Sonic Youth - The Year Punk Broke (DVD Review)

'The Year Punk Broke' was originally released in '92, with filmmaker David Markey following Sonic Youth and Nirvana on their European tour of the previous year, both on and off the stage, from small clubs to large open-air festivals. The film also features live videos from Dinosaur Jr., Babes in Toyland, Gumball and The Ramomes. Some of you may have been familiar with the VHS version of the film or have found pieces of it on the internet accompanied by a fuzzy mp3 soundtrack, but now this grunge extravaganza has now finally made it to DVD! There's even a few little extras that you won't have seen before thrown in for good measure.

Written by: Steven James | Date: Monday, 07 November 2011

Maverick Sabre - I Need (Single Review)

Ambient, soulful, emotionally captivating. A few words that spring to mind when listening to the new single ‘I Need’ by London based Maverick Sabre. Made famous throughout the mainstream appearing on Professor Green’s single ‘Jungle’, Hackney born Michael Stafford attempts to take a new direction in his approach. So, how’s that working out for the hip-hop, turned soul star?

Written by: Christian Parker | Date: Monday, 07 November 2011

Theme Park - A Mountain We Love/Wax (Single Review)

Up and coming indie band Theme Park have set the blog world ablaze with their debut ‘A Mountain We Love/Wax’ which is being released on 31st August 2011. Though they are something of a typical indie band, they are more talented musicians than most. Their music is relaxing and easy to listen to, with their song ‘Wax’ being a great example; it’s a nice peaceful melody to have in the background- no effort involved, no having to force yourself to listen before you can appreciate its beauty- it’s all there with the first listen. The video for this song also adds a nice touch, subtly introducing us to the band members without the typical scene of them playing in an underground car park. The unique use of photos gives a comfortable, almost nostalgic feel, reflecting the atmosphere of the song perfectly.

Written by: Jinan Younis | Date: Monday, 07 November 2011

Is Tropical - Lies (Single Review)

Is Tropical emerged at the same time that similarly Field Day-type, elusive lo-fi bands Teeth, Wu Lyf, etc did. Interestingly, these bands all followed similar routes in quietly gaining large amounts of fans, releasing an album each, and then becoming rather less elusive, embarking on lots of tours and drumming up a lot of write ups, reviews and interviews. Musically though, it can't be denied that each had very much their own sound from the beginning, with Is Tropical, and this single in particular being a very good example of this.

Written by: Ellen Davies | Date: Friday, 04 November 2011

Kele - The Hunter (EP Review)

When a lead singer breaks free from a band to forge a solo career, it’s usually to release some similar sounding music – probably to ensure they keep a good collection of fans waiting in the wings. For prime examples recently, see Alex Turner, Brandon Flowers, Miles Kane, etc. Last year, after announcing a Bloc Party hiatus, Kele Okereke went against the norm by releasing his dance/electro inspired solo debut, ‘The Boxer’. Although a totally different sound to what we’re used to with Bloc Party, Kele proved his worth by showcasing a new sound that not only worked, but proved some doubters wrong whilst picking up new fans along the way.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Thursday, 03 November 2011

Professor Green - At Your Inconvenience (Album Review)

Adopting a more intimate and cutting edge style whilst keeping the cheeky charm that made him all the more appealing, Professor Green returns with his new album 'At Your Inconvenience'. Even when evolving his sound and experimenting with different genres and artists Green still finds time to throw in tongue-in-cheek pop culture references not for the easily offended.

Written by: Emma Robertson | Date: Thursday, 03 November 2011

Love Among The Mannequins – Radial Images (Album Review)

Everyone who worried that the tricky wordplay of ex-Meet Me in St Louis frontman Toby Hayes was now lost only to the lo-fi folk of Shoes and Socks off need not have feared. With the debut record by new outfit Love among the Mannequins, Hayes is back at his most deliciously impenetrable. With songs titles such as 'Nikolai Fyodorovich Fyodorov' and 'The Twentieth Century (Alan Watts / Edward Bernays)', it is immediately apparent that this is not going to be an album full of overwhelmingly catchy choruses but the songwriting here has a different charm.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Wednesday, 02 November 2011

Steel Panther - Balls Out (Album Review)

Returning to slap the tits off all but Metal, Steel Panther are back with the release of their brand new studio album 'Balls Out'. Pushing boundaries and stretching spandex the band unleashed 'Balls Out' yesterday, 31st October, or Cocktober as the group prefer to call it.

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Tuesday, 01 November 2011

Kaleidophone – What’s Your Tonic? (Album Review)

Excitement is growing around Kaleidophone, who have already been championed as ‘one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the South East in the last decade’. Their debut album is out now, and they are set to ensure that bands that play their own instruments stay firmly in the spotlight.

Written by: Emma Newlyn | Date: Monday, 31 October 2011

Wednesday 13 - Calling All Corpses (Album Review)

Wednesday 13 has seen himself in many musical outfits over his career, spanning from Frankenstein Drag Queens from Planet 13 to Bourbon Crow, the highly acclaimed Murderdolls to his solo project veiled under his own name. We’ve seen remix to live albums from Wednesday over the last few years, but in reality the last studio release he – himself – devilishly presented us with was 2008’s ‘Skeletons’ and, three or so years later, he’s ready to drop his awaited follow up ‘Calling All Corpses’.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 31 October 2011

Black Country Communion - Black Country Communion Live Over Europe (DVD Review)

Anglo-American rock supergroup Black Country Communion have experienced an outstanding two years together. Featuring the cream of classic rock music's talents, the band comprise of vocalist and bassist Glenn Hughes, of Deep Purple, Trapeze and Black Sabbath fame, leading blues-rock guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham, and Dream Theater's keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Clear to see why the band have been dubbed as the living embodiment of the Classic Rock music genre.

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Darren Hayes - Secret Codes & Battleships (Album Review)

Darren Hayes, previously one half of the Australian pop duo Savage Garden, has just released his fourth studio album 'Secret Codes and Battleships'. Darren has had a four year gap since his last studio release and in that time he had been charged with writing songs to be used by people like Simon Cowell and Leona Lewis, some of which made it onto the album – which gives you a little bit of foresight of what's to come.

Written by: Steven James | Date: Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Chickenfoot - III (Album Review)

Weighing with ten songs and a running time of forty two minutes, 'III' is yet another satisfying slice of power-rock from Chickenfoot.

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Monday, 24 October 2011

Nero - Crush On You (Single Review)

Nero are one of the biggest names in the dubstep and drum and bass genre and they are well on their way to superstardom with hit single after hit single.

Written by: Joshua Weale | Date: Monday, 24 October 2011

Kate Bush - Wild Man (Single Review)

Kate Bush’s musical output between 1994’s ‘The Red Shoes’, and ‘Director’s Cut’ released earlier this year, has for a huge amount of her fans been more than worthy of happily poring over. I’ve spent really quite notable amounts of time along with many others, trying to persuade those who aren’t as enthusiastic that there’s just as much to love going on in her most recent albums. But admittedly, these albums haven’t had that addictive unpredictability that every Bush album had pre-Red Shoes.

Written by: Ellen Davies | Date: Monday, 24 October 2011

Shield Your Eyes - Volume 4 (Album Review)

Shield Your Eyes ought to be admired for their continuing insistence on awkwardness. This trio sneak enough deliberately unpredictable tempo changes and discordant attempts at melody into 'Volume 4' to make some lovers of traditional rock music weep. Shield Your Eyes are determined not to make life easy for their listeners with their incorporation of influences from the disparate worlds of jazz, blues and noise rock. Frankly at times in their career such experimental blending has led to something disappointingly incomplete but, thankfully, 'Volume 4' is almost all hit and very little miss.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Sunday, 23 October 2011

To Kill A King - My Crooked Saint (EP Review)

There’s so much to say about 'My Crooked Saint' because it is truly inspiring. Filled with soothing melodies and diverse lyrics, it provides the perfect listening experience.

Written by: Chris 'PJ' Martin | Date: Friday, 21 October 2011

Flashguns - Passions of a Different Kind (Album Review)

Anyone who keeps a keen eye on the UK indie scene should expect to be hearing a lot more from this London three piece in the near future. “Passions of a Different Kind” is the result of “months of very hard work” as front man Sam Johnston puts it. The band began work on the follow up to their debut EP: “Matching Hearts, Similar Parts” while shut away in studios of countryside settings in Kent and Somerset during the summer months with producers Luke Smith (Foals and Depeche mode) and Barney Barnicott (Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys).

Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Friday, 21 October 2011

The Answer - Revival (Album Review)

The Answer are are one of the few newer bands out there who are all about proving that rock 'n' roll is not dead. Hailing from County Down in Northern Ireland, their bluesy brand of hard rock was very well received with their debut album 'Rise' selling incredibly well, and them winning 'Best New Band' at the 2005 Classic Rock Awards. Since the release of their second album 'Everyday Demons' they have been famed for their live performances, with them playing slots at festivals such as Download and Sonisphere and even touring with rock 'n' roll legends AC/DC. Now they're back with their third studio album 'Revival'.

Written by: Steven James | Date: Friday, 21 October 2011

Howling Bells - The Loudest Engine (Album Review)

After a year of writing, England’s adopted Aussies have released their third album The Loudest Engine. Recorded at Battle Born Studios in Las Vegas and produced by none other than Mark Stoermer from The Killers. There’s a lot to be hopeful for.

Written by: Sophie Williams | Date: Wednesday, 19 October 2011