Wednesday 27 February 2019

Emilie Kahn 'Outro' (ALBUM REVIEW)


There is a moment towards the end of spellbinding lead single ‘Island’ where a synth-drenched crescendo drops to a bare bones vocal and every hair stands up on the back of your neck – this isn’t a rare occurrence on Outro, the second album from Montreal harpist Emilie Kahn, but it also acts as a perfect illustration of exactly what this record represents.

Sunday 24 February 2019

Sleaford Mods 'Eton Alive' (ALBUM REVIEW)


If you had to pick one band that truly reflected Brexit Britain it would very likely be Sleaford Mods, few of their peers managing to encapsulate and bottle the bleakness of this last decade like Fearn and Williamson have managed, as we enter its final year.  

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Green River 'Dry as a Bone' and 'Rehab Doll' Deluxe Reissues


Casting one’s mind back to Grunge’s peak period, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney spring to mind. Chatting with those part of the scene from its earliest stages provides very different answers; protagonists keen to separate themselves from the rest of the American hardcore scene due to greater inclusivity, Seattle’s less tribal nature drawing more disparate musicians together creating perhaps a more varied melting pot of sounds.

Sunday 17 February 2019

Sunwatchers 'Illegal Moves' ALBUM REVIEW


New York politically charged acid rock four piece Sunwatchers like to rope in many friends whenever they hit the studio, ‘Illegal Moves’ proving no exception. Fusing psychedelic rock, funk and experimental jazz complete with an art school twist, the band’s second effort is released on independent ‘Trouble in Mind’ Records, a label whose roster is sufficiently varied to include both Ultimate Painting and Del Shannon. 

Tuesday 12 February 2019

The Specials 'Encore' (ALBUM REVIEW)


A full 40 years after launching a cultural coup d’etat from the cold concrete streets of Coventry, the Specials - one of only a handful of British bands who can be truly classed as revolutionary - are back with new music.

Monday 11 February 2019

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Brudenell, Leeds, February 4th 2019 (LIVE REVIEW)


Album anniversary tours are all the rage these days, everyone seems to be at it regardless of popularity and genre, with post-punk post-rockers ‘Trail of Dead’ no exception to the rule.