Tagged: albumreviews

A Quiet Darkness is a truly pleasant listen for those who enjoy the likes of Efterklang or Múm; soft, thoughtful, deep music carrying an underlying message that you do or do not have to tune in to. By Jake Murray

Go back a few years, back through the mists of time into the mid-late 1980s/early 1990s, and you'd find a Glaswegian group who to many almost became shorthand for the shambling guitar-pop prevalent at the time – singing, as they did, exuberant songs about trucks, trains and tractors. Before we should go any further it ought to be noted that anyone looking for the same Pastels should look elsewhere, for those days have long gone. Instead, as a matter of factual accuracy, their recent history deserves a mention, for it's included film soundtracks, theatre commissions and a collaboration with Japanese [...]

Although by no means the first musician to live by these means, with his 2012 'Turns Turns Turns' EP Devon Welsh took, quite aptly, a turn. He was smart enough to remove himself from hazy, shrouded production that had previously defined his songs, instead opting for a direct confessional approach, with vocals at the top of the mix. It just so happens that Welsh possesses one hell of a voice. Each note on 'Impersonator' is pronounced, bellowed from the proverbial hills. Welsh was trained to project his voice while studying theatre. Even at the very depths of [...]

Eye Music II is a furious mixture of hopeful and trepidatious melodies, mellow jazz sections and frantic rock riffs. There are many, many ingredients poured into this album, all of which are shaken up and blended in completely different ways for each tune. A must-own album, no matter what type of music you think you're into. By Kunal Singhal

Is there such a thing as a macabre lullaby? This seems to be the underlining teaser behind CocoRosie’s fifth full-length, a fractal journey though magic realism-as-pop. Decamping to Iceland to work with producer/composer Valgeir Sigurðsson, 'Tales Of A Grasswidow' is the duo's most undeniably produced album, perhaps too-produced. Utilising a percussive heavy foundation (albeit one that sounds as if it were recorded underwater), the interweaving vocals shimmer and soar but also sound on the verge of suffocation; the music is sure tight, but uncomfortably so. The flutes which enfold ‘Child Bride’ and glacial beats on [...]

This is country blues thrown at Black Sabbath then kicked over to good ‘ol Hank Williams territory. Sprinkle on a little southern goodness, and serve warm with a glass of ice tea: Across Tundras. - By Ryan Stephenson

Relief in the heart of darkness - British newcomers Cloud Boat and their fascinating debut "Book Of Hours" unfold a morbid but really haunting atmosphere The post Cloud Boat - Book Of Hours appeared first on Nothing But Hope And Passion - NBHAP - Music Magazine & more .

• Cloud Boat - Dréan

From the darkest swamps of... Swindon.... comes Iron Hearse with it's own brand of riff-ladden metal. It's fun, it's groovy and it features cowbell. What more can you ask for? - By John Sturm

If I add up incidental listening at bars, the homes of family and friends, retail outlets and radio play in addition to the spins I've given my own formidable collection of albums and CDs, I reckon I've spent as much time listening to George Strait as any single musician. I'm fine with that. And I'm hardly alone. Billboard magazine just reported that the new release Love Is Everything is "Strait's 18th top 10 album on the Billboard 200" and is his 25th album to top the [...]

Daft Punk - 'Random Access Memories' (UK Release: 20 May '13) // Words: Rajan Lakhani I still remember hearing 'Da Funk' for the first time, while watching MTV. I hadn’t been a fan of electronic music, defined as it was by lazy Ibiza club anthems that sounded increasingly similar. Yet Daft Punk were bold and imaginative, showing electronic music didn’t need to resort to the lowest common denominator. 15 years on, Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is experiencing a similar malaise with [...]

• Daft Punk - Instant Crush (feat Julian Casablancas)
• Daft Punk - Motherboard

"QOTSA still have the swagger, but where they once ploughed out into what seemed like virgin territory, it now feels they are treading a well-worn path..." Queens of the Stone Age  |  ...Like Clockwork After a five year break Queens of the Stone Age have finally staggered in from the wilderness with the band's sixth studio album …Like Clockwork . True to form, once again the band line-up has changed. The usual small army of guest contributors, session musicians and former band members have been drafted in to bring just a little something extra too. [...]

This fourth album by Eisley (as in Mos Eisley, duh), is surreal in the best kind of way. The Texa quintet has the same flourish that makes it easy to love The Mars Volta, and it’s just as hypnotic. Currents is in some ways the perfect name for this record. In ‘Blue Fish’ especially, the rhythm hits like waves, and everything from the vocals down to the piano is like swimming into the ocean depths, except without the whole dying from lack of oxygen thing. That theme continues in a way that’s strikingly beautiful, for example, [...]

by Tiana Feng Rating: Release Date: April 23rd, 2013 Label: Independent Montreal fuzzy pop rockers Reversing Falls released their self-titled debut last month. Co-produced by Mark Lawson and mixed by Howard Bilerman it really doesn't sound like Arcade Fire, the band whose credits both sound men have in common. Instead, [...]

In truth words can't do what's on offer do justice fully. An album of incredible depth and quality. - By Phil Johnston

• adhocfm - Deafheaven: "Dream House"

Perfect for fans of Black Sabbath, Sleep, Boris, Trouble, and Saint Vitus, Thy Kingdom Scum is an all-consuming album. This is definitely one that you want to crank up the volume for. - By Val LittleJohn

• Metal Blade Records - Church of Misery "Brother Bishop"

As record companies continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosphere hopes to pull back the curtain on a wealth of sights and sound from luminaries such as Robedoor . Brought back to life more times than Kenny, we stare once again into the evolving abyss that is Robedoor and like the cartoon boy [...]

• ROBEDOOR - Blasted Orb

By: Brendan The 1937 Flood call themselves an eclectic string band. They recently released a gorgeous version of "The Rose" featuring friend of the band Kathy Castner. You can stream the song here, or subscribe to their podcast for a ... Continue reading �

Hailing from London, with Desperate Souls of Tortured Times the Age of Taurus have created a no-nonsense, straight to the point, undiluted doom-infused slab of HEAVY metal. What’s not to like? - By Rob Thompson

• Metal Blade Records - Age of Taurus "Embrace the Stone"

So…after all the hype, preview videos, tracklist reveals, collaborator interviews and feverish anticipation, Daft Punk's fourth studio album,  Random Access Memories , has finally landed. After a masterclass in prolonged promotion, does the record match the anticipation? Has it been worth the wait? The straightforward answer to that question is yes! It has indeed been worth the wait. With that satisfaction, however, comes a couple of complications - this record is, in many ways, not the release most people we're probably expecting. Although they can't be held responsible for the [...]

There's one instant observation to be made of 'Say It' - and Just Handshakes as a whole - lead vocalist Clara Patrick's diabetes-inducing voice. The lyrics are much darker than her voice, and it gives the whole album a fragile undertone. Just Handshakes do soft ('Bright Lights', 'Signs'), they do loud ('Stick Around', 'Shadows') and they do bite-size nuggets of pop for you to digest until your stomach swells ('London Bound', 'Dead And Alive'). This really is indie pop at its finest. But it's the occasional dips into other sounds that really [...]