Audiodroid - 7in7 (EP Review)

'7in7', the forthcoming seven track EP from Andy ‘Droid’ Byram, promises an energetic electronic rollercoaster from the first track.

Written by: Elliott Batte | Date: Friday, 17 September 2010

Annuals - Count The Rings (Album Review)

Count The Rings, which was released on the 6th of September, is a collection of B sides and personal favourites from The Annuals. This is the group’s first European release since Be He Me, in 2006, an album which gained the group critical acclaim and led to tours with The Flaming Lips, Bloc Party and Calexico & Minus The Bear.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 14 September 2010

Freebass - It's A Beautiful Life (Album Review)

It is with sadness that I write this album review, as Freebass announce that they have split, just days before they finally release their debut album, It’s A Beautiful Life, some six years since the Freebass concept was formed. The original formula of three Manc bass playing legends, never quite came off as expected, with Andy Rourke, formally of The Smiths moving to New York in 2009, however he does appear on this record. But to put Peter Hook “Hooky” of Joy Division and New Order, Gary Mounfield “Mani” of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream and Andy Rourke “Rourkie” of The Smiths together and you have something rather special in my opinion.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Saturday, 11 September 2010

Dawn Kinnard - Wrong Side Of The Dream (Album Review)

Wrong Side Of The Dream, released on the 13th of September is singer/songwriter Dawn Kinnard’s second album, following on from her debut. 2008’s, The Courtesy Fall. Released on her new label, DK Records, in partnership with Damian Montagu, who produced the album, Wrong Side Of The Dream is a disappointing and depressing record which surely cannot receive the same critical acclaim that her debut received.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Friday, 10 September 2010

Shout Out Louds - Work (Album Review)

Shout Out Louds are senior citizens of the indie world, having released their first album 'Howl Howl Gaff Gaff' all the way back in the distant, hazy past of 2003. The five-piece band from Stockholm return with their third release, 'Work', hoping to join the likes of The Hives, The Knife, Robyn, Journey and (not to take their name in vain) Abba, breaking across the North Sea and becoming an adopted act in the British music circuit.

Written by: James Conlon | Date: Friday, 10 September 2010

Royksopp - Senior (Album Review)

There is a saying that all good things come to those who wait and that’s certainly true of the new Royksopp album 'Senior'. After 18 months the wait will be over on Monday (13th September) and it really has been worth it.

Written by: Andy Byram | Date: Thursday, 09 September 2010

Yeasayer - Madder Red/Odd Blood (Single and Album Review)

Experimental New York group Yeasayer, release their latest single, Madder Red, on the 13th of September. Taken from their new album Odd Blood, which is on sale now. The experimental three piece have had quite a year in the UK, with headline shows and a slot at Leeds and Reading, with their visually and musically excellent live performances continuing to impress audiences.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 08 September 2010

Screaming Females - Castle Talk (Album Review)

Castle Talk is Screaming Females fourth album, released on the 13th of September. The punk three piece from New Jersey, USA have managed to produce an album that is unthinkably good. Marissa Paternoster’s vocals, do for this music what Siouxsie Sioux did for The Banshees and what Debbie Harry’s vocals did for Blondie and her guitar riffs are exceptional too, Mike Abbate’s bass is fantastic as well, it has a real UK new wave sound to it, straight from the early eighties and then there is the drumming from Jarrett Dougherty which keeps everything sounding tight and adds a franticness to the groups sound.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 07 September 2010

Alesha - Drummer Boy and Remixes (Single Review)

Alesha Dixon's Drummer Boy may not be the most lyrically astute song ever written, nor a track graced with musical brilliance or vocal excellence, but who cares really? Drummer Boy is a catchy, good fun pop record, full of marching band drum beats and blasted with Alesha’s unique shouty vocals, which have always had appeal. If the trash that so called pop stars N Dubz and the like record can do well in the charts, then the down to earth Alesha is certainly deserving of success with Drummer Boy.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Monday, 06 September 2010

Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip – The Logic of Chance (Album Review)

When Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip’s ‘Thou Shalt Always Kill’ burst out of our radios back in 2007, it came as a fascinating and slightly shocking attack on British pop culture. Rapped over a catchy electronic beat, it took an ironic glance at life in this country and featured some humorously frank lyrics about the music and popular opinion of the time, including the now famous “just a band” verse. The single was soon to be followed by the duo’s debut album ‘Angles’, which was jam-packed with more thought-provoking and often comic songs about a variety of recent topics and it provided buyers with a stunning selection of beats and music that could compete with any of the then rising British hip-hop stars. Also, thanks to MC and poet Scroobius Pip, the album featured some of the best use of the Queen’s English ever to be heard in the rap genre.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Sunday, 05 September 2010

Arabrot - Revenge (Album Review)

Norwegian rock band Arabrot are certainly not quiet chaps, the metal noise makers are Kjetil Nernes and Vidar Evensen, who have been joined by noise artist Stian Skagen. Playing drums and guitar only, the group produce a hellish noise, which is quite incredibly loud and deep, considering the lack of instruments. There is no doubt that Revenge, released on the 13th September and the group’s fourth full album, since starting out in 2001, displays musical talent. The drum kit of Vidar Evenson is pummelled into submission, throughout the record, with thumping, high paced whacks of skin and reckless, crashing of symbols. Kjetil Nernes's guitar is frantically strummed also, I am sure he has broke a string or two in his time as he produces tormenting, screaming riffs and crazed, deep rhythms.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Sunday, 05 September 2010

Every Avenue - Picture Perfect (Album Review)

Easily accessible melodies, classic hooks and the ever-present subject of young love make "Picture Perfect", the third studio album from Marysville, Michigan pop punk outfit Every Avenue, the ideal i-Pod filler for teenage girls everywhere. While many of the records are undeniably well-structured in compliance with the conventional pop-rock format, stylistically much seems heavily borrowed from bands like All Time Low and The Maine - it's pretty hot right now amongst its aforementioned target audience, but early noughties skate-pop revival is not this writer's cup of tea.

Written by: Jacob Mier | Date: Saturday, 04 September 2010

The Daredevil Christopher Wright - In Deference to a Broken Back (Album Review)

The name "Daredevil" all seems terribly exciting initially. That is until you read further on and meet the somewhat lacklustre name Christopher Wright. "Daredevil?" you may ask. "What could possibly be so risky about this chap?" For one thing, this chap is a band of three lads from Wisconsin that seem to harvest lusciously fun harmonies and bountifully jumping beats while creating a load of lavish indie rock enjoyment. To all intents and purposes: these boys cover many bases.

Written by: Rich Kemp | Date: Saturday, 04 September 2010

Revere - Hey! Selim (Album Review)

Revere don't seem to be a band in any hurry. Despite being active in one form or another since 1995, Hey! Selim is the band's first feature length album after a wave of self-released EPs brought the band to acclaim outside of their London base. The band's social networking potency has seen the band feature at the "Best of Myspace" event, taking place on September 8th at the Bull & Gate in Kentish Town. With social networking fanbases notoriously fickle, the real matter at hand is that Hey! Selim marks 15 years hard work for Stephen Ellis. Time well spent?

Written by: Mark Booth | Date: Saturday, 04 September 2010

Karoshi - Not Sitting (Single Review)

Karoshi are Dan Burt and Sam Burt, they release their debut single Not Sitting on the 6th September. Karoshi will be hoping for good things from this release, following Radio 6 and Radio 2 air play and a top 10 in club chart. This single and its many remixes is an over synthetic indulgence of manufactured beats and Jedward like vocals, singing us the most unimaginative and thoughtless lyrics. Known as twisted electro pop, the radio edit, plus original are far from great.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 01 September 2010

The Heebie Jeebies - Misery Guts/Murderous (Single Review)

Jungle Pop three piece, The Heebie Jeebies, are due to release Misery Guts and Murderous on the 6th of September. The jangly, ska and reggae infused pop music created by Owen J. Adams, Thomas S. Barnett and Del H. Hoyle has a definite feel good factor to it and a very danceable catchiness. Misery Guts is an intensely catchy track, the frantic drum beat is wonderful and Caribbean in sound, the bass line that flows over the top is fantastically warm and deep, these elements combine to create a lovely back drop as the jangly, climbing riffs and vocals then flow over the up and down track.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Mogwai - Special Moves / Burning (Album & DVD Review)

Mogwai aren't known for being the most mainstream band on the planet: despite their success and long-standing reputation as rock goliaths, they're a long way off moving to Japan and advertising toothpaste. They're equally unlikely to be releasing a 'Greatest Hits' album anytime soon. So, for those of you looking to see the band given the Westlife treatment, I'm afraid that new live release Special Moves / Burning is probably as close as you'll ever get. Recorded in Brooklyn last year, the 2-disc set CD/DVD presents fifteen classic tracks in all their live glory, validating the reputation that Mogwai have earned as one of the most intense performers on the circuit.

Written by: James Conlon | Date: Friday, 27 August 2010

Shine 2009 - Associates (EP Review)

Finnish duo Shine 2009’s debut EP, Associates, is a dreamy, melodic collection of tracks which defy the fact that summer is on its way out, if it ever started that is. The self released EP, available on the 6th September, is by no means the best lyrical, vocal or musical work you will ever hear, however it is one of the catchiest, happy, dreamy releases you will hear. This EP, takes you back to the 90’s, whilst remaining fresh and current. The 90’s was a good decade though; we were all younger, life seemed better. No complaints there then, and that is what this record does. It takes your mind back to happier, care free times.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Thursday, 26 August 2010

Secret Sirens - Black Heart (Single Review)

Black Heart, is Secret Sirens debut single, due for release on the 6th September. The Leeds based pop duo of Andrew Siron and Narelle Frances, have managed to produce a tense and progressive pop track, which is both dark and catchy in equal measure. The first track of the single, the radio edit starts with huge, screaming electric guitar notes and thumping drum skins, before Narelle’s wonderful vocals open up over the plodding keyboards. The track rises and falls throughout, musically and vocally, shifting the depth, tempo and volume, from subtle to huge and back again.

Written by: Adam Simpson | Date: Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Klaxons - Surfing The Void (Album Review)

A wise man once said: "A band has their whole lives to write their first album, but only six months to write their second." Or something along those lines. Anyway, that might be true, but it does not appear to be a philosophy that the Klaxons have followed. After releasing their debut album 'Myths of the Near Future' to huge success and a number of awards, including the highly respected Mercury prize, the London-based three-piece chose to take some time over their next offering, only to have it famously rejected by their record company two years later. In somewhat of a hurry at this point, the Klaxons got together with American rock/ metal producer Ross Robinson to make their follow-up album 'Surfing the Void'. Although the inclusion of Robinson, who has previously worked with Korn and Slipknot, may seem like an odd choice for an English dance-punk band, it may be just what the group need to escape the "New Rave" label that has hung over them for the past three years. Now, finally, 'Surfing the Void' has hit our stores and iStores, just in time for the Klaxons' headlining sets at this month's Reading and Leeds festivals. But is it here in time to save the band from the looming threat of obscurity? That may well depend on the album's content.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Tuesday, 24 August 2010