We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
EUROPE Last Look At Eden (Edel)
Europe release new single 'Last Look At Eden' at the end of June, with latest
album of the same title to follow in September. Available as both a 3-track CD
and limited edition 5-track EP, (the latter including recently recorded live
tracks), the band describe the new songs as 'true Europe', and they are not
wrong.
With 'Last Look At Eden' combining the heavier sounds of the
band’s last 2 studio albums, with traditional Europe hooks and melodies (not to
the mention string section), this track is bound to please fans old and new.
However, 'U Devil U' is a different affair all together. The hooks and melodies
are all in place but this track sticks firmly to the trusted Europe formula.
All-in-all the single is a good pre-cursor to what is, at least for me, one of
the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2009. ****
Review by Nikk Gunns
BUCK BROTHERS ‘You’re So Good Good
Good You’re Great’
www.myspace.com/buckbrothers
This is a very catchy single,
not a million miles removed from the Buzzcocks in their prime. Fast paced with
an instant chorus, a definite hit. ****
Review
by Jason Ritchie
POPE Love's Still Here (Aspop
Records)
Chris Pope and Buddy Ascott of The Chords have released an album 'Tall Tales and
Cheap Thrills' to follow their well received debut in 2006: 'Grace Of God'. (The
physical version of this single comes with a live version of 'The Last Thing I
Ever Do/Grace Of God').
'Love's Still Here' is a good choice for a single because it's one of the most
accessible tracks from the album and, unusually, mid-tempo. Think Black Crowes
mixed with a bit of good old Brit Pop. Addictive. ***½
Review by David Randall
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Funny The
Way It Is (Warner)
Strangely, Dave Matthews has remained almost exclusively an American phenomenon
and never broken the UK market. His latest album may break with this convention.
The band suffered a major setback in 2008 with the tragic death of saxophonist
LeRoi Moore and the new album title "Grougrux King" was Moore's nickname in the
band.
This first single is typically radio and fair weather-friendly, produced by Rob
Cavallo from Green Day. Sold out gigs at Brixton Academy and a gig with
Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park will only consolidate the
band's deserved bid for wider recognition, at least in the UK. ***½
Review by David Randall
MASTODON Oblivion (Reprise)
The band play a few UK dates before a tour with Metallica and their album 'Crack
The Skye' has had good reviews. This single has all their hallmarks, busy guitar
and vocal harmonies, nice crunchy chorus and with the more reflective "prog"
touches. ***½
Review by David Randall
PAPA ROACH Lifeline (DGC/Interscope)
Taken from their excellent album 'Metamorphosis' this is big chested US rock
infused with metal flavours. A sound manufactured for stadiums and festivals,
the band play Download (June 14), Bristol Academy (June 15) and Oxford Academy
(June 17). ***½
Review by David Randall
BLABBERMOUTH I Return
With a name like Blabbermouth, printed in heavy gothic typeface, the natural
expectation is for something rather loud, heavy and unpleasant.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Blabbermouth aka Steve Thompson is a
narrow boat living folkie. And with the re-emergence of the Cat 'Yusuf' Stevens,
his timing couldn't be better, because there's clearly a market for the genre.
With a voice that falls somewhere between the Cat, Ray LaMontagne and Neil
Young, and a pair of gentle acoustic songs written from the perspective of a
spirit yearning for his lost love, I Return / Death Of A Songwriter is both
beautiful and highly impressive. ***½
Review by Pete
Whalley
THE AUTEUR Nightcap EP
The GRTR! review of the band's debut single Hey! Watch This succinctly
summed up The Auteur - 'up-tempo scuddy NME style rock - shouty lyrics, big
choruses perfect for the summer scene', but we concluded there was little
evidence to see what would make them stand out from the crowd.
The band's 5 track Nightcap EP tries to rectify that, but ultimately delivers
little to make me revisit that initial assessment. Timed perfectly for the
summer season, each of the songs here will have festival goers who like their
pop/rock delivered Wombats style dancing and throwing warm beer over each other.
But only until the next act takes the stage. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
RICHARD WALTERS True Love Will Find You In the End
A nice sentiment on this cover of the Daniel Johnson song that precedes the
release of singer songwriter Richard Walters debut album The Animal in the
autumn.
A plaintive affair that reminds of a stripped back David Gray, but at 2 minutes
35 seconds it's pretty much over before you get into the mood, but with his
gentle falsetto and melancholy delivery, it bodes well for the 26 year old multi
instrumentalist. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
LOZ JONES Idiot Room
Hats off for the most garish labels I've seen on a CD, to Loz Jones - a six
piece pop / rock band from from Luton. Their new single Idiot Room is a catchy
piece of radio friendly pop, but is heavily derivative of Spirit In The Sky and
the sing along chorus delivery of Doctor And The Medics.
But the B-side Awakening Times, shows there's more to the band than a novelty
single. With a more ethereal feel, some nice lead vocals and evocative keys
hooks, it hints that the band could easily move into the territory vacated by
Enigma. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
BBJ Bad Blow Job
Strange name for a band. Certainly a guaranteed turn off for the parents of
teenage girls. But maybe something's been lost in translation by this Italian
alt pop/rock combo?
One of the shortcomings of globalisation is that even the Italians are beginning
to sound as if they're from London or LA. There's not a hint on this 5 track EP
of BBJ's spaghetti, pizza and Fiat roots. Which is a shame, because this is an
extremely accessible 'sampler'. But being cynical, Italian lyrics would hardly
be a major selling point (would they?).
I'd question the recommendation that the band may appeal to fans of Placebo,
Niirvana, Marilyn Manson and Smashing Pumpkins. Far closer, I think to the more
commercial soft rock sides of Oasis or Sterephonics. But then we've got Noel,
Liam and Kelly. So why would we need a bad blow job? And anyway, that's an
oxymoron - there's no such thing. Is there? ***
Review by Pete Whalley
GRAVIL Age Of Corruption (Genepool/Universal)
This five track EP by the Anglo-Scandinavian symphonic death metal duo (Gra
and Vil hence the name Gravil) is an ear piercing slice of metal.
There is some melody beneath the guttural vocals and fierce riffs and the
influences range from Pantera to Cradle Of Filth to Meshuggah to In Flames. In
fact, you could spend quite a bit of time spotting their influences.
Multiverse’ is a devastating piece of metal while ‘Candledark’ leans towards a
more melodic side and ‘Through The Eyes Of Spartans’ is an instantly thunderous
composition.
The riffs are actually really powerful on all five
tracks and despite there being very little known about the duo, this is a
promising start to their career. ***
Review by Neil
Daniels
CONCEPT OF TIME A New State Of Thought (EP
2009)
www.myspace.com/conceptoftime
Scots based prog metal band
who follow-up a demo release from last year with a five track EP release. They
have been busy on the live front as well supporting Kamelot and Blaze Bayley
amongst others.
The album is produced by keyboards player Scott
McLean and you can tell he was at the production helm as the keyboards are very
high in the mix throughout the EP. Luckily he is a good player and the keys add
depth to the band’s sound.
The only drawback with this band is
the vocals I am afraid which sometimes struggle to match the powerful prog metal
sound especially on the title track. Plenty of musical variety on here to keep
the listener interested and bands like Dream Theater for the prog metal touches
and Intense for the heavy metal side come to mind.
There is plenty to enjoy on here from the symphonic keys through to some very
tasty guitar solos and not forgetting the watertight rhythm section. The vocals
are fine but for me to make it up a level the band need to seriously work on
these as a more powerful vocal would really make prog metal fans take more note
of this band. ***
Review by Jason Ritchie
COLIN MACINTYRE Cape Wrath
Preceding his forthcoming album Island, acclaimed singer songwriter Colin
MacIntyre (formerly of the Mull Historical Society) serves up his own unique
brand of folk / pop.
Written in the States, but recorded 'back home' on Mull with the aid of all and
sundry, Cape Wrath should appeal to those who like the more commercial aspects
of the likes of Nick Cave and The Coral. ***
Review by
Pete Whalley
JJ CALE Who Knew (Because Music)
Cale might forever be synonymous with 'Cocaine', the song that Clapton made his
own, but the recent album 'Roll On' is a useful update for this septuagenarian.
'Who Knew' has a shuffle beat and Cale's talked vocals but it is unlikely he
will capture younger fans attention with this, although the album does repay
listening for those of a certain generation. ***
Review by David Randall
A-Ha Foot Of The
Mountain (Universal Music)
Well if Spandau Ballet can
reform, Simple Minds resurrect, why not eighties A-Ha? In fact, they've never
really been away - this is easy listening, radio-friendly fare that updates the
band's sound, but it's no 'Take On Me'. There's a new album out 13 July. ***
Review by David
Randall
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE No No Keshagesh
With her first album for 15 years due imminently, plus her first UK gigs in
17 year on the way, one could be forgiven for perhaps being sceptical for what
might be forthcoming from this iconic activist.
Taken from her 18th album Running For The Drum - inspired by current events,
art, politics and the aboriginal people - No No Keshagesh is a pleasant
surprise. While the subject matter is a not unexpected cynical review of the
current state of the nation, and the plight of natives in particular, the song
opens with a crowd noise and driving tribal beat before morphing into post
Eurythmics pop. Eat your heart out Annie. ***
Review
by Pete Whalley
REVERE As The Radar Sleeps
Probably just about the most immediate single the band have released,
although still featuring violin, cello, trumpet, piano and glockenspiel,
eight-piece orchestral rockers Revere lay down a pretty nifty piece of moody
post eighties pop rock. Whereas two decades ago As The Radar Sleeps would have
been layered synths, here 'real' instruments paint the soundscape for a piece
Morrissey would have been proud of. ***
Review by Pete
Whalley
THE BLIZZARDS Buy It Sell It
Influenced by sixties soul, eighties pop and The Specials in the seventies,
Buy It Sell It is The Blizzards first single. And everything, including the
kitchen sink is in there - I got tastes of Cat Stevens, hints of the The Wombats
and Go Audio, and all in all it adds up to a punchy piece of pop.
With a debut album Domino Effect forthcoming, The Blizzards are highly likely to
appeal to those who have already caught them supporting the likes of Kaiser
Chiefs, Kasabian, The Fratellis and The Kooks. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
STEEL PANTHER Death To All But Metal (Island)
There's a theatre troupe in LA's Sunset Strip who have been paying homage to the
halcyon days of hair metal and this single - raunchy and risque (and that's just
the "clean" version) - is from their pastiche album 'Feel The Steel'.
Like 'Spinal Tap" it's very well done but you can't help thinking "why am I
listening to this?" Probably best heard in the context of their stage show which
I am sure is a riot. ***
Review by David Randall
CENTURY MAN Marauder
A good word 'marauder'. It perfectly sums up something ominous, speedy, and
dangerous. Opening with sustained guitars, a pounding beat and vocals with just
a hint of Alex Turner, Marauder is a powerful debut single. As for the 2
b-sides, Comedown has distinct Oasis overtones, while the impressive Mirrors is
perhaps the overall pick of the bunch - post indie rock with just the right
amount of commerciality that will appeal to fans of Kasabian, The Enemy et al.
An impressive debut. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
METAFONIK Missed Love
Metafonik - Julie (vocals), Kideo and Klooz (words and music) - deliver
their own French brand of minimalist post pop/ rock electronica.
Taken from their debut album Day Before You Come, Missed Love is a curious
potpourri -some excellent vocals fused with Polly Harvey style rock, and some
glorious melodies.
Impossible to pigeon hole, and disorientating and endearing in equal measure.
***
Review by Pete Whalley
CHRISTINA COURTIN Foreign Country
The debut single from Christina Courtin's forthcoming eponymous debut album
is a gentle but jaunty affair. Due to open for Suzanne Vega in August, the New
York singer songwriter is firmly in the mould of Vega or Joni Mitchell, although
sharing a distinct similarly in song structure, delivery and 'feel' to Lisa
Hannigan and her recently released debut, Sea Sew.
One for the Greenwich Village crowd. **½
Review by
Pete Whalley
THE 'A' TRAIN Black and White Memories
Debut single from Oxford based The 'A' Train, a band originally put together by
brothers James and Dan McKean (song writing, vocals, guitars and keys).
With a sound that is catchy folky pop, Black and White Memories is pleasant in a
Macca sort of sing along way. In value for money terms, you get 3 b-sides and a
music video, but there's an absence of killer hooks and it's difficult - on this
form - to see the band progressing much beyond the folk club / pub circuit.
**1/2
Review by Pete Whalley
VERONICAS Untouched
One of the biggest new names in Aussie pop, 24 year old sisters Lisa and
Jessica Origliasso (aka The Veronicas) are now looking for American / European
success.
Their album Hook Me Up - which has had massive success back at home - is due for
imminent release, and in the interim, the girls are hoping Untouched - which has
been played more than 26 million times on MySpace - will replicate here the
800,000 download sales it's achieved in the US.
Electro pop like Kylie on speed, Untouched will find favour at summer raves, but
for rock fans, don't even go there. **½
Review by
Pete Whalley
ISA & THE FILTHY TONGUES Big Star
Isa (Stacey Chavis) and Martin Metcalfe (Goodbye Mr Mckenzie - remember them
from the late eighties / early nineties?) and their band Isa & The Filthy
Tounges deliver a dark, post punk, underground psychedelic sound with their new
single Big Star.
Building on the base laid by their 2006 debut album Addiction, Big Star is a lo-fi
affair, with its roots somewhere in the eighties (think Bunnymen and Banshees).
With its sonic assault, hypnotic rhythm and hooks its easy to see why Isa & The
Filthy Tounges have something a cult following. But whether that can translate
to wider sales.**½
Review by Pete Whalley
ARGON 40 Stay/Free Fallin
A collaboration between New York duo singer songwriter Heather Greene (keys
/ vocals) and Adam Williams (guitar / production) Argon 40 serve up a platter of
techno / electronic pop.
But the throbbing beat and a hypnotic
chorus of Stay left me cold (think early Human League before they hit their
stride). Of more interest was the cover of Tom Petty's Free Fallin, which is
pretty true to the original (in an Imogen Heap sort of way). But I ended up
longing for some guitars. If it ain't got six strings, it ain't rock n roll.
**½
Review by Pete Whalley
THE ROKETTES Burn Baby Burn
Great name. Great song title. The Rockettes is the latest vehicle for Elena,
who's released two albums - Glimpse and Paint it Gold, and is something of a
Marian Faithful of her generation (40 fags a day phone sex vocals and slighty
unhinged).
Accompanied by Ben Walker (guitar/bass) and Merjin Royaards (drums), I'm afraid
the first vision that came into my mind - and one I was unable to shake - was
Dead Or Alive's Pete Burns on a girl's night out. Catchy techo pop rock.
**½
Review by Pete Whalley
THE PERFECT CRIME Give Piece A Chance (promo EP)
www.myspace.com/theperfectcrime
This untitled 4 track promo
CD (could be sampler, EP, I don’t know) mixes loud and in your face alternative
rock. Mixing in post hardcore and a touch of progressive, it’s upper mid range,
jangly, a few loud/quiet spots, some coherent vocals, screams, and some searing
guitar.
The second track is a bit more thrashy, or is that trashy? It’s just pretty
noisy.
Hardcore rubbish that belongs in a landfill. **
Review by Joe Geesin
PITCHBLEND Celsius (Sugarshack )
www.myspace.com/pitchblend
Alternative art rock that’s
apparently for fans of Deftones and My Vitriol. Actually for fans of upper-mid
range tuneless vocals and jangly guitar. Some similarities to early 80s
pop/rock, with a more alt/art feel. Guitar pop with less melody than Venom.
**
Review by Joe Geesin
FINDLEY NAPIER & THE BAR ROOM
MOUNTAINEERS
When Harry Met Charlie The Haymaker Recording Company
www.findleynapier.com
2 track single, 3 if you include the alternate version. The lead track is indie
folk, melodic, but not really gripping. I had to listen to it again because it
was so instantly forgettable.
The second track is a little more alternative with some distorting effects.
It’s not bad, it’s coherent, melodic, competent, just passable. **
Review by Joe Geesin
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