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

Spring Offensive - Pull Us Apart (ALBUM REVIEW)

Bands today seem to be offering more and cleverer tweaks musically and lyrically, perhaps to stay one step ahead or perhaps this is the beginning of another musical trend, either way this movement is compelling and exciting and it adds another twist to the indie music revolution which has been on the go for some time.

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

LIVE: Rage Against The Machine - Finsbury Park, London - 6th June 2010

“It has to start somewhere, It has to start sometime, What better place than here? What better time than now?” Lyrics from the Rage anthem ‘Guerrilla Radio’ echoing through my mind while anticipating the start of the victory party that will end all victory parties.

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Monday, 07 June 2010

Kele - Tenderoni (Single Review)

London indie scene big hitters Bloc Party have been crawling ever closer into the flashing neon lights of dance music for quite some now. So it comes as no surprise that the man behind their sound Kele Okereke, (now shortened to just Kele) has fired his very own project spinning directly into the heart of the dance world.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 02 June 2010

Harrys Gym - Harrys Gym (ALBUM REVIEW)

I think there is something special about the sound that can be achieved when a female vocalist fronts a group, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Florence and The Machine and Garbage to name a few which come to mind. And this band do not disappoint. The progressive pop/electro indie sound and Anne Lise Frokedal’s chilling, eerie vocals, produced by this Norwegian group provide a unique, despairing sound that can break your heart.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Thursday, 27 May 2010

Grand Archives - Keep in Mind Frankenstein (ALBUM REVIEW)

This is Grand Archives 2nd Album from the band from Seattle, who formed in 2007, as the Archives. They are an American Indie Rock band made up of Mat Brooke, Curtis Hall and Jeff Montano. Keep In Mind Frankenstein is a melodic, soft album mixing gentle music with soft airy vocals. There are hints of country and western and hints of 70’s American rock within this undramatic and unexciting medley of well played, well sung, easy to listen to tracks, which are overall, certainly not bad, but certainly not great. Topsy’s Revenge starts the album with gently played instruments and a nice accordion accompaniment. The lyrics are emotive and sung gently but there is no real imagination or excitement. Witchy Park/Tomorrow Will (Take Care Of Itself) is a nice track, happy and upbeat. The backing vocals and harmonies lift the song and the well played acoustic instruments make this a pleasurable track to listen to.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Cha Cha - We Are (ALBUM REVIEW)

Cha Cha are a relatively unknown London band comprising; Blain McGuigan (Vocals/Bass), Alex Cameron Ward (Backing Vocals/Guitar) and Samuel Garbutt (Drums). Their debut album We Are is a superb demonstration of talent, experimentation and uniqueness which should have been titled “We Are Great!” Their sound is catchy and a subtle mix of many genres and influences, but definitely their own, they describe their sound as “a cross between dirty pop hymns and offbeat disco rock” and I guess that sums it up pretty well. It is an upbeat and funky sound, perfect for the summer.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Javier Moreno - Bad Woman (EP REVIEW)

This short, 5 track album from the Spaniard Javier Moreno is a blend of striking Spanish folk music and upbeat flamenco. This is Javier’s second release, following the release of his first album Un Tesoro, which was sung in Spanish tongue. This album is sung in English beautifully with small passages of Spanish language, which are used creatively and add authenticity to the Mediterranean sound. Javier has been on the scene in this country since 2006 and this album should definitely give him the credit that he justly deserves. It is not mainstream by any stretch of the imagination, nor is it bound for huge success or popularity but do not let that put you off.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 25 May 2010

Fun Lovin Criminals - Classic Fantastic (ALBUM REVIEW)

The Fun Lovin’ Criminals have been around now since they formed in New York in 1993. There alternative hip hop/rock style and injections of jazz, funk and soul, coupled with comedy in the bands lyrics have generally been well accepted by the British Public with their past albums, although I doubt this album, Classic Fantastic will do much chart climbing. There first album in 5 years and there 6th in total lacks any really good tracks and generally lacks any imagination, the lyrics are horribly simple, even with the inclusion of Roots Manuva on track 5, Keep On Yellin’ There are a few plusses, there’s some good beats and funky rhythms and some good retro 70’s soul, but there is no comedy or fun in the lyrics or vocals to really back up any of the musical merits.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 25 May 2010

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening (Album Review)

More of the same and its great. Think dance, punk, funk, indie, electronic. Think New Order, Prodigy, Gary Numan, Siouxsie And The Banshees and Daft Punk. Think soft, hard, digital, analogue, high tempo and steady. Think 80’s, 90’s and then just stop thinking and listen. James Murphy’s experimental project, LCD Soundsystem have possibly saved the best ‘til last. There newly released album “This Is Happening”, is rumoured to be their last, which is sad. It is very refreshing to think that this group is a side project, not a full on attack on the charts, music channels, billboard posters or anything else for that matter to try and get rich, the group do this for the love of it.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2010

The Temper Trap - Glasgow 02 Academy - May 13th 2010 (LIVE)

Ever since 'Sweet Disposition' has been on every advert and every montage of relationship turmoil to grace our televisions, The Temper Trap have become the music supervisor's band of choice. Seemingly, there are also 2000 music fans that would be inclined to agree. Australia's chosen boys are on the verge of profound success providing they can keep their patented epic soundscapes rolling out of the studio and into this summer's festival scene. The venue change from the O2 ABC to the O2 Academy is both a blessing and a curse for this -unofficially- 10 legged pathos machine. Blessed in that more 20 somethings will be able to experience this act live and cursed that the ABC has one the worst acoustic problems of any Glaswegian venue.

Written by: Ross Gilchrist & Louise Henderson | Date: Monday, 17 May 2010

Florence and the Machine - Hammersmith Apollo - Friday 14th May 2010 (LIVE)

It’s been a pretty good twelve months for Florence Welch - aka solo artist Florence and the Machine. Her music has received a warm reception from the Great British public and she has managed to become a household name, thanks to the handful of hit singles taken from her debut album ‘Lungs’. The album was released last July and went straight to Number Two in the UK Album Chart, following rave reviews for her live performances. The album’s success peaked at the beginning of 2010 when, after six months in the chart, it finally made it to Number One before being awarded Best British Album at the Brits. Now, following months of touring, Florence is giving ‘Lungs’ another quick airing around the UK before work continues on her next album.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Sunday, 16 May 2010

Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation (REVIEW)

Paul Weller, the Modfather, the ex front man of The Jam and The Style Council and an accomplished solo artist, who has been producing brilliant, inspired music for over 3 decades, since The Jam were formed in 1976, releases his new album, Wake Up The Nation. This is his 10th solo record, in his 50’s now, Paul still introduces us to another side of himself, he experiments with his music, takes us back to familiar styles used when with The Jam and The Style Council and shows us that he’s still got it.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Thursday, 13 May 2010

Foals - Total Life Forever (REVIEW)

The 5 University drop outs from Oxford, release there much awaited 2nd album, Total Life Forever, to their expecting audience. After a much praised debut album, there were high expectations for this record from the art house punks and it duly delivers with its blend of soulful, upbeat bass, electro drum beats, abstract lyrics, uncategorised guitar and electro keyboards. This is a much more mature album, showing how there they have come since they formed in 2006, there style is different from any guitar band of the moment, they are fresh, experimental and manage to include influences from artists of the past without sounding anything other than unique.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 12 May 2010

LIVE: KISS - Glasgow SECC - May 9th 2010

You could be forgiven for thinking it was the set of a remake of 'Evil Dead' set on the streets of Vegas and directed by Michael Bay. With more makeup than a Californian teen beauty pageant and more fireworks than a Chinese New Year, there's no doubt which band is owning this town tonight. New Yorkers Kiss have been around for almost 4 decades and with one of the most heralded back catalogues in the history of "All American Rock 'n' Roll", this show is destined to be a melt-your-face-off display of 'total awesomeness' (dude).

Written by: Ross Gilchrist & Louise Henderson | Date: Tuesday, 11 May 2010

LIVE: Foals - Nottingham Trent University - 7th May 2010

Yesterday evening was a night to never be forgotten, for all those present to participate in the sweaty, chaotic and seminal Foals gig at Trent University Student Union, Nottingham. Free Gatecrasher entry wristbands were handed out to ticket holders as they queued to step down into the uncharted depths of the small, intimate venue, but there was no party taking place anywhere in Britain on May 7th that could touch the one I and a few hundred others were about to let themselves in for.

Written by: Jacob Mier | Date: Sunday, 09 May 2010

LIVE: KISS - Birmingham LG Arena - 5th May 2010

Is there anything in the world more worth seeing than a 6-foot blood-spitting, platform-booted, winged demon. A bare-chested, scream machine Starchild. A guitar-shredding Spaceman and a levitating drumming Catman?

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Saturday, 08 May 2010

LIVE: Scouting For Girls - O2 Academy Glasgow - May 4th 2010

I do not hold shares in Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Adidas or Abercrombie and Fitch. However, something is giving me the distinct impression that I ought to. The homogenous sea of recurring brands swamps the bar on this fairly nice Tuesday night. There are teenagers, fathers and mothers, mid-twenties perennial party goers and middle-aged dancing barflies. The full gamut of ages. Given that this range gets considerably and unsurprisingly smaller the closer to the stage one gets, it's really no surprise that the safest mix tape in the world plays at a considerable volume. Children sing to the strains of 'Livin' On a Prayer', 'American Idiot', and 'Summer Of 69'; butterflies dance in the liquid glow of the house lights...

Written by: Ross Gilchrist & Louise Henderson | Date: Thursday, 06 May 2010