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

Matt Cardle – When We Collide (Single Review)

X Factor. The yearly Simon Cowell induced singing competition loved by many, loathed by possibly many more. Being a lover of all things “alternative” I guess I should be one of those in the loathing category, but I’m afraid I’m an avid X Factor viewer. I’ve never voted before, I’ve never bought any winners songs, but yes, I watch it regularly. This year has been the first time I’ve had a favourite contestant from day one, and I have to say, it’s made the show that much more enjoyable. I may love anything with a great guitar riff and some fantastic drumming, but I’m also a sucker for a male vocal that can give me goosebumps, and Essex boy Matt Cardle done that for me in X Factor this year.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Tuesday, 14 December 2010

Motorhead – The World is Yours (Album Review)

“I ain’t no angel,” Motorhead main man Lemmy Kilmister sneers during ‘I Know How to Die’. Of course, anyone who isn’t yet aware of this needs to go away and check their rock’n’roll history books. Since joining Hawkwind in the early Seventies, Lemmy has been the archetypal hard-living rock star – a trait he learned roadying for Jimi Hendrix during the previous decade. Almost forty years on and Lemmy still refuses to tone down either his lifestyle or his music. Unlike many ageing legends of this magnitude, Lemmy has stayed true to the intensity and excess of rock’n’roll and has never really seen the point in putting the devil in him to rest. This will no doubt come as great news for anyone looking forward to the new Motorhead album ‘The World is Yours’ and will offer a pleasant surprise to any doubters.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Sunday, 12 December 2010

Foxy Shazam – Foxy Shazam (Album Review)

“There sure are a lot of dogs out this evening,” says Foxy Shazam frontman Eric Nally at the start of their latest album. “Perhaps they can assist me in a song.” Cue a barking intro to opener ‘Bombs Away’. Well, this isn’t ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’, but it certainly is barking, as is the rest of the album and everything else about Foxy Shazam for that matter. For those who aren’t yet acquainted, this Cincinnati sextet are now six years old and this is already their third offering, albeit their first on a major label. For those of you who are familiar with their previous work, their latest release may come as quite a shock.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Thursday, 09 December 2010

Arcs - Freckles (EP Review)

Following recent support slots with The Chapman Family and Cymbals Eat Guitars, Surrey-based 'indie noiseniks' Arcs released their second EP, ‘Freckles’, last week (29th November) and I got my hands on a copy to check out the five new tracks. The first thing that struck me about the EP was how different all five songs were from one another. It made a change from the repetitive nature of the releases you tend to hear from small unknown bands, and the change in pace throughout the EP was a refreshing change.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Wednesday, 08 December 2010

Jay-Z – The Hits Collection: Volume One (Album Review)

Two years on from the Glastonbury controversy and the subsequent success, Jay-Z, the self-professed greatest rapper in the world, is still doing pretty well for himself. Although many would argue that his relationship with the pop world has tainted some of his credibility, it would be difficult to suggest that he hasn’t at least stayed true to his own style. Looking back to that summer evening in Somerset in 2008, what Jay-Z proved was that rappers could sit comfortably among indie kids and rockers and still manage to win over the entire festival.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Wednesday, 08 December 2010

Simian Mobile Disco - Delicacies (Album Review)

If you have never heard of this London based dance troupe, then a revisit to the incredible Justice vs. Simian collaboration 'We Are Your Friends' or their single from 2009 'Audacity of Huge' will ring a bell for any dance music follower. Since 2007 James Ford and Jas Shaw have been operating under the full name Simian Mobile Disco, mixing with artists as varied as Beth Ditto to The Chemical Brothers, and releasing electronica with modest success.

Written by: Owen Sheppard | Date: Wednesday, 08 December 2010

The Fins – And When You Get To The End (Album Review)

With over two hundred gigs and seven UK tours under their belts, The Fins are hardly taking baby steps on the music scene. However, the Farnborough based five-piece have lingered for more than three years on basement stages and carpeted practise rooms before deciding to release their first full-length LP. It may seem more like hesitation than anything else, but one thing is for certain: the maturity of their sound is undeniable throughout every bar of their debut release, ‘And When You Get To The End’.

Written by: James Conlon | Date: Tuesday, 07 December 2010

Sucioperro - Threads (Single Review)

“Inside my heart, there is a part that can never get over you.”

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 06 December 2010