The Misfits - The Devil’s Rain (Album Review)
Lurking in the air since Jerry Only successfully won his legal battle against Danzig to create and tour under the veil of the Misfits name, that age old debate over whether the band’s varying incarnations can ever live up to what many deem ‘the glory days’ of the band rears its head once more. It’s a sad state of affairs when one of the most impacting bands on punk rock is affiliated more with their iconic logo from the past over their continuing run within music; but sadly, that is the case of The Misfits.
Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 21 November 2011
Max Rafferty - Lonely Town (Single Review)
Presumably already sick and tired of comparisons to his former band The Kooks, ex bassist Max Rafferty is due to release his self-titled debut single ‘Lonely Town’ on November 22nd.
Written by: Emma Newlyn | Date: Thursday, 17 November 2011
Metallica and Lou Reed - Lulu (Album Review)
On paper it seemed like an exciting idea, a chance for both Metallica and Lou Reed to try something fresh, to challenge themselves and their own song writing capabilities bringing each other out of their comfort zones. Co-produced by Metallica, Reed and Hal Willner to the major label Vertigo, it looks like the troupe had both money and freedom on their side to do everything just the way they wanted. But sadly there is nothing to hear that would really suggest it.
Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Wednesday, 16 November 2011
The Vaccines – Wetsuit (Single Review)
London-based indie rockers The Vaccines have easily made 2011 their year. A top 4 album, huge touring support slots, sell out headline tours, magazine covers, award nominations, and even being named as NME’s number one band of the weekend at the legendary Reading and Leeds festivals. Debut album ‘What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?’ has produced some new classics in the making, and its sixth and final single release is certainly following suit.
Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Tuesday, 15 November 2011
†HYMNS† - Cardinal Sins / Contrary Values (Album Review)
†Hymns† really are something of an enigma. A collaboration between ex-Blakfish man Samuel Manville and former SOS drummer Peter Reisner, this self-described ‘atheist rock’ band are clearly determined to spread a message alongside creating their music; no prizes for guessing what that message is. Don’t go running off and calling them Satanists though…that’s just silly.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Steak Number Eight – All is Chaos (Album Review)
For a post-metal act Steak Number Eight are surprisingly unthreatening. A young Belgian group who take influence from the likes of Pelican and fellow countrymen Amenra, this quartet do not quite seem to have got the hang of the game on this second full-length 'All is Chaos'.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 14 November 2011
Joseph Coward - If You Want To Get Going, Get Talking (To Me) (Single Review)
It’s more upbeat than some of it's predecessors but does that matter one bit? No.
Written by: Chris 'PJ' Martin | Date: Friday, 11 November 2011
Future Of The Left - Polymers Are Forever (EP Review)
Sadly most of the country does not seem to have noticed that Future of the Left are one of the best bands on the planet, never mind just in Britain. After forming out of the ashes of Mclusky and Jarcrew, both of whom were also very awesome, in 2005 the Andrew ‘Falco’ Falkous led crew have already released two excellent albums. 'Polymers are Forever' suggests that the best may be yet to come however.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 10 November 2011
Sonic Youth - The Year Punk Broke (DVD Review)
'The Year Punk Broke' was originally released in '92, with filmmaker David Markey following Sonic Youth and Nirvana on their European tour of the previous year, both on and off the stage, from small clubs to large open-air festivals. The film also features live videos from Dinosaur Jr., Babes in Toyland, Gumball and The Ramomes. Some of you may have been familiar with the VHS version of the film or have found pieces of it on the internet accompanied by a fuzzy mp3 soundtrack, but now this grunge extravaganza has now finally made it to DVD! There's even a few little extras that you won't have seen before thrown in for good measure.
Written by: Steven James | Date: Monday, 07 November 2011
Maverick Sabre - I Need (Single Review)
Ambient, soulful, emotionally captivating. A few words that spring to mind when listening to the new single ‘I Need’ by London based Maverick Sabre. Made famous throughout the mainstream appearing on Professor Green’s single ‘Jungle’, Hackney born Michael Stafford attempts to take a new direction in his approach. So, how’s that working out for the hip-hop, turned soul star?
Written by: Christian Parker | Date: Monday, 07 November 2011
Theme Park - A Mountain We Love/Wax (Single Review)
Up and coming indie band Theme Park have set the blog world ablaze with their debut ‘A Mountain We Love/Wax’ which is being released on 31st August 2011. Though they are something of a typical indie band, they are more talented musicians than most. Their music is relaxing and easy to listen to, with their song ‘Wax’ being a great example; it’s a nice peaceful melody to have in the background- no effort involved, no having to force yourself to listen before you can appreciate its beauty- it’s all there with the first listen. The video for this song also adds a nice touch, subtly introducing us to the band members without the typical scene of them playing in an underground car park. The unique use of photos gives a comfortable, almost nostalgic feel, reflecting the atmosphere of the song perfectly.
Written by: Jinan Younis | Date: Monday, 07 November 2011
Is Tropical - Lies (Single Review)
Is Tropical emerged at the same time that similarly Field Day-type, elusive lo-fi bands Teeth, Wu Lyf, etc did. Interestingly, these bands all followed similar routes in quietly gaining large amounts of fans, releasing an album each, and then becoming rather less elusive, embarking on lots of tours and drumming up a lot of write ups, reviews and interviews. Musically though, it can't be denied that each had very much their own sound from the beginning, with Is Tropical, and this single in particular being a very good example of this.
Written by: Ellen Davies | Date: Friday, 04 November 2011
Kele - The Hunter (EP Review)
When a lead singer breaks free from a band to forge a solo career, it’s usually to release some similar sounding music – probably to ensure they keep a good collection of fans waiting in the wings. For prime examples recently, see Alex Turner, Brandon Flowers, Miles Kane, etc. Last year, after announcing a Bloc Party hiatus, Kele Okereke went against the norm by releasing his dance/electro inspired solo debut, ‘The Boxer’. Although a totally different sound to what we’re used to with Bloc Party, Kele proved his worth by showcasing a new sound that not only worked, but proved some doubters wrong whilst picking up new fans along the way.
Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Thursday, 03 November 2011
Professor Green - At Your Inconvenience (Album Review)
Adopting a more intimate and cutting edge style whilst keeping the cheeky charm that made him all the more appealing, Professor Green returns with his new album 'At Your Inconvenience'. Even when evolving his sound and experimenting with different genres and artists Green still finds time to throw in tongue-in-cheek pop culture references not for the easily offended.
Written by: Emma Robertson | Date: Thursday, 03 November 2011
Love Among The Mannequins – Radial Images (Album Review)
Everyone who worried that the tricky wordplay of ex-Meet Me in St Louis frontman Toby Hayes was now lost only to the lo-fi folk of Shoes and Socks off need not have feared. With the debut record by new outfit Love among the Mannequins, Hayes is back at his most deliciously impenetrable. With songs titles such as 'Nikolai Fyodorovich Fyodorov' and 'The Twentieth Century (Alan Watts / Edward Bernays)', it is immediately apparent that this is not going to be an album full of overwhelmingly catchy choruses but the songwriting here has a different charm.
Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 02 November 2011
Steel Panther - Balls Out (Album Review)
Returning to slap the tits off all but Metal, Steel Panther are back with the release of their brand new studio album 'Balls Out'. Pushing boundaries and stretching spandex the band unleashed 'Balls Out' yesterday, 31st October, or Cocktober as the group prefer to call it.
Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Tuesday, 01 November 2011
Kaleidophone – What’s Your Tonic? (Album Review)
Excitement is growing around Kaleidophone, who have already been championed as ‘one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the South East in the last decade’. Their debut album is out now, and they are set to ensure that bands that play their own instruments stay firmly in the spotlight.
Written by: Emma Newlyn | Date: Monday, 31 October 2011
Wednesday 13 - Calling All Corpses (Album Review)
Wednesday 13 has seen himself in many musical outfits over his career, spanning from Frankenstein Drag Queens from Planet 13 to Bourbon Crow, the highly acclaimed Murderdolls to his solo project veiled under his own name. We’ve seen remix to live albums from Wednesday over the last few years, but in reality the last studio release he – himself – devilishly presented us with was 2008’s ‘Skeletons’ and, three or so years later, he’s ready to drop his awaited follow up ‘Calling All Corpses’.
Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 31 October 2011
Black Country Communion - Black Country Communion Live Over Europe (DVD Review)
Anglo-American rock supergroup Black Country Communion have experienced an outstanding two years together. Featuring the cream of classic rock music's talents, the band comprise of vocalist and bassist Glenn Hughes, of Deep Purple, Trapeze and Black Sabbath fame, leading blues-rock guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham, and Dream Theater's keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Clear to see why the band have been dubbed as the living embodiment of the Classic Rock music genre.
Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Darren Hayes - Secret Codes & Battleships (Album Review)
Darren Hayes, previously one half of the Australian pop duo Savage Garden, has just released his fourth studio album 'Secret Codes and Battleships'. Darren has had a four year gap since his last studio release and in that time he had been charged with writing songs to be used by people like Simon Cowell and Leona Lewis, some of which made it onto the album – which gives you a little bit of foresight of what's to come.
Written by: Steven James | Date: Wednesday, 26 October 2011
