We cut through the hype and give the one thing lacking in so many places these days: an honest opinion. We're not going to put something down for the sake of it either. For an honest outlook on music (and other subjects), you're in the right place!
You know when you hear somebody on the radio and you’re quite content to ignore their existence, but then you somehow get to listening to their album and, rather frustratingly, you actually quite like it. Yeah? Yeah…this is one of those albums. It’s catchy, it’s slightly varied, when it loses you it’s quick to pick you back up and it’s full to the brim with radio friendly tunes.
The light hearted music and the mostly superficial lyrics mix well together creating a fusion of music that sounds that much better when the sun is blaring relentlessly and clouds are but a distant memory.
Although, Won’t Go Quietly doesn’t start off with the light hearted tone that becomes prominent as the album goes on. Opening track From Space begins with a cheering crowd, adding a touch of arrogance to a record that has shown much promise over the radio waves. At first it doesn’t seem that attractive, the rap, which of course is a heavy feature throughout the entirety of the album, is similar to the style of Dizzee Rascal, but not as captivating. However, as the track comes to an end it lets up and, in fact, it’s easy to become rather fond of.
The title track is one of the highlight tracks of the album. The chorus has a summery feeling to it and demands that you sing along. Watch The Sun Come Up is quite similar in the sense that it’s catchy but there’s also a feel good factor that comes with it. It’s hard not to fall in love with these two songs, and because of them it’s hard to mind that the next one in the track listing, Time Machine, isn’t as good.
The tail end of the album is also a bit of a disappointment, Dirty Face, Hooligans and See The Sea just don’t share the strength that the beginning has in abundance. These three tracks lack the imagination and creativity present throughout and make it a laborious task to reach the last song, which is a shame because Won’t believe The Fools is actually alright.
Won’t Go Quietly is a surprising album. Despite the way it starts and despite the disappointment from certain songs, it is a damn good release. Tracks like Something In The Water and Kickstarts provide a refreshing variety. Example’s talent has been recognised by many Radio One DJ’s and this attention is well deserved, this is definitely an album that he should be proud of and one that belongs in many a record collection.
The Rising have always been proud to wear their influences on their sleeves, which has become apparent on their debut EP Hey You. They have the obvious Oasis influence, which some Oasis fans may actually like. Others, however, may dismiss immediately, thinking it’s just another ‘rip-off’ and that no one can replace Oasis.
Some may sit on the fence, like myself. Hey You the first track and the first released single from the band, is a track to get the crowd moving, and the fans singing along, whether it’s at a concert, or with a hairbrush in their hand. With simple lyrics, it’s easy for even a small child to catch on to. However, a 4 minute song, with the same tune, and the only change being right at the end with a more amped version of the tune you’ve just been listening to? Sure, it’s fine at the beginning, but mixing it up would change it from ‘fine’ to ‘brilliant’. Think Tank, however, has a wonderful nostalgic feel to it, with it’s psychedelic guitar riffs, and it’s lyrics “The music ain’t quite what it used to be”. This track could easily get more people dancing than Hey You. A song that takes you back to the psychedelic era, whilst keeping a modern effect on the song, it’s almost surprising as to why this track wasn’t used as a debut single, instead of the other. Story of My Life and Strangers of The Night are very relateable to the angst of teenagers in my generation. Story of my Life is easily related to anybody’s life, because it’s all about finding yourself, “I’m trying to find a world to which I belong”, whereas Strangers of the Night is all about that rough breakup that everyone’s been through, and how you desperately want them back “Things haven’t been too good since you’ve been gone” “Where did it all go wrong?”. Keeping an Oasis-influenced feel on both songs, they’ve also shown their own style, at last.
Now, aren’t live tracks supposed to attract more fans to shows? Well, the boys have more than likely succeeded with a live version of Hey You as the last track on this album. Altogether, it’s not that bad of an EP, and they’ve proved they can write a catchy tune. But this band still have a lot more to prove, and if they can prove it, there’s a bright future ahead of them!
Hey folks, we’re back again with a bunch of brilliant videos for your viewing pleasure! As always we’ve tried to grab vids that you won’t see repeated every 30 minutes on Viva, but that deserve your attention!
First up, a lovely acoustic version of the next single by Little Fish. Here we have Juju’s voice and guitar combining to create a stripped back, but potent version of Whiplash.
Next up, a quirky little video from Stars and Sons to promote their new single Futureproof. I’m still trying to get my head around the promo clip, but the song itself is a cracking little pop number.
Another peculair vid for electronic experimentalists Mount Kimbie. Would Know is a fascinating soundscape and the video, by acclaimed filmmaker Tyrone Lebon is a fascinating accompaniment
Klaxons are back with a new album and a much more interesting sound. Lead single Echoes is a good example of the new direction for the band and it’s well worth checking out.
Lastly, we’ve got the latest single from Mirrorkicks. On TV is a good little tune, but this video is superb and well worth checking out!
If, like me, you first started listening to music ‘properly’ (ie: seeking it out, rather than listening to what the radio/tv told you to) in the early to mid nineties, then your musical tastes probably take in a lot of what might be called alt.rock and you probably like a bit of grungey angst here and there.
If that’s the case, you may wonder if these Aussie rockers were built with you in mind! Violent Soho are rather a melting pot of nineties influences, so much so that as you listen to them, individual tracks will have you racking your brains for who they remind you of. That’s not to say the band are being derivative as such, but for me at least, this sound is so comfortable that it immediately reminds me of myriad tunes and bands from my teen years.
Lead singer Luke Boerdam possesses the ability to go from calm singing to screeching shout at the flick of a switch and for a change, he’s a vocalist who is more expressive on the latter style than the former.
As for the songs themselves, they’re certainly catchy and, obligatory slower track Narrow Ways with it’s trite sincerity aside, they keep the tempo up to ensure your attention. Jesus Stole My Girlfriend is the first single, and an obvious choice, it’s droning guitars and prodding vocals set out the band’s stall perfectly. The angry Bombs Over Broadway is a cracking track too.
If I had to find something to complain about here, it would be that you kind of get the impression the producers have opted for a poppy sheen and dialled back the band’s ferocity. I can’t help but imagine these songs roaring into life live.
All in all though, this is a great little album and one I’d heartily recommend investigating.
Whilst a number of our nations “sporting heroes” have not been busting their balls for our approval *cough * the England football team *cough*, rising Liverpudlian rock band Sound of Guns most definitely are. As the band arrive at Coventry’s famous Kasbah venue - after making an appearance on Sky and getting “ spray painted in make-up” according to vocalist Andy Metcalfe, before having to travel in a somewhat decrepit van up to Coventry during rush hour - it is arguable that other, more pretentious bands would cancel the gig due to exhaustion, not Sound of Guns. The boys soldier on for their fans.
Even though Andy is getting married in 40 hours time!
“ Absolutely no way are we taking any time off after the wedding unfortunately, We’ve got a show the day before and a show the day after, and then we’ve got Reading and Leeds.”
Sound of Guns dedication to their fans and performing is even preventing the newlywed Mrs Metcalfe from a honeymoon!
“ Me and my wife agreed we wouldn’t have a honeymoon, then I had to explain to her how the band are going to Mallorca with The Courteeners to do the “Mallorca Rocks” festival , she was understandably a bit annoyed,” he laughs.
Sound of Guns first met three years ago, after vocalist Andy and drummer Simon were in a band together previously that split up.
“Me and Si put an advert on gig wires and Nathan our guitarist answered that,” Andy explains. “ We didn’t have a lot to show him at first so we just showed him a few bits off the laptop, then our bass player John watched our first show, and he just joined us after that like,” Andy details whilst sipping a Stella in his thick Liverpudlian accent.
The bands dedication to their work is not always a good thing however, as it almost got them arrested in Wakefield after a bar lady became convinced they had an arsenal of guns with them.
“Oh god,” shudders Andy,” The bar lady in this pub heard us talking about guns, not knowing that was our name Sound Of Guns, so she rings the police saying “there’s these Scousers here with guns!”
'What Came From Fire' - the band's debut album
When asked why on earth she did that, Andy, very confused obviously rolls his eyes , “ God I honestly don’t know. After the pub we all piled into our van outside then the door opened and armed police were outside with a megaphone shouting “ come out with your hands up!” Fucking hell man it was madness, they dragged us all out the van and had us handcuffed over bonnets searching us and all that. One of our Roadies nearly got in trouble, the police asked us if we had any weapons on us that we shouldn’t have and he pulled out a tiny gun shaped lighter , but thankfully they meant actual weapons.”
An experience like that may make the fainter hearted rock star think twice about his choice of career, however with Sound of Guns enthusiasm for their work, they simply took advantage of the situation.
“It was good because it got us more publicity at the time. I got so many messages the next couple of days after it. Even my mum rang me shouting “ what you messing about with guns for I just heard you on the radio talking about guns!” Then I had to explain, “ no mum it’s not it’s the band Sound of Guns.”
The Wakefield fiasco is not the only piece of crazy publicity the indie-rockers have had. Andy was described by the Guardian as being “ A mad scientists genetically hybrid son whose a cross between Jim Morrison and Bono.”
“Since then all the band have been calling me ‘mono’ like a combination between Morrison and Bono.”
A comparison that Andy definitely has a love/hate relationship with.
“ Jim Morrison’s cool, The Doors are a mad band, so I suppose it’s flattering. I don’t really know that much about Bono,” he says in a dismissive “Bono’s not cool” way ( to be honest he’s right about that), “ we’ve got a lot of U2 comparisons that I don’t like, but overall I took it as a positive.”
However Andy’s next revelation indicates that may be him and Bono are more alike than he thinks.
“ Well my mum always said my dad was Terry Wogan!” He laughs,” There’s definitely Irish in our family man and I’ve got Terry Wogan’s hair.”
His hair is also something Andy has a love/hate relationship with.
“I don’t even brush my fucking hair,” he says whilst running his fingers through a mass of greasy curls, “ It’s like an exploded mattress my hair and some of the worst mistakes in my life have been haircuts.”
With Sound of Guns exhausting schedule, Andy does have an excuse for not brushing his hair as after the long and energetic shows the band perform, hair duties would be last on any rock star’s agenda.
A huge compliment for the band was being hailed as “the new Princes of Liverpool” by Sound City.
“That felt really nice to be called that,” explains Andy, “ we just played a headline show at Sound City a couple of weeks ago at a huge student union venue and we sold that out. It was cool to do a proper headline thing, we were dead pleased man.”
Astonishingly, Sound of Guns played for a gruelling hour and 20 minutes that night.
“I felt it man I was sweating out after like one song, honest to god man. By the end of it I was just like a drowned rat. But it was cool to see so many new fans there.”
After tonight’s performance at The Kasbah club, Sound of Guns can expect an awful lot more new fans too. Considering the band are reaching almost dizzy heights of fame now, and the club, considering previous venues they have played is fairly empty, the band still play as though they’re selling out Wembley Stadium. With Andy jumping out into the audience and yelling out the vocals passionately into the audience, showing how much the band appreciate their fans. The other band members are sweating their guts out too, playing every note and chord with ten tonnes of energy and rocking out whilst doing so. Their performance without a doubt blew the cobwebs out of the old Kasbah. Their performance contains the kind of energy and vibrancy that you wouldn’t expect from a band that have just travelled half way across the country to be here and have no intention of calming down. Expect Sound of Guns to continue putting more energy into their shows and their music than most England footballers have put into every game they have ever played.
Canadian nonsense-mongers Hot Hot Heat are back, with their third album Future Breeds. I wouldn’t usually mention album artwork, but the effort that’s gone into this one merits it- elaborate and complicated, and every lyric handwritten in fancy fashion… I’ve had this for a couple of weeks and still can’t take my eyes off it. Well, that’s what it looks like, how does it sound? Mind bending, quirky, odd… but then, it IS Hot Hot Heat. Oh, and dead good as well.
Album opener YVR sets the tone and the pace – a sprawling electronic bit of dark edged wierdness. And it might deter the faint hearted, because this isn’t a first listen, instant hit kind of album. It’s a definite grower – maybe because it takes a bit of time to wrap your head around the off-beat unpredictability of it all. When you have heard it a couple of times, you can get past the madness and appreciate the tunes for the weird little gems that they are.
Track 2, 21@12 gives us familiar HHH songcrafting – odd whistles and squeaks and the greatness of Steve Bays’ distinctive vocal combine to make a poppy little number. Times A Thousand comes next, with a staccato stompy rythmn and a little bit of polka sensibility. Implosionatic is a favourite, frenetic and crashy with great slowed down breaks – it’s ace. Goddess on the Prairie is also fab – Bays gives his voice a lounge singer twang for his lamenting lyrics in this one.
A few tracks on, we get to the JFK’s LSD. It’s all over the place beat-wise, but has a great shout-along bridge. Buzinezz as Uzual is a slowed down piano meander, while sanity is questioned in What Is Rational? – possibly by someone who has failed to make sense of this album! Final track Nobody’s Accusing You (Of Having A Good Time) brings things to a fitting end – upbeat, well crafted, all whirly organ and shouty vocal- a great tune.
In conclusion, after taking five or six listens to get my head around this one, it was worth the effort. I like HHH anyway, and while this album isn’t as good as their second, Elevator (which was more grown up – eccentric, rather than just weird), it’s pretty bloomin good. If you feel like a change from the norm, like smart lyrics and a sprinkle of pop with your guitar, invest in Future Breeds.
Hero are a perplexing band, you’re never quite sure how to take them. Hailing from Canada, they’ve taken the name of their debut album from a Gaelic festival. The album cover too doesn’t seem to fit with their music in the slightest, depicting a medieval scene complete with monkeys on horseback, you’d think there would be a sense of humour present but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Open up the booklet and along with the usual artwork and lyrics you’ll find a glossary of terms, the purpose of which isn’t quite evident. Are they trying to make their material look intellectual and deep? If so, one listen to the album will throw this idea right out the window, being as is it is a pop record wrapped in some classic rock worship.
Opening with the sounds of a live audience and chants of “Hey Hey Hey”, you’d expect it to tear straight out of the gates but instead it just sort of muddles along and never truly picks up pace. There are plenty of chunky riffs, and some decent guitar work which, whilst aping their influences such as Queen and Led Zeppelin, are still quite decent. It’s let down by never kicking it up a step, the vocalist lacking the power and range of those influences.
“Hangover” shows a bit of variety from the usual classic rock-pop, with a country tinge to it, but the vocals let it down. They stumble during the intro, trying to fit the words where they just won’t go. While some artists are masters of piling as many lyrics as possible into a single line, here it just comes off as amateurish.
There are a lot of ideas knocking about in here, but they don’t seem to be used to their full potential. While there are some flourishes of something great, they aren’t used to craft a rounded and coherent song. Given time and experience though, they could eventually craft some awesome rock songs. As they are right now though, they have a way to go, and nothing on this album really stands out.
Larkin Poe are a re-invention of American country popsters The Lovell Sisters – minus the oldest sister. After the departure of Jessica (who, brilliantly, has done things the other way around to most people, by dropping out of a successful band to go to college…), 19 and 20 year old Rebecca and Megan Lovell have renamed themselves with their great-great-great Grandad’s moniker, teamed up with some musicians from Knoxville, and delivered Spring for our delectation. And it’s lovely! The girls have the lyrics, the musical talent, the back-up band, and above all the voices. This EP is a little cracker.
Now, if you asked me what I think of country music, I would generally roll my eyes and make a vaguely disgusted noise at you. Larkin Poe have, nonetheless, made it really work by giving it a little bit of pop sensibility and a modern slant that brings Americana into this century and dirties it’s ultra-white teeth enough to make it ace.
Track one, Long Hard Fall has the most country-ish feel, with it’s twanging bluegrass picking, handclaps and shuffling percussion. It works because it’s upbeat and cheerful without being cheesy, and the vocals are earthy and clear at the same time. Lovely stuff. Second song along brings what might be my personal favourite We Intertwine, which is genuinely gorgeous. A layered piece which uses a combination of twinkling piano and percussion overlaying soft thumps and strumming, and then come the harmonies. Oh my goodness, these girls can sing individually, but together…it’s really something special. One with rougher edges, and the other with a perfectly contrasting clarity that somehow matches the two like dark and light. The song swells and peaks, offers heartfelt lyrics and those beautiful voices. It’s a winner.
Bring on track three then, Burglary, and the only problem with this is the slight over-selling of the lead vocal by whichever Lovell (and I feel rude for not knowing!) is heading up this one. Don’t get me wrong, I still really like the soft, velvety dark feel and the story of getting your heart stolen…but she just occasionally forces her voice when it really doesn’t need it. Then comes track four, To Myself, which again gives that sparkling vocal and the perfect chorus harmonies. It’s a gentle roll along the road, this one – dreamy bass, a lovely combination of guitar and softly played instruments. Track five, Shadows of Ourselves is a nice piece of country pop, well played and sung with a lovely restrained sensibility which matches the music perfectly.
Next two tracks The Principle of Silver Lining and Ball and Chain are slightly darker, bringing us into the dusky twilight of this EP. Principle is bluesy, with raw edges showing around the vocals and a quiet eerier sound to the music. Ball and Chain is a great tune, with a more plaintive edge to the vocals and a kind of sad query resonating through it. We then exit into the sunshine of Nothin’ But Air, a perky number about getting rid of a useless boyfriend. Bright and breezy, this is a nice pop song with a good storyline and, again, brilliantly sung. Finally, Fairbanks, Alaska brings a return to bluegrass – a fitting end to this great little slice of Americana.
All in all, this a treat to listen to, and a nice surprise for this lover of metal and emo. It’s their voices that make this EP: effusive, note perfect and clear, the Lovell girls are clearly loving every second of what they do. And fair play to them, because they do it extremely well.
It’s time for some more cracking videos from our favourite artists!
First up, we’ve got Them:Youth. We love these boys and they’ve been good friends of the site, so if you haven’t come across the band before (where have you been?) check out the video for their latest single Fever Rising below for your own fix! If you like what you see and hear head to their website to download a free track too!
Bombay Bicycle Club have gone off ona tangent with their new acoustic release. It’s a new direction for this band, but it really works. Check out Ivy & Gold, we think you might like it too.
I’m really not sure how to describe the video for Misery Guts by The Heebie Jeebies, so I won’t even try, but suffice it to say that it’s something everyone should check out at least once!
Leni Ward releases Opening Doors next month, but you can get a sneak preview by checking out the video below. Following in the footsteps of Florence, Marina et al, Leni has an interesting sound that we think you’ll like
Last, but by no means least, we have the video for American Sling, the titular track from the latest Gaslight Anthem album.
I’ve gone on record a number of times with how much of a Wintersleep fan I am, so lets be honest, their new album isn’t going to get a negative review from me. That said though, the band have made some striking changes on this, their fourth album. When Kings Of Leon released their last album it sounded similar to their previous offerings, but somehow more clear. As if everything you’d heard from them previously had been played through speakers stuffed with cotton wool. Wintersleep pull much the same trick here, their songs being structurally similar to their earlier work, but the production much clearer (and, perhaps, more radio friendly?) than previous offerings. I’m not sure I like it, but I’ve turned 30 now, so it may be that getting older has just made change scary to me!
Let’s get into the meat of things though… opener Experience The Jewel, with it’s soaring strings immediately lets you know the band have widened their scope, before Encyclopaedia kicks in, guitars roaring and hiding within a rhythm tighter than Michael Flatley’s trousers! Black Camera is a cracking track, certain to be a live favourite, with a chant-along chorus that makes it tailor made to take up Oblivion’s place in their finely honed set lists.
Overall this is a good album, in fact, I’ve really enjoyed it every time it’s landed in my CD player, but I can’t help but wonder if, by making their sound appeal to a broader audience, they’ve actually lessened the element of their sound that made them special… I’m sure their next album will let us know!
You know when you hear somebody on the radio and you’re quite content to ignore their existence, but then you somehow get to listening to their album and, rather frustratingly, you actually quite like it. Yeah? Yeah…this is one of those albums. It’s catchy, it’s slightly varied, when it loses you it’s quick to pick you back up and it’s full to the brim with radio friendly tunes.
Larkin Poe are a re-invention of American country popsters The Lovell Sisters – minus the oldest sister. After the departure of Jessica (who, brilliantly, has done things the other way around to most people, by dropping out of a successful band to go to college…), 19 and 20 year old Rebecca and Megan Lovell have renamed themselves with their great-great-great Grandad’s moniker, teamed up with some musicians from Knoxville, and delivered Spring for our delectation. And it’s lovely! The girls have the lyrics, the musical talent, the back-up band, and above all the voices. This EP is a little cracker.
