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Electric Six - "Human Zoo" Review

8/11/2014

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If you've ever been to any decent rock bars on a club night, and the house DJ’s keeping the tunes rollin’ like a wave of nostalgia into the early hours, more often than not, you can guarantee at some point during the night there will be a mass sing-along when “Gay Bar” by ELECTRIC SIX suddenly bursts through the speakers. It’s a modern classic, everyone loves it and it’s a brilliantly fun song. Most people leave it at that, but, others might think; “well what the hell happened to Electric Six?” The answer my friends, is nothing…you just forgot to keep up. Since they burst onto the scene back in 2003 with “Fire” they've more or less released an album every year since…and most people don’t even know they made more than one! Front man Dick Valentine stopped caring by album 3…but 2014 sees them release album number ELEVEN; “Human Zoo”…let’s uncage this beast…

The album starts off with “Karate Lips”. After chants for band get the song under-way, it settles into a slow, slightly bluesy rock number with a simple yet solid groove and of course, Valentine’s unmistakable vocals. Some slick electric 6-string work (see what I did there?) from Johnny Nashinal give the song an added classic rock feel and it’s a good start. “It’s Horseshit” follows up with a major shift in style which the band are renowned for; it’s a funk-driven 70’s sounding piece of music that really can’t help but make you want to get up and dance a little, it’s a feel good song.

“Gun Rights” is clearly a political song, but the question really is, is it serious or tongue in cheek? Their home state of Michigan hasn't changed any of its laws on fire arms, so it’s probably a poke at government in general, and as a song it’s simple enough, more of a grower this one. “I Need A Restaurant” and “Worst Movie Ever” are your typically quirky E6 tracks, especially the former but both are album highlights, before we finish up on “The Afterlife”. One of the things the band are underrated on is their ability to write good slow tracks, they've been doing it since the days of “Synthesiser” all the way through to last years “Cheryl vs Darryl” and they all prove enjoyable listens, a good ending here.

Essentially, what you can take from this is, the band are never going to reach the heady heights of their début, to be honest the last ten albums haven’t even charted, but that doesn't matter one damn bit. They may have had instant success and may now be considered a one-hit-wonder, but do you think that bothers them? They’re a touring band with a prolific and consistent output of huge diversity…they don’t want to stick to a formula to please plastic fans, they want to write music that matters to them, and they will continue to do so. I guess the Human Zoo could be a metaphor for the music industry itself; it’s easier to for people to look at what’s stuck in front of them, (i.e.. the mainstream) but the real beauty lies in the wild; let your ears explore. [7]

Twitter: @electric6 ( https://twitter.com/electric6 )

iTunes: Human Zoo - Electric Six


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The Borderlines - "Multicolour" Review

5/11/2014

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Ok so we’ve established that Italy has the whole alternative / gothic-rock thing going on, with a handful of notable bands…but not for one moment would you envisage a Brit-pop inspired 60’s loving indie band calling Italy home! Talk about a culture clash! Well cast that disbelief to one side for a moment and behold THE BORDERLINES. The 4-piece released their debut album; “Multicolour” via AREASONICA RECORDS which was “born after a personal investigation of their hopes”…what is it they hope for exactly?

Opening track “Be Mercury” is a relatively up-beat number; using classic sounding guitars entwined with a modern indie-rock vibe and is generally a bit of a foot-tapper. The album’s title track is similarly up-beat; it trots along rather innocently and care-free and has a really contented sounding melodic chorus, pleasant stuff.

“Monkee Makers” has elements of KASABIAN to it the way it’s delivered, resulting in an album highlight, before we round things up with the softly played “Smile Is A Sign”, a short but genuinely lovely song. The album isn’t without its criticisms however, and the main one would have to be the vocal display of Alessandro Meneghel. For the most part he’s…ok, but, on tracks like “Run ‘N’ Shout” and “It Takes Two To Tango” you can hear a weakness, on the former it’s more in regards to the chorus but the latter is generally a bit of a mess. If you take into account big indie bands like KAISER CHIEFS for example, their singer Ricky Wilson has a clear vocal but it’s a powerful one (as far as indie goes at least) and it boosts the songs more than adequately, The Borderlines lack a strong front-man that would elevate their tracks from “ok” to “good”. There’s nothing too wrong with “ok” though, it is their debut after all. [5]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theborderlinesofficial

iTunes: Multicolor - The Borderlines


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Black Dahlia - "Fragments" Review

4/11/2014

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It’s often cited that LACUNA COIL are the primary export when it comes to Italian alternative metal, but Christina Scabbia isn’t the only lady to front a band from this part of the world. Let me introduce you to BLACK DAHLIA. This gothic-metal 5-piece from the region of Foggia, east Italy, aren’t to be mistaken with the Michigan based melodic death metal band THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. Instead they take influence from the likes of EVANESCENCE and WITHIN TEMPTATION to deliver they’re latest album; “Fragments”. Let’s see what we get when we put them together…

The album starts with first single “Falling Down” which initially gets underway with some simplistic yet creepy piano keys and the soft vocal tones of front-woman Samuela Fuiani, before it gets a little darker and a little deeper. It’s generally a slow track but you can hear the Evanescence influence clearly; it’s got that tone to it. It’s a decent track but its lack of life makes for a seemingly dawdled start. “Eclipse” again starts off very sombre in tone but does have a very bold chorus and in all fairness you can feel the passion and emotion in the track.

“Wounds” picks things up a little bit and you can hear more of the Within Temptation influence at the core of the song; it’s quite a dramatic track, relatively enjoyable but there’s a pattern forming, and that pattern is the tracks do seem to last forever, however it is an album highlight. “Lost In The Daylight” takes the listener more toward ballad territory, for the most part it’s a delicate piano driven piece of music although it does contain some very emotive guitar work from Ruggero Doronzo and ultimately it’s pleasant listening, before we finish up on “Goodnight”. It’s another ballad and while it does allow the listener to appreciate how beautiful Fuiani’s vocals are, it’s not a track you’ll find yourself in a hurry to listen to.

All in all, Lacuna Coil haven’t got anything to worry about for now, Black Dahlia aren’t quite in the same league just yet, although credit to them they have written some genuinely beautiful music. If they inject a little more energy into a handful of tracks in the future then there’s a lot of potential there for them to make a name for themselves, but as of right now they appear to be treading water. As the advert suggests; “It’s good…but it’s not quite Carling”. [5]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackdahliaofficial

iTunes: Fragments - Blackdahlia 


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    Gavin J Griffiths, a.k.a GavTheGothicChav, lover of new music and supporter of bands. Inspired by a mixture of horror and comedy, and fueled by a blend of alcohol and sarcasm...if you're a singer / in a band and would like a review written up, please do get in touch via the email address at the top of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Much love x

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