Press (Album Review)
Dundee based Adam Lockhart is the sole creative force behind Man Without Machines, whose debut album 'The Kreuzberg Press' is released on Monday 4th March. Lockhart is joined in live performances by Val Campbell (synth), Andrew Mitchell (bass and synth), Michael Benbow (drums), and Stephen McCullough (synth and guitar).
Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Friday, 22 February 2013
The Plea - The Dreamers Stadium (Album Review)
I won’t lie. Upon hearing the very beginning of the very first track, 'Staggers Anthem', I heard the obscene amount of influence from U2 and Snow Patrol combined in equal measure and I thought I knew immediately the exact direction that this record was going to go in. To be honest, the clues were already in the album title: Stadium. 'Staggers Anthem' is the idea festival closer. Energetic and melancholic in equal measure with a real emotion and atmosphere behind it that brings the bleary-eyed memories of warm summer sunsets surrounded by 100,000 other revellers. 'The Odyssey' doesn’t do much to dispel that original feeling either, despite taking a slightly slower, more choral singalong chorus-style approach to proceedings. It’s a very pretty way of spending around four minutes of your life.
Written by: James Ball | Date: Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Don Broco - Fancy Dress (Single Review)
Bedford four-piece Don Broco have released their single 'Fancy Dress' off the back of their successful debut album 'Priorities'.
Written by: James Goodall | Date: Monday, 18 February 2013
Wednesday 13 - The Dixie Dead (Album Review)
Looking back, Wednesday 13 should be absolutely massive. Obviously I don’t mean he should be fat; I mean that he should be on of the most successful, commercially lauded artists out there today. From his humble beginnings fronting The Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13 right to the astronomical rise of the Murderdolls with Slipknot superstar Joey Jordison, the man really hasn’t put a foot wrong. He’s one of the most consistent, reliable musicians of our time; save from his unusually average 2011 release ‘Calling All Corpses’, Wednesday 13 has proven time and time again that his unique smattering of punk and metal is a racket that demands to be heard. ‘The Dixie Dead’ has stupendously high expectations to live up to. Can it possibly hold a candle to his career-besting solo album ‘Transylvania 90210’?
Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Sunday, 17 February 2013
Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories) (Album Review)
The last couple of years have been perhaps the most important in Steven Wilson’s career to date. Reception to 2011’s 'Grace for Drowning' was almost unanimously positive, and deservedly so. His second solo album was not just an ambitious double record, it was as near to perfection as ‘progressive rock’ has ever been. It was musically expansive without being over the top, emotionally potent without being trite and, most importantly of all, intensely listenable. As a result, 'The Raven that Refused to Sing (and Other Stories)' arrives as possibly the most anticipated record of Wilson’s career to date.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 15 February 2013
Foals - Holy Fire (Album Review)
Foals are one of those gratifying artists, that not only bettered their debut album with their follow-up, but blew it out of the park. This was a band that evolved from shouty and exuberant ('Antidotes') to brooding and textural ('Total Life Forever') within the space of two years. The jump in quality was so astonishing, one almost wondered whether they'd be taking tips from another certain Oxford band.
Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Friday, 15 February 2013
Baptists - Bushcraft (Album Review)
You can probably have a fairly good guess at what Baptists sound like just by reading a bit about their debut album, ‘Bushcraft’. Words like “seething”, “discordant” and “Kurt Ballou” stand out in the press release. This is savage hardcore, that much may be obvious. Quite how feral Baptists sound, however, is not apparent until ‘Betterment’ rips out of the speakers and beats in your skull with all the subtlety of a psychotic hammer salesman.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 14 February 2013
Sultanov - Keep On Running (Single Review)
“The Russian soul is a dark place,” said Dostoyevsky, and I suppose that’s easy to believe. To anyone that’s taken GCSE history, Russia is synonymous with snow, vodka, ushankas, snow, oppression, Lenin and snow. Russian literature grapples with the heaviest of issues; war, peace, death, morality. Vladimir Putin can kill you with his thumb. To me, Russia has always been deeply fascinating. It is a country of such diverse beauty, vivid history and musical splendour, from the lyricism of Rachmaninoff to the punk-rock feminism of Pussy Riot. Russian indie-pop stars don’t come along that often, so it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Sultanov.
Written by: V O'Hagan | Date: Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Buckcherry - Confessions (Album Review)
Wondering if I was about to open up a Pandora’s box of personal demons, I have to admit that I approached this review rather gingerly. Would I relate to it? Would it shock me? Would it excite me more than a sip of communion wine and a wafer? Of course, I knew, more than not, that there is no sense of humor in Buckcherry’s music. The LA rockers’ distinctive American sound, merged with Aerosmith style qualities, is always dirty, mean, sleazy and bitter and usually crammed full of self-loathing. I have discovered that 'Confessions', their sixth album to date, is all of this and more.
Written by: Anna Ghislena | Date: Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Such Gold - Misadventures (Album Review)
Such Gold are the latest exports from New York’s ever thriving hardcore punk scene and their debut ‘Misadventures’ bears all the hallmarks a young, boisterous and emotionally charged first outing ought to.
Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Monday, 11 February 2013
Johnny Marr - The Messenger (Album Review)
Being a legend in the music business will do founder member and guitarist of iconic indie darlings The Smiths, Johnny Marr, no favours as he dips his toe into the world of solo releases for the very first time after plying his trade for a staggering 35 years. This time has been spent within a huge number of bands, making it somewhat fitting that his very own name is remarkably similar to the word ‘journeyman’. Expectations for something special will be high; can he scale the heights the indie legends achieved, which had been the result of an inimitable partnership with flamboyant singer and lyricist Morrissey, or would he end up with egg on his face, returning to band life with his tail between his legs? Rumoured to be one of the nicest guys in the music world, you’re already hoping for his sake that it won’t be the latter.
Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Saturday, 09 February 2013
Bullet For My Valentine - Temper Temper (Album Review)
Once praised for their ability to produce classic and powerful hits as well as heartfelt ballads, Bullet For My Valentine have seemingly slipped further and further from their former metal ways. Back in 2010 'Temper Temper'’s predecessor 'Fever' was released and subsequently criticised for straying from Bullet’s metal roots. Moving on three years and Bullet have drifted from metal altogether, settling for hard rock instead. Fourth studio album 'Temper Temper' will no doubt have die-hard fans up in arms because if you’ve come to this album looking for the old Bullet then you might as well leave now. On the other hand, if you’re open to change then embrace 'Temper Temper' with open arms and you never know, you just might like it.
Written by: Katie Vowles | Date: Thursday, 07 February 2013
Bridget Kelly - Special Delivery (Single Review)
The past few years have seen a new generation of R&B stars entering the fray; for one Bruno Mars with his cheeky hybrid of Motown, Rock and Reggae with the moves (and a quiff to match) that Elvis himself would have very approved of. We also must not forget the immensely talented Frank Ocean who has reminded the world that R&B isn’t just music to make “sweet love” to (R.I.P. Barry White) but is a critically acclaimed as well as a commercial powerhouse.
Written by: Jaspreet Kaur Takhi | Date: Wednesday, 06 February 2013
Steve Lukather - Transition (Album Review)
As far as impressive musical resumes go, few can match the one belonging to American guitarist, writer, arranger and producer Steve Lukather. As a founding member of AOR superstars Toto he's shifted a tidy 35 million records, but it's his work as a session musician that really catches the eye, contributing to over 1500 albums by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Miles Davis. As well as playing most of the guitar parts on a certain Michael Jackson album called 'Thriller'. He's also released a string of genre hopping solo albums, with his recent output displaying deeply personal, emotionally charged songwriting following the breakdown of his marriage, his mothers death and numerous nasty business wrangles. 'Transition' continues that introspective trend, but this time there's hope amidst the pain as the album moves from lost and angry to resigned and hopeful. Whilst not as musically thrilling as 2008's 'Ever Changing Times' or 2010's 'All's Well That Ends Well', 'Transition' is more song centric and focussed, whilst still delivering a cornucopia of styles that encompasses scorned blues grooves, lush soundscapes, prog dexterity, jazzy flourishes and his trademark melodic rock sensibilities.
Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 04 February 2013
The Virginmarys - King Of Conflict (Album Review)
It is not very often that listening to a new album makes you want to cry, dance and brawl at the same time, but The Virginmarys’ 'King of Conflict' does just that. It is like getting caught in a ruckus that leaves you with a bloody nose, a smile on your face and a rush to the head.
Written by: Anna Ghislena | Date: Monday, 04 February 2013
Humanfly - Awesome Science (Album Review)
Humanfly have always had a progressive streak in their musical armoury. That much is for certain. Somewhere between 2010’s impressive 'Darker Later' and their new record, 'Awesome Science', however the quartet’s lens has clearly shifted focus somewhat. 'Darker Later' was an oppressive, suffocatingly heavy record reliant on the immense power of the riff. 'Awesome Science', on the other hand, finds its brilliance in the dynamic plains the group traverse more thoroughly here than ever before.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 01 February 2013
Man The Machetes - Idiokrati (Album Review)
In the style of Kvelertak come Man the Machetes, another bunch of rowdy Norwegians who come armed with more tunes than is healthy for debut albums and, so I have been told, dynamite live shows. In just a couple of years the quintet have already started to make waves, having already played major festivals and gained some sought after radio airplay in their home nation.
The Pigeon Detectives - Animal (Single Review)
The Pigeon Detectives really are victims of the modern music trends. They were absolutely EVERYWHERE just five short years ago and now, nothing. It’s a shame really because, despite being not entirely ground-breaking, they always wrote catchy enough indie-rock anthems that would please a crowd at a gig. However, upon seeing what the Arctic Monkeys have gotten up to, still selling records despite a drop off in the guitar genre, it now seems like they have decided to all but copy their sound.
Written by: James Ball | Date: Friday, 01 February 2013
Heaven's Basement - Filthy Empire (Album Review)
If one band has had more ups and downs than a groupie’s knickers, (if you’ll pardon that well-worn phrase), having tried and tried again for years on end, then surely, success must prevail for Heavens Basement at last? With a history of hectic touring schedules behind and ahead of them; some significant band member changes over the years and two EPs to their name, the UK rockers are about to release their debut album, recorded and produced by John Feldman (Black Veil Brides/Papa Roach).
Written by: Anna Ghislena | Date: Thursday, 31 January 2013
Guapo - History Of The Visitation (Album Review)
The world of ‘progressive rock’ is one riddled with contradictions, especially today, when most of the bands that are generally seen to fall within its boundaries are arguably the very opposite of ‘progressive’ in their clear reliance on the influence of the classic prog acts of the 70s. Guapo, though, have a little more genuine claim to being ‘progressive’ than most of their contemporaries. Certainly the band is not especially original in the aesthetics of their sound, but there is something in their approach that bites a bit more keenly than the work of many others.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 30 January 2013
The Bronx - IV (Album Review)
Often, album titles can hint towards what the album is about, or can offer some ideas as to how it could differ from past works. The Bronx, however, do not follow convention. Where the likes of Billy Talent eventually broke their eponymous titling last year, we now find ourselves facing the Los Angeles punk outfit's fourth self-titled record. Regardless of giving nothing away in the title, the record feels long overdue, and - in that sense - the fact there is a record at all is enough!
Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 28 January 2013
Biffy Clyro - Opposites (Album Review)
I’ll start with an admission. Biffy Clyro are the band that changed my life. You wouldn’t be reading this review without them. They sparked in me a passion for music that has only grown since the day I first bought 'Infinity Land' (in the St. Albans branch of HMV in case you were interested) as an impressionable thirteen year-old. This Scottish trio not only made music that I found immeasurably appealing, they seemed like three ordinary guys who were prepared to sweat it out for long-overdue success. That’s what they did. Fast forward a few years and Biffy Clyro are the biggest guitar band in Britain, besides Muse. They have earned their success through sheer hard work and dedication to their craft. 2007’s 'Puzzle' and its follow up, 2009’s 'Only Revolutions', may have lacked a bit of the raw excitement of their early material but Biffy Clyro still had a discernible character that was all their own. Their move away from awkward post-hardcore was not selling out, as some would claim; it was just a natural progression of the band’s sound. Biffy moved into creating stadium-sized rock with a heart and a soul, whilst retaining a very real personality that continued to set them apart from lame posturers such as All Time Low and You Me at Six.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 28 January 2013
Pure Love - Anthems (Album Review)
“I’m so sick of singing about hate, it’s never gonna make a change!” These lyrics make me chuckle. Not because they’re funny. No. They make me chuckle because they’re sung by Frank Carter. And the last time I saw Frank Carter, he was at risk of shredding his vocal chords whilst screaming “Misery fucking loves me! And I love her so!” in front of an incessantly violent crowd. At 11 O’clock in the morning. He also got a circle pit going. At 11 O’clock in the morning, ladies and gentlemen. Surely you can all understand how taken aback I was when I heard him sounding, well... happy.
Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Sunday, 27 January 2013
The Joy Formidable - Wolf's Law (Album Review)
Female-fronted Welsh trio The Joy Formidable return with a follow-up to their 2011 debut offering in the shape of ‘Wolf’s Law’.
Written by: James Goodall | Date: Friday, 25 January 2013
Boduf Songs - Burnt Up On Re-Entry (Album Review)
It’s difficult to get a firm grip on what makes Mat Sweet (the man behind Boduf Songs) tick. It would certainly seem that it’s not enough for him to merely present his feelings; he wants to make us feel with him. Such a desire has resulted in a change of musical approach for album number five. The Red House Painters-esque acoustic format previously favoured by Sweet is here ditched for a more varied palate that sees him shooting for the dense, if uncluttered, soundscape approach of Swans as well as the seamlessly contradictory arrangements of Radiohead.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 25 January 2013
Tomahawk - Oddfellows (Album Review)
There’s no point in trying, and inevitably failing, to sum up Tomahawk. Let’s just call them a supergroup, and not one of those supergroups that fall into the category just because one of their members is an ex-member of Whitesnake or something. Tomahawk are Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle), Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, John Zorn) and John Stanier (Helmet, Battles). All legends in their own right those guys, whether their names leap off the screen to you or not. Dunn is a new member to the fold, replacing Kevin Rutmanis (Cows, Melvins) on bass, but otherwise this is the same ensemble cast that made three delightfully intriguing records in the last decade. Never entirely one thing or the other, Tomahawk are perhaps best categorised as a plain old ‘rock’ band, but then such determination to categorise can be misleading.
Cult Of Luna - Vertikal (Album Review)
It’s been a long time since we have heard anything from Cult of Luna. Perhaps more so even than genre progenitors Isis and Neurosis, Cult of Luna have been the critical standard for atmospheric sludge based heaviness over the last decade and more. Their last three releases in particular, the epic 'Salvation', the crushing 'Somewhere Along the Highway' and the brooding 'Eternal Kingdom', have won unanimous praise from pretty much everyone who has ever heard them.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Riverside - Shrine Of New Generation Slaves (Album Review)
Riverside have always been a rather curious band. Never quite living up to the huge potential they demonstrated on their first two records, as a band they are perhaps representative of a modern progressive rock scene that struggles with risk-taking. Certainly Riverside are a talented group of players and songwriters, but by the time that 2009’s 'Anno Domini High Definition' rolled around you could be forgiven for thinking that the band had used up all the tricks in their narrow rock/metal arsenal.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Masayoshi Fujita - Stories (Album Review)
Japanese born, but Berlin based, Masayoshi Fujita is no stranger to acclaim with either his El Fog project or through collaborative work, but 'Stories' represents what is being presented as his first solo album proper. A student of the vibraphone, an instrument so largely ignored within the sphere of contemporary music that even the most indulgent seventies prog rock artists struggled to find a use for it, Fujita takes influence predominantly from the world of classical and jazz, something apparent throughout 'Stories'.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013
Voivod - Target Earth (Album Review)
Although they may now be almost forgotten in the annals of metal history, Voivod’s place amongst the legends of the genre is effectively assured for those in the know. Notable figures such as Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt have attested to their influence, and the near-universal acclaim afforded to their classic work such as 'Killing Technology' and 'Dimension Hatröss' emphasises the importance of their finest era in the late eighties.
Septicflesh - Mystic Places Of Dawn (Album Review)
Septicflesh. The name just sounds evil, doesn’t it? For those of you who aren’t wise to Septicflesh’s blackened brand of death metal, worry not; their music more than lives up to the evil suggested in the name. After a 5-year hiatus, they returned in 2008 with the grandiose, unparalleled majesty of ‘Communion’, following it up in 2011 with the inferior (yet still ridiculously skull shattering) ‘The Great Mass’. Fast-forward to 2013, and Septicflesh are on the cusp of re-releasing their 1994 debut ‘Mystic Places Of Dawn’. Given the fact that it was re-issued previously 11 years ago, I’m sure that many fans have been left wondering if they should actually bother with this one. And should they? Well... yes.
Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013
Funeral For A Friend - Conduit (Album Review)
Welsh post-hardcore outfit Funeral for a Friend’s full circle revival has been completed with the release of their sixth studio album ‘Conduit’. In the past the Welsh rockers haven’t been renowned for their consistency with numerous line-up changes and their previous release history having varied wildly since their much lauded and highly praised debut album ‘Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation’ back in 2003. ‘Conduit’ however further strengthens the foundations that the band’s last two releases built and shows a positive trajectory that fans will have been hoping to see since the early releases that the band had to offer.
Written by: James Goodall | Date: Monday, 21 January 2013
Mountains - Centralia (Album Review)
They say dogs look like their owners. Well, in the case of Mountains at least, an ambient/post-rock duo of Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp from Brooklyn, here is one band that sounds like their name.
Brokeback - Brokeback And The Black Rock (Album Review)
Where is the black rock? All I see is a pylon and a petrol station in the middle of a desert. I don’t like being misled like this. I want to see Douglas McCombs standing on a massive dark rock the size of said petrol station, perhaps brandishing a Fender Jazzmaster or a sword. It could look like one of those so terrible they’re hilarious covers of Metal Hammer where they get Mikael Åkerfeldt (or someone equally metal and beardy) to smear themselves with fake blood and brandish a medieval weapon as if they are about to decapitate Justin Bieber.
The Blackout - Start The Party (Album Review)
When the title and artwork for the latest album from The Blackout ‘Start The Party’ was released some fans feared the welsh sextet had had a little too much fun in the sun and their fourth album would be more at home in the clubs of the Balearic Islands; but they wouldn’t do that to their fans, would they?
Written by: Amy Angel | Date: Sunday, 20 January 2013
Leviticus Pharaoh - As Elizabeth (Single Review)
Now if I were to say to the words “Leviticus Pharaoh”, what would be your immediate reaction? I felt as though someone had thrown a copy of the Old Testament at me and I was about to hear to some obscure Christian revival band warning me of the dangers of ignoring burning bushes. However, I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Leviticus Pharaoh, who to my mild disappointment was not born Leviticus Pharaoh, but Joselito Antonio Gonzalez Pharaoh is a singer, songwriter and dancer who has a colourful geographical history.
Written by: Jaspreet Kaur Takhi | Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Bon Jovi - Because We Can (Single Review)
The first single to be taken from the mega-selling New Jersey veterans forthcoming album won't change anyone's opinion of the band. Seasoned haters will undoubtedly loathe it, but how will their long term fans react? Aside from blindly devoted sycophants, the response to Bon Jovi's post millennial output has been mixed, with many bemoaning a lack of swaggering, guitar driven rock & roll tracks in favour of country infused ditties and U2 influenced anthemics. In contrast, others love the way they've welded their endless optimism to a more contemporary sound, refusing to be a one trick nostalgia act. 'Because We Can' will only intensify that divide as it's easily the most commercial piece of pop candy Bon Jovi have ever written, with it's chirpy chorus and minimal guitar work a world away from the blue collar raunch of 'Bad Medicine'.
Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Black Veil Brides - Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones (Album Review)
Few bands seem to divide the masses nowadays quite like California's own Black Veil Brides. Openly on a quest for world domination, the band opted to challenge themselves with their third record by conquering the rock opera concept album, with an accompanying movie for those so inclined. And so, we turn to the highly anticipated 'Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones'.
Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 14 January 2013
M9 - Magna Carta (Album Review)
There are significant changes afoot in the world of UK hip hop. With grime is on the way out, and its established heads like Wiley and Dizzee Rascal moving towards poppy pastures new, hip hop is again gaining popularity in cities all over the UK. The battle scene is also making waves with Don't Flop boasting now one of the biggest battle-league fanbases on the planet. Most tangibly though, there is a real sense that hip hop is now a real voice for young people seeking change – see the recently retired Lowkey and Logic's 'People's Army'; M9 also fits this mould.
Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Monday, 14 January 2013
This Town Needs Guns - 13.0.0.0.0 (Album Review)
Their vocalist might have changed, but This Town Needs Guns remain one of the most unique math rock acts to emerge in this country. On '13.0.0.0.0', the band consolidate their reputation by each doing what they do best: twinkly guitar lines, creative time signatures, heartfelt vocals with a 90s emo tint and some ridiculously precise drum parts. With that said, the gradual modifications that the band (now a three-piece) have made since their stunning self titled EP, are very pronounced.
Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Friday, 11 January 2013
Rush – 2112 (Deluxe Reissue) (Album Review)
It is difficult for this generation to gauge how much of an impact an album like '2112' would of had when it first dropped - why, my own Dad was only fourteen when this came out. Rush were a band that were yet to release anything successful in a commercial or critical sense, and they flopped with their first real attempt at experimentation, the forgettable 'Caress of Steel'. All things considered, I am still surprised at how fresh and playful '2112', the follow-up, sounds.
Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Wednesday, 09 January 2013
Caroline Street - Salt And Vinegar (Album Review)
If you're from Cardiff the chances are the band name here has already piqued your interest. 'Caroline Street' (also known as chippy lane or chip alley) is a well known avenue of late night/early morning takeaways in Cardiff's city centre frequented by those in need of food before making their way home after a nights clubbing. Why then would a band based in Helsinki, Finland use this as their name? The answer is lead singer and songwriter Tom Morgan who was brought up in Pembrokeshire, West Wales before moving to Helsinki 8 years ago and found it had a nice ring when deciding on his band name. While the wooden chip forks used as the bands logo (they plan to print some and use them instead of business cards) may give the impression this is all some sort of gimmick, he's deadly serious about turning what's currently a hobby into a full time job as a professional musician and on this evidence he's well on his way.
Written by: David Ball | Date: Monday, 07 January 2013
Everything Everything - Arc (Album Review)
When a band is difficult to pigeon-hole, such as Everything Everything, it is hard to mark out exactly what development would be. On 'Man Alive', their debut, the quartet were so fiercely unique that it was hard to keep up. However, the atypical math rock structures were never a problem – rather, it was the band's indecisive nature of when to switch gear that held it back from being the memorable release it could have been. That, and the almost comical vocals.
Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Saturday, 05 January 2013
Pitbull - Global Warming (Album Review)
Before I delve into a review of Pitbull's seventh studio album, I might as well inform the hipper-than-thou diversity brigade that there is nothing on 'Global Warming' that you will be able to enjoy even ironically, so you might as well jog on now. This is, as ever, a glorified compilation of generic club “anthems” that is nevertheless classified as an LP. Even Pitbull knows that is what it is; in fact, Pitbull has a type of diabolic genius, at least in terms of business.
