Esteban - Jump Ship (Single Review)

Esteban, release their new single tomorrow, Jump Ship, following the groups success with their last, She Goes Out. The group love touring, having already played with the likes of Dizzee Rascal, The Zutons and Friendly Fires and the Derbyshire based group who have been on the scene now since 2002 are currently embarking on a massive tour all over the UK. The groups sound is an eclectic mix of Latin rock and indie. It’s unusual and catchy with pop hooks, samba beats and melodic riffs.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Sunday, 27 June 2010

Miike Snow - The Rabbit (Single Review)

The Scandinavians seem to love to float along a trippy cloud of flowing keys and chords, grabbing your hand and taking you to a slightly odd plateau of comfort. Swedish three-piece Miike Snow appear to relish this style of chilled beats that lean on a dancy influence. 2009’s ‘Black and Blue’ sat somewhere between Prince, MGMT and the Scissor Sisters, shooting dazzling darts of electro into your conscious.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Friday, 25 June 2010

Plan B - Prayin' (Single Review)

It’s very much a case of where did it all go so right for London singer/rapper Plan B in 2010. His single She Said has been lurking at every corner for months and album The Defamation of Strickland Banks topped the UK Album chart going platinum in the process. Putting the rapping aside 4 minutes Plan B now brings new single Prayin’ to our ears and stereos.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Friday, 25 June 2010

Silver Columns - Yes, And Dance (Album Review)

This UK electro-pop duo has caused quite a stir with their debut Yes, and Dance by surprising critics and audiences alike. The reason for this is that the dance community does not know the two members, Adem Ilhan and Johnny Lynch, for their musical contributions or, most likely, for anything else. This is because the former plays bass in a post-rock/electronica outfit and the latter is a folk singer/songwriter also known as Pictish Trail.

Written by: Adam Brown | Date: Friday, 25 June 2010

Monkdopf - 'Deaf House' - (EP Review)

Mondkopf is an electronic producer from France who has remixed works by such artists as Golden Filter, Grand National, Johnny Cash and Pony Pony Run Run, who we reviewed earlier this week. His sound is intense, electrifying and has Ibiza dance floor written all over it. I am assured his live sets are astounding, which we will have chance to witness when he brings his performances to the UK very soon. This release, Deaf House, is a 4 track EP, filled with electronic mastery, trance rhythms and deep, intense bass. It is a collection of huge, fantastically well produced dance tracks that send you on a euphoric trip. Watch out for Mondkopf, I am sure some of his tracks will be making their way onto DJ sets in nightclubs all over the globe.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Thursday, 24 June 2010

INTRODUCING: The Beautiful Word

The Beautiful Word are a quintet set for the top in the world of mystery pop. And why not claim the throne of a genre they invented? Formed in January 2007 by front girls Emily and Megan, who began singing harmonies for each other's tunes - their twinkly pretty little songs hushed even the rowdiest of open mic nights. They have since grown into a big whack of beautiful sound with added punch from the noise boys - Nelson on guitar joined first, followed by Gruff on the drums and then Scotty on bass in early 2008. They are releasing a brand new 6 track EP this month, June 2010, simply titled "Mystery Pop".

Written by: Stereoboard.com | Date: Thursday, 24 June 2010

The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - Blood and Fire (Album Review)

Bouts of rehab and the exit of their founding member since their second album hasn’t hindered TEMBD’s determination to keep trudging on as they put out a third full-length offering titled Blood And Fire back in May this year.

Written by: Adam Brown | Date: Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Pony Pony Run Run - Walking On A Line (Single Review)

French three-piece Pony Pony Run Run, released the single 'Walking On A Line' on the 7th June, following a pretty amazing past 12 months, which has included supporting Katy Perry, sell out tours in their native France and award for Best Newcomer at the French Music Awards. The group’s debut album, 'You Need Pony Pony Run Run', is on sale now and there are plenty of UK tour dates to be announced.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Sunday, 20 June 2010

Rockness 2010 - Sunday Review - Blondie, Vampire Weekend, The Strokes...

It's not rain, it's barely irrigation, it's just damp air. A weak drizzle constantly falls over Loch Ness on Sunday morning. Poorly camped tents collapse under the weight of the previous night's rain and almost everyone seeks shelter under tents in either the Go North tent or the Clash stage or any other pick of a myriad of roofed venues. Having seen Hadouken! on their previous year's excursion to the Loch and attempting to stick with my resolution to see acts I have never clapped me peepers on, I gingerly negotiate the mud outside of the arena to viddy Pearl And The Puppets and their attempt at a rain dance. The sunshine 5 piece from Kirkintilloch put on a fair showing early on the main stage but their middle of the road, innocent folk-rock feels flat against the meteorological backdrop.

Written by: Louise Henderson & Ross Gilchrist | Date: Friday, 18 June 2010

Rockness 2010 - Saturday Review - Dan Le Sac, Plan B, Alabama 3, Leftfield...

Clouds roll off the hilltops and the grey skies don't truly break either side of the horizon and a guy in some tent near me shouts, "'Mon the sun!" at a minute gap in the homogenous grey. 'Mon the sun indeed. The Saturday line up is more dance orientated allowing those who have not been to bed to continue the dance-a-thon all day and into the night. On my way to get breakfast I wander through Clash tent only to see Killa Kella perform his profoundly layered beat boxing and for all it's prowess and technical ability I know I cannot bear to listen to this for a full thirty minutes. It's not that I find beat boxing to be a lesser art form... but in my heart I know it doesn't speak to me more than coffee and crepes do right now.

Written by: Louise Henderson & Ross Gilchrist | Date: Friday, 18 June 2010

Rockness 2010 - Friday Review - Crystal Castles, Enter Shikari, Fatboy Slim & Pendulum

The A9 is one of the least loved and most dangerous roads in Blighty, 117 miles of schizophrenic scenery commentated by milk toast radio warning the fearful natives on the hour that 'revelers' are descending in a Khan-like wave upon Inverness. "The Revelers... are coming!" they scream into the car speakers, "Hide yer wives an' yer bairns! The Revelers are coming!" As farmers collect their canned foods and pitch forks before descending into storm cellars. Maybe...

Written by: Louise Henderson & Ross Gilchrist | Date: Friday, 18 June 2010

Download Festival Scoops Best Event Award at Metal Hammer Golden Gods

Download Festival has won Best Event at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards for the second year running. Only a day after this year’s festival came to an end, the organisers of Download have collected the prize, which is voted for by Metal Hammer readers. The event was up against other rock festivals Bloodstock and Sonisphere, as well as the recent Rage Against The Machine free concert in Finsbury Park.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Tuesday, 15 June 2010

The Humour - You're Gonna Pay (Album Review)

After reviewing The Humour live a few weeks ago, I thought I knew what this Yorkshire band had to offer, but I was wrong. The band’s debut album, ‘You’re Gonna Pay’ is a short, 6 track blast of hard hitting pop rock. Very American in sound, but very, very well produced, showing a different side from the group who played live a few weeks ago. The music is of course very similar and there are still the same influences in the music, however, I was concerned that without the groups huge on stage presence, the album may be a damp squib, but my concerns are wrong. This is a wonderful collection of brilliant musical talent, huge vocals and a display of heavy rock for the masses.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 15 June 2010

LIVE: AC/DC - Download Festival 2010, Donington - 11th June 2010

It was a weekend where most of the UK were donning red and white for the opener of England’s world cup campaign, however it was back in black for a massive crowd who had collected in a field in the Midlands. AC/DC were back in town!

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Detroit Social Club - Existence (Album Review)

Existence is the debut album from Detroit Social Club, it is an indie anthem filled ten track record which impresses from start to finish. After already supporting some great acts and with some fantastic festival sets coming up, there is no doubt that this group have big things ahead of them. There are some fantastic influences in the medley from the psychedelic experimentation of Kasabian to the wonderful vocal talents of Kelly Jones from The Stereophonics, hints of The Verve, Melodic talents of Primal Scream and Rock and Roll attitude of The Rolling Stones.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Monday, 14 June 2010

The Drums - The Drums (ALBUM REVIEW)

Let’s begin with a little story about a record label, Factory Records, a pioneering label set up by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, in the 70’s, which was all about Manchester, all about the groups, the passion, the desire, the class, the art and most importantly the music. Factory Records was a pioneering label which was not about profit margins or number 1 singles, but about great groups and great music. It is because of Factory Records that we have Joy Division, Durutti Column, The Wake, A Certain Ratio, James, New Order, Happy Mondays and so many more who were influenced by these and more.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Saturday, 12 June 2010

William Gray - None Of The Above (Album Review)

Those familiar enough with the Leeds music scene to know who The Smokestacks were will no doubt be pleased to hear that former singer/guitarist William Gray has released his first self-produced solo mini-album in the wake of their split.

Written by: Adam Brown | Date: Wednesday, 09 June 2010

Stigma - Concerto for the Undead (ALBUM REVIEW)

Concerto For The Undead is Stigma’s second commercial release, since the Italian death metal 4 piece formed in 2000. The relentless, ear splitting 10 track record is a nonstop mass of heavy metal guitar riffs, relentless, skin splitting drumming and horrific barking, shouting and screaming. Give that man a throat sweet.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 09 June 2010

Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots (Album Review)

In 2008, singer Scott Weiland left Velvet Revolver to rejoin his former band Stone Temple Pilots for a huge tour of the US. During the five years that had followed STP’s break-up, Velvet Revolver received varied success. Although their debut album ‘Contraband’ was well received, the supergroup never quite achieved any real confidence from their fans. This was largely due to Weiland’s involvement and the apparent distance between him and the other members of the group. Throughout the months following the release of their second album ‘Libertad’, there were numerous reports that Velvet Revolver were not getting on with their singer and it wasn’t long before Weiland confirmed that he was no longer part of that band.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Wednesday, 09 June 2010

Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms (Album Review)

2010 isn’t only a year of electro pop and Tinie Tempah urging you to Pass Out. Nah...a series of indie rock bands are casting their own booth in the music industry gaining respect and admiration in equal measure. Seattle group Band Of Horses are one such act. Blending a delicate mould of tender rock and Americana, the five-piece aim to set the year ablaze with their new record label Sub-Pop and third album, Infinite Arms.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 09 June 2010