Ollie Stewart - ‘Night Bell’ (EP Review)

The end of 2010 sees the launch of an interesting singer/songwriters career. Looking to further bridge the gap between modern mainstream pop, experimental electronic sounds and 70’s, 80’s 90’s influences Ollie Stewart comes into the frame with his debut EP ‘Night Bell'.

Written by: Tom Austin | Date: Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Sleepwalkers - 'Pause' (EP Review)

Right now there seems to be loads of 'electronic' bands making an appearance on the scene. New technology becoming a lot more accessible to the masses means your limits are endless. The main problem is most of these bands sound the same. They lack originality and for all the effort of trying to stand out, it's heard to distinguish them just by listening to them. Sleepwalkers are no such a band. Comprising of talented midlanders Richard Siddall-Jones and Ben Marsden, they have been making music together since they where schoolboys but only now have things started to get serious. Creating that all important individual style they come to the fold with their debut EP 'Pause'.

Written by: Tom Austin | Date: Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Amplifier - The Octopus (Album Review)

Starting with atmospheric swells of noise and electronic beeps, 'The Octopus' is a complicated beast to say the least. It’s taken Amplifier four years to make and it’s a behemoth of a record. Over two full discs, Amplifier have brought the music world a double album of overwhelming proportions.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Eliza Newman - Ukulele Song For You (EP Review)

Icelandic singer Eliza Newman first grabbed attention with her appearance on Al Jazeera News to perform her song 'Eyjafjallajökull' in the aftermath of the ash cloud. Although the word is still a mouthful, the video of her appearance garnered hundreds of thousands of views within a week from those attempting to pronounce the name themselves.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Tuesday, 18 January 2011

The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar (Album Review)

For any band that has been single-handedly trying to build themselves a successful career brick by brick over a number of years, it must be a huge and welcome relief to finally reach the stage of your first full-length album. This is almost certainly the case for North Wales trio the Joy Formidable who, after several years of gigging, self-recording, playing the festival circuit and just generally making a big noise, will at long last be delivering their debut album ‘The Big Roar’ at the end of the month. In fact, the Joy Formidable have become so familiar over the past twelve months or so, it may even come as a huge surprise to discover that this is only their first long-player. Listening to the album for the first time, it’s also easy to confuse them for a much more experienced and established band.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Sunday, 16 January 2011

Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Album Review)

It's been three years since Mogwai released 'The Hawk Is Howling', which has given everybody plenty of time to grow that disgusting looking post-rock facial hair. 'Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will' is the bands seventh studio album which has yet another elegantly intelligent title and is about to bring post-rock smashing into 2011.

Written by: Rhys Morgan | Date: Saturday, 15 January 2011

Avril Lavigne - What The Hell (Single Review)

At 26, Avril Lavigne has a new offering in the form of ‘What the Hell?’, her first single from her fourth studio release 'Goodbye Lullaby'. It’s become an accepted fact that Avril has moved on greatly from her debut 'Complicated', but you can’t deny the lyrics sound like that of a relatively hormonal teenager looking for a good time. 

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Thursday, 13 January 2011

Brother - New Years Day (Single Review)

Slough. Not exactly the epicentre of rock ‘n’ roll. Or the hub of “cool”. No, it’s most recent route to fame has been as the home of Wernham Hogg, the fictitious workplace of David Brent and co. in 'The Office'. But wait, all that is about to change with Slough’s newest export, the UK’s “next big thing”, 4-piece indie rock ‘n’ rollers, Brother. It’s been a while since a new band has swanned in and staked their claim on being the new owners of Britain’s indie-rock crown, and I’ve certainly not seen such hype or excitement from the music industry and press since the early days of the Arctic Monkeys.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Wednesday, 12 January 2011

My Chemical Romance - Sing (Single Review)

Through the release of their much anticipated fourth album ‘Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys’, My Chemical Romance have made their triumphant return to music and, with it, completely reinvented themselves once more. Performing this time with a more futuristic and upbeat concept, they have blown fans away with a new, colourful incarnation of themselves.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Wednesday, 12 January 2011

The Decemberists - The King Is Dead (Album Review)

Dust off your fob watch, gather a group of merry comrades and crank your gramophone up to eleven, for The Decemberists are back with their latest studio album, ‘The King Is Dead’. The band last emerged in a grand form for their 2009 release, ‘The Hazards of Love’, an epic rock-opera of otherworldly historic tales, wrapped up with all the lyrical grandeur that lead singer Colin Meloy could muster. Luckily for the less theatrical members of their fanbase, the band have chiselled away their more indulgent side for ‘The King Is Dead’, opting instead for a stripped-back and reserved sound, bringing together every ounce of their folk-rock charm to form their most impressive record yet.

Written by: James Conlon | Date: Wednesday, 12 January 2011

Beady Eye - The Roller (Single Review)

The hype around Beady Eye has been building steadily over the last few months with details of debut album ‘Different Gear, Still Speeding’ surfacing along with two of the albums tracks being made available to listen to. Now comes the first official release, ‘The Roller’.

Written by: Dave Ball | Date: Monday, 10 January 2011

A Drummer's Perspective (Book Review)

Pretty much every music fan has sat and wondered what it must be like to look out from a stage at a packed crowd hanging on your every move. Well wonder no more as David Phillips’ newly released book ‘A Drummer's Perspective’ gives you the best view in the house.

Written by: Dave Ball | Date: Friday, 07 January 2011

Seagull Kinevil - To Insanity And Beyond (Album Review)

Emerging with one of the most aptly named albums of the year is Seagull Kinevil, a frenzied troupe from North Wales with tongues rested resolutely in their cheeks.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Wednesday, 05 January 2011

James Blake - James Blake (Album Review)

2010 was apparently the year of dub-step. The year of what? The 'D' word is thrown around so much these days it's practically lost all meaning. Any new sound that comes along that cleverly uses bass tones seems to branded with the red hot, dub-step poker.

Written by: Rhys Morgan | Date: Tuesday, 04 January 2011

St Leonards - St Leonards (Album Review)

Middle of the road pop/rock is a trend that will probably never die, and that’s okay as long as its modern disciples at least have the crafty knack of writing a good chorus. The Fray, the Script, OneRepublic, Maroon 5; the list goes on. These bands all throw their emotions at the palette, whilst maintaining a degree of instrumental restraint i.e. it’s all a little bit bland and unimaginative.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Tuesday, 04 January 2011

Daft Punk – Tron: Legacy Soundtrack (Album Review)

Daft Punk have been absent from our ears for five years now, and by many, they have been sorely missed. In early 2009 it was announced that the French duo would be scoring Disney's 'Tron: Legacy'. Many questioned whether they had bitten off more than they could chew by opting to soundtrack an entire motion picture. Well they hadn't. This is one of the finest electronic scores in recent memory and it is truly worthy of following on from the legendary score of the original which was composed by Wendy Carlos.

Written by: Rhys Morgan | Date: Monday, 20 December 2010

Wretch 32 - Traktor (Feat. L) (Single Review)

Hype has been building about the grime MC ever since this track arrived on the internet and subsequently the radio. This was mainly due to him being shortlisted for the BBC Sound of 2011 list whose graduates from the school of 2010 were hits such as Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds so a bright 2011 is surely in store for the Tottenham born MC.

Written by: Steve Wellman | Date: Monday, 20 December 2010

Arcade Fire - CIA, Cardiff - December 9th 2011 (Live Review)

It was quite surprising that a show, put on by one of the most talented bands in the world could sneak up on you like this. Tickets were bought months in advance, but even the day before I was oblivious to the fact I'd be watching these multi talented musicians in 24 hours. Also oblivious to me was just how wide Arcade Fire's fan base was. The crowd was, well, very middle aged. But that didn't stop the crowd being more than energetic.

Written by: Rhys Morgan | Date: Sunday, 19 December 2010

Pint Shot Riot - Hazy Days (Single Review)

Indie rock band, Pint Shot Riot, is composed of Richard ‘Rocket’ Emmerson, Rob Clements, ‘Baby’ Dave Page and Chris ‘Mini Rocket’ Connell.

Written by: Michelle Wright | Date: Thursday, 16 December 2010

Kassidy - Oh My God (Single Review)

This quartet are causing quite a stir around Glasgow with their folky guitars and vocal harmonies. Yes, Mumford & Sons do spring to mind, but it is Take That or The Kooks that reverberate from this poppy single.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Tuesday, 14 December 2010