It's always nice when something amazing by an artist you've never heard of before arrives in your inbox. This was the case when I reviewed Flutes' debut single Auld Archie a few months back. At least when you've listened to an artist previously you have some sort of idea what to expect. Or sometimes you've only heard a friend mention the artist, so you recognise the name when a release appears even if you haven't heard them playing yet. With Flutes, I'd heard nothing. Not a thing. Zilch. So when the Auld Archie came out of nowhere I [...]
Vasa – Never Have Dreams EP Vasa's mathy post rock is something to behold. The meaty bass tangled with the chiming guitar lines is a recipe for something really special. The whole EP is excellent but a special mention must go to Not Now, But Soon, which shifts silkily from from its optimistic major key riffs to something a little more Eastern, heavy and dark. This is beautiful. Cynthia by Vasa Never Have [...]
How To Swim – It Doesn't Even Have To Be You I've admired How To Swim for ages (the old Jockrock forum liked them – shows you how long they've been around!) but, despite their artistic consistency, they've never seemed to be able quite get beyond the cusp of greatness they've been stalled at for years. This is a gem of a single though, hopefully the album brings them superstardom. They deserve it. It Doesn't Even Have To Be You by How to Swim [...]
Father Sculptor – Dysmirror (single) If you've followed these reviews over the last few months, you'll know I'm a huge fan of these guys. The towering synths and big reverbs are out in force, as are the anthemic vocals and machine gun snares. Close your eyes and you can practically see the white lights and swirling smoke. A great way to finish their run of bi-weekly singles. Dysmirror by Father Sculptor Dysmirror is available from Bandcamp . [...]
Mondegreen – Aberdoom! EP Mondegreen's brand of off-kilter progressive pop music is not unlike the amazing Spinto Band at times - particularly on final track Jammy Ceiling. The noisier Iffy Clone's punky guitar lines chop away through forever-changing time signatures, whereas Aberdoom! is a simpler affair, like Boy With The Arab Strap-era Belle & Sebastian crossed, strangely, with Blur. Enjoyable stuff, well worth a listen. Jammy Ceiling by mondegreen EP available now from Bandcamp . [...]
We Are The Physics – Applied Robotics They've been pretty quiet for a while, but what a way to come back! Blistering and frantic, it's like they've taken a bit of their favourite angular post-punk bands and injected the pop nous of the much-loved - but sadly now defunct - Flying Matchstick Men (latterly Matchsticks). If this is what's to be expected from their forthcoming second album then I cannot wait. Available now from iTunes. [...]
The Tide Inside – On My Way Back Down From The Edge Swirling synths and pounding drums give this a slightly Miaoux Miaoux feel in places, but the uneasy bassline and gloomy aesthetic wouldn't be too out of place on Radiohead's Hail To The Thief. Indeed the repeated closing refrain of of 'On my way back down from the edge' brings to mind Sit Down, Stand Up. An excellent slice of dark, industrial pop. On My Way Back Down From The Edge by The Tide Inside [...]
Hi folks, You can get your single and EP releases into me at canavan7 [at] gmail.com. Just stick '62 word review' into the subject headline. Looking for Scottish acts in particular but anything else is fine too. Thanks, Boab Kill The Waves – Oak Tree Oak Tree's military marching beat, smooth bass, atmospheric backing vocals and understated orchestration indicate influences such as Interpol. It's expertly put together, with [...]
Ace City Racers – Waiting Ace City Racers pretty much take one element of each of Blur's hits and put them all into one song, creating something pretty unoffensive though unoriginal. Among other examples, there's the drum intro and chord sequence of Song 2, the fizzy high-on-the-neck guitar riff of There's No Other Way, and the half-spoken-half-song delivery of, well, most Blur songs. Not terrible but uninspiring. Available to download from the Fred Perry website on the 13th of August. [...]
KOBI - Fight A slice of dark alternative-rock here. Fight's broody demeanour indicates influences such as Radiohead and My Bloody Valentine, but the track always retains its melodic pop sensibilities. The track reaches a very nice crescendo, its pumping bass and expansive guitar lending the track a real sense of grandeur. The Them & Us remix of B-side A New Before is also worth listen. Fight by KOBI Fight is available to buy from [...]
TMTATC – I Am The Hottest Fire The Mouse That Ate The Cat appear to be the masters of firing out cracking singles. Although they'd normally be considered an electro-pop act, I Am The Hottest Fire has a bigger, rather more conventional guitar pop sound than usual, and at times are reminiscent of the wonderful Fanfarlo. The anthemic chorus is guaranteed to be stuck in my head for days. Available to download free on 23rd July [...]
Meursault – Something For The Weakened With gritted teeth I hovered my cursor over the play button, prepared for an aural onslaught similar to that of Meursault's previous effort. However, the production here is far superior: warm and clear, yet still lofi enough to be Meursault. The glorious swells of Hole and the lilting sway of Settling are particularly nice moments on an album full of them. Superb. Something For The Weakened is out on Song, By Toad Records on 16th July [...]
Hi folks A wee bit different this week. Every so often I include a few non-Scottish bands (because I get loads of submissions from outwith Scotland every week) in the reviews. Scotland is represented this week by Edinburgh's Birdhead, with England represented by Santiago Street Machine (Manchester) and Church School (London). Keep your submissions coming in, no matter where you're from! Boab x Birdhead [...]
Pronto Mama – Lickety Split EP If you like your barbershop music all laid-back with cool synths then you'll love Pronto Mama. Love You is somewhere in between Fleetwood Mac's Albatross and The B-Sharps, and is without a doubt the best song I've heard all year. One Trick Pony is superb, particularly the half-time baws-oot at the end. The best EP I've heard since Galchen's The Red Dot. Love You live for BBC Radio 1 Introducing [...]
Wolves of Winter – The Thaw (single) This delicate, piano-led ballad utilises some mellow ambient sounds, lovely cello parts and atmospheric guitar drones to create a beautiful soundscape. The band have used the post-production stage to great effect, with plenty of swooshing delays and noise swells, but the song itself is maybe a little unvaried to truly hold your attention for its duration. Still, it's definitely worth checking out. <p&a mp;gt;&amp ;lt;a href=" http://wolvesofwinter.bandcamp .com/track/the-thaw"&a mp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Thaw by Wolves Of Winter&amp ;lt;/a&amp ;gt;</p& ;amp;gt; The Thaw [...]
The Winter Tradition – San Diego This single from forthcoming album Gradients isn't something I'd normally go out my way to listen to but I'm very glad it dropped into my inbox. Although it has that typical current guitar-pop sound (think Fatherson), there's plenty here to love. There are tight harmonies and tidy guitar lines, quiet bits and loud bits, pumping bass and an anthemic chorus. Thoroughly enjoyable. San Diego by The Winter Tradition Available from all [...]
Plastic Animals – Automaton EP Plastic Animals may have a sparse, lo-fi aesthetic but they don't forget their sense of melody, as a result sounding like the filthy lovechild of The XX and Wilco. The band use ambient noise to great effect, creating a stunning textured sound. A very good EP all round, but the sprawling climaxes of Sundowning and opening track Yellowcraig make it a must-listen. Yellowraig is available to listen to on their Soundcloud page. The rest of the EP will be available here [...]
Aloha Tigers – Aloha Tigers LP Can you imagine Wayne Coyne frolicking in a meadow wearing a flowery summer dress made of nothing but endless reverb? If that turns you on, you'll love Aloha Tigers. The whole album is excellent but Josh's Song and Cloud In The Water are particularly worthy of your attention. A very soothing listen, truly a late-night headphone album if ever there was one. Josh's Song by Aloha Tigers You can name your price for [...]
Father Sculptor – Ember / Blue This atmospheric debut double A-side is thoroughly enjoyable. There is an early 80s post-punk feel about both tracks, with the reverb drenched (but not drowned) Ember sounding like the love-child of Explosions In The Sky and Simple Minds (in a very good way). Blue is a more sparse affair and is the darker of the two tracks but both are excellent. Ember / Blue by Father Sculptor Available now here. [...]
Aerials Up – The Old And The Innocent Aerials Up appear to be on a quest to write the World's Greatest Anthemic Pop Song. It has all the necessary parts: anthemic chorus, the quiet part leading to the huge crescendo, harmonised male and female vocals and a stadium guitar sound. And while this isn't quite All Your Mother's Daughters (the best thing they've ever released), it is very good indeed. Available now from iTunes Marvel Heights – Make No [...]
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