Saxon - Call To Arms (Album Review)

The meritorious success of Saxon’s latest touring extravaganza – characterizing of festivals such as Sonisphere and Download – has proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that these classic British metal masters can still quench the parched lips of rock and metal fans from all over the globe. A 19th studio album doesn’t just appear on the shelves of your nearest record shop, these old-timers have journeyed down the path of an extraordinary career, spanning for more than 30 years.

Written by: Ryan Tinslay | Date: Friday, 15 July 2011

Radiohead - Little By Little (Caribou Remix) & Lotus Flower (Jacques Green Remix) (Review)

The King of Limbs, to be honest, is the prime example of a record ready to be manipulated into remixes by the experimentations of DJ’s and electronic artists. While talk of a full album remix by Flying Lotus circulates, Radiohead have announced a series of summer remix releases. The first of which sees Canadian artist Caribou (Dan Snaith) tackle 'Little By Little', while new boy Jacques Greene gives 'Lotus Flower' a going over.

Written by: Rhys Morgan | Date: Friday, 15 July 2011

The Mountaineering Club Orchestra - A Start On Such A Night Is Full Of Promise (Album Review)

Concept albums nearly as a rule can either go breathtakingly right, Pink Floyds 'Dark Side of the Moon' and Nine Inch Nails 'The Downward Spiral' for example, or can go hideously wrong, think Pete Townshends 'Psychoderelict' and Styx 'Kilroy Was Here'. So, 'A Start On Such A Night Is Full Of Promise', the debut album by The Mountaineering Club Orchestra, takes a brave leap into this arena with its icy tale of 17th century Norwegian explorers.

Written by: Patrick Gormley | Date: Friday, 15 July 2011

The Horrors - Skying (Album Review)

Let us be honest, 'Strange House' was a little bit shit. Made by five people who seemed to be more obsessed with their glam-goth appearance then attaining any real music credibility. They were thus given a Chelsea boot up the arse by their record label and kicked to the curb. Surely that was the end of this all too long gothic nightmare. It wasn’t. In what has turned out to be an inspired decision by some fucking genius at XL Records, The Horrors signed a new record deal. The image was played down and through some clever PR we found out that this five-piece really know there stuff. Then they delivered it. Then they delivered not only the greatest album of 2009, but a landmark album for British music. 'Primary Colours' was everything that nobody was expecting.

Written by: Rhys Morgan | Date: Friday, 15 July 2011

Grey Reverend - Of the Days (Album Review)

This record really doesn’t sound like it is a new release at all. It sounds like it has come straight out of the sixties, out of the glory days of folk music when Dylan was taking on the world by accident (and winning). L. D. Brown is a singer-songwriter who has stripped music back to arguably its purest form here and his music works all the better as a result.

Written by: Lee Johnston | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

The Worldonfire - ...Music To Leadership (Album Review)

There is something undeniably frustrating about this album. It seems to be trying to be something that it is not and, considering that this is a debut record that is a tad worrying to say the least. You see The Worldonfire are an alternative rock band from Essex, with touches of Yourcodenameis:milo-esque post-hardcore to make them a slightly more exciting prospect. In fact, at times the vocal acrobatics of bassist and vocalist David Walsh do sound a lot like Paul Mullen from the aforementioned band and this would have been a great thing for those who miss yci:m...except Paul Mullen has now formed Young Legionnaire, who fill the yci:m shaped void in the music scene pretty comfortably. That doesn’t mean there is no place for The Worldonfire however, although they seem to have taken a dodgy hint that the scene is full and that they should try and sound a bit more ‘different’ and ‘interesting’.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

Blacklisters - Swords (Single Review)

If you like noisy music then Blacklisters might become your new favourite band. These West Yorkshiremen cite influences as early Deftones, Shellac and The Jesus Lizard. They sound a lot like these bands mixed into a cocktail of unholy sonic destruction. 'Swords' is a typical Blacklisters track...except it’s available for free download from their Bandcamp page, which is pretty awesome.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

Warm Brains - Let Down (Single Review)

Warm Brains is the new solo project by London based DIY Producer Rory Attwell, who is best know for being a member of Test Icicles and other bands and is now highly sought after as a producer. The 18th July sees the release of his latest offering, a double-A side single ‘Let Down’/ ‘Stone to Sand to Glass’.

Written by: Lee Johnston | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

David Guetta ft. Taio Cruz - Little Bad Girl (Single Review)

With a string of club hits under his belt, it comes as no surprise that David Guetta’s newest collaboration with Taio Cruz and Ludacris – ‘Little Bad Girl’ - follows a similar suit. Kicking off the track with a strong electronic beat, Taio Cruz claims ‘Oh yeah, they tell me I’m a bad boy’...

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

Mona - Shooting The Moon (Single Review)

Nashville based rockers Mona have already got some pretty impressive support slots under their belts, not least playing with their mates Kings Of Leon on their recent arena tour in the UK. Already crowned at the MTV Awards with the Brand New for 2011 title, it seems that the only way is up for Nick, Vince, Zach and Jordan.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

Ellwood ‘Lost in Transition’ (Album Review)

If you’re familiar with the ska-infused party anthems of the Mad Caddies, then please meet Ellwood – a vaguely similar-sounding Californian reggae quartet that bear more than just a passing resemblance to said Caddies. And you would be forgiven for thinking that, for Ellwood actually are the Mad Caddies – well, four of them are anyway. Sometime since the Mad Caddies most recent release back in 2007, lead vocalist Chuck Robertson called together three of his bandmates to form this all-new side project. Although Ellwood could be accused of sounding a lot like Mad Caddies in places and therefore calling the purpose of this venture into question, what they have in fact done is removed the hyperactive, beer-soaked and brass-crazy punk rock of their main band and slowed it right down for a somewhat more tempered and easygoing pop-reggae album.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Danny & The Champions Of The World - Hearts & Arrows (Album Review)

It’s always nice to allow a little Americana into your living room. Danny and the Champions of the World, despite being mostly London based, are not releasing music synonymous with our shores, but that’s ok, I can forgive them for that since this offering, 'Hearts and Arrows', happens to be very good.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Guineafowl - Hello Anxiety (EP Review)

The first line claims that Guineafowl “form in our circles to discuss things with purpose, issues to address. problems and their mess. Kids can dance, dance, dance, dance, dance…” which, unlike anything I’ve ever heard, sets the scene for this wonderful five-track more than anything I’ve heard all year. To say that opener 'In Our Circles' sounds big would normally be a lazy and uninspired way of describing it, especially since us reviewer types often to cram as many ridiculous similes in an review as possible, but there is no sound bigger. It’s like walking through ultra-flat Norfolk and smacking straight into the BT tower (whoops, there is a simile after all). Soaring synths dissect some absolutely shuddering bass drum with more melody crammed in than this years Apprentice. Yup. Guineafowl aren’t here to make things boring. They’re here to shake up the “arena rock” sound that Coldplay, Elbow and Snow Patrol have been the kings of and make it something entirely new and exciting.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Broken Cities - Flux (Album Review)

Some critics have argued that post rock/instrumental, or whatever moniker you put on it, has become stale, stagnant and repetitive. And yes, maybe while you do have to wade through the copious amount of Mogwai/ Sigur Ros clones, it is nevertheless possible to find fresh, exciting music still eluding from the void. One such example of this is 'Flux' by Oakland duo Broken Cities.

Written by: Patrick Gormley | Date: Tuesday, 12 July 2011

Wolf Gang - The King and All His Men (Single Review)

There is almost nothing not to like about Wolf Gang’s new single The King and All Of His Men. Following on from previous singles Lions in Cages and Dancing With The Devil, Wolf Gang further demonstrates his talent for writing great pop songs.

Written by: Joe Kinnaird | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

The Voluntary Butler Scheme - Granddad Galaxy (Album Review)

After receiving praise for his debut album At Breakfast, Dinner and Tea, the Voluntary Butler Scheme (Rob Jones) has returned with a second album that offers far greater sonic innovation coupled with the quirky lyricism that characterised his earlier work.

Written by: Joe Kinnaird | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

Maverick Sabre - Let Me Go (Single Review)

Having guested on tracks with Chase and Status and collaborated with several other rappers and Irish R&B artists, it seems only fair that Maverick Sabre would get his time in the limelight now.  

Written by: Emma Newlyn | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

The Vertigos - Rubix/Saint (Double A-Side Review)

Remember The Pigeon Detectives? You know the ones? They were a spangly dancey pop rock band that some people called “indie” for a short while. They sort of sung badly, but it was all part of the charm layered between layers of noisy, frenetic, frantic guitars and catchy choruses that could cause the dancefloors of 2007 to erupt with guitar music.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

The Beekeepers (f/t Mystro) – Queen Bee (Single Review)

Hip Hop is often (and I will make this point bleeding obvious right now that I’m not talking about ALL hip hop here) a conglomerate of the single biggest collection of overused ideas fused into a song. A bunch of people just shouting about how shitty their lives can be but how they’ve also got a Bentley, guns, bitches and sweet dollar dollar pouring from every orifice. Life is so incredibly tough, and pimpin’ ain’t easy. Too many rap artists get bogged down in what their music should sound like before going and having a war of words with another dude about something pointless. Not only that but a lot of artists make themselves out to be a lot tougher than they really are, especially when it comes to physicality with other human beings. I have no time for people who glorify mindless violence on someone else because it’s got crunk bass and a catchy hook. So, thank all that is holy for this offering from the Beekeepers and UK maestro, Mystro.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

Hop Farm Festival - July 1st - July 3rd 2011 (Review)

"We got so many hits we’ll be here ‘til this time next year," roared self-styled funkster PRINCE as he reached the climax of an unforgettable two and a half hour musical marathon at Hop Farm Festival on Sunday evening.

Written by: Mark Molloy & James Conlon | Date: Thursday, 07 July 2011