Post War Glamour Girls - Tragic Loss; He Had Such a Lovely House (EP Review)

Bristling like the offended persona of a mildly hammered Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Leeds based Post War Glamour Girls take the bruising post-punk of Australia’s greatest son and play it not so much with pent-up aggression as world weary frustration. Despair takes the lead here more than any other emotional state and, predictably, the preferred medium is embittered post-punk.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 09 August 2012

The Unwinding Hours - Afterlives (Album Review)

There may be some listeners out there that found The Unwinding Hours’ self-titled debut record a disappointment...but they are likely to be few and far between. Released two and a half years ago now, that record took the stupendously emotive art rock template laid down by Aereogramme (the former band of The Unwinding Hours members Craig Beaton and Iain Cook) and gave it fresh and exciting new life. Now the prophetically titled 'Afterlives' takes things to yet another glorious new plain.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 09 August 2012

The Candlepark Stars - Take Care And Safe Home (Album Review)

All things have their beginnings, big or small. Equally important are conclusions, and there is no feeling that can really replace the experience of heading home at the end of a journey. The Candlepark Stars has created an album that can be seen as trying to capture this concluding phase, the sixth and latest addition to its music overall discography. In particular, 'Take Care And Safe Home' can be seen as the third and final act of a 3-album arc that continues the themes from the artist's previous two records, in the words of the man behind the wheel Kerry Muzzey.

Written by: Jonathan Lin | Date: Wednesday, 08 August 2012

Damn Robot! - Jasurp (Album Review)

It is somewhere around the middle of this album's second track 'Close The Door' that you should find yourself being swept up in the scintillating inventiveness that is 'Jasurp', the latest release from Hampshire duo Damn Robot!

Written by: Patrick Gormley | Date: Wednesday, 08 August 2012

Conor Maynard - Contrast (Album Review)

19-year-old Connor Maynard only released his debut single 'Can't Say No' back in March and now two singles later, Conor Maynard released his debut album 'Contrast'.

Written by: Lara Rainsforth | Date: Monday, 06 August 2012

The Chevin - Blue Eyes (Single Review)

Maybe you haven't heard of the band The Chevin, well up until yesterday neither had I. But now I can tell you that they are a rock four piece from North Yorkshire; between the inspiringly beautifully bare rolling moors which feature in the video for their new single 'Blue Eyes' and no less romantically, Leeds (well maybe it's little less romantic).

Written by: Luke Bailey | Date: Friday, 03 August 2012

Hold Your Horse Is - Frimley (Album Review)

Awesomely named, and with an awesome background (drummer Chris Rouse used to tech for post-hardcore legends Reuben), Hold Your Horse Is have finally managed to get a full-length album out. Named after the hometown of two-thirds of their membership, 'Frimley' captures their trademark combination of noise rock and sheeny Foo-Fighters esque superhero anthems better than anything they have done to date.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 03 August 2012

Sucioperro - Fused (Album Review)

Eighteen months ago Sucioperro were preparing to unleash their third album, the instantly memorable and wonderfully melodic 'The Heart String & How to Pull It'. Now they bring 'Fused' to the table...and it honestly could not be much more different. Where 'Heart String' was immediate and often gentle 'Fused' is, by and large, a pummelling half hour journey into darkness.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 03 August 2012

Gun - Breaking The Silence (Album Review)

Let's not beat about the bush, this is the most unexpected and surprisingly superb comeback album of the year. No messing. No hyperbole.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 01 August 2012

Pure Love - Handsome Devil's Club (Single Review)

Almost predictably, Frank Carter's first project since Gallows is not a hardcore project. At all. 'Handsome Devils Club' sounds surprisingly accomplished considering it is influenced by The Smiths in both name and sound (Hear 'Handsome Devil' by the famous Mancunian band).

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Wednesday, 01 August 2012

Nachtmystium - Silencing Machine (Album Review)

You know, sometimes I feel that modern metal really doesn’t have enough balls. Too many of the bands trumpeted in the mainstream metal media are limp, lifeless recreations of what has already been done much better, and, for want of a better turn of phrase, much heavier; and yes, Bullet for My Valentine I am looking at you.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 30 July 2012

Hellyeah - Band Of Brothers (Album Review)

Some albums come with a bold mission statement. Some claim to change the face of their scene. Some claim to blow all expectations out of the water. Hellyeah's newest record 'Band of Brothers'? Well, it's said to "take the rock world by the balls and twist." Ouch.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 30 July 2012

Helen Boulding - Calling All Angels (Album Review)

Helen Boulding released her second album ‘Calling All Angels' on the 16th July.

Written by: V O'Hagan | Date: Monday, 30 July 2012

General Fiasco - Unfaithfully Yours (Album Review)

Northern Ireland’s latest offering to the wider UK music scene, General Fiasco have so far failed to live up to their promised potential. Debut album ‘Buildings’ could be forgiven for being a bit hit and miss as the then trio embarked on their first effort to write a full length album. ‘Unfaithfully Yours’ suffers from similar restraints as ‘Gold Chains’, ‘Bad Habits’ and ‘The Age You Start Losing Friends’, laden with infectious hooks and catchy vocals are somewhat let down by ‘Brother Is’ and ‘The Bottom’ which don’t really seem to keep pace with other tracks.

Written by: Daniel Lynch | Date: Friday, 27 July 2012

The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten (Album Review)

It appears to be business as usual for The Gaslight Anthem with their fourth studio album ‘Handwritten’. Their punk laden debut ‘Sink or Swim’ quickly gave way to a more commercial effort in the hugely successful '59 Sound,' while their third effort ‘American Slang’ disappointed many fans with poorer production detracting from what was undoubtedly a collection of excellent songs. The transition from ‘Sink or Swim’ to ‘American Slang’ and a side project with the Horrible Crowes has developed the overall sound into a much more complete and balanced package.

Written by: Daniel Lynch | Date: Tuesday, 24 July 2012

The Cult - The Wolf (Single Review)

In a year of stunning comeback albums from some of rock's biggest names, The Cult's hard hitting 'Choice Of Weapon' album is one of the very best. Landing a place in the UK Top 20 and receiving a rapturous critical reception, it seems frontman Ian Astbury's U-turn after vowing not to release any more albums (“the format is dead” - he claimed) has been an exceptionally smart volte face. Furthermore, the decision to team up once again with Bob Rock, the producer of their late 80's commercial juggernaut-in-album-form 'Sonic Temple', has reaped the richest of rewards on a huge sounding record for which the clichéd 'return to form' tag is a monolithic understatement.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 23 July 2012

Slipknot - Antennas To Hell (Album Review)

'Greatest Hits' compilations aren't often very exciting. It usually signals the end of a band's career, a pitiful attempt at making some money for a musical legend who hasn't done so much of late or it's just something to fill the notable lack in new music. However, with Slipknot's 'Antennas To Hell', this is not the case. While the general rule of no new music applies, this succinctly summarises the band's fantastic career up to the present point, luring the listener through a history of one of metal's long-standing icons.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 23 July 2012

No Doubt - Settle Down (Single Review)

Californian rockers No Doubt carved themselves out a pretty impressive career throughout the late 90's and early 00's. A huge worldwide Number 1 with 'Don't Speak', regular top twenty single releases, platinum album sales (or multi-platinum in the case of 'Tragic Kingdom') and various award nominations and wins saw the band catapulted to international stardom and the world of the household name.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Monday, 23 July 2012

Jimmy Cliff - Rebirth (Album Review)

Reggae python Jimmy Cliff is back to his roots with a message of hope that will keep your heart and soul on the sunny side; an open-hearted thirteen track showcase of his legendary talent which he calls "One more shot at the prize. One more shot at the goal.”

Written by: Helen Grant | Date: Friday, 20 July 2012

Aerosmith - Legendary Child (Single Review)

A few years ago the prospect of new music from Aerosmith seemed about as likely as Manchester City winning the Premier League title. How times change.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 18 July 2012