Single reviews: November 2011

We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first. Reviews by Joe Geesin, David Randall, Jason Ritchie, Pete Whalley JESS HALL BAND Play Shy A charming debut EP that brims with enchanting simplicity, the icing on the cake being the delicate and youthful lead vocals of Jess Hall subtly underpinned by those of Alex Hall. The single Play Shy opens the set in a style not dissimilar to that of Lisa Hannigan, but delivered with the pop sensibilities that make it instantly radio friendly. And while none of the band members are over 18, they nevertheless exude a confidence and appeal that signals huge potential that it's easy to see having across generations and geographically. The next big thing? With the right breaks, I wouldn't bet against it. **** Review by Pete Whalley VOODOO SIX Falling Knives EP www.voodoosix.com We followed this band with interest after interviewing them back in 2008 upon the release of (the excellent) 'First Hit For Free.'  Since that time they've released 'Fluke?' (2010) and gained a new vocalist Luke Purdie. He has a more gritty approach closer to a Chris Cornell or a Myles Kennedy. It's business as usual for the band with their finely honed riff rock and the four new tracks are bolstered with two that are revisited from that debut album. In better times, Voodoo Six shouldn't really fail.  Check out 'Stop' and 'One More Day' for two relentless piledrivers that sum this band up.  They play UK dates from 17 November. ****½ Review by David Randall CENTRE EXCUSE Don't Let Go  www.centre-excuse.com Three piece band releasing their second single, an 80's synth infused number - imagine Green Day if they had a synth player. It is very catchy and the synth riff makes it an ideal crossover hit for clubs as well as live. Good stuff and keen to hear more from this band. **** Review by Jason Ritchie DON MANCUSO No Strings Attached www.donmancuso.com Don who?  It's only when you read the small print that you realise Mancuso was once in Lou Gramm's band 'Black Sheep' (pre-Foreigner and with whom he still writes) and whereas his friend went on to mega-platinum success Don ploughed an altogether more  introspective furrow surfacing occasionally on sessions including Gramm's solo album 'Ready Or Not'. This six-track EP demonstrates why Mancuso is still in demand.  He's a tasteful and fine sounding player but one can't help thinking what might have been if he had got himself into a band all those years ago. Standouts include the opener 'DDBopp' which is a straight-ahead slice of hard rock with a funk undertow in the breakdown mid-section and 'Help' which reminds me of Eric Johnson in its fluid riff and rhythm with jazzy overtones.  Whilst 'Bugs Bite' is blues and groove driven. With sterling support from drummer Mark Shulman, let's hope this toe-in-the-water leads to an album.   **** Review by David Randall THE MILK B-Roads and B-Sides Now signed (no surprise on the strength of their indie single (AllI Wanted Was) Danger), The Milk from Southend continue to reinvent the Motown, Stax and Trojan soul sound on their first 'official' EP. Retro has been the flavour of 2011, but The Milk's contemporary twist on classic soul will see them going up against the likes of Bruno Mars and Jesse J for Best Breakthrough Artist at the UK. Mixing classic soul with hip hop grooves may not be unique, but the strength of front man Rick's vocals make it a winning formula, creating the same sort of buzz as the Christians when they burst onto the scene in the late eighties. Success beckons. **** Review by Pete Whalley THE JAR FAMILY In For A Pound www.thejarfamily.com The second single from this band, following on from the enjoyable 'Poolie Strut' and released ahead of their debut album release in early 2012. They have now expanded to an eight piece and include in their ranks former Squeeze bassist Kevin Wilkinson. It is a another breezy pop ditty with a memorable chorus - think Badly Drawn Boy but a better vocalist! Their debut album will certainly be one to listen to with interest. **** Review by Jason Ritchie SUSIE SOHO Twelve Twenty Seven EP www.susiesoho.com Irish four piece who already have a debut album under their belts. This is the band's new four song EP. The riff on 'Your Way Or Not At All' reminded me of the Automatic's 'Monster'. 'Eye For An Eye' is an instant hit on the ears and recalls that long, lost band Undercut. 'Stand Up' is the heaviest song on here and wouldn't it be great to get a song like this – with real guitars folks – into the Top 40? The quiet verses and the big noisy chorus work perfectly on this song. 'Making Taste' is a neat pop rock tune where again the chorus really sees the band kick in big time. Four songs, not a duffer amongst them and you can download 'Stand Up' off their website to give you a taste of the band's music. **** Review by Jason Ritchie GODDASS Ages Come EP www.goddass.com New EP that's a free download from this young London based band. Mixing rock and metal, there's plenty of trad styles (touches of Maiden and Sabbath, for example), but done with an upbeat indie roughness, chirpiness and guitar pop vocal harmonies. Trad trendy indie metal? Yeah, whatever. *** Review by Joe Geesin JAMES APOLLO Two By Two The lead single from American singer songwriter James Apollo's forthcoming second album Little War, Little Less is a moody piece of Americana that will appeal to James Vincent McMorrow fans. Recorded 'live' in two takes with a cast of clarinets, junkyard percussion and the Foghorn choir, the gospel inspired number look set to cement the critical acclaim heaped on his 2010 debut album 'Till Your Feet Bleed. *** Review by Pete Whalley THE DUNWELLS I Could Be King Country rockers from Leeds? Yes, despite their northern roots, The Dunwells (Joe & David Dunwell (guitars, keys, vocals), Rob Clayton (bass), Jonny Lamb (drums) and Dave Hanson (lead guitar)) have created something of a buzz across the pond. And now, their debut single, recorded at Willie Nelson's Texas studio, and taken from their forthcoming album Blind Sighted Faith, looks to combine the acoustic roots favoured by the likes of Ryan Adams, country finger picking, and a rousing pop style sing a long chorus. A polished debut. *** Review by Pete Whalley THE COLLECTABLE FEW Model Behaviour Opening with a Stranglers style bass line, a Duran Duran style rhythm, and marrying it with indie attitude, West London band The Collectable Few's second single winds the clock back to blend 80's pop, elements of new wave and a big chorus that should make their energetic guitar based pop a huge hit with the NME / Glastonbury brigade and Radio One listeners. *** Review by Pete Whalley RAMS' POCKET RADIO Dogs Run In Packs EP Rams' Pocket Radio is the pseudo name of Peter McCauley a drummer, pianist and songwriter from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. With a support slot to Snow Patrol at the Q awards under his belt, an acclaimed Glastonbury performance, and the support of BBC Radio 6, 'Dogs' looks set to build on the success of Rams' debut ep Dieter Rams Has Got The Pocket Radios. With his percussive style and melodic vocals Rams' are undoubtedly going to appeal to fans of Snow Patrol, Coldplay and the likes. Some may see that as a little 'old hat', but there's always a market for quality music. Waving mobiles beckon (sadly the days of waving cigarette lighters are a thing of the past). *** Review by Pete Whalley EDWARD THE CONFESSOR Breton A powerful double A side (with Kensington System) taken from Breton's forthcoming album Other People's Problems that exudes menace. The band were formed by the coming together of are a coming together of experimental musician Roman Rappak and Adam Ainger and their audio / visual post punk art rock is powerful stuff. Marrying the eccentricities of the likes of Bryan Eno and Talking Heads' to Teutonic keyboards with elements of house, punk and hip-hop, and black and white images of today's disenchanted youth it's difficult to conceive mass appeal. But a cult following seems inevitable. *** Review by Pete Whalley THE ROADKILLS Ni Xing EP www.ataleuntold.com First international release from this international but China based band. Remastered and remixed we are told, but as it's best described as indie alternative metal it's hard to tell. The band cite as influences Therapy?, Clutch and Korn and it's pretty much up that street. If you're into a bit of a grungy jangly mess passed off as metal you're probably like this. But do we really need an industrial mix of the lead track 'Tell me?' I'll let you decide while I go for a dump in the CD player - it sounds much the same. ** Review by Joe Geesin ROBINSON Without Love It takes some 'bottle' to launch a career with just a single name, and Worcester singer songwriter Andy Robinson is clearly not lacking in that department. Produced by Ruadhri Cushnan (Mumford & Sons, Ed Sheeran, Bjork and Eleanor McEvoy) the multi instrumentalist has come up with a Radio 2 friendly ditty that in many ways, reminds of another single named artist Mica. But his talent is hugely difficult to judge on the strength of just one short, jaunty piece of pop. For now they jury's out, but you know what they say, pride can come before a fall. ** Review by Pete Whalley   Print this page in printer-friendly format Tell a friend about this page

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine | *** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan | ** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly