http://soundjunkie.tumblr.com/

I have decided to combine my thoughts on life and music on tumblr in a much more colouful and interesting way than I can on here. All the old reviews will stay up on here, coz I'm pleased with what people said about the blog I just see this as starting afresh, I guess. On this new blog there will be more reviews, lots pictures, the possible introduction of audio clips and vidoes plus discussions and information about my student radio show of the same name (which is Sound Junkie not Tumblr). I'll also be rambling about my life and trying to link that with music and so on. So cheers for reading so far, I hope you enjoy the new blog! Please follow me :)

Peace and love,
Ben

Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions (Album Review)

Biffy Clyro are probably one of my favourite bands EVER! So, when I first heard the more commerical sounds on 2007 breakthrough album 'Puzzle', I wasn't sure what to make of its squeaky clean production and big pop choruses. I later came to the conclusion that it was a definate step in the right direction for the Scottish trio still keeping some beautifully fragile moments which Biffy always deliver best making it a quite an epic comeback. Two years on and Biffy have toured the world inside out and you'd think that they'd go into the studio and just churn out a load of radio-friendly pop songs, a bit like 2008 single 'Mountains', but that would be the wrong assumption my friend. Instead, on their fifth record Biffy have come back with probably there most unusal yet most epic record to date. Opening with the massive, brassed-soaked poprock tones of 'The Captain', it seems clear from the off that its going to be a more much upbeat and joyvial affair to that of 'Puzzle', which opened with a song entitled 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies'. And its pretty much from that point that the rest of the album is just one roller coaster of sounds and emotions, going from the punk-rock snarl of brilliant comeback single 'That Golden Rule' to the fuzzy-synth bass hook that dominates the very funky 'Born On A Horse'. Handling production duties is again 'Gggarth Richardson' who again has created a very clean and commerical sounding record with big American-style guitars which really add to some of big rock choruses here (Shock Shock/Booooom, Blast & Ruin) and really filling out the trios sparse rock set up with strings, brass, percussion, synths and woodblock (thats right folks, woodblock!). Of course this wouldn't be a Biffy Clyro album without at least one mellow moment and on here we get two! Firstly in the form of beautiful acoustic track 'God and Satan' which builds to an ending of horns and glokenspiel and secondly in the form of the soft rock, piano tinklings of 'Many Of Horror', which is a really fragile moment on the albumm enough to rival 'Machines' proberly the highlight of 'Puzzle'. Elsewhere we get the straight up pop monster that is 'Bubbles' and the big rock tunes that are 'Cloud of Stink' and 'Booooom, Blast & Ruin' which makes me understand why the Foo Fighters comparisons are getting thrown around alot lately. Basically this just a big, mental rock record but with alot of pop moments aswell some more hushed tones, but all delivered with alot of energy and the spirit that are making Biffy one of Britains favourite rock bands. Its quite a step from the bands first three albums and its not going to be everyones tastes, particually some of the die-hard Biffy fans, but it's a strong effort and I think I'm just about ready to send off our boys into the big league!

Rating: 7/10
Download: That Golden Rule / Bubbles / Booooom, Blast & Ruin

Only Revoultions is out on 14th Floor records on Monday November 2nd! The latest single 'The Captain' is out now and the band are currently on the tour around the UK now! Check www.mysapce.com/biffyclyro for more details!

Pharaohs - We've Tried Nothing And We're All Out Of Ideas (Mini-Album Review)

Man, it seems like I've been waiting ages for this! Since recording a 12 track album at the start of the year, this young British quartet have been constantly touring around the UK and trying to spark up some lable interest in order release their debut record. After signing with 'All Aboard records', the band felt it was too early in their career to release an album and instead we get the seven highlights from said album in the way of this superb mini-album. Combining twiddly guitar lines coupled with a driving rhythm section and soaring vocal melodies this is a really fresh, tight and clean indie rock record with massive pop choruses and stick-in-your-head harmonies. Opener 'TV' start things in an energentic fashion with added Strings for epic effect, then theres glockenspiel tinkling of single 'Squashed Against My Wall', which along with the harmonious 'Mosquito In A Bottle' are the perfect pop songs. And with delayed guitar intricacies of 'Decorex' and pounding pop rock tones of 'Traffic' this is the sound of band exploring the different spectrums of indie-rock which all blend together to create a really confident and rather anthemic debut. All out of idea's? Somehow, I think not gents!

Rating: 8/10
Download: TV / Mosquito In A Bottle / Decorex

'We've Tried Nothing And We're All Out Of Ideas' is out now via 'All Aboard Records' from most online retailers and all independent record stores.

Johnny Foreigner - Grace And The Bigger Picture (Album Review)

'Grace And The Bigger Picture' is the second album from Birmingham based noise-pop threesome 'Johnny Foreigner'. After a busy, busy 2008 releasing their brilliantly engeric debut 'Waited Up Til' It Was Light' and touring all over the shop, the trio went pretty much straight back into the studio and in a matter of days conceived this cracking set of indierockpop belters. In terms of the bands sound, not much has changed; its still all girl/boy vocals, intricate guitar twiddles and the odd keyboard tinkle all delivered with alot of melody, harmony as well as a bucket load of engergy and punk spirit. However the production on this record has a much more raw, punkier feel to it (to that of the slightly more polished, american-rock tones of their debut)which perfectly represents the band's live sound. This particually shines on some of the more rockier moments on the album such as recent singles 'Criminals' and 'Some Summers' as well as the straight up punk-rock-pop sounds of 'Ghost The Festivals' and 'Kingston Called, They Want Their Lost Youth Back'. There are really cool little ideas used on some of the more 'mellowier' moments on the record such as the lovely 36 second acoustic interlude '(graces)' and 'I'llchoosemysideandshutup, Alright' which is beautifully stripped down to just guitars and female vocals but the wall of noise guitars and crashing drums come in for a spine tingling ending. As an album, this is a really fresh sounding record that has alot of idea's and too many moments of rockpop genius to mention. I think its sheer engery and passion of this band that really shines through which is why I seem to beem everytime I hear this album. Don't know about you, but I think Johnny Foreigner are definitely seeing the bigger picture, lets hope their future is bright one!

Rating: 9.5/10

Download: I Woke Up On A Beach In Aberystwyth/ Kingston Called, They Want Their Lost Youth Back / The Coast Was Always Clear / Dark Harbourzz

'Grace And The Bigger Picture' is out now in all good record stores and on all online and digitial retailers via Best Before records!

Please check out http://www.myspace.com/johnnyforeigner for more details on the band and so on.

Flood Of Red - Leaving Everything Behind (Album Review)

Exploding onto the underground scene a few yeas back, Flood Of Red are a band that have put in the time and have toured their socks off and its felt like forever that we've been waiting for this record; I was not expecting the album that I hear.

When I first heard Flood Of Red there were a fun-loving screamo outfit with big riffs and fearless vocals, but on this debut record they've gone for much more epic and melodic sound which makes quite an ambitious debut. Opening with the prelude 'The Edge Of The World', from the off this is an intense, emotional affair with the softly delivered, fragile vocals set against a backdrop of gentle guitar melodies and reverbed piano. There seems to be quite a few slow burners here, which is what makes it a really hard-hitting, powerful and often heart-breaking piece of work (see 'Losing All Balance In Fells Point' and 'I Will Not Change'). However their are some straight up rock moments such as 'I Am The Speechless', 'The Harmony' and the slighlty pop-tones of 'Paper Lungs'; all of which stand tall with big guitar melodies, massive choruses and strong harmonies. 'Paper Lungs' isn't the only tune that seems to have that pop-quality to it, former single 'A Place Before The End' and the brillaint 'The Heartless And Loving' both have the potential to have commerical success, this is again due to big, single-along choruses and catchy melodies. It must be said that at 14 tracks and 52 minutes long, there is certainly plenty to get your teeth into and with a delayed guitar line and soft to loud dynamics in every song, by the records climax, (The Edge Of The World) you can predict which way the song is going to go. However, every song is delivered with so much passion and engergy and boasts countless moments of sheer beauty that after a few plays, you find your self playing it again and again as the melodies really take over your brain. In conclusion, this is a really stunning record with pristeen production and alot of heart and here's hoping will take these young lads from Scotland into the big league.

Rating: 8.5/10
Download: 'Hope Street', 'Paperlungs' ,'The Heartless And Loving', 'I Am The Speechless' (I know I normally pick three tunes, but there are so many belters here, it was hard to choose)

'Leaving Everything Behind' is available to download for one dollar! This via the bands website and you can also pre-order various bundles with the CD copy, t-shirts and so forth. www.floodofred.co.uk or to check out tourdates and other news please take a gand at: www.myspace.com/floodofred

Grammatics - Double Negative (Single Review)

So, Grammatics are a rather epic sounding indie-rock foursome from Leeds and they released this brand new single onto the world after an announcement on Twitter yestersday afteroon (I knew there was a reason I had twitter). Bascially, this is spine-chillingly awesome! It manages to keep that epic feel that kept their album sounding so big, this mainly through the ball-droppingly good guitar work and vocal performance from front man 'Owen Brindley', but it also retains that element of pop that makes Grammatics tunes so memorable. In this track, its all the beat coupled with distorted bass to create this really strong groove that runs throughout the track, then theres the super catchy vocal hook that opens the track that I promise you will be humming for months to come! 'Double Negative' has this sort of in-yr-face quality about it, particually through the snarled refrain of 'Hey! Sugar!' in the chrous, but it also has this really beautiful and magjestic quality to it, which comes from the incredible gutair lines that are perfectly mirrored by Cello. I'm trying to describe this track as best as I can, but not many words can really describe it because its that good! I always knew that Grammatics had something special, but this track they're heading for the stars, my friend! Single of the year! So far....

Rating: 10/10

The single is out now to download via iTunes. Or you can pre-order the 7" which is released on October 26th, in which the MP3's of the single plus awesome B-side 'Notes In His Pockets' will be sent to you straight away. For more details and to pre-order please check out www.myspace.com/grammatics

The band will also be supporting the mighty 'Bloc Party' on their month long tour around the UK, this month entitled 'Bloctober'.

Tubelord - Propeller (Single Review)

Ok, firstly I would like to draw your attention to the brilliant concept that this wonderful indieprogrockpop trio from Kingston have put together for the release of their ace new single Propeller. 500 blank sleeves, various artists from all over the shop contributing to create a unique cover for each sleeve. Neat right? Ok, so onto the tune itself, anygood? OH MY GOD YES! Tubelord are one of my favourite new bands of the last year or two, after seeing them live twice last summer I instantly fell for engeric brand of indie rock with weird time changes, wonderful harmonies and many a pop twist. Propeller is a re-working of the track that appeared on early EP 'Square' and is the first single proper to be taken from highly anticipated debut album 'Our First Amercian Friends' (which is out next month - silly, silly excited!) This re-recording seems to have a bit more urgency in its opening as the kick drum and bass pound together in perfect unison building up for the next three and half minutes of high engery indie rock with sharp guitar work, catchy harmonies and enough twists and turns within its structure to keep you on your toes and leave you drooling for more. I understand that this doesn't say much about the tune, but seriously www.myspace.com/tubelord listen to it and then thank me later :) LETS HAVE THIS ALBUM THEN BOYO'S!

Rating: 10/10

'Propeller' is released on 7" via Hassle records on September 28th.

Check out http://rainboliatric.blogspot.com in order to see all the artwork contributions.