Sound Of Guns - Angels And Enemies (Album Review)

Liverpool are well known for some of the biggest musical highlights the world have ever given us, and none are more prolific than the band that really kick started guitar-based pop rock, The Beatles. Now, dear Sound of Guns fans, I'm not going to raise expectations of your favourite bands' second full length release to one of the most well known bands of all time, because that would be unfair, but once you say a band is from Liverpool, you do almost expect near perfection every time.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Friday, 23 March 2012

Jodie Marie – Mountain Echo (Album Review)

It has been a cracking week for the country of Wales, as their ball-tossing gladiators bashed up their bigger neighbours, and won another rugby grand slam. The fans' passion was palpable, after all, they're able to combine the two things that they love most – watching rugby, and of course, singing. And the Welsh have never been short on singers that can belt it out: Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Katherine Jenkins, Duffy and Charlotte Church to name but a few.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Thursday, 22 March 2012

Scholars - Bad For Business (Single Review)

I'll admit, I had a feeling of dread when I heard the introduction to this. I thought it was going to be a Sum41-by-numbers piece that I was already dreading listening to the mandatory multiple number of times to write a proper review of. Then the lyrics begin and all is forgiven. Phew!

Written by: James Ball | Date: Thursday, 22 March 2012

Graham Coxon - A+E (Album Review)

Blur are everywhere again at the moment. They've sold out another Hyde Park gig just three years after their much heralded comeback and rumours continue to spread about new material. So former wantaway axe-man Graham Coxon shows the world he's still more than capable of bringing out an epic record on his own, and you seriously have to hear it to believe it.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Thursday, 22 March 2012

Meshuggah - Koloss (Album Review)

It is sad that, despite their legendary status in metal’s higher echelons, Meshuggah are rapidly becoming best known to a new generation of heavy music fans as the forefathers of ‘djent’. It is undoubtedly true that, were it not for the influence of these Swedish masters of the polyrhythm, ‘djent’ bands like Tesseract and Aliases would not currently be making waves as they are today. Yet really Meshuggah are something far more important than just the band that belatedly started a scene with debatable excitement credentials. Meshuggah are a band that genuinely changed perceptions of what could be done with the genre of heavy metal. There may have been plenty of other bands that have pushed metal to its experimental, technical outskirts but few who have forged a career as extreme and yet progressive as this one.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 21 March 2012

The Levels – Listen (EP Review)

The Levels, formerly known as Bright Lights by long term fans, have been on the local music scene, gigging around various Liverpool venues since 2010. Over the past two years they have had many successful gigs and have drastically increased their fan base.

Written by: Sophie Monk | Date: Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Hawk Eyes - Ideas (Album Review)

For those unaware it is best to reveal early…Hawk Eyes used to be Chickenhawk. Under that previous name they released the cutthroat awesomeness of 'Modern Bodies'. For those that worried their name change meant a move from high-octane vicious post-alternative-hardcore-metal or whatever it is that they did on that first album, to something far more restrained and easy going, then do not fear. Hawk Eyes are back in just as absurdly barnstorming a fashion as they were on last year’s teaser EP 'Mindhammers' and as before their name change.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Dio - Holy Diver, The Last In Line, Sacred Heart (Reissue Album Review)

Legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio sadly passed away last year from stomach cancer and to celebrate his life and work his first three solo albums, 'Holy Diver' (small pic), 'The Last in Line' and 'Sacred Heart' are being re-released this month. Before his expansive solo career Dio became famous for replacing Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and being one of the main singers who sang with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow over the years. These CDs are all endorsed by Ronnie's widow, Wendy Dio and they all come with a whole extra disc of bonus tracks and B-sides along with the remastered version of the original album.

Written by: Steven James | Date: Monday, 19 March 2012

Ed Vallance - Volcano (Album Review)

The accumulation of creating music all over the world has resulted in something quite magnificent. British singer songwriter, Ed Vallance has produced something rather memorable, with the release of, ‘Volcano.’ The London born musician, now residing in Brooklyn, has brought forth his amazing debut EP, enlisting beautiful harmonies and spine tingling vocals. It’s nice to hear something different, something so fresh and raw.b‘Volcano’ is the antidote to the missing link in the music industry; it is a delivery of contemporary music, intertwined with elegance.

Written by: Yasmin La Ronde | Date: Friday, 16 March 2012

Wet Nuns - Throttle (Single Review)

If you haven't heard of Wet Nuns, then you are in for a treat. Having been introduced to them in the best possible way (seeing them perform live), they are by far one of the most exciting bands that I have come across in a very long time. Their profile is rising slowly but you mark my words, this magical duo are going to be huge. NME has already named them “Band To Watch 2012” and Arctic Monkeys Matt Helders has remixed their previous single 'Heaven’s Below'.

Written by: Kimberley Martinez-Meakins | Date: Friday, 16 March 2012

The Popes - New Church (Album Review)

Once best known for being Shane MacGowan's (The Pogues) “backing band”, the Popes have quietly gone on to carve their own career with Paul “Mad Dog” McGuinness at the helm. On New Church, McGuinness' vocals sound as husky and comfortable as ever. My problem, unfortunately, is with everything else.

Written by: Jonathon Rimmer | Date: Thursday, 15 March 2012

Michael Bolton - Gems the Very Best Of (Album Review)

When an artist reaches the point in their career to be able to release ‘Best Of...’ albums, it’s always guaranteed to be a treat to the huge fans they’ve accumulated along the way. Not content with a mere compilation of his greatest hits in the form of ‘The Very Best Of’, Michael Bolton is treating fans to a second disc – ‘Gems’ – a collection of duets.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Seether - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray (Album Review)

When a band release the same album on dates particularly far apart, it can often render the offering a little anticlimactic as fans will have acquired the album online by the time it officially drops in their country. With this in mind, Seether’s ‘Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray’ could have been one of those releases to kind of fall between the cracks due to its huge success already but they’ve offered a whole range of bonuses to warrant rife anticipation. Cue: extra songs, remixes and an additional DVD.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Halestorm - The Strange Case Of... (Album Review)

The music industry is swamped with bands, fronted by female vocalist, and this band is no different. Halestorm are a four-piece band hailing from Pennsylvania, and since the phenomenal EP release, ‘Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde’, they are about to exhibit their full-length album; ‘The Strange Case Of…’ The long wait is finally over, and Halestorm have gone to town on their second album.

Written by: Yasmin La Ronde | Date: Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Nero - Must Be The Feeling (Single Review)

Nero are continuing the cause to take dub step and bass music to the charts and to the masses with this euphoric four minute party smasher. Signed to the Chase and Status’ label MTA Records, the English producer duo, known to their mothers respectively as Daniel Stephens and Joe Ray, released their debut album “Welcome Reality” just in time for the festivals in August last year. They baffled many, charting at number 1 in the UK at the demand of the bass maddened youth of today while the older generation sat scratching their heads as to what this new alien form of music was, just as their heroes Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers have done in the past.

Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Paul Weller - Sonik Kicks (Album Review)

Having celebrated three full decades in music several years ago, as well as notching up his tenth solo studio album 'Wake Up The Nation' only last year, it could be expected that even Paul Weller would be churning out the type of guitar rock music that could easily transcend to live shows, keeping his long built fan base comfortable. It’s entirely to Weller’s credit that for his latest release, ‘Sonik Kicks’, he has gone in almost every direction but the straight-forward.

Written by: Dave Ball | Date: Monday, 12 March 2012

The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow (Album Review)

The album begins with a lushious guitar sound before you are immediately introduced to the beautiful harmonies from the two talented songwriters behind the music. John Paul White and Joy Williams first met at a songwriting session in Nashville in 2008, and have since created this stunning album. The band have already gained plenty of success in the U.S having picked up two grammys, including best folk album. They have built up a great reputation through performing and word of mouth and have supported Adele on the U.S leg of her North American tour. After a listen to the album and seeing a live performance it is easy to understand why they have gained such attention.

Written by: Charlie Hurt | Date: Monday, 12 March 2012

Various Artists - Keep Calm and Relax (Compilation Album Review)

‘KEEP CALM AND RELAX’ screams the title of Sony’s latest compilation mash-up. Hot on the heels of Decembers ‘best of’ Christmas albums and February's ‘best of’ Love Songs albums comes an album specifically designed for your dear old Mother just in time for Mothering Sunday. Next month will surely see The Best of Chas and Dave - ‘Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit’ just in time for Easter……or perhaps not.

Written by: Daniel Clark | Date: Monday, 12 March 2012

White Bone Rattle - When I Return (Single Review)

An aptly named song title for the band hailing from Kent, as they return with a great new track that really showcases the versatility in their sound.

Written by: Ryan Crittenden | Date: Monday, 12 March 2012

Lights - Siberia (Album Review)

Being dubbed a sensation of synth-pop to many, LIGHTS had quite a pressure to follow up her 2009 release ‘The Listening’. While it was good, it seemed a relatively standard release for the genre musically, although well executed. With the initial release of her follow up ‘Siberia’ being late last year, the album finally sees itself being officially dropped in the UK and we’re presented with a more dynamic and more enjoyable offering than its predecessor.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 12 March 2012