Reviewer Reviews... Palma Violets-180... A Music Review

You have to feel sorry for Palma(pronounced Parma) Violets. The Lambeth based band have been hyped up by the media (specifically the NME) to such an extent that this album is their attempt to show us that they are worth the hype, not that they are a fresh and exciting prospect, like what most bands experience when releasing their debuts.

So it was always going to be a challenge for Palma Violets, but they rose right up to it.

The album kicks off with the outstanding 'Best Of Friends'. The song brings exciting guitar music back with its quick and catchy riff, and the song thoroughly deserves all the praise it has received since its release in October 2012. What makes the track great is not that it does anything new, this kind of thing has been around for donkeys years, its because it comes at a time when music is about triangles and is generally quite unexciting. Palma Violets make music about having fun, not maths problems.

Best Of Friends is followed by 'Step Up For The Cool Cats', which is a jaunty keyboard driven section down the Palma's 11 track road. The song brings the bands unsung hero, keyboardist Peter Mayhew to prominence, as he drives the track along.  After that we are treated to 'All The Garden Birds', which was apparently written in Kew Gardens, adding the typical slower English indie ballad to the record-good thats over.

We are then treated to 'Rattlesnake Highway', a rip roaring track which stays in the same vein as the first two, again with the organ undertone, and is one of the albums best, as is 'Johnny Bagga Donuts'.

The record proceeds along the same vein, with other highlights including 'I Found Love', but the album ends on a poor note thanks to the 'Brand New Song' which just feels like an unfunny joke that goes on far to long.

It's quite an unfortunate way to end an otherwise good album, which I would rate at 8 and a half out of 10. If guitar music really is going to come back, I'm sure these boys will at least help the charge.

Reviewer Reviews...Breton-Other People's Problems-A Music Review

Not asbos

Now I'll freely admit that I only discovered South London outfit Breton because they shared their name with the inhabitants of Brittany, France; where I regularly go on holiday(12 years in a row, as a matter of fact).

But now, when I hear Breton I don't think of rainy holidays in Northern France, but Roman Rappack's exciting young band.

And the critcs agree. NME say that the 'Future is exciting if Breton are involved'. The Guardian says, 'If Breton can relocate the inspiration that produced it, they'll be here for the long run'.

I too feel the same way about the hooded band. They describe themselves as an 'Art Collective', mainly because the band was set up to provide music for their arty videos(check out their great music videos here-http://www.youtube.com/user/bretonLABS).

And the band use anything and everything to improve their sound-from power tools to someone chowing down. But it has worked. They have managed to pull off the raw, drawled sound, and it sounds very good on tape.

Who do they sound like? Well, that's another benefit of this great album. It's diversity. Tracks like Jostle could be mistaken for a Friendly Fires track. Governing Correctly is distincly like that of an early Metronomy. And Ghost Note would be the best ever Kasabian song-should Kasabian have written it. But consistanly, Roman Rappack's voice sounds like Yannis Philippak of Foals, which is obviously a great thing.

However, the track which makes this band is Edward The Confessor-a menacing track which makes this band and the record.

It deseveres it's 10/10

Download: Edward the Confessor, Interference and Jostle

Do you think Breton are just too pretensious? Or are they worthy of a ten? Leave your comments below.

Rabies.

Reviewer Reviews...Enjoy It While It Lasts-Spector-A Music Review

Spector frontman Fred Macpherson has tried to get into music before. But Spector is the first band to really get him any attention. Unlike Les Incompétents and Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man, Spector are from 2012. But you wouldn't know it from the music. Spector's sound belongs to the early 2000s, the age of indie disco, Bloc Party and The Strokes. And I do like that sound. I don't think that any of Bloc Party's new stuff comes close to Silent Alarm. So although many people at magazines such as NME criticise Spector for this, I firmly believe it is a great thing.

The album starts with 'True Love(For Now)',  a track which talks about the past(a recurring theme on the album), which consists of a catchy and nostalgic chorus, and gives us an idea of what is going to follow. Firstly, the album talks about the past. A LOT. And the songs are football terrace like anthems. Again akin to the early 2000s.

The best example of these anthems comes in 'Friday Night, Don't Ever Let It End',  a song which sounds like nothing at first, but develops into a truly memorable song.

Enjoy It While It Lasts also has a share of well written slower tracks such as 'Lay Low', but you have to say that Spector can be a little bit samey at times, but I do still love the album.

The thing that makes Spector is they're live performances. Fred Macpherson is a true showman, and Spector really are the finished article live. I recommend you see them as soon as possible, and if you still want more on the band as a live act, read our review of their performance at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in November.

I believe this album warrants a 9/10, and I think that Fred and Co. can truly become a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Do you think Spector are any good? Or do you think they are 'Dalston Twats'? Comment below... 

Reviewer Reviews...New Band Recommendations No.2

Temples
Who Are Temples?
Temples are a band from Kettering(yes, Kettering), whose music combines psychedelic and electronic vibes, to create a unique and interesting sound, which could have walked right out of the 60s. Not too unlike Tame Impala, it is the band's weirdness which will attract a major label-major labels love weird. Even Johnny Marr likes them, tweeting about Shelter Song. That's high praise indeed.

What Do They Sound Like?
As I previously said, the band sound like Tame Impala, and I really like their 60s sound. Debut single 'Shelter Song' epitomises this, and I recommend you check it out.

Where Can I Get Their Stuff?
The four piece are signed to Heavenly, who certainly have got quite a rooster of artist, including Stealing Sheep and Toy. You can buy 'Shelter Song' on iTunes right now, in fact.

Irish sterotyping or what

Soak
Who The Hell Is Soak?
Soak is a singer songwriter from Derry, Northern Ireland. Yes, another bloody singer songwriter. However, unlike many of her compatriots(I'm talking to you Kyla La Grange), Soak succeds in creating a mellow and calming sound. She's also only 16, so has bags of potential.

What Does She Sound Like?
Her sound is definately a mellow and calming one. I would describe it as music to go to sleep to. Her music is very stripped down, in some case just her and a guitar. I quite like this honest approach, but I fear she will not be heard amongst all the other singer songwriters out there.

Where Can I Get Her Stuff?
She has released an EP called Sea Creatures which is availiable on iTunes

Reviewer Reviews...LULS/Splashh/Swim Deep/Spector at O2 Shepherds BushEmpire

Fans out of their seats at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

On Saturday 10th November, the Spectour reached its spectacular climax at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. Teh coming together of some of independent music's most exciting bands, right now and also in the future.

I'm talking about Spector, Splashh, LULS and Swim Deep.

Although little is known about first support band LULS, I do know that they are from London and that their first release Young is on replay on my iPod. I also know that the band where unlucky as most at the venue couldn't understand what they were saying, but expect to hear more about these guys in our New Band Recommendations soon, because I do really like them.

Next up on the bill were Splashh, an already relatively famous band from Australia. Although their lo-fi fuzzy sound has been done before, I still feel a strong warming to the band. So much so, that when lead singer and guitarist Sasha Carson advised the crowd to spend their pocket money on new single Vacation, I did. Although(as I said), they sound like bands such as Howler and Crocodiles, I think the zoned out vocals set them apart from the others like them.

Swim Deep

After Splashh came Swim Deep, a band who had far more stage presence than the two who came before. Lead signer Austin Williams really connected with the crowd in a way that I had not seen all evening. As he swooned around the stage, he was reminiscent of James front man Tim Booth, in appearance and also body language. I do like Swim Deep, and so did a lot of other people in the venue. And if they didn't, I'm sure many do now. But although I was impressed by Williams' performance as a front man, it was merely a warm-up for what was to come. Yes, the time of Fred Macpherson was nigh.

Swaggering onto the stage in an all white suit Fred immediately launched into Upset Boulevard from the 5 piece's first and only album. Immediately, the crowd went crazy, and someone decided to crowd surf, thus prompting their ejection. 'Big up to the person getting ejected on the first track!' Fred aptly commented.

Fred of Spector

The show was almost a homecoming gig for the band, and was filled with anecdotes, such as when 14 year old Fred and Chris tried and failed to purchase tickets for Interpol at O2 Shepherds Bush.

And although Fred is the main man of Spector, the other members are loved just as much. For example, bassist Tom Shickle crowd surfed, and the whole venue tried to get a touch of the much loved Londoner.

Some songs truly stood out from the others though. During Chevy Thunder, the whole of the seated areas where on their feet, signing along and dancing. Yet still a steward thought he could make the excitable crowd sit down. In Grim Reefer, a song I thought as one of the albums weaker, the emotions ran high, and I think the band realised how far they'd come. They then proceeded to smash the song, in amazing fashion, and Grim Reefer has been on repeat since that day. The band played Never Fade Away last, after the whole crowd chanted the songs lyrics.

This truly was an amazing gig. From the supports right through to the final song, I enjoyed every bit of it and I would thoroughly recommend going to see Spector when they next tour, as it is an experience as well as a gig.  

Reviewer Reviews...New Band Recommendations No. 1

Peace
Who The Hell Are Peace?
Peace are a band from Birmingham, UK, with the least Google-friendly name in the world. They are seen by many as the leaders of the new B-Town scene, which includes Swim Deep and Jaws. They are signed to Columbia Records, which shows what the industry thinks of them.

But Are They Any Good?
Peace are great. They are not just another guitar band. Their tropical fused indie is like nothing else I've heard before. And it sounds awesome too. Tracks like Bloodshake underline this, and they are also not to bad at covering. Their mah guitar cover of Vertigo by The Libertines is commendable, but not as good as their cover of electro classic 1998 originally by Binary Finary.

Where Can I Get Their Stuff?
Their EP Delicious is out now. It is amazing, and expect a review soon. As for an album, expect one in 2013, although singer Harrison Koisser explained, 'We need some to tell us to stop watching Gilmore Girls and write some songs!'

FYI
They are AWESOME live, and confetti cannons come included with the ticket price...

http://peaceforeverever.co.uk/


Marsicans
Who The Hell Are Marsicans?
Marsicans are a band from Leeds, UK. They sound like a cross between Two Door Cinema Club and Vampire Weekend, which is obviously a great thing. Marsicans do upbeat, high buttoned addictive songs which I keep coming back  They're stuff is also akin to Little Comets, especially highlighted in Scuba, a very fun and bubbly track.

But Are They Any Good?
Marsicans, as I said sound very much like already established bands out their, but the combination of influences is nothing I've ever seen before. And although the Northern voice doesn't sound quite right on some of the African sounding tracks, I still really like Marsicans. I think they'll be the next big thing.

Where Can I Get Their Stuff?
They have released a number of singles, as well as Clocktail, a four track EP which can be downloaded from their Bandcamp. Enjoy!

http://marsicans.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MarsicansUK

SAME TIME,SAME BAT-CHANNEL NEXT WEEK

Reviewer Reviews...Metronomy-The English Riveira-A Music Review

Metronomy-The English Riviera

I've just been brought to a new, beautiful place thanks to Joe Mount an Co. A place, where England is the place where Stella ads are made. A place where England is beautiful. A place where Torbay is paradise. Yet again I've been listening to The English Riviera. In my opinion, the album of 2011. The album begins with 37 seconds of seagulls backed by bass and synthesiser. Almost instantly you leave your daily life and are whisked off to the seaside. This short intro perfectly draws you in, so much so that you are hooked. 

And as the brief introduction moves on to We Broke Free, a song in which Mount’s falsetto tones wrap around you and don’t let go-until Everything Goes My Way, a beautiful song in which Joe and Veornica Falls singer Roxanne Clifford duet, complimenting each other perfectly. 

The Look is next, and the track seems to have nominated itself for the summers anthem, with its organ melody with is both addictive and catchy. Following on from this is the slow and mysterious She Wants, a track which I rate as one of the albums best. But next up is The Bay, a track which brings us back to the old Metronomy, a Nights Out type song, and which will undoubtedly find itself on the minds of campers as they holiday in realistic rainy Torbay. The next notable track is Love Underlined, a bassy track with an edge.

I believe that is track is worthy of the ultimate 10/10. Well done Metronomy.

Download: Love Underlined, Everything Goes My Way

Thanks for reading. Leave your comments and requests underneath.

Reviewer Reviews...Two Door Cinema Club-Beacon-A Music Review

Beacon-Two Door Cinema Club

The question on my mind as I waited for my copy of Beacons to load in the CD player was the same fear I’d held the whole two years since falling in love with Two Door Cinema Club’s debut Tourist History

Would the Northern Irish band succumb to second album syndrome? Well, after listening, the answer is, no, they don’t.

Instead we find a solid treasure trove of good songs.

Single Sleep Alone is a solid, catchy track with a great video. And although this one song isn’t about being on tour, quite a few songs feature at least a few references to life on the road(Two Door have pretty much been touring since 2010). Take the album opener, Next Year. In this song, Alex Trimble sings,

I’ll be home for next year darling

over a dozen times. And although the song subject is slightly cliched, I’m not complaining because Next Year is a very good song, which doesn’t really stray from what made them.

Moving on, the next track on Beacon is Handshake, a song which draws some parallels with I Can Talk from the first album. This is followed by Wake Up, a fast paced number which sees Two Door use their synth and squeaky guitar combo at its best.

Sun and Someday are both good songs, but to be honest sound awfully tried by this point.

Then comes the aforementioned single Sleep Alone, before we hear The World is Watching, in which Trimble talks about being lonely on tour. And with female vocalist Valentina, what could originally have been perceived as whining from Trimble becomes beautiful.

Next up Settle is my favourite track from this album. Not because it sounds like anything from Tourist History, but the complete opposite. Yes, Settle is a whole new ball game. And it’s a good ball game at that. Integrating what sounds like steel drums, Settle builds up from a sole xylophone to a full blown brass orchestra.

Then we move onto Spring, a nice and gentle track before we end on a high with Pyramid and title track Beacon.

Overall: In Beacon, Two Door Cinema Club have made an album which avoids all second album cliches but is still good. Although using elements from Tourist History, they also venture into unproven areas with songs such as Settle and The World Is Watching.

A solid 8/10