Broken Hands – If You Need to Lie
Broken Hands are a quartet originating from Kent. Consisting of two brothers, Callum and Dale Norton, in addition to the two other members, Jamie Darby and Thomas Ford, Broken Hands are an indie band that are preparing to release their new single If You Need to Lie later this month on May 28. The four-piece have been very busy in recent months, having toured Europe as the opening act for Band of Skulls, in addition to selling out their first show in London. Despite being in the relatively early stages of their career, Broken Hands have received a warm reception and have been announced as performers at this year’s T in the Park concert, a feat that is sure to boost the band’s profile even further. (more…)
New Video: Friends – Mind Control
As I’m sure you all know, 80s is the new black at the moment, whether it’s Jordans on everyone’s feet or acid wash jeans, it’s all about sporting those nostalgia prompting items; keepin’ it old skool. (more…)
Husky – Forever (Album Review)
Someone recently said to me that there were no new ideas, just repetition and adaptation of old ideas. I managed to resist telling them that what they had said was also an old idea. (more…)
Nite Jewel – Memory Man (Single Review)
Apologies to those who have yet to watch the Jim Carey film ‘Yes Man’ as you will have no clue what I’m about to refer to, but YouTube will help you out. You know how whenever you hear a song your brain does that weird thing where it digs down in your memory and instantly relates it to something that you’ve seen, done or heard before? Well, Nite Jewel’s track “Memory Man” brings to mind lady of the minute, Zooey Deschanel and her performance in ‘Yes Man’, where she takes to the stage singing what appears to be a diary entry transformed into an electro-pop track. Of course accompanied with her seahorse hat wearing band members. The similarity is a good thing, everyone loves that scene! Songstress Ramona Gonzalez cleverly channels an 80’s vibe with hints of both Blondie and even The Bangles in a way that is authentic, yet never fails to lose that modern kick. (more…)
New Video: Alpines – Empire
New video from Vulture Hound favourite Alpines – which has been directed by Luke Losey, who’s previous work has included Mercury Rev and Orbital. Well worth a watch.
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The Audition – Chapter II (EP Review)
Titling any release ‘Chapter II’ is a bold move: an indicator of a new beginning, albeit one that is reliant on the narrative already established by the opening chapter. In this respect, The Audition, after fulfilling their contractual obligation to Victory Records with 2011’s ‘Great Danger’, play to the pop-rock strengths of their opening chapter, whilst keeping things fresh enough to indicate a celebratory freedom from the looming spectre of the record label. ‘Chapter II’ is, in some respects, an advertisement of The Audition playing to their strengths, and whilst it would be cynical to suggest that the band are flaunting the goods to potential new employers, the EP does showcase the band at their pop-rock best. (more…)
Said The Whale – Little Mountain (Album Review)
Said The Whale are a Canadian group of five – namely bassist Nathan Shaw, keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown, drummer Spencer Shoening and two front men, Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester, formed five years ago, gaining a JUNO award along the way. Their first EP, Taking Abalonia was quickly reissued the next year as Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia, featuring seven new songs. They made the follow up LP Islands Disappear in 2009, and gained many followers as their laid back pop rock song ‘Camilo (the Magician)’ became one of the most played songs from a Canadian band on Modern Rock Radio in 2010. (more…)
30 Years On: Kate Bush – The Dreaming
Released in 1982 to a baffled public and laudatory (if similarly bewildered) critics, The Dreaming was the first album where Kate Bush took sole credit for production. She had assisted Andrew Powell on Lionheart (1978) and co-produced Never For Ever (1980) with Jon Kelly. The latter work proved to be pivotal. During the sessions she discovered the Fairlight CMI, a sampling synthesizer very much in its infancy having been created in 1979. She was introduced to the machine, along with the rhythm box, by Peter Gabriel, while recording backing vocals for his third eponymous album (also known as Melt). (more…)
ILLLs – Dark Paradise (E.P. Review)
By all accounts, these two tasters from the band’s forthcoming debut EP should be as unappetising as the ice cream goo soup that adorns its sleeve. ILLLS hail from Oxford, Mississippi and though it’s tempting to lump them in with Southern garage exemplars like The Black Keys, they make quite a different kind of noisenik pop. Both records feel like a lank-haired American approximation of English post-punk influences. On Bathroom Floor, in particular, the band battens down the hatches to cope with the oncoming Anglo-rock onslaught. With its serrated guitar and rapid fire tub-thumping, the song replicates the stampede of the Banshess/ Cure in their early 80’s heyday. Somewhere in the murk of the mix, synth strings, that staple of portentous doom-pop, struggle to assert themselves. The vocals are double-tracked with an almost alien distance. It all ends up sounding like the shimmering din of My Bloody Valentine’s sonic cathedral but repositioned state side. By the time of the breakdown, rippling fretwork (is it a bass or guitar through a chorus pedal?), US alt-rock & UK indie form a stellar hybrid. Scuzzy finesse with fangs. (more…)
Listen: Bullion – It’s All In Sound
Listen to Bullion’s It’s All In Sound from new E.P. Love Me Oh Please Love Me and read Jenner Cole’s latest review of the E.P.
When you first see the title of Love me oh please love me, the new EP by Bullion, you probably picture a weepy, downtrodden winey compilation of songs. Bullion delivers something quite different. The west Londoner serves a diverse range of tracks with different feels based loosely around a kind of chillwave/trip-hop sound. However tracks such as All in Sound reflect influences divergent of those genres. It’s All in Sound boasts a funky persona towards the end, more commonly heard in the 70/80s complimented by some killer sax and jazz keyboard sounds which promote a nostalgia as the song fluctuates between modern electro energy and the soulful mood comparable to the likes of Grover Washington.
Ryan Adams – London Palladium (Live Review)
Ryan Adams played at the London Palladium on the Wizard of Oz musicals off day on April 23rd. Blue Peter legend Janet Ellis was there and here’s her review
It was the red coats that did it. Allowed into the theatre while the Wizard takes Mondays off, another tousle-headed magician took to the stage. But the flunkeys- the regular Royal Palladium crew, tricked out in their less-than-casual red dress coats, were still on duty outside. Tearing tickets and forbidding alcohol, they stood by while bemused folk gulped down their gig beers before being allowed to sit down. Into this unrelaxed and wary auditorium, Ryan Adams crept onto the darkened stage. The lights never went up; instead a red glow (obviously the Palladium has a thing about red) suffused the stage. Kindly, you might think it a homage to Adam’s latest album title, unkindly you might just think ‘Can we see him, please?’. (more…)
Doomtree – Bangarang (Single Review)
Fair warning: “Bangarang” by Doomtree will inevitably get stuck in your head. But with that being said, this catchy song and quirky music video are definitely worth checking out. (more…)
We Are Augustines @ O2 Academy Liverpool (Live)
O2 Academy Liverpool 09/05/12
9th May 2012 and American rockers We Are Augustines have found themselves Liverpool bound on the UK leg of their tour in support of their album Rise Ye Sunken Ships. Having already played to sold out crowds in Manchester, London and Birmingham they were well in their stride, and well prepared for the nights antics. Opening up for the guys were the rock band with a tinge of metal, My Goodness. Having journeyed from their hometown of Seattle to the UK for the first time they’re only just picking up on the different crowds and what to expect; as were we. Joel and Ethan work as a two-piece with just a guitar and drums; so perhaps people were expecting more ballads, soft indie pieces? Oh no, “safety in numbers” isn’t always the case, especially with My Goodness. There are many a five piece rock band that would struggle to create the energy that My Goodness conjure, not to mention sharing the limelight equally. Musically they blew up the stage with power chords, drumbeats like no other and definitely a sense of “banter” between them. Whilst they rarely made eye contact they were bouncing off one another’s energy, almost like a playful battle. Joel would pipe up with a strong guitar riff with Ethan hitting straight back throwing his entire body into those drum beats; an intense atmosphere but hugely entertaining. With bluesy Kasabian-esque vocals “In The Sun”, certainly caught the attention of crowd members; and even more so with their single “C’mon Doll”. It went down a treat with head nodding and leg popping from people around the venue, sipping their drink in appreciation. My Goodness kept crowd interaction to a minimum perhaps through nerves but more likely because they were so engrossed in the music, powering through their triumphant set. (more…)
Random Song of the Day: Soulwax – Miserable girl
Click the link to listen to Song of the Day on Spotify- Soulwax – Miserable girl
My Goodness – ‘C’mon Doll’ (Single Review)
My Goodness, such a band name with so many puns like: ‘My goodness, have your heard this band? No, My Goodness is the name of the band, stupid. And why haven’t you heard them? Go and listen to them right now!’ (more…)
New Maximo Park ‘Hips and Lips’ video with This is England star
New video for Maximo Park’s latest single Hips and Lips which features This is England’s Thomas Turgoose as a Maximo Park SUPERFAN.
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Free Download: King Charles – Love Lust (Review)
Love Lust is the new single from King Charles, taken from his début album LoveBlood. Inspired by a near death experience in an accident, this iconic artist is a true example of how life can change direction in unexpected ways. (more…)
Listen: Alpines – Empires (Single Review)
Alpines have received so much love from so many important people this year, not least from Florence Welch who asked them to support her (and the Machine) at their Alexandra Palace shows in March. Luckily for our ears they have also announced the release of new single “Empires” on 11th June. (more…)
Library Voices – Summer of Lust (Album Review)
Library Voices are an indie-pop septet from Regina, Canada, who have recently released their latest offering, Summer of Lust. The band’s latest album follows two prior releases, Hunting Ghosts, a debut EP released in 2008, in addition to their 2010 album Denim on Denim. Summer of Lust is a feel good, pop-tinged recording that could assist in helping Library Voices make the transition into mainstream, popular music. (more…)
Savoir Adore – Dreamers (EP Review)
Upon hearing that Brooklyn duo Savoir Adore class themselves as ‘fantasy pop’ I immediately thought up some sort of horrendous concoction from the likes of Kate Bush and Kraftwerk. However, have no fear that was just my warped imagination, our ears are safe; as are members Deirdre Muro and Paul Hammer from crimes against both music and humanity. ‘Dreamers’ is the latest EP to be released from Savoir Adore on Neon Gold records, featuring seven tracks in total, five of which are actually remixes of the title track. It’s not really an everyday framework for an EP, but with the album ‘Our Nature’ on the way it seems this simply a starter before the main course. Having painted a mental picture worthy of the word nightmare I was pleasantly surprised to hear a seemingly perfect combination of 80’s synths and 90’s melodic vocals. A sudden sense of calm washes over and nothing but sunshine, rainbows and happiness are thrust upon us, which of course can only mean The Care Bear Movie. Basically, envision your paradise and here is your guaranteed perfect soundtrack. (more…)
Artmagic – Become the One You Love (Review)
“Don’t try to fight it, you’ve got to get behind it”, vocalist Sean McGhee sings in the second track of Artmagic’s debut album, ‘Become the One You Love’. It is a lyrical sentiment that indeed becomes difficult to overlook when listening to the rest of the album: essentially an anthemic-pop record with the rock backbone provided by Suede guitarist Richard Oakes. The combination of such a renowned guitarist, and McGhee, with millions of record sales to his name in a diverse range of genres, from Britney Spears, to Rizzle Kicks, should make for an interesting concoction. Yet the most glaring problem with ‘Become the One You Love’ is its sheer lack of ambition amidst a wave of genre-bending trendsetters in 2012 so far. (more…)
Foxfest: 5th and 6th of May
It’s that time of year again. Lewisham’s infamous Fox & Firkin will host an orgy of dirty sleazy Rock n’ Roll all over your May Day Bank Holiday Weekend. 40 acts, 2 Stages and 26 hours of blood, sweat, noise and craft stalls.
New Video: Blood Red Shoes – Lost Kids
New video from Blood Red Shoes latest single Lost Kids. Let us know what you think below.
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AlunaGeorge – Just a Touch (Single Review)
It’s pretty encouraging to hear more and more artists having the confidence to work outside the comfort of sounds stereotypical to genres they are affiliated with. AlunaGeorge, the dynamic duo consisting of Aluna Francis (vocals) and George Reid (instruments/synths) do just that. Incorporating RnB and Hip hop with sounds uncommonly found in such genres, such as electrosynth with an aura of 80/90s pop may sound like a deadly combination, but AlunaGeorge combine the cocktail of influences seamlessly. (more…)
