John K Samson - Provincial (Album Review)

An undeniably talented wordsmith, “Provincial” is John K. Samson’s first solo record for nineteen years. After his departure from Propaghandi in 1997, he went on to act as frontman for The Weakerthans, but it is five years since their last studio album. As such it seems a little puzzling to see Samson return in this fashion at this time. For, while “Provincial” is a good record, it is hard to see what exactly makes it unsuitable for being The Weakerthans’ comeback record.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 27 January 2012

Rodrigo y Gabriela & C.U.B.A. - Area 52 (Album Review)

From busking in Dublin to headlining Glastonbury’s West Holts Stage, two guitars were all Rodrigo y Gabriela needed to wow the crowds. But now in a bold new move the virtuoso acoustic duo have got together with the 13 piece Cuban Orchestra C.U.B.A. for their latest album, Area 52.

Written by: Tim Cox | Date: Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Lionsex - Get It (Album Review)

Never judge a book by its cover! or at least, a band by its effigy where Milton Keynes glam-rock outfit, Lionsex is concerned. With an image easily passable of an 80’s styled Motley Crue, you’d be forgiven for stereotyping image with sound and thinking they were about as sleazy as The Treatment and as cartoonish as Steel Panther... but you’d be wrong.

Written by: Gemma Johnson | Date: Monday, 23 January 2012

Mike Marlin - Man On The Ground (Album Review)

'Man on the Ground' is the second album from British singer-songwriter Mike Marlin, who has been hailed by HMV as the next big thing. His first release took him 50 years to get out there, but 'Man on the Ground' was recorded as it was written and is due out in February, less than a year after his debut. So is this another album formulated of ideas from the inner-workings of a mature songwriter or just a speedy second release?

Written by: Steven James | Date: Friday, 20 January 2012

Therapy? - Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing (Single Review)

Despite the belief of some that Therapy?’s career began and ended with 1994’s Mercury nominated ‘Troublegum’, Therapy? are now entering their 23rd year in the business with the Irish trio due to release a thirteenth album on 6th February 2012. Their first release on new label Blast Records, ‘A Brief Crack Of Light’, is described as ‘a dark, unsettling compendium of 21st century schizoid noise’. The lead single from the album ‘Living In The Shadow Of The Terrible Thing’ will precede the album, released on 23rd January 2012 and it’s really quite good.

Written by: Dave Ball | Date: Friday, 20 January 2012

Cher Lloyd feat. Astro - Want U Back (Single Review)

Since appearing on X Factor in 2010, we’ve always known Cher Lloyd liked to break the conventions – she was one of, if not, the first contestants to rap mid-song – now it seems she’s breaking the conventions of spelling, with her latest track ‘Want U Back’.

Written by: Melisa Greenfield | Date: Thursday, 19 January 2012

Patricia Hammond - Our Lovely Day (Album Review)

If you're under the age of 30... let's say 70, it is more than likely that an album of “nice”, occasionally jazz-inflected songs with titles like 'A Nice Cup of Tea' and 'We'll Gather Lilacs' will probably not be up your street. I get that. If you already have the impression that an album called Our Lovely Day will serve better as a birthday present for your Granny, I get that too. Arctic Monkeys this aint.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Wednesday, 18 January 2012

The Maccabees - Given To The Wild (Album Review)

The Maccabees’ track history of album releases is a pretty impressive one. 2007’s ‘Colour It In’ was the word-of-mouth success story of that year whilst “difficult” second album ‘Wall Of Arms’ proved not to be so difficult, catapulting The Maccabees to further deserved success in 2009 with a fantastic follow up. Jump forward to 2012 and the band are back with their long awaited third album, ‘Given To The Wild’. A lot of bands have a habit of declining in quality as their career progresses, but can The Maccabees do the exact opposite and improve with time?

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Little Roy - Lithium (Single Review)

Lithium is the latest Nirvana song to be taken from the album Battle for Seattle, Little Roy's 10 track reggae tribute to grunge legends, Nirvana. I'm not sure what Kurt Cobain would think about reggae covers of his songs, or indeed anybody making records made up entirely of his music, but as far as being a tribute to a legend, this could have been a hell of a lot worse.

Written by: Steven James | Date: Monday, 16 January 2012

Rough Trade Shops - Electronic 11 (Compilation Review)

Made up of 22 tracks picked out by the staff of the London Rough Trade shops; Electronic 11 is a compilation of minimal electro creations for you to graze your ears upon as you stumble and groan over another unwelcome new year.

Written by: Tim Cox | Date: Friday, 13 January 2012

Anja McCloskey - A Kiss (Single Review)

Last time we saw Anja, she was spookily tracking a vampirish couple through heavy woodland for single ‘And Her Head’. Her new release ‘A Kiss’ featuring David Miatt from Thomas Tantrum, has already gained praise from Q Magazine, winning the ‘Track of the Day’ spot earlier this month.

Written by: V O'Hagan | Date: Wednesday, 11 January 2012

JuiceheaD - How To Sail A Sinking Ship (Album Review)

Chicago has spawned a vast array of successful punk bands over the years and it seems JuiceheaD’s sophomore effort ‘How To Sail A Sinking Ship’ will solidify their addition to this list. Released on Misfits Records, the albums follows up 2007’s ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ with a similar formula, but a greater metaphorical attack on the senses.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Wednesday, 11 January 2012

White Denim - Last Day of Summer (Album Review)

Following last year’s acclaimed D, White Denim return as they release in proper Last Day of Summer, a collection of songs written since the band’s formation in 2006 and recorded over one frantic month. Previously put out as a free download on the band’s website in September 2010 following label problems, the album drew me back time and again and is well worth that hard earned tenner. “It represented a final opportunity to make a record in our own space on our own terms.” said singer James Petralli’s. “We were fully aware that because of typical recording industry practices, this record would have little to no chance of receiving a typical release. With that truth in our minds, we resolved ourselves to completing Last Day of Summer in one month. After the completion of the record we all planned to go out and get day jobs, the band once again becoming a weekend project.”

Written by: Tom Bevan | Date: Monday, 09 January 2012

Tall Ships - Hit The Floor (Single Review)

Brighton based trio Tall Ships have gone from strength to strength since the release of their EP ‘There Is Nothing But Chemistry Here’ last year and in Hit the Floor they have produced yet another energetic bundle of experimental indie brilliance.

Written by: Ryan Crittenden | Date: Tuesday, 03 January 2012

Skrillex - Bangarang (EP Review)

Skrillex is actually a man called Sonny Moore who used to be the lead singer and guitarist in an emo band called From First To Last (They were actually quite good!). The band disappeared into obscurity after the release of their second LP and I thought that would be the last anyone would hear of any of them. This was back in 2004.

Written by: Marcus Colley | Date: Tuesday, 03 January 2012

Various Artists - Punk Goes Pop 4 (Album Review)

'Punk Goes Pop 4' is the twelfth release in Fearless Records' ongoing Punk Goes... series. After covering metal, classic rock and even rap Pop Goes Punk 4 once again returns to pop music and brings together several newer pop-punk/screamo/metalcore bands and has them covering tracks from the charts.

Written by: Steven James | Date: Friday, 23 December 2011

Blacklisters - I Can Confirm (Single Review)

It seems that Leeds mob Blacklisters could not quite bear to let the year escape without giving us one last reminder of their jabbing hardcore influenced noise. Thankfully “I Can Confirm” is not just gratuitous noise making. Blacklisters do have something about them, something that makes this scribe think that their forthcoming debut record will be pretty spectacular when it is finally released next year.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 22 December 2011

Under The Driftwood Tree - If Only If (Single Review)

Cardiff five piece Under the Driftwood Tree have toured the UK and Ireland tirelessly for the last two years and have built up quite a following for their acclaimed live shows. Likened to Folk heavyweights Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver and hailed by Radio 1 BBC Introducing as ‘Completely unique’, Under the Driftwood tree describe their music as a mixture of Surf, folk and ‘dancey stuff’. ‘If Only If’ is their first studio recording; released following a particularly successful year which saw them play numerous festivals (including Secret Garden Party, Beach Break Live, Green Man) and saw them win the Isambard NuFolk Award.

Written by: Tim Cox | Date: Wednesday, 21 December 2011

The Black Keys - El Camino (Album Review)

Across their career The Black Keys have been applauded for following the example of Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver, by breathing new indie life in to a style of music your dad will be confused to hear you playing. The Ohio double act that is Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach are making old school bluesy rock and roll cool again with a sound that’s reminiscent of Eric Clapton as much as it is with say, the Raconteurs.

Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Alice Gold - Wondrous Place (Single Review)

A cover of the Billy Fury song, this version is more instantly recognisable from a recent advertising campaign for beer. Whether these songs then ever get rid of that tag once they are released is another question, but thankfully Alice Gold already has a foundation of song-writing of her own and live appearances under her belt, which already puts her miles ahead of the likes of Babylon Zoo.

Written by: Helen Manley | Date: Tuesday, 13 December 2011