Sound Junkie

http://soundjunkie.tumblr.com/

2009-12-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

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)

2009-11-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

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)

2009-11-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

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)

2009-10-31T09:39:00.001-07:00

'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)

2009-10-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-10-01T04:18:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-09-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

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.

Paramore - Brand New Eyes (Album Review)

2009-09-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's quite a cliche thing for a rock band to describe their new album as 'the heavy bits are heavier and the softer bits of softer' but with Paramore's third album they've done just that. Following from a rough patch last year, it comes as no surprise that these American punk-popsters have made a much angier record; this is particually present on totally rocking opener 'Careful' and lead single 'Ignorance' which really packs a punch with its pounding drums and sharp guitars. It really seems that the band are going for a much harder and epic sound on this record and the tunes here are more than likely to get you singing at the top of your lungs on anthems-in-the-making such as 'Where The Lines Overlap', 'Brick By Borning Brick' and the glorious 'Looking Up'. Infact, the latter really seems to have a much more hopeful vibe lyrically to some of the more agressive moments on the record as front-woman Hayley Williams passionatly roars 'we're just getting started!'. Of course, theres a couple of mellower offerings on the album such as the beautiful acoustic pop tones 'Only Exception' and the gorgeous folksie picking of 'Misguided Ghosts', which is something that will really take die-hard fans by surprise, its really quite stunning. Bascially, this album is all about big rock songs, with soaring melodies and massive choruses played with alot of heart and alot of passion, and in my opinion its gonna take Paramore into the big league! Welcome back kids!

Rating: 8.5/10

Download: Careful / Looking Up / Brick By Boring Brick

'Brand New Eyes' is released on FeuledByRamen records on September 28th in all good record shops and at all digital retailers.

Data. Select. Party - Three Pennies / Hey Zeus (Single Review)

2009-09-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

So, I just found out about an hour ago that this brilliant indie pop quartet are splitting up! But luckily for us, before they head off into the sunset into pastures new city, they're gonna be playing a few farewell shows and have also put up two new tunes for y'all to download! And what makes matters even worse is that these two songs are utterly brilliant and if they kept penning them like this, these Brighton boys could of had quite a successful future! 'Three Pennies' starts all spaced out with delayed guitars before a cracking little riff comes in with funky bass and a strong drum groove to match. Production wise this is the best the band has ever sounded, not too lo-fi like some of their earlier demo's and not too glitterly like they're recent mini-album 'Hanging Out With Humans' (which are all still great by the way). The general sound of these recordings have this real clean feel to them without sounding over produced and' Three Pennies' in particular could be a smash with its cracking pop chrous of 'I've never realised how much I owe to the world, got me running around me circles now'. Then theres 'Hey Zeus' a slightly more urgent affair with another massive chrous of reverbed guitars and big vocals refraining 'Hey You, Hey Zeus, Killer Tracksuit'. Both tracks have this really fresh vibe about them with great harmonies and real sense of groove and melody which are the reasons why these boys will be sorely missed! Rest in peace D.S.P!

Rating: 9.5/10

Both of these tracks can be downloaded for free from: http://drop.io/dsptracks

For more details on forthcoming shows and details of future projects from various band members please check out: http://www.myspace.com/dataselectparty

Los Campesinos - TheSeaIsAGoodPlaceToThinkAboutTheFuture (Single Review)

2009-09-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Man, i'm feeling bloggy today! That might be to do with the fact theres alot of good new music floating about at the moment and I feel now is time to explode into a world of bad grammar journalism!

Right, so, after reviewing Copy Haho earlier, I got all excited about their up and coming tour with one of my favourite indie bands 'Los Campesinos'. After releasing two flawless albums of high energy indie pop last year, the Cardiff outfit return fresh from recording their third album and ready to claim the underground once again! This first taster from the record opens with a hushed guitar melody with swirls of violin, building up with more strings and intricate percussion. This is quite a slow burning affair so far, until frontman Gareth comes in with his odd yet genius lyrical tones about failed relationships and love. After some distorted gang vocals howling over the delicate sound-scape created, the track then exlodes with crashing drums, female backing vocals and riff that sound that almost sounds like its been whistled. The chorus also boasts yet more brilliant yet bizzarre lyrical musings; "and all you can hear is the sound of your own heart, and all you can feel is your lungs flood and the blood course". Now, I'm not quite sure if this moody and rather epic new sound is going to be center sound for this new record but I guess we'll find out when we hear the albums first proper single 'These Are Listed Buildings' when its released next month. But, if this track is anything to go by, I for one am very excited to see what direction this record goes in and 'TheSea...' seems like the perfect way to return on; its good to have them back!

Rating: 9/10

You can download this track for free via the bands website: http://www.loscampesinos.com Theres also a great video to go with the tune, brilliantly shot by bassist Ellen (who also happens to be extremely gorgeous). Also on the site are details of the bands forthcoming UK tour which starts next month; where you can get your mits on their limited new single 'These Listed Buildings'. Details on the album will hopefully follow in the forthcoming months.

Copy Haho - Wrong Direction (Single Review)

2009-09-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

In a time when alot of underground indie bands are turning to prog, (which is totally fine by the way!) its always refreshing to hear a band that make straight up indie-pop and Copy Haho are one of those bands! Hailing from Scotland, this quartet have been working hard all year! Having toured all over the shop earlier this year in support of their fantastic 5-track EP 'Skills For Bred & Magic', the boys have two more massive tours lined up this Autum/Winter promoting this purely brilliant 7" single! Following from last years 'Bookshelf' and 'You Are My Coalmine' singles, comes 'Wrong Direction'; a perfect slice of guitar pop, with a hook that your'll be humming for weeks and a massive chorus to match that will keep smiling and bopping away as the nights draw colder and darker. Whats also great about this release, is that its B-side is just as killer as the A-side! 'Demons and Gods' boasts yet another awesome guitar line, with a slightly harder edge with crashing drums and a rocking piano line which comes at the tracks slick twiddle-pop ending! And if there performance of this toon was anything to go by at this years 'Off The Cuff' festival, then it looks like this is gonna be rocking out a venue near you this winter! Basically, this is music to dance to, its just straight-forward, up-lifting indie rock with a pop twist; this band demands your attension!

Rating: 9/10

Check out www.myspace.com/copyhaho for details of tours and release news. The single is released via too pure records on October 16th; see the myspace for ways of pre-ordering!

Puzzle - Patterns We Left (EP Review)

2009-09-26T06:51:00.001-07:00

Puzzle have been with us for a fair few years now, gigging around the UK and releasing various low-key EP's and so on. But, what seems like a life-time since their last release, the Liverpool based trio are back with 'Patterns We Left', a beautiful three track EP. Puzzle have always had a knack of penning uplifting indie pop songs, (see debut album 'Sometimes, All The Time' for 25 minutes of the stuff) but on this record the band have really tightened the screws in terms of playing, song-writing and production. Opening with 'I Started Laughing', its clear to see how the band have progressed with its bouncy indie-rock stylings and is that a bit of distortion we hear in the verses? Rock! 'How Long Has It Been' has that similar nostaglic tone that is to that of some of the bands previous material, matched with the simple guitar melodies of guitarist 'Dave' that really shine throughout this record. But for me its all about the EP closer 'Same Old Problems', which is a sublime piece of pop with more fantastically simple guitar work; which particually sounds huge in the chorus coupled with the passionate vocals of front-woman 'Lucy', with lyrics that really seem to stick with you. So, it seems that Puzzle have made a lo-fi indie pop gem; melodic, passionate and most definitely the start of bigger and better things.

Rating: 8.5/10

Download: All of it! Its only three songs long!

Patterns We Left is being released as a 3” miniCD through the Lightningheart Records online shop, limited to 100 copies with the first 30 copies having a holographic front cover. It is also being released digitally in October 2009 via iTunes, Amazon mp3, eMusic, 7Digital, and Spotify. (It’s actually already on Amazon – here’s a link)

For more information, please contact Stef @ Lightningheart Records via e-mail at colourofstef@gmail.com, or check out www.lightningheartrecords.com, and or course www.myspace.com/puzzlepuzzle.

You Need To Hear: Shoes And Socks Off (Artist Review)

2009-09-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

So, today is 'Meet Me St. Louis Day' and marks two years since the release of one of Britians finest progressive albums; the bands debut 'Varations On Swing'. It was the bands jaw dropping rhythms, ball bustingly intricate guitar lines, howling vocals and inpeccable melodies that are why the Surrey based outfit are deeply missed today and why this album is one of the most celebrated pieces of music in underground history! Since the split, various members have joined various bands, featuring bassist Lewis Reynolds who recently played bass in london based quartete 'Colour'; a band with a similiar progressive sound to that of MIMSL, but with a pop twist; basically, they were utterly brilliant and they've just played their last show just the other week :( gutted!

But, in this article I would like to focus on MIMSL frontman; Toby Hayes. After a short stint playing bass in grunge meets prog trio 'Shield Your Eyes', Hayes decided to pick up his battered acoustic guitar and began to write stripped down acoustic songs. And it was this time last year (almost a year to the day since MMISL released 'Varitations...') that Hayes sat in his flat in Whitechapel and in just one afternoon recorded a 10 track record of these fragile yet beautifully melodic songs, later going under the name of 'Shoes And Socks Off'. The album was then released in December 2008 on the 'Big Scary Monsters' label, entitled 'From The Muddy Banks Of Melitzer'. Soon after the albums release, Hayes announced that he would re-record the record but with additional help from other musicians in order to give the record a slightly fuller feel; a re-imagining if you will. 'Hand-Reared Suburban Piglet' is its title and was released September 14th on BSM and is a truely stunning re-working of the original. 'Piglet...' still carries the intense, soulful beauty that lied in 'Melitzer' but it seems to breathe new life into the songs, it even gives some songs a new whole new meaning, with a much more electronic feel in terms of distorted vocals, looped percussion and reverbed keyboards. This really feels the work of a genius here; one of the most interesting projects I've come across as a both musician and music lover and according to BSM, Hayes is mid-way through recording his second record proper, in effect his third. It's yet to be announced what kind of record it will be, but if these two are anything to go by, come its release in December, Toby Hayes is going to become an underground hero!

Download: Butterfingers

Both albums; 'From The Muddy Banks Of Melitzer' & 'Hand-Reared Suburban Piglet' are available on both CD format or download from Big Scary Monster records at: http://www.bsmrocks.com/shop

For more details and to hear clips from the first album, please check out Tobys Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/shoesandsocksoff

or, you can check out his blog musings at: http://shoesandsocksoff.blogspot.com/

The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant (Album Review)

2009-09-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so for those who are unfamiliar with the Cribs they are three brothers from Wakefield in Yorkshire who make loud, honest and catchyasfuck indie rock anthems. The trio have thus far released three brilliant records, each one progressing in terms of production and songwriting and on their fourth album they have a fourth member; guitar hero former Smiths legend 'Jonny Marr'. So, in hindsight this should be the best Cribs record to date, right?
Opening with the big guitars and the driving beats of Ross Jarmen, 'We Were Aborted' is cracking way to start the record with a masive chorus and passionate vocals from Ryan and Gary Jarmen (Guitarist and Bassist respectively). Infact, for the most of the record it seems that the vocals have that punkish snarl that was was prominet in the first two Cribs records, and as their last record 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' had a slightly cleaner feel to it, its good to hear a bit of rawniess back in the Cribs production. Despite the raw vocals, the rest of the record quite a clean and very American feel to it production wise, with the guitars sounding huge in every track and of course the rhyhtm section driving through underneath beasts such as the epic 'City Of Bugs' and perfect indie pop tones of lead single 'Cheat On Me'. Another difference with this record is how it seems to be a much mellowier affair that the bands previous efforts and is quite a poppy record, particually on tracks such as the gloriously upbeat 'We Share The Same Skies' and the radio friendly grooves of 'Hari Kari'. This record still has the passion and punk-like energy of the last three records but it seems that the enterance of Jonny Marr has made the band sound slightly more melodic. Not that we're complaining of course, as this record has some brilliant moments but in places it does feel like we're listening to a poppier version of The Smiths (example: 'Last Year's Snow'). But if im honest, its actually quite refreshing to hear the Cribs try something out different within their sound and instead of trying sharpening their sound evern more, (like they have done up until this point) they have expanded their sound, tightened up and calmed down abit and have made a great guitar record and leaves alot of promise for album 5!

Rating: 7/10
Download: We Were Aborted / City Of Bugs / We Share The Same Skies

'Ignore The Ignorant' is out on September 8th through Witchia records.

Artic Monkeys - Humbug (Album Review)

2009-09-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

I shan't keep you long with this one, as you've probably already got it. I heard this album quite a while before it came out last week, and its taken quite a while to get my head round it, but for those that aren't aware: Sheffield's finest return with their ridiciously anticipated third album. Spending most of their time recording in the desert with 'Queens Of The Stone Age' front man 'Josh Homme', it comes as no surprise that the foursome have returned with a desert rock record, with some of the mellowist moments we've heard from the Monkeys, (Secret Door, Cornerstone) and some of the heavist too (Dangerous Animals, Pretty Visitors). Something elese that has changed within the bands sound is the lyrical themes and vocal delivery of front man Alex Turner. Turner has swapped the heavily northern accented, cheeky chappy, everyday obeservations from the albums 1 and 2 for slightly more personal yet colloquial approach to his lyrics with a much more sultry and soulful vocal delivery. And with this new sound, on lead single 'Crying Lightning' and album highlight 'Dangerous Animals' Mr Turner is actually sounding (dare I say it) quite sexy, (key quote "lets make a mess, lioness") all the more reason for the indie chicks to fall back in love with him, now with added his stoner-rock long locks...

In short, this is the sound of band growing up, and although this is not as imediate as their previous efforts and doesn't seem to offer as many singles, it does sound like a band on the brink of something big, and for the most part is a solid effort. I am certianly not giving up on them yet, just you wait til' album four!

Rating: 7/10
Download: Dangerous Animals, Pretty Visitors, My Propeller

Frank Turner - Poetry Of The Deed (Album Review)

2009-08-24T17:49:00.001-07:00

I think its pretty fair to say that Frank Turner is one of the most hardest working musicians in the country, if not the hardest working! Three albums in three years and world wide tours in between, he's played about every venue in the uk TWICE and has become quite a hero in the underground scene. Following from two excellent records of passionate and emaculate country/folk/punk tunes comes his third full length which is very much in the same vein. Opening with the piano thumping pop-rock snarl of 'Live Fast Die Old', this gives us hope that Frank is returning to his rockier routes ( after all he was the front man of British hardcore heroes, Million Dead). The hope for a more rockier sound continues with the speedy country punk of 'Try This At Home', that seems to continue one of the lyrical themes that appears in a fair few Turner tunes; the music industry and the people in it; "theres no such thing as rockstars theres people that just play music, and some of them are just like us, and some of them are dicks!" The rest of the record runs like the Frank's previous efforts, big melodies with big choruses to match. Examples of this include the upbeat rock-pop tones of the title track and the brilliant country shuffle of lead single 'The Road'. Another trate of Frank Turner records is his love of the 'slow jam', y'know taking things down abit....And on this record tracks such as 'Isabel' and the beautiful 'Fastest Way Back Home' are amongst some of Frank's best work with glorious harmonies backed by a passionate vocal delivery by Mr.T. Unfortunately, beyond the senstive acoustic tones of 'Faithful Son', the remaining tracks seem to lack the charm and melody of the rest of the record, but luckly because the rest of the record is so great, it seems to make up for some of these weaker moments, so all in all, a good effort Mr. Turner!

Rating: 7/10

Download: 'Try This At Home', 'The Fastest Way Back Home', 'The Road'.

'Poetry of the Deed' is released September 7th on Xtra Mile Records. The single 'The Road' is avaliable to download NOW!! check out www.myspace.com/frankturner for more information on his massive album touring, happening all around the UK in October!

Radiohead - These Are My Twisted Words (single review)

2009-08-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Radiohead. Where do I begin? This is their second single in two weeks, following from their tribute to Britain's last surviving first world war veteran 'Harry Patch' and is a free download that you can get via the bands site. In true Radiohead fashion, this isn't really a song, its atmosphere. A strong drum rhyhtm gently ticks away in the background as delayed guitar lines plus other ambient guitar effects swirl around your headphones, just as your eyes close and mind begins to take on some weird psychedelic trip, the haunting vocals of Thom Yorke enter, softly coo'ing against the amibent background, drenched in reverb. The desert rock vibes of this track are reminisent from the 'Amnesiac' era of the band; spacious production, jangled yet bluesy guitar tones coupled with an eerie, ambient vocal delivery, all indications that we're in for a deeply heavy and soul-baring battering come next album....thank fuck they're back!

Rating: 8/10

Availbale as a free download from www.radiohead.com/deadairspace

NEW ALBUMS: AUGUST 17TH

2009-08-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

So, there seems to be a fair few new albums coming out all of a sudden, I almost can't keep track of them all! So, here is my brief verdict on some of this weeks new releases....

First up we have the return of electro wizards 'Simian Moblie Disco' with their second album 'Temporary Pleasures'. With a list of impressive vocal preformances, (featuring the frontmen of 'Super Furry Animals', 'Hot Chip', 'Yeasayer' and of course Beth Ditto of 'The Gossip' Fame) the Duo blast through 40 minutes of glistening synth driven melodies and minimalist electro beats. Tracks such the infectiously groovy 'Audacity of Huge' and the laid back, hazy synths of 'Bad Blood' create an atmostpheic yet retenlessly catchy party record. (7/10)

On the subject of dance music comebacks, Scottish electro producer 'Calvin Harris' also makes return this week with another stellar set of electro-pop-disco-funk gems in the form of second album 'Ready For The Weekend'. Opening with the groovy electro stomp of 'The Rain', you know that this record is gonna be full of bangers. Using his distintive retro, 80's flavoured sound, Harris also introduces europhoric techno sounds on this record, which has helped to create one of the singles of the year (I'm Not Alone) and with tracks such 'You Use To Hold Me' and the utter funk-pop brilliance of the coke-ad featured 'Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La', this is a record that is bound to get your hands in the hands whether your at the festival, in a club or gate crashing a house party. Granted there are few filler moments on this record, as Harris brings out the acoustic guitar it attempt for some more chilled out moments, which, in all honestly, seems to ruin the mood that the rest of the album has so wonderfully created. But luckily, theres enough bangers on here that demand your attention, so do as your told and turn them up LOUD! (7.5/10)

But if straigght up electronica isn't quite your thing, how about a bit of british indie rock? After two years since a buzz decended, London based power trio 'Pull Tiger Tail' have been patiently waiting for their debut to be released, and as a result have decided to release the record, play a few shows to support its release and to thank the fans then split. This is a massive shame when you actually listen to 'PAWS' as this has massive potential to launch the band into bigger and better things. The album opens in epic fashion with lots of 'woo's', delayed guitars and crashing drums in pulsating electro feel of 'For No One'. The record then swiftly moves into the timeless indie rock pop gems that are previous singles 'Mr 100 Percent' and the gloriously uplifting 'Lets Lightning'; its crime to think that this record had been ignored for two years! Elsewhere theres the glokenspiel tinklings of 'Air Born' which offers a slightly darker tint to the record, the harmonius chorus of 'Even Good Kids Make Bad Sports' and the distorted bass punch that rocks the fuck out of album standout 'Animator'. I've recently read of various blogs and forums that, because this record has taken so long to come out that it doesn't really stand up to some of the records that British bands have been making recently. But, personally I feel that this record still sounds a vital and a fresh as it would of two years ago, and Pull Tiger Tail have the tunes to back them up on this constistantly good record that makes the break up of this band a big loss to the indie world! (8.5/10)

RECORD OF THE WEEK:

The XX - XX

This is the debut record from london based quartet 'The XX'. What grabs me about this about record is how minimalistic and atmostpheric the album sounds which is beautifully produced by the bands very own beat-maker and sample-head Jamie Smith. The use of dubstep style bass, trip hop inspired beats plus reverb heavy guitars give this album a sense of space which particually applies to tracks such the eerie 'Fantasy' and the gorgeous indie-disco shimmer of 'Night Time'. The other main aspect of the record is the incredible vocal preformances of long term friends Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. Their sultry, soulful vocals work together in prefect harmony to create the glorious soul-pop tones of tracks such as 'Islands' and 'Basic Space'. This record is moody, edgy and dam right beautiful, It's one of the most unique sounding records that you will hear all year and bascially, you need to hear it! (9/10)

Download: Islands / Night Time / Basic Space

(I wrote this all in one take, excuse me while I pass out!)

All these records can be bought off iTunes or in all good record stores! Apart from 'PAWS' by Pull Tiger Tail, which gets a pysical release on September 14th but can be downloaded on iTunes NOW!

exlovers - You Forget So Easily (EP Review)

2009-08-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

All I know about exlovers is that they're a young, UK based outfit that have previously released two singles and this is their debut EP in which was produced by Stephen Street (the man behind early Blur records as well as Pete Dohertey's solo effort). The five tracks on this record are all beautifully produced indie pop songs complete with lucious boy/girl vocals, simple guitar melodies with cutesy lyrics about love and being young. Former single 'Just A Silhouette' reminds me of Belle & Sebastian with its classic pop sound and boy/girl harmonies, plus the gentle use of tambourine and keys whcichs adds to its upbeat quirkyness tone. Elesewhere, 'Incomplete' shows a slighltly rockier side of the band with plusating drums and bass along with cracking harmonies in the verses which creates a simply brilliant indie rock tune that introduces a bit of angst into the bands sound! The remaining tracks are quite a mellow affair, with folksy acoustic numbers such as 'New Years Day' and the light amibence of closer 'The Moon Has Spoken' which seems to convey a deeper and slighlty darker side to the band, particually within the lyical content. But all in all this is an charming record that has a real timeless quality and if you ask me is over far too quickly for my lking! A quote for the flyers: pure indie pop perfection!

Rating: 9/10

Download: You Forget So Easily / Incomplete

'You Forget So Easily' is released on September 15th through Rough Trade records.
For more information on how to pre-order the record and for gig listings, please hop along to
www.myspace.com/weareexlovers

Jack Penate - Everything Is New (Album Review)

2009-06-02T08:29:00.001-07:00

Don't you just love summer? I use to hate going to sleep when it still light and sun burn was never fun but as i've grown older, i've come to understand why us Brits get so excited when the sun has got his hat on. So, it excites me when I hear this glimmering set of songs from London based songwriter Jack Penate.

After his wonderfully up-beat and pop tinged debut 'Matinee', it seems that Jack has bigger fish to fry on this follow up record, both musically and lyrically. The sound is still very poppy and upbeat, (So Near / Everything is New) but at the same time the lyrical themes seem to get much deeper (Every Glance) and amusingly morbid (Let's All Die). The production here seems to be much more ambient and lush but still with the shimmer that made his debut such a success. It's also great to hear Jack playing around with different sounds, (the funky, lo-fi dance hit 'Todays Tonight') different intstruments (the brass soaked summer pop stylings of 'Be the One') and just generally beefing things up with lots of backing vocals (again, the title track is a good example of this aswell as the groove driven 'Give Yourself Away').

So, in short 'Everything is New' is reflective, intimate, charming and melded together with alot groove and alot of heart; it's a massive progression from Matinee and its going to be the soundtrack of your summer! FACT!

Rating: 9.5/10

Download: Everything Is New / So Near / Give Yourself Away

Marmaduke Duke - Duke Pandemonium (Album Review)

2009-05-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

For those not quite clued up about Maramduke Duke, it is the musical brain child of two friends both in well established Scottish rock outfits: JP Reid of Sucioperro and Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro. After years of hanging out together playing on the playstation, the duo discovered a triology of short stories that was brought to them by a friend of theres, all revolving around characted called 'The Duke'. Intridgued by these twisted and elaborate tales, the boys decided to put down their controllers and start putting these tales to music. Their first offering 'The Magnifient Duke' was a brutal affair, with shuddering guitars and pained yelps; it was clear that this was a Biffy inspired sound. But, also on the record there were gentle acoustic numbers as well as interludes that simply involved fuzzed up bass lines and fat synth noises, which provoked the thought that Marmaduke Duke had plently more up their sleeves....And boy, were we right.
Album number two 'Duke Pandemonium', is exactly what it says it is; Pandemonium. From the sparse and dark electro tones of opener 'Heartburn', you know that this going to be quite an intense yet purely bizarre affair. And then we realise what this album is all about; big, daft, electronically infused disco music; tracks like 'Everybody Dance' and 'Je Suis Un Funky Homme', are the kind of songs that will take you away to some crazy, funky land. This is an album all about escapsim, sonically and musically its just totally mental, but thats what makes it so delightful charming and powerful; tracks like the 7 mintue epic 'Pandemonium' and the drum 'n' bass vibes of 'Music Show' are the best examples of this. Although at times this record does have some really great, straight up pop moments, such as blissed out electro stylings of 'Kid Gloves', the foot stomping 'Silhouettes' and the short yet sweet disco vibes of recent single 'Rubber Lover'. I really don't know the best way to describe this album, Its an album that has to be heard to be believed, but if you like your music ridiculously up beat, insanely catchy and somewhat out there, this is for you! I think the best way to end this review is with a pun; FUNKING BRILLIANT!

Rating: 9/10
Download: Everybody Dance, Rubber Lover, Je Suis Un Funky Homme, Skin The Mofo Alive. Fuck it, its only 34 minutes long, download the whole thing!

The Horrors - Primary Colours (Album Review)

2009-05-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

The Horrors have always been a band that have intrigued me. Ever since the ramshackle brilliance of debut single 'Sheena Is a Parasite' I have always felt that they were a band doing something quite different from most British bands and also stirring up a bit of controversy along the way, which is always good! Despite their 2007 debut 'Strange House' not creating the kind of reaction that they were aiming for, the band kept touring and writing and are back two years later with a rather remarkable comeback record. 'Primary Colours' still has the retro, reverb soaked, b-movie equse stylings of the first record, but with a more electronic and effects heavy feel they have created a stunning psychelic / shoegaze record. Opening with spaced out synths, first track 'Mirrors Image' bursts into action with a fuzzed up bass line and backwards guitars complete with the cackles of front man Faris Rotter. Although Rotter is known for his bilious tones, he actually spends most of the album singing rather sweetly, and against dreamy guitar effects and soaring synths, tracks like 'Scarlet Fields' and 'Who Can Say', sound like there coming out of another planet; it really is spine tingling stuff. But for the orginal Horrors, tracks such as 'Do You Remember' and 'New Ice Age' carry the surf pop snarl of their debut, but still sounding as fresh and in context with the rest of the album; you really get the feeling that this record was arranaged as a proper album and not set of tracks like their previous effort. The album closes in the best way possible, the 8 minute shoegaze meets electro epic, Sea Within Sea; its dark, beautiful and hypotising all at the same time and its the big electro keys riff that closes the track and the record that gives you sense that you've been on a journey. I think its fair to say that this is a album that will blow any previous doubts of The Horrors to the side and simply set your mind to stun.

Rating: 8.5/10
Download: Who Can Say / Scarlet Fields / Sea Within A Sea

BACK! BACK! BACK!

2009-05-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

So, I forgot my password hence why there has been no posts on here for like, three months! (I know, I can't believe its taken me that long to remember it either). Anyway, I aim to review a single and an album by the end of the week, if not two singles and two albums. Lets see how it goes, eh? oh and please remember, I do this for the love so I doubt the spelling will be great and the grammar to amazing, but you get the idea!
Much Love
Ben
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The Xcerts - Crisis In The Slow Lane (Single Review)

2009-02-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

One of the first things that attracted me to this Scottish trio was that their sound reminded me a lot of the early material by fellow Scottish bands 'Idlewild' and 'Biffy Clyro'.
When listening to them for the first time, I felt totally refreshed to hear a band that aren't making music to conform but making the kind of music that inspired to be a band in the first palce. And the fact that both bands have both evolved to create, still brilliant, but very different sounds to their earlier work I was really happy to hear that these three young lads are keeping the faith by making simple, melodic and passionate rock music. This is the first single to lifted from their longly awaited debut album which is due out late March and is a total cracker of a first single. Previous singles have shown us their more punchy, pop infused sound, but with 'Crisis in the Slow Lane' this is a much more profound sound. Firstly, its at a much a slower pace and isn't just the guitar, drum, bass set up, cello and piano is also thrown into the mix for the delicate tones that are verses before the distortion kicks in for a totally powerful and rocking chorus. Complete with a big stadium sized single along moment towards the end of the track, this is a totally unlifting and stunning piece of rock and just makes you wanna punch the air with your fist . This is music to believe in, role on March!

Rating: 9/10
Crisis in the Slow Lane is released on 'Xtra Mile' records on March 9th 2009.

An update...

2009-02-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry for being so slow on this site, I'm just trying to get together enough reviews so that people can have a proper good gander at what I'm doing here.
It's quite impressive to think that the records that I've reviewed recently have both been read by the bands, that really quite cool I think! Anyway, I'm keep on writing really badly but hopefully my passion for new music will shine through!
More reviews should be up within the next few weeks!
Stay Sweet!
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Sky Larkin - The Golden Spike (Album Review)

2009-01-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

So, I'm having massive writers block trying to review this debut record from Leed's based trio 'Sky Larkin'.

It's not that I have nothing to say about it, I just don't know how to say it....I'm really a music fan posing as a music journalist....but then again, isn't that what a blogger is anyway?
Anyway! This is a really great guitar record. The guitar hooks are really melodic and coupled with confident and strong vocal hooks (courstesy of front lady 'Katy'). Along with some really majestic and big sounding pop choures this is shaping up to be quite an impressive debut.

Tracks such as album opener 'Fossil, I' and 'Molten' just seem to soar and along with the intrictae rhythms of drummer 'Nestor' and bassist 'Doug', this is the sound of a band that seem to put alot of thought and engergy into what they're doing and believe in what they're saying.

Other than being great at the really tight guitar driven indie rock stuff, the band also incorperate keyboard into the tracks, which I think adds a really different dynamic to the record. It seems works really well with the rest of the record, to give the listener the sense that this band arent one trick ponys and willing to try out different sounds.

In conclusion 'Sky Larkin' have made a solid record; captivating, conpelling and rather refreshing.

Rating: 8/10

Download: Fossil, I / Matador / Antibodies

The Grammatics - Album Sampler (Review)

2009-01-04T06:12:00.000-08:00

The Grammatics are a Leeds based quartet who have been wowing us with their exciting brand of theatrical indie rock for the past couple of years with the release of four excellent singles (I think every single has been a near epic pop gem). So, here we are in 2009 and it gives me great excitement to recieve a five song sampler of their debut self-titled album, which is due for release in March.

Opening the record is 'Shadow Committee' the first song I heard by Grammatics back in 2007. And very much like the first time I heard this tune, the new version still totally blows away with its blend of dance rock rhythms (featuring wood block) and its gloriously heavy chorus, complete with distorted guitars and soaring vocal melodies courstey of front man 'Owen Brinley'.
Elesewhere there is the beautiful acoustic tones of 'Cruel Tricks Of the Light' which again shows on Brinley's talents both as a songwriter and musician. Then we have progressive sounds of 'Inkjet Lakes'; organ driven, layered with effect-heavy guitars and distored bass, intricate drum rhythms and the paring of Brinley's rich, powerful vocals and cellist's Emillia Ergin's sweet yet bold vocal delivery. This is one of the more stand out moments on the sampler and proves that this isn't band aren't all about power pop and infact can be quite epic and psychedelic too.
Listening to other album tracks such as the rousing 'Rosa Flood' and beautifully bold indie pop tones of former single 'The Vague Archive' really gives me alot of hope for this album in all its romatic, cinematic and totally magically glory.

Rating: 8.5/10
Download: The Vague Archive

NEW YEAR / NEW MUSIC / NEW BLOG

2009-01-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Welcome to my very own blog! Basically, on this site I'm gonna be talking about all the things that get me hyped in way of new music. I will be reviewing new bands, new records, gigs i've been to and of course discussing all the good (and sometimes evil) within the musical world!

I doubt that anyone will read this, but I guess its something to keep me happy in these lonely, cold evenings, plus, music is my passion and I love to write about it and express my thoughts, so I guess this is my platform!

So cheers for checking out this page and I hope y'all enjoy it!
Let me know what you will.

much love,
Ben Forrester
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