Hammock - Departure Songs (Album Review)

Nashville-based duo Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson make up the group Hammock, widely associated with a gentle ambient sound to varied forms of shoegaze and post-rock. They have been prolific since their debut album 'Kenotic' in 2005, and on their most recent seventh full-length studio release 'Departure Songs', the duo return to grace listeners with their celestial soundscapes. The double-album features many tracks tinged with sadness, addressing the powerful human want of hanging on when needing to let go.

Written by: Jonathan Lin | Date: Wednesday, 03 October 2012

Tori Amos - Gold Dust (Album Review)

There's always a sense of dread when artists revisit their past work. Great songs capture an artist's mental and emotional perspective at a particular point in time, and that original intent is inevitably lost when they're reworked years later. Enter flame haired piano spanking Goddess Tori Amos, intent on bucking the trend. As one of the most idiosyncratic and eccentric musicians of her generation the thought of Tori revisiting her back catalogue is intriguing. Especially when said songs have been reinterpreted with a concert Orchestra. The result, however, is a surprisingly conservative affair that on the one hand gives so much, but on the other could have been so much more.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 01 October 2012

Papa Roach - The Connection (Album Review)

Papa Roach are one of those bands who have consciously developed their sound throughout their career while maintaining a cores essence of self in its midst. As their latest offering 'The Connection' sees them dabbling in a more electronic field, one thing is still clear: This is Papa Roach, and they won't compromise.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 01 October 2012

Tall Ships - Everything Touching (Album Review)

To say that it has felt like a long wait for Tall Ships to release their debut full-length would be a bit of an understatement. The Falmouth loop lovers released their first, self-titled, EP back in early 2010, following it up with 'There is Nothing but Chemistry Here' later that same year. Now two years for a proper album may not sound that long, but considering how brilliant both of those EPs were the wait has felt tragically lengthy. Furthermore it has ramped up expectation for 'Everything Touching' to the point that, as it finally sees the light of day, it sees Tall Ships under real pressure to perform.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 27 September 2012

Castrovalva - You’re Not in Hell, You’re in Purgatory My Friend (Album Review)

Perhaps being straightforward really is overrated. Perhaps the fastest route to musical satisfaction is actually through being as awkward as humanly possible. Castrovalva certainly seem to think so. For them the question is very firmly “What can’t we do?” Unfortunately for purists, however, they proceed to collect all the answers to that question and then go down the paths suggested by those answers anyway.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Negative Pegasus - Looming (Album Review)

Hold your horses Negative Pegasus! You can’t just turn up out of the blue and inflict upon the world a sweltering forty minute tirade of stomping psychedelia upon the world! That just isn’t the way we do thing around here. We need a good half dozen promising EPs at least first. How the hell am I supposed to sit here and bleat about how you are ‘not the finished article yet’ now? At least fill your debut full-length with a bit of filler to stretch it out to the point it becomes about half as listenable. Honestly, bands these days...

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Two Door Cinema Club - Beacon (Album Review)

The news of the release of 'Beacon' was widely regarded in most young adult circles across the UK as one of the most anticipated follow-up albums of the year. Two Door Cinema Club's rise to fame is an interesting one; they started off as some unknown band on a French indie label, who then gained what you might call a cult following through the use of the internet. Do you remember Myspace? It was basicaly known as THE social media platform for music. Virtualy unknown bands starting out in their careers could upload music using Myspace to reach the wider population and garner some interest and attention that way. It's been incredibly successful for quite a few bands, and Two Door (as they are affectionately known) follow suit. To go from this, to having lead singer Alex Trimble sing at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, well it's pretty incredible. They've pretty much done it all off their own backs, which makes them very personable and likeable, hence the fiercely loyal fanbase who call themselves The Basement People (a line from their track 'Undercover Martyn').

Written by: Emma Dodds | Date: Friday, 21 September 2012

ZZ Top - La Futura (Album Review)

For a 'little ol' band from Texas' ZZ Top have crafted one hell of a large legacy. Famed the world over for their roasting blues rock repertoire and iconic image they've continually moved with the times, seamlessly stitching their earthy aesthetic to the trends of the day. From their early seventies bare knuckled blues, to incorporating new wave nuances by the decade's end (when singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill developed an aversion to shaving and bright lights), to the zeitgeist crashing pop rock dynamics of their all conquering 1980's albums, they've forged an indelible identity that's resonated with fans around the globe. However, by the nineties they'd become cheesy caricatures, more famous for their appearance and videos than for their music. Attempts at reinvention met with mixed results, and since '2003's 'Mescalero' they've been happy to tour without releasing new material. Until now – returning with impeccable timing as blues based music is enjoying a healthy resurgence, thanks to modern acts like The Black Keys making the stripped down rock sound cool again. Thus, to fit in circa 2012 ZZ Top don't need to be anything but their sharp suited, snakeskin booted selves. And that's exactly what they do on 'La Futura'.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 21 September 2012

Fighting With Wire - Colonel Blood (Album Review)

It’s hard to write reviews sometimes. I mean, to be honest, I find it amusing when people post whiny comments on things saying stuff like “Man, you just don’t get this album” or “Wah, don’t be nasty about my favourite band you horrible person”, but occasionally I listen to things a few months after release date and regret being quite so harsh. Equally, the opposite applies on the odd occasion, but with 'Colonel Blood' there is not the same level of hesitation that harshness usually brings. Instead this record strikes me, indubitably, as a dramatic step backwards.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 21 September 2012

Kanye West - Kanye West Presents Cruel Summer (Compilation Review)

I had a feeling that I'd been misinformed when told there was a new Kanye album on the way, so to prefix this review – this is not a Kanye West record/mixtape/compilation, but a deliberately sequenced LP that showcases the 'talent' on the GOOD music label. Sadly, for those who are just keen to hear the Kanye's next outlandish opus, 'Cruel Summer' is aptly named.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Friday, 21 September 2012

Danko Jones - Rock And Roll Is Black And Blue (Album Review)

Though being personally unfamiliar with Danko Jones until watching their recent documentary-style DVD earlier this year (reviewed here), it's proven quite exciting waiting for this release. With little familiarity with their back catalogue to compare it against, it seemed a refreshing change of pace to have to take an album at face value, despite it being quite a while into their career.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Thursday, 20 September 2012

Sex Pistols ‘Never Mind The Bollocks' 35th Ann. Box Set Launches At London's 100 Club (Event Review)

This year sees the 35th anniversary of the Sex Pistols' seminal and only studio album, 'Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols'. An album which not only catapulted the band to cult status, but also helped spawn the punk movement of the 70's - still an era that has an imprint on many of today's bands and music fans. To celebrate one of the most iconic and influential albums in music history, Universal Music UK have put together a super-deluxe box set release full of rare recordings, special treats and hidden gems to excite the most hardcore of fans. To help celebrate this release, Stereoboard attended a special one-off event at the legendary 100 Club in London on Tuesday 18th September, hosted by a panel of industry names and Sex Pistols insiders.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Thursday, 20 September 2012

Devin Townsend Project - Epicloud (Album Review)

Perhaps appropriately, considering the often baffling twists and turns that have dominated his career, I have a somewhat confused relationship with Devin Townsend and his music. On one level I subscribe to the popular view of the times, that the man is a metal genius, on another I find him too prone to silliness for the cynic inside me. With regard to 'Epicloud', the fifth release under the prolific Devin Townsend Project name, I genuinely find it harder than ever to know where I stand.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 20 September 2012

The Killers - Battle Born (Album Review)

One thing you can't say about the Killers is that all their albums sound the same. There's undeniable evolution of their sound in each record, with the band that brought 'Hot Fuss' almost unrecognisable in 'Battle Born'.

Written by: Mark Richards | Date: Wednesday, 19 September 2012

Rival Sons - Head Down (Album Review)

Are you angered by shallow manufactured music and the style over substance culture feeding it? Do you detest overly preened puppets peddling the same soulless lyrical clichés? Does the age of auto tune make you want to go all Van Gogh on your ears? If you answered those questions with a resounding 'hell yeah' then prepare to meet your new favourite band. Los Angeles quartet Rival Sons are a seventies soaked firecracker of explosive rock and roll attitude alight with the spirit and passion of untameable blues. Their music's unconcerned with image and sales as they aim “to give people the rock and roll they deserve by keeping it honest, visceral, and dangerous”. With the release of 'Head Down' they've more than fulfilled that pledge.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Devil Sold His Soul - Empire Of Light (Album Review)

Capable of creating the sort of heavy music that flattens venues across the UK, and yet also masters of melodic refrains that many pop bands would kill for, Devil Sold His Soul may just be Britain’s finest metal export of the last decade. Some would claim that their ambient influenced post-metal lacks originality, whilst complete morons would argue that Ed Gibbs’ clean vocals make the band emo scenesters. In actual fact, 2010’s 'Blessed & Cursed' was one of the best metal records for many a year, gifting listeners a barrage of uncompromising intensity, and often beauty.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Steve Vai - The Story Of Light (Album Review)

Listening to the work of a virtuoso can be both rewarding and a frustrating challenge. For a guitarist who has become a definitive name in the shredding world, Steve Vai represents both sides of this musical coin on his newest album 'The Story of Light'. A mature artist with unquestionable creativity and technical prowess, Vai lets his talent shine in a series of songs that vary from heavy to light, instrumental and packed with vocals, originals and adaptations.

Written by: Jonathan Lin | Date: Monday, 17 September 2012

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Last Of A Dyin' Breed (Album Review)

With over thirty million albums sold and enough tragedy experienced to have defeated most bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd could be forgiven for hanging up their spurs and enjoying a peaceful retirement. Fortunately, these guys are as tough as a tungsten wrecking ball. Whereas many ageing acts lose their inspiration and trundle towards the creative grave churning out sub standard slop for no other reason than to make money touring their hits (cough Queen cough), Skynyrd remain a force to be reckoned with. As such their eighth album since reforming in 1987 - following the plane crash a decade earlier that killed talismanic leader Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister Cassie – is a blinding piece of work from glorious start to exceptional finish.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 14 September 2012

Karma To Burn - Slight Reprise (Album Review)

It seems unfair to chastise Karma to Burn for something that was never their fault in the first place, but one cannot help but lament the turn their career took back when it first started, fifteen years ago. Their debut, self-titled, record is fondly remembered by some as one of the definitive stoner rock records. In reality however it was just a hint at what could have been. Having signed a big fat record contract, on the proviso of getting a vocalist, in order to release said debut record, the band recorded something that, whilst great, lacked the distinctive thunder of their instrumental releases since.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 13 September 2012

Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance 30th Anniversary Edition (Album Review)

It's easy to be cynical about record labels continually re-releasing albums. Whilst remastered versions of vintage material are appreciated, especially when augmented with rare gems, how many times can the same album be updated before fans cry rip-off? With that in mind – what does the 'Special 30th Anniversary Edition' of Judas Priest's metal masterpiece 'Screaming For Vengeance' deliver when compared with the remastered version released in 2001? And is it really worth buying again?

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2012