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!
It’s been way too long since we last updated you with some of the favourite videos we receive, so I won’t blather on today, let’s get on with it!
We’ve written about Losers before, but here’s the video to Flush, their new single. Coming on as a Terry gilliam mental breakdown, it’s something to behold…
I don’t think I rerally have th words to describe Boe Weaver‘s video for I Think You Two Should Leave… so I’ll let it do the talking for itself!
Rambling Man is, without doubt, one of Laura Marling‘s most haunting tunes yet. We fell in love from the moment we heard her new album, and if you cvheck this out you might do too!
We recently reviewed Kyte, and one of the tracks we highlighted was IHNFSA. Well, it’s been released as a single, so check out the video
Lastly we’ve got Ignition from County Armagh. These guys are firmly entrenched in a 90′s indie rock soundscape, but they do it well. It’s not a video laden with effects, but check out Take Me There to get a flavour of what these guys do!
As we sit at the bar and await the doors being thrown open to the public, chatting to the support acts and joking with the bar staff, there’s one question on our lips tonight – “where is Lupen Crook?”. As the audience filter in our headliner is nowhere to be seen. No matter though, as the fine folks at Stiff Promotions have compiled an interesting bill to keep us occupied.
Openers MayDay are relatively new to the gigging scene and have the fresh young faces to prove it. The singer has clearly watched a little too much Liam Gallagher footage, but close your eyes and the smoky vocals are remeniscent of James Morrison. The talent is here for these guys, and they’ve got a couple of good songs too… the stagecraft will come in good time.
Next up is Jack Alexander. We’ve seen him once before (across the road in fact), but he’s evolved from the Bowler Hat wearing troubadour into a whirling dervish of a performer, leaping about the little stage, whooping, screaming, stomping and whipping the audience into a frenzy. The rest of the night will be good, but this guy has just stolen the show! Scott Jowett is perhaps not a name well known to the gig-goers of Portsmouth, but shedding his much better known Kurt Cooder label has allowed Scott’s music to speak for itself. His is an assured, understated set that may not have set the audience on fire, but was definitely food for thought, perhaps the highlight was a musical tribute to the world’s sexiest Ice Cream lady, but rest assured Scott may be his own man now, but the opinionated, pseudo-political tunes most assuredly remain.
Somewhere in proceedings Lupen Crook has appeared with long time friend/sometime Murderbird Tom Langridge in tow. While they set up I chat to their manager, both of us moaning about the sub-par female fronted records being crammed down throats so far this year (sorry Ellie Goulding fans). Lupen is airing new tunes ina stripped down format, with Tom adding a little extra sound with guitars and occasional pots and pans. It’s a subdued set compared to what we’ve seen in the past, but the macabre world Lupen lives in is still very much there, even if the veil is sometimes lifted by upbeat tunes like The Counting Song.
The night over we catch up with Tom (at the bar, of course). He’s enthused about the forthcoming new album, and it’s intriguing to see him and Lupen together, the former calm and happy to be playing, the latter jittery, full of unreleased energy and eager to get back into the studio for last minute tidy-ups of the new material. They pronounce the gig a success, which I’d agree with, and bundle themselves into their van to head home. Gareth, the ever present Cellars barman has got a hoover out, so I guess thats our cue to make a move too…
THE STRANGE DEATH OF LIBERAL ENGLAND – Flagships
tsdole.com
Magisterial, strangely timeless, this track from TSDOLE comes on like the national anthem of a small but very cool country that you’ve not come across before. As always Adam Woolway’s unique vocal is right up front, but there’s instrumentation aplenty, before the track breaks down into a slightly more mellow refrain before fading out. Overall, a strange little tune at first listen, but one that grows and grows… grab it while you can!
BUKOLA – Make Your Move
Slip Disc
Make Your Move has surprisingly subtle instrumentation for an R&B track, but it really works, letting Bukola’s voice lead, and the girl certainly has some good pipes! The only let down here are some really weak synthesised beats, but as they’re hidden pretty low in the mix you probably won’t pick up on them anyway!
NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION – Drawing Maps From Memory
Kscope
This is a curious song, starting abruptly as if you’ve dipped in midway through the track, it throws you off a little. From there it’s difficult to get into the swing of things. This is a step up from their EP though, and definitely has a bit of momentum about it.
NEVER MIND THE STARS – Holiday
All Seeing Eye/Strfckr
Underground heroes in The Netherlands, Never Mind The Stars cite Hot Chip, Daft Punk and Ultravox as influences, and each is writ large on this tune. Nevertheless it’s a catchy track with a big fruity bass beat and a tune that’s all too easily sucked into your subconscious… I’ve been humming it for a week!
NOISIA – Machine Gun
Essential Music
More music from Holland, this time in the form of ace remixers Noisia who are now beginning to take the spotlight in their on right with some brutal drum & bass attack! This is an anthemia beast and almost feels like the missing soundtrack piece from an action movie set in Eastern Europe!
BERTIE BLACKMAN – Black Cats
Forum5
Described as The Australian Florence, Bertie Blackman reminds these ears more of Ladyhawke, which is no bad thing. A very eighties sound, coupled with Blackman’s sultry and sexy vocal has created a rather special track that we cannot urge you stongly enough to seek out!
ALBERTA CROSS – Old Man Chicago
Ark Recordings
This song has probably been around as long as any from this band (it was on the EP of theirs I bought a few years back when I caught them supporting Scott Matthews) and, to these ears, it’s their best. Unlike other parts of their album, this doesn’t feel like it’s apoing anyone else, instead the languid blues seems natural and organic.
SOUND OF GUNS – Alcatraz
Distiller Records
Pounding drums, riffing guitars… we sometimes forget there are still bands writing back to basics rock music. It tends to be Sound Of Guns who remind us, and Alcatraz is another example of why, even though this band aren’t doing anything new, they bear further investigations. The song is catchy as hell, with a chant along chorus that’s clearly been written with hopes of a future playing stadiums…. Follow the dream guys!
MCLEAN – My Name
Asylum records
The synth heavy production here is immediately off-putting, I can’t help but suspect this will be cookie cutter R&B and I’m gonna hate it. Thankfully though, McLean has a smooth and sophisticated vocal that helps this track rise above the crowd. Stripped down to basics, this would be a great tune… less is more folks!
So, here we are, back again with part two of this week’s singles roundup. Looking at the tracks below (and our ever growing pile of singles to review), it’s nice to see that not only is the quantity of tracks available to us increasing, but the quality too!
TWIN ATLANTIC – Lightspeed
Red Bull Records
For those of you who haven’t heard Twin Atlantic yet (and why not, we’ve written about them a few times not?), this is the perfect introduction to the Scots rockers, encapsulating their pacy guitars and highlighting Sam McTrusty’s vocal – lovely stuff!
WITH THAT KNIFE – This Place, A Thousand Times
Withthatknife.com
This, the debut single from a bunch of lads who met at Manchester University mixes punkish vitality with the sort of modern Britsh alt-rock sound that is growing ever more prevalent – good stuff!
DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP – Get Better
Sunday Best
Casiotone electronics create a contrasted backing to Pip’s spoken word musing on why society seems to be going down hill. It’s not deep reaching social commentary, but it rings true, and as well as being thought provoking, it’s very catchy. What more could you ask for, really?
THOMAS WHITE – The Last Blast
Cooking Vinyl
The Electric Soft Parade/Brakes man’s solo work is every bit as interesting as the songs he performs with his bands. This one, a driving beat, fuelled by staccato drums is strangely engaging, all the more so because of the laconic vocals.
ANGUS AND JULIA STONE – And The Boys
Flock Music
I saw this pair a couple of years ago and really wasn’t impressed, but this track is a world away from that bland live show, endearing quirky folk fronted by a sweet and off kilter vocal, this bodes well for their forthcoming album.
Well, here we are, into March already, and there are so many singles on the desk this week that we’ve had to do two roundups. So, without any delay, let’s get cracking on the first…
WILL AND THE PEOPLE – Addicted
Myspace.com/willandthepeople
We saw these guys support Paulo Nutini late last year and were swept away by the sense of fun in their set and this song captures it perfectly. A tasty slice of pop that you’ll be whistling without even realising it, we like this… we like it a lot!
LATE OF THE PIER – Blueberry/Best In The Class Phantasy
The more astute of you may already be aware that Blueberry was released for download last year, but now it’s available on the vinyl too. To be honest though, the track lacks a punch and feels like three minutes of build up without the payoff, and it’s flip side (or the second mp3) isn’t too much better, a pity because there are some great ideas here that just need a little push to turn into flly fledged songs.
MUMFORD & SONS – The Cave
Island
We like Mumford and his progeny, and this track is a great example of why. Building slowly and, despite it’s simple and folksy sound, it swells into something gorgeous!
EXPATRIATE – Blackbird
Expatriate Music
A pinch of Killers, a hint of Elbow, all blended with plenty of Editors… this is a recipe for commercial rock. That said, it’s by no means bad and if it turned up on the radio, I’d be more inclined to raise the volume than change the station.
THE MISERABLE RICH – Somerhill
Humble Soul
I’ll be honest, prior to hearing this, I’d heard of these guys, but never actually listened to them. What an intro though, quirky music, charismatic vocals, this is stirring stuff indeed and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
It’s time once again to check out some of the most exciting tracks set for release in the next week or two (and, first up, one that came out last week). We’ve had a lot of good singles pop through our letterbox in the last year, but judging by the ones we’ve been receiving lately, 2010 is going to be a very good year for music indeed. So, without further ado, let’s find out what is out and about.
JAPANESE VOYEURS – That Love Sound
Slimeball Records
Cute and quirky vocals buckled to some dirty grunge riffs are the order of the day here, it all starts out innocuously enough, lulling you with sweet and soft singing, then the guitars kick in and before you realise it you’ve been mugged by their punchy rock & roll!
GIRLS – Morning Light
Fantasytrashcan
This track is a strange one, sounding like it’s attacking you through a pair of 1980’s headphones before you realise it’s actually a production technique to add a hazy otherworldly tone. Still, although it sounds like something copied from a copy of a copy of a copy and played on a cheap knock off walkman it has it’s own certain charm.
HARDLY HEROES – Cardigan Party
Myspace.com/hardlyheroes06
Currently being given away at gigs, this track perhaps shows this young bands change of tack from their early days of pop punk into a more straight up rock sound. Driving guitars propel the song along while a catchy chorus hooks the listener. I can guarantee that once you’ve heard this it’ll be in your head for weeks.
MAVERICK SABRE – Sometimes
Impala Records
Not, as I suspected, a rock band, but actually a singer/songwriter with an urban approach, Maverick sabre is an interesting proposition. There’s a hint of Just Jack or Plan B here, but shackled to a much better singing voice. I’ll certainly be listening out for more from this intriguing artist!
CHAPEL CLUB – O Maybe I
East City
With a bass driven sound that hints at White Lies or perhaps Editors, and a vocalist who has clearly listened to a Smiths album or two, this is clearly not forward facing pop. It’s good though, catchy and interesting in equal measure. Well, worth checking out.
Released in time to be snapped up by people who caught The Who’s spot-on Superbowl half time show, you’d be forgiven for calling this greatest hits set a cash in. To be honest, you’d be partially right as the first disc contains the usual assortment of classics such as My Generation, Pinball Wizard and Won’t Get Fooled Again, mostly in their original album formats.
To be fair though, if you’re into The Who you probably have most of this already, so why should you feel the need to head out and splash your cash?
Well, disc two is where this all gets interesting, with live cuts that show just why Daltrey, Townsend, Entwhistle and Moon were one of the most highly rated live bands of the late sixties and seventies (perhaps only surpassed by Led Zeppelin and The Stones).
From a version of Magic Bus recorded for the BBC in 1965 through to A Man In A Purple Dress, recorded in 2007 in Nassau, there’s a wide ranging appraisal of The Who at their best (with only one track coming from the legendary Live at Leeds album).
In all, while disc one will already be covered by the collection of any fan, it’s a great way to introduce yourself to the band, while disc two will bring an excited smile to the face of even the most ardent fan of The ‘Orrible ‘Oo!
The Dawn Chorus are an act we’ve had our eye on for some time, ever since we got our grubby little paws on their debut album (reviewed here) we’ve been excited by their ability to weave the mundane and everyday into something rather lovely.
With this, their second album the band – aided and abetted by guitar toting cult punk-troubadour Frank Turner – have expanded their sound and also taken it to some intriguing, dark places. If the first disc introduced The Dawn Chorus, then this is their Empire Strikes Back, a much more complex and interesting piece.
The carnival theme runs throughout, as do topics and characters touched up on in earlier songs, and the album flows much better as a whole than as a set of songs. The exception to this rule would be first single Carnivalesque. I won’t go into too much detail on this track as I’ve already reviewed it here, but suffice it to say that it’s a great introduction to the themes of this set of songs. Other tracks well worth a look include Heartbeats in 5/4 and Green, Unpleasant Land but, as previously stated, it is as a cohesive whole that this album is strongest.
Once again The Dawn Chorus prove to be exciting and interesting in equal measure and I, for one, can’t wait for the third instalment!
Andrew Foster is something of a favourite of ours here at Call Upon The Author, some may even accuse us of favouritism, though they’d be wrong, the reason we like Foster so much is because of his consistently high quality output.
As such, it was with more than a little excitement that we contemplated listening to Andrew’s second album on a bleary Monday morning journey into work. The immediate thought was that leaps and bounds have been made in terms of production, this is a bolder piece perhaps influenced a little by the quality of other artists in Portsmouth like B of the Bang, Dawn Chorus and Foster’s sometime colleague Loz Bridge. Whatever the reasons what we have here is an intriguing album that plays out as one long piece more so than a bunch of disparate tracks.
Opener Evil Tree is an atmospheric beast and sets the tone perfectly for an album that, despite Foster’s subtle vocals, has a brooding presence. The real highlight here though is the title track, from the Eastern influences (I’m not sure that an actual sitar, but at the least it’s an impressive approximation) that lend the track an other worldly air against the simple instrumentation elsewhere to the menacing and claustrophobic feel as the music ebbs and swirls about the ears, this is a truly great track!
So, Foster remains an artist this site is proud to champion and one that we heartily recommend you check out!
When south coast youngsters Melodramas released their debut EP last year, we grabbed a copy, liked it and stated that the band were “on the cusp of stepping up to the next level” (read the full review here ). Since then the lads have played Southsea Fest (I missed them, but did catch up with Greg for a chat, whilst CUTA writer Matthew Clarke seemed to thoroughly enjoy them), had a mini-tour of Australia, supported The New York Dolls, played Kuwait-stock(!) and are, as I write this, making final preparation for a gig in Vietnam (at a club called Apocalypse Now – how I want to go there!).
Things have most certainly changed for the band then, and this is reflected in the songs here. Where their first release dealt with life in and around Portsmouth, the scope is wider here, as is the sound. Gone is the indie-pop and in it’s place we hear a more wide ranging arc of influences, from the garage-rock scuzziness of The Paris Metro to Ewoks, with a sound that reminds these ears of early Yeah Yeah Yeahs, or perhaps Hot Hot Heat with it’s angular guitars. The outlook is a little less rose tinted too, perhaps as the last year has seen the boys mature rapidly.
If they were on the cusp of bigger things when we saw them last, today finds Melodramas making their way along that road at a brisk pace and all this with a set of tunes knocked up in a garage for thirty quid… splendid!
When south coast youngsters Melodramas released their debut EP last year, we grabbed a copy, liked it and stated that the band were “on the cusp of stepping up to the next level” (read the full review 
