Album Reviews
EP Review: Scruffy Bear – Good Intentions Of A Grumpy Sun
North East Blues rockers Scruffy Bear took the scene by storm with their previous EP ‘Face The Rain‘. They now return with three killer tracks on new EP ‘Good Intentions OF A Grumpy Sun’. The Jazzy ‘Good Intentions’ straight away confirms that this band has not lost its chops. The bluesy, explosive choruses contrast with …
EP Review: The Silver Lines – …And The Lord Don’t Think I Can Handle It
Following a string of high octane, brilliantly put together singles, Birmingham Quartet The Silver Lines unveil the full new ‘…And The Lord Don’t Think I Can Handle It’. Opening with a snarling yet swaggering “Hello, Hello, Hello”, the EP’s opening track ‘Roaches’, The Silver Lines waste no time getting straight into their explosive post-punk-come-alternative-rock sound …
Album Reviews : Daniel García Trio – ‘’Wonderland’ : an exceptional, tight-knit jazz piano trio that keeps its mind open.
The piano trio is such an established form of jazz expressionism that it can be tricky to broaden the scope and keep the messages fresh. In recent times the classic Mehldau/Grenadier/Ballard trio broke new ground with their inspirational interpretations, Phronesis brought dynamic experimentalism to the party and Go Go Penguin thrilled through their strident dance …
EP Review: Rumin – Horizontal/Vertical
Rumin (short for Rumination) has been long in the making with the band inception can be traced back to 2010 as an initial collaboration between Russ Stedman and Andy Ellis to south coat musicians. Stedman wanted to create a more funk based music after years in the metal genre. Horizontal/Vertical is the culmination of years …
Album Review: Lectric – Thrillseeker
Blistering rock ‘n’ roll bands are never in short supply; however, now and then, one band comes along that stands above the rest. Lectric embodies the classic rock approach but brings it bang up to date with a heavier, dynamic sound that demands to be played live. Or at least at full volume. With ‘Thrillseeker’, …
Album Review: Bette Smith – Goodthing
American blues/soul/rock singer Bette Smith may have one of the best voices in the business, and with ‘Goodthing,’ she proves she has one of the best-sounding bands in the business, too. Thirteen tracks bring a modern refresh of a classic soulful sound. With a voice like Smiths, an album can be hit or miss, depending …
Album Review: Charly Bliss – Forever
It’s been five years since Charly Bliss graced us with an album. Exhausted from touring their second album, it took a while for the band to pick things up and deliver another batch of tracks. The break has done them well, though and with ‘Forever’, they have delivered an album thats fun, fresh and, more …
Album Review: Federico Balducci & fourthousandblackbirds –‘Succulent Succubus’ : probing and powerful philosophical-drone music bursting with ideas.
Writing about any music released via the defiantly unconventional Difficult Art and Music imprint should not be a straightforward undertaking and maybe the task exposes the gaping flaws in the reviewing game. What is good, why compare, what is shallow, why is this deep and who says so? All a reviewer really does is say …
Album Review: Belong – ‘Realistic IX’: The illusive ambient-shoegaze duo return, their deceptive power undiminished.
Things may come and things may go but the shoegaze dance still unravels. Thirty years on from a time when Catherine Wheel were possibly the most important thing in the world to a small herd of droopy fringed teenagers, some of the scene’s more prominent pioneers have been having another moment. Ride have heaved themselves …
Album Review: Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar
With tracks about tipping point coin pusher machines, poor choices when camping and foot powered Singer sewing machines, Barbarian Hermit’s new album ‘Mean Sugar, has something for everyone. Just make sure you like it heavy. The title track ‘Mean Sugar’ is huge! and it’s the perfect way to start this album off. Sonically it’s sparse …