Rosie Doonan - Lay Your Love (Single Review)

With folk music enjoying a fruitful revival thanks to the likes of Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling, it seems that the door is open for new talent to rise up and get some well deserved exposure.

Written by: Hayley Taylor | Date: Tuesday, 08 March 2011

Long Distance Calling – Long Distance Calling (Album Review)

When it comes to rock music of any description, most of us are probably more likely to opt for a band with a singer over one of their instrumental counterparts. Supposedly, it's preferable to have a bit of a good old sing-song when you're at a gig or maybe it's just the presence of a frontman that helps to hold things together. It's probably also fair to say that, apart from the odd few exceptions like Mogwai for example, there aren't too many instrumental groups about that have actually had their fair share of success. But anyway, one of the latest bands attempting to buck the “lead singer” trend is German five-piece Long Distance Calling. Like the aforementioned Scottish post-rockers, LDC depend on powerful and enchanting guitar music in the absence of any vocals. However, unlike Mogwai, Long Distance Calling are being careful to steer clear of the term “post-rock”, preferring the much more direct genre description of “instrumental rock”. Probably to avoid the lazy pigeon-holing that is far too often associated with bands that don't have a singer. Fair enough.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Tuesday, 08 March 2011

The Chapman Family – Burn Your Town (Album Review)

If you've happened to stumble across this Stockton-on-Tees quartet over the past five years, you may be pleased – or not so pleased – to hear that they have finally got around to finishing and releasing their debut album. And it has indeed been a long wait – or a reasonably long wait at the very least. Some of you may have already noticed that two of the band's singles that have previously been taken from this album were released two whole years ago. One of the tracks in question, entitled 'Kids' – yes, another song called 'Kids' – even gained the group some minor success, receiving a fairly significant amount of airplay. Since then, the band have made a few festival appearances, done at least one major headlining tour and performed on the NME Radar Tour. Here they are, two years later and the all-important question is... what's the score? Is 'Burn Your Town' worth the wait? Well, the short answer is... yes. Pretty much.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Monday, 07 March 2011

The Blackout - Hope (Album Review)

Described as “the preserve of the foolish and the brave, the light at the end of the tunnel and the ball and chain that leaves reality inescapable”, The Blackout already have a lot to live up to just from a one-line summary of their third full studio release ‘Hope'.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 07 March 2011

Sucioperro - The Heart String & How to Pull It (Album Review)

My Heart String & How to Pull It Sucioperro have always put emotion into their songs. Indeed, they are one of a number of current Scottish bands (along with the likes of The Xcerts and Biffy Clyro) who have a wonderful ability to create a song that aren’t just cracking rockers but also works of great intensity and passion. The early indications of Sucioperro’s third record have been indications that the band is going down the route of tearing at the listener’s heart more than ever, as well as adopting a more straightforward and melodic sound than previously heard. Their debut 'Random Acts of Intimacy' kept its heart buried beneath energetic hardcore tinged heavy riffage and follow up 'Pain Agency' kept its heart from totally bursting out of its cage with impressive technicality and the odd progressive leaning. 'The Heart String & How to Pull It' makes no bones about the fact that it is just a little bit soppy...and when you manage to make the twinges of the heart sound as beautifully pure and invigorating as Sucioperro do on this record why should it?

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 07 March 2011

Daystar - Daystar (Album Review)

Manchester quintet Daystar are currently riding high on the success of their first TV appearance, and are set to release their new single 'Slip and Dive' – the opening track to their self titled debut album.

Written by: Sally Atlass | Date: Monday, 07 March 2011

Claire Nicolson - You And I (Single Review)

Claire Nicolson has come together with Yellowhammer to release a second single, 'You and I.' This track has been released alongside 'Quiet Company' which is a track from her forthcoming album.

Written by: Kiran Johal | Date: Monday, 07 March 2011

Red Room – Waxpoetics (EP Review)

Drawling guitars and sharp beats accompany Sam Frankl’s Morrissey-esque (but much more distinctive) voice on this debut EP. The xx are an obvious reference point, with the fragmented drums interweaving throughout, but Red Room exhibit their pop sensibilities in a much more clear manner.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Thursday, 03 March 2011

The Quails - Games With The Devil (Single Review)

Perhaps the best known band from the town of Teignmouth, apart from the mighty Muse of course, there’s a warmth to their polished new single that suggests the band may be on the up.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Thursday, 03 March 2011

Sucioperro - Reflexes Of The Dead (Single Review)

“Wake up, wake up my angel, you are my oxygen” Seemingly, the title of Sucioperro’s upcoming third record ‘The Heart String & How to Pull It’ is a pretty accurate one. If you thought first single ‘Threads’ and giveaway track ‘Running From All That Doesn’t Tempt You’  were pretty direct arrows to the heart then wait until you hear the latest track released from the album.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 28 February 2011

Kellermensch - The Lexington, Pentonville Road, London – Thursday 24th February 2011

The Nordic countries have always been major players in the murky world of underground metal. Thus it is no surprise that The Lexington’s monthly ‘Ja Ja Ja Music’ nights, celebrating the musical contributions of the Nordic region, often dip their toes into the metal depths. This particular night, curated by The Quietus, certainly has a heavy feel to it, headlined as it is by Danish art metal collective Kellermensch (whose debut album is utterly incredible).

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 28 February 2011

B.O.B - I'll Be In The Sky (Single Review)

'I’ll Be In The Sky' is a very catchy and up beat song. B.O.B has once again showcased his rapping skills and produced another good R & B track. It’s not brilliant but it’s definitely not one to be overlooked.

Written by: Kiran Johal | Date: Friday, 25 February 2011

Nicole Scherzinger - 'Don't Hold Your Breath' (Single Review)

With no sign of her album being released, Nicole Scherzinger has revealed her second single 'Don’t Hold Your Breath.' It follows 'Poison' which managed to reach number three on the Official UK Singles Chart.

Written by: Kiran Johal | Date: Friday, 25 February 2011

The Cave Singers - No Witch (Album Review)

Presenting traditional folk melodies alongside the raw gusto of the 70’s rock movement sounds like an unsavoury recipe for disaster. But with third album, ‘No Witch’, the Cave Singers endeavour to accommodate a handful of styles without too much of a fuss. Consequently this shows the band to be in several very different places over the course of this record.

Written by: Brian Thompson | Date: Friday, 25 February 2011

Radiohead - The King Of Limbs (Album Review)

Every individual will have a moment in their history which changed their lives, which defines them as a person. It could be the delusions of ‘seeing’ God for the first time. It may be losing a loved one. It may be the vigorous spanking of your first S&M session. But for me (and I’m certain I’m not alone) it was the first time Radiohead blessed my ears. I was 16 and until then I had always written them off as too depressing to waste my time with. Obviously I was made to hugely regret those ignorant thoughts the first time I listened to 'OK Computer'. Baring this in mind I do hope you can forgive any gushing asides that may take place over the course of the next few paragraphs.

Written by: Rhys Morgan | Date: Monday, 21 February 2011

Slash – Slash [Deluxe Edition] (Album Review)

Being one of the most laudable guitar players in the world, as well as being a key member of arguably the biggest rock band of the last 25 years, can’t be the lightest of burdens to carry. The responsibility and hype that gets heaped upon you, in addition to the constant influx of questions regarding whether or not you plan to return to your former band, must be enough to drive a person to despair at times. However, watching Slash fondly speak about working with some of his personal heroes on the Making of The Album documentary that comes with the new Deluxe Edition of his debut solo album, you’d almost believe that the legendary axeman is completely unaware of the godlike reputation that follows him.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Friday, 18 February 2011

Jamiroquai - Lifeline (Single Review)

As the third single from Jamiroquai’s seventh studio album ‘Rock Dust Light Star’, ‘Lifeline’ comes as the latest instalment of their acid jazz sound. Immediately you can identify it as one of their tracks without advanced warning, yet it’s a fresh, new sound.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Friday, 18 February 2011

Jonsi - Go Live (Album Review)

Jónsi is probably well known to people as part of the band Sigur Ros but he is also a well established solo artist in his own right. Jónsi released his debut solo album entitled ‘Riceboy Sleeps’ in 2009 and ‘Go’ followed a year later which saw Jónsi embark on a world tour in 2010 playing in Canada, Japan and Luxembourg to name but a few. ‘Go Live’ was recorded on the Belgium leg of the tour in Brussels and helps to encaptivate the live experience that the audience gets when at a Jónsi show.

Written by: Steve Wellman | Date: Friday, 18 February 2011

The BRIT Awards (A Viewer’s Review)

So it is that time of the year again, where rich, talented and beautiful people gather to congratulate other rich, talented and beautiful people on how rich. talented and beautiful they are while you, the viewer, gawp on at the bright screen praying that your regular, human eyes won’t be blinded by all their brilliance. The BRIT Awards ceremony is the long-standing jewel in the UK music industry’s crown, successful for the big name acts it draws in on an annual basis as well as the odd publicity-boosting outrageous celebrity stunt.

Written by: James Conlon | Date: Wednesday, 16 February 2011

Alexandra Legouix & The Sunflowers - Lets Go (EP Review)

A star of BBC Introducing, it’s easy to see why Alexandra Legouix is hotly tipped this year. There’s a sense of freshness to this sunny extended play. Nothing is synthesised, and she has a very real and authentic voice that contrasts highly with the auto tuned R&B stars of today.

Written by: Jonny Rimmer | Date: Wednesday, 16 February 2011