Sugar and spice and all things nice; that’s what little girls are made of…but by contrast, banter, pub crawls and the occasional cheeky Nando’s…there my friend, you have the lads; the bro’s, and what bigger bunch of bro’s, than DON BROCO? The boys from Bedford formed back in 2008 and in the ten years that have passed since; they’ve become one of the UK’s most established home grown talents, on a continual ascension with each and every album and tour…from headlining the Kerrang! Tour in 2015, from slowly creeping higher up the charts with each album, and last year they played their biggest headline show to date at Alexandra Palace…2018 sees them continue on their run with their brand new album “Technology”…let’s see how up to date they actually are…

The album opens up with the title track and we’re met with a brief but subtle, percussion led electronic sample, but it bursts into this bass-heavy barrage of riffs…it’s deep, it’s got some weight behind it and it’s an interesting way to kick things off. Vocally it’s as you’d expect; clean with a mixture of harmony and swagger as is their style, blending alternative rock with indie-pop charm making for a catchy, rhythmic chorus…it’s a decent opener. The same can be said for the single “T-Shirt Song”…it’s big…it’s bold and it utilises a similar approach to our opener, mixing bass heavy riffs with powerful, melodic hooks allowing for another strong chorus, while the rest of the track balances groove and delicacy well. This is the promising sign of Don Broco on form, as is also proven elsewhere on tracks such as “¥” which follows a similar formula again, delivering a simple but infectious pop-rock master-class riddled with groove…that is until the tracks climax…which descends into a distorted breakdown and despite being brief, it can’t help but bring the track down. The exchange rate for those Yen just plummeted…

The rest of the album however…over the course of its total 16 track run time gradually loses both momentum and point…while there are glimmers of potential found in tracks such as “Everybody”, which sticks strongly to an indie-inspired core sound, slightly funk-driven and rhythmic…there’s “Tightrope” with its sweet vocal delivery and “Got To Be You” which utilises a dramatic, echoed tone to the guitars and an emotive narrative, they are sadly lost among the annoying level of filler found bulking this album up. “Come Out To LA” has a fucking awful hip-hop / R’n’B structure to it which really negates the quality of the song, like it doesn’t know what it wants to be…”Porkies” has vocalist Rob shouting his way through the track and truthfully it doesn’t suit him at all, with the track as a result just sounding off. “Something To Drink” makes you want to drink in its own right with a predominantly dull display…Don Broco aiming for Dom Perignon but reaching white wine vinegar…before closing track “Potty Mouth” which has an annoyingly abrupt ending which is bad enough after what can only be described as a discarded GORILLAZ cut, followed by what is arguably one of the worst hidden tracks ever put to record. It’s a bit of a mess frankly…so to summarise, they could have easily taken a good six tracks off of this album and condensed it down into a simple, manageable listen as strong playlist, but they opted for quantity over quality where in reality less would have definitely been more. The good thing about technology is that, if you opt to buy “Technology” on iTunes you can buy individual tracks and not have to listen to the whole thing. If you have it on CD then you’d better be prepared to smash that skip button. [5]

Do you remember back in 2013, when FALL OUT BOY shocked the world and underwent what many called a renaissance? Their surprise come-back album “Save Rock And Roll” was not only a glorious return to form, chock full of tunes but it was also a mission statement…if you caught them live on that tour, the title track, ironically a moving ballad, was a call to arms…the stage production would show black and white images of icons such as Freddie Mercury, Sid Vicious, Kurt Cobain and many more, as if to say don’t let the music die, literally save rock and roll from the music industry…and everyone thought that this was the beginning of something special; a resurgence in rock music across the board, and in many ways it was…just…not for Fall Out Boy…after the 50/50 reception of follow up album “American Beauty/ American Psycho” which many described as a mishmash of songs lacking real direction, we find them in 2018 dropping another new album by the name of “M A N I A”…this one was delayed because they themselves felt it was rushed…was it worth the wait?
 
We open up with the first single “Young And Menace” and…this is an interesting direction to say the least. After a seemingly dreary, slow build to the track with sombre tones and an impassioned, angst ridden feel, we descend into a totally distorted, techno riddled breakdown of a chorus…it’s positively shapeless…it’s like the chipmunks dropped acid and hijacked a SKRILLEX sample…it’s honestly fucking horrendous! Luckily the follow up track is far more recognisable as the FOB we love and expect…”Champion” has a similarly slow intro but the guitar here is gritty and in ways reminds me of early KAISER CHIEFS…there’s more attitude here and despite the clear pop-production it’s got enough of that early emo-rock feel to stand out as a brand new classic and is bound to go down well live, this is much better. The same can be said for “The Last Of The Real Ones”…an up-beat energetic number with a really enjoyably catchy hook and huge sing-along chorus, this is massive FOB by numbers and the level of quality we recognise…

The trouble though is that, besides these two undeniable tunes, the album falls right back onto its arse and leaves the listener thinking, what the hell are FOB trying to achieve? “Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea” just feels like they picked random words out of a hat…granted the message is one of today’s cut-throat culture, the competition for stardom and the spotlight with a really obscure reference to the 1994 US figure skating scandal (And I thought I made weird analogies) but again they opt to utilise a pulsing, bass-driven EDM foundation for the track…”Hold Me Tight Or Don’t” and “Sunshine Riptide” both jump on the bandwagon regarding Caribbean structured pop, tinny guitar, the subtle steel-drum tones and rhythm…it’s something a lot of mainstream artists have done recently so in all likeliness it’s a dig but it still doesn’t make it worth listening to, even ironically. “Heaven’s Gate” has this soulful, gospel inspired blues tone, before closing track “Bishops Knife Trick” ends proceedings on a predominantly lulling note…and another random reference; this time to “Alien”. A song of journey; torn between the feeling of freedom to explore and knowing where you call home, in ways summarising the album from a creative standpoint really rather well. FOB in ways here simply come across as oxymoronic…their save rock and roll gimmick went out the fucking window let’s be clear on that, and this album is almost a parody of itself. It sounds like the band are ribbing mainstream pop culture but the joke flew over everyone’s heads as it just blends in with the very thing they are ribbing…”M A N I A” in ways just reminds me of “Insania” by PETER ANDRE…he thought he had something new, something fresh and exciting but, it wasn’t. [5]

As a Welshman myself I can safely say this without too much fear of backlash but, in reality, if you ever hear anyone Welsh speak, especially on TV (The ones they pluck off the street for ITV news are always the worst) we honestly sound dull as fuck. Really now…we have quite possibly the most equally poetic and plebeian accent on Earth…so the notion of “Cool Cymru” as a pigeonhole for our 90’s musical exports is quite astonishing. Nevertheless it was indeed a thing and we proudly gave the world bands like CATATONIA and SUPER FURRY ANIMALS…and a slightly better known band by the name of STEREOPHONICS. Formed way back in the early nineties in the town of Cwmaman, the ‘Phonics eventually burst on to the scene with their debut album, “Word Gets Around”, in 1997 and they’ve never looked back…having had a stellar career with millions of sales and a back catalogue of chart toppers, we find them in 2017 releasing their 10th studio album; “Scream Above The Sounds”…let’s turn it up!

We open up with “Caught By The Wind” and we welcome the album in with some gentle, melodious guitar tones and light percussion…the hooks utilised here are quite basic but the simplicity is part of the songs charm, it’s quaint, it’s easy listening…it's textbook 'Phonics...there’s an innocence to it and as openers go it’s far from unpleasant, easing you into the album nicely. “Taken A Tumble” follows up and here we have a little more bite, though only fractionally. With a sound based more in indie and classic rock, it’s more stripped back, though with the key changes towards the tracks closing moments we’re given an enjoyable, climatic finish. Sadly however, highlights here are generally quite sparse to be perfectly honest…”Geronimo” for all its outlaw swagger and solid groove ends up feeling stuck in second gear, it lacks an edge and would benefit a strong, hard rock inspired chorus, unlike “Chances Are”…possibly the strongest track on offer, the build up here is wonderful; restrained for the most part, it gradually gets deeper, led by some decent riffs and a little more attitude…it struts its stuff all the way towards its well-executed crescendo, coupled with Kelly Jones’ trademark drawl, this is more like it, this is more like classic ‘Phonics and it’s a joy to listen to.

The rest of the tracks however are…well…lackadaisical at best…“What’s All The Fuss About?” for example is a brilliant question because I for one can’t really see it myself. At near six minutes it’s a yawn inducing dabble in soft jazz with blues elements and it really is dreary, especially with Jones’ painfully droned vocals…the same fate falls upon “All In One Night” and again it’s a monotonous, uninspired soundscape coming across as no better than boring. “Would You Believe?” is another brilliant question, as would you honestly believe these once feisty valleys rockers could peddle such lazily written indie-pop? This isn’t even middle of the road, they’ve pulled over in the lay-by for a fucking nap!…”Cryin’ In Your Beer” does it’s best to reignite your interest towards the end of the album with its brassy, bass-driven lively delivery but really it’s too little too late. Scream above the sounds? A more appropriate title would be loudly tut in disappointment over the sleepy sounds of mediocrity…I expected better…[4]

We’re going to go on a little trip down memory lane right now…back in 2014 when this blog was but a fledgling project with little to no sense of structure (Honestly I’m a little bit of a technophobe)…where my earliest reviews and my first forays into writing were there, posted for all to see in their amateur, cringe-worthy glory, I came across a band by the name of ANAVAE. Formed in London in 2011 and consisting of only vocalist Rebecca Need-Menear and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Finch, they had released a mini-album by the name of “Dimensions” and I praised it for its slick production and catchy, easy-listening electronic rock qualities…now, three years later and after a couple of random singles here and there, they’ve released their much anticipated follow up EP “Are You Dreaming?”…Well? Let’s find out…

We open up with a statement of intent in “All Or Nothing” and the track slowly crawls out of the shadows with some cold, semi-industrial tones…the feeling here is a serious one and the sound they’ve gone for is considerably deeper…the chorus here is still bold, not quite anthemic but it is assertive…coupled with the subtle techno qualities layered throughout, it’s a solid opener but heavier than previous works, an interesting start. Following that however we have the wonderfully quirky “Forever Dancing” and this is the Anavae I recognize…the charm and innocence of the pop melodies, coupled with the positive up-beat tone of this track are delightful…this is the catchy Anavae we are familiar with and it’s a clear EP highlight.

More questions are asked next with “Are We Alone?” and musically we’re met with a more stripped back, ambient alt. pop sound, there’s a gradual build to this huge chorus before it dies down again, the two elements of the song complimenting each other quite nicely but it ends on an abrupt flat note instead of properly peaking at a crescendo, leaving the listener wanting just that bit more. “Stay” has a similar issue with a feeling of being a little more, reserved or restrained, despite its harmonies…there’s a huge pop hook here, again in a strong chorus and in ways this would appeal to fans of SHINY TOY GUNS to a degree, before we finish up on “Lose Your Love”. Probably the weakest track on offer here, it’s lethargic as though the love truly has been lost; it’s personal…drained of all energy and hope, like she’s given up and ultimately it’s a sad listening experience. While the EP itself it a pleasant collection of songs within itself it lacks in the intensity and stand-out appeal that made its predecessor so appealing. Am I dreaming? No…but at least its not a nightmare. [6]

Tis’ the season to be jolly, fa-la la-la-la, la-la-like-fuck it is….let’s talk about Christmas. Every year we spend offensive amounts of money on food, drink and presents because one day, a little boy was supposedly born very unhygienically in a stable, in a pile of hay, surrounded by animals and a frightening amount of NHS health and safety violations…to a woman named Mary who claimed to be a virgin…(Joseph mate she’s having you on by here and I’d call Jeremy Kyle for a DNA test ASAP…) Yes she claimed immaculate conception and that the father was God, and the baby, who we now know as Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Not Brian, no, he was a very naughty boy) became one of the most important figures in organised religion with a following of over 2 Billion people worldwide and also, the acclaimed host of the call-in show “Jesus And Pals” on SOUTH PARK. All of this…because his mother Mary had an affair resulting in her concocting an ENTIRE RELIGION to hide it from Joseph, who was either naïve or high on animal glue from his woodwork and went along with it. And now that that’s off my chest…let’s talk about a band that links perfectly with my ranting; THE VIRGINMARYS.

Formed in Macclesfield in 2009 and now only consisting of vocalist/guitarist Ally Dickaty plus drummer Danny Dolan, the VM’s have become one of the UK’s most acclaimed up and coming indie-rock artists with several well received EP’s and albums, not to mention Classic Rock awards nominations…and this year they hope to continue in the same vein of quality with their latest EP entitled ”Sitting Ducks”…let’s check it out. The EP opens up with the title track and we’re off to a simple start…with only basic percussion and a predominantly bass-driven intro it takes a while to warm up, but we don’t have to wait long before we’re met with more melody and substance, until the chorus bursts into life with a flurry of passion. The tempo throughout is generally steady and it carries with it a certain swagger aided by that big, bold chorus…the additional guitar solo sequence breaks the track up nicely and there’s nothing to not enjoy about this track once it’s gotten going; a strong start.

We follow up with the lead single taken off the EP “Sweet Loretta (You Know Me Better)” and it’s got a great build up…no nonsense, hard rocking indie that steadily intensifies, utilising a solid groove throughout, for the most part a real foot-tapper of a track but the chorus…the chorus sadly lets you down feeling just a little anti-climactic…it lacks the edge the rest of the track hooks you with and suffers ever so slightly from repetition…it’s a bit hit and miss this. “Through The Sky” then has shades of KINGS OF LEON dotted throughout in some aspects, fully embracing an indie rock tone…its smoother, it’s mellow but the guitar solo here is slick and smile-inducing, eventually ending the track on a mildly chaotic flurry…this is far from anti-climactic and is much, much better. Finally then we close up on “Sleep” and it’s ironic as we’ve got the dreariest track on offer last…though the acoustic harmonies are both quaint charming, and it’s clear the emotions here are raw, the sadness is unavoidable and there are moments where Ally’s vocals simply grate on your ears when he releases his pain…yet beautiful is the suffering. Overall however the four tracks here get you through a very pleasant quarter of an hour and the EP as a whole is an enjoyable listen. [7]

Back in September I ran a review on one of Klayton’s numerous projects on the FiXT roster; SCANDROID, who returned with their highly anticipated second album “Monochrome”…a very nostalgically indulgent project acting as a throwback to the 80’s era of new-wave synth pop, the neon retro glow of early electronic music, with the concept of living in a futuristic cyberpunk neo-Tokyo…it was done incredibly well and proved once again that Kalyton is one of the top electronic artists in the world today…but he’s not the only one dabbling in the past. Fellow label-mate BLUE STAHLI (Real name Bret Autrey) has caught the retro bug too it seems and for his own new project, he’s dropped the heavier, guitar driven EDM for a spot of synth-pop. With the debut album “Starlight” being released December 1st…let’s checkout SUNSET NEON…

We rather appropriately open up with “Opening Title Sequence” which, really, is probably the most straight-to-the-point, generic track title you could possibly imagine…if this was a film score, I would understand but here it doesn’t even have any sense of ironic self-awareness…it’s just lazy. The track itself is just over a minute of otherworldly, spacey soft-synth…it’s like something that may have found its way into one of the scenes on "Stranger Things" and while it’s promising regarding the rest of the album, I’m already distracted now, Netflix is calling me…I regain focus however as first track proper; “Got You” kicks in and this is more like it! It’s rich in bubbly, up-beat disco inspired new-wave indie-pop…the style, the sound, the vibe; it’s all absolutely spot on here…an early album highlight this is something you could easily imagine having been on old-school Top Of The Pops.

Further highlights include the vibrant “Never Dance Again” which wonderfully blends era’s into one light-hearted, happy-go-lucky electronic pop number…imagine KIM WILDE collaborated with CHARLI XCX and you wouldn’t be far off…it’s beat and rhythm are minimalistic while the guitar during the chorus adds a little depth and just a touch of attitude, this is an enjoyable pop song. “You Are The Sun” layers incredibly soft vocals over a relaxed soft-synth backing, akin to early boy bands in ways, while the title track utilises a lo-fi ambience with a charming delicacy fans of SAVAGE GARDEN would appreciate. The real highlight however comes courtesy of “Tonight”…more guitar-driven in tone and in ways more suited to a glam rock band, it’s got more of an edge, it’s pumping, it’s motivational; it’s the kind of song Rocky Balboa would punch frozen cow carcasses to…excellent stuff. Several of the tracks fail to inspire as instrumentals however; “Strut” has this, nu-disco swagger, it’s got funk but it feels like filler…”Metrocenter 84” too suffers similarly, though more laid back and ambient…but the real kick in the childhood comes from the surprise cover of PRINCE classic “Kiss”…merciful god…the original was painfully cringe-worthy with his unique high pitched vocal but it’s worse when imitated…it’s like MIKA and Justin Hawkins from THE DARKNESS had a bollockless lovechild and it attempted to match the track cringe-for-cringe. Ultimately though, the album as a whole has its quaint nostalgic tones firmly set in the lighter, poppier end of the retrospectrum (See what I did there?) and it offers a wholly different listen to Scandroid, though sadly, the songs here are weaker if we compare the two projects…Sunset Neon needs to replace a few bulbs I think. [5]

I want to take a minute to talk about “emo”…but before you get all excited like a wide-eyed eleventeen year old browsing Blue Banana for the first ever time, I mean proper emo…no not the pompous black parade peddling MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE or even worse, BLOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR (Seriously how are they even a thing?)…I’m talking about proper, original emo. All emo really is…is emotional rock music, that’s where the tag comes from, but it descended into a fashion statement and became more of a trend among youngsters. Bands like HELL IS FOR HEROES wonderfully blended post-hardcore with melodic indie elements to great effect in the early days but were overlooked for the poppier commercial value of the likes of FALL OUT BOY and PANIC! AT THE DISCO as the genre snowballed, and one such band who were resigned to their cult fan base, was REUBEN. The Surrey based three-piece hit their peak with 2004’s “Racecar Is Racecar Backwards” but went on indefinite hiatus following 2007’s “In Nothing We Trust”…this year, they’ve re-released the latter on white vinyl celebrating its 10th anniversary…let’s revisit it…

The album opens up with “Cities On Fire” and after a mellow, softly plucked guitar intro, we hit some feedback and the song suddenly bursts into life with a bitterness; a sharpness with Jamie Lenman’s intense, heavy vocals…he’s giving this his all, switching between soothing and savage you get a real sense of what emo should be…the mellifluous segments find themselves somewhere between SNOW PATROL and LONELY THE BRAVE while the more aggressive elements really add weight and character, balancing it out well, this is a nice opener. “We’re All Going Home In An Ambulance” has some wonderfully distorted guitar tones aiding a frenetic, disjointed musical onslaught…it’s noisy, it’s messy, it’s off-kilter…someone would probably label this mathcore today but whatever you want to call it, it’s wonderful.

Second single “Deadly Lethal Ninja Assassin” has a slower, lethargic tempo but its simplicity is infectious. Its melody is subtle and it’s a far tamer track overall with a solid climatic flurry, add to that an appearance by one Mr FRANK TURNER and we’ve got an enjoyable listen. Lengthy track names became a staple of emo albums, and “Crushed Under The Weight Of Enormous Bullshit” was no exception…for the most part utilising almost “Psycho” inspired notes, it’s an intense, unsettling listen, while “Good Luck” on the other hand is a far more peaceful acoustic led track, featuring guest vocalist Hannah Clark, it’s a lovely little relaxing campfire ballad, providing another highlight. Speaking of which, “Agony/Agatha” is another enjoyably simplistic offering; piano driven, equally quirky and catchy, before we eventually finish up on “A Short History Of Nearly Everything”. Primarily sombre in tone, it’s a fitting closure to not only the album, but their career at the time. Emo may have gone stratospheric in the years that followed and many would argue its core values were more than tainted, but bands like Reuben were properly underappreciated as soon as there was a commercial bandwagon to jump on. Ten years on, this is still a solid listen, while emo itself, was crushed under the weight of its own enormous amount of bullshit. [7]

Outside of the squared circle, wrestlers are very rarely (if ever at all) taken seriously…obviously I mean by people who, don’t particularly care about wrestling in the first place that is…sure there are anomalies, Rock “The Dwayne” Johnson has become a global movie star all credit to him…John Cena is trying too but nobody can see him doing it and Hulk Hogan? The Hulkster is a living legend there’s no two ways about it brother! Say your prayers eat your vitamins and believe in yourself and you too, could land yourself winning millions of dollars in a court case over a sex tape…but I digress…what about music? Chris Jericho has been gradually winning people over with his rock band FOZZY…John Cena, again, remember that rap album? Enough said…and then there’s JEFF HARDY. Hardy is one of the most loved and decorated tag team wrestlers the industry has ever seen alongside his brother Matt, he’s won numerous singles titles too in both WWE and TNA (Or whatever the hell it’s called these days)…but…did you also know that he front’s a band too? Let me introduce you to PEROXWHY?GEN…no that’s not a typo, that’s actually the band’s name (Pronounced Peroxygen) Hardy and co have released several EP’s and albums over the past couple of years and this year they dropped “Precession Of The Equinoxes”…let’s see how far we can get before we tap out…

We open up with “Sphere On Earth” and it’s an interesting one to say the least…it’s a weird, spoken word track, almost a monologue in ways…he speaks of his mother with a poetic adoration and it’s all an ode to her in her passing, this family role model, loved and respected and while quaint, it goes full-on track length at 3:00…it’s really quite artsy instead of being a brief intro and while creative it doesn’t really benefit as being an opening track…an odd inclusion this. The first proper track, “Revived” gets the album going more adequately with a mixture of rock, indie and emo qualities, tapping into that general genre-bracket…imagine bands like AMERICAN HI-FI and that ilk…clean vocals, melodic but raw…it’s got substance this…there are moments where the vocals can come across a touch flat but there’s enough here to carry it forward, this is more enjoyable start. We change gears again though as immediately we follow up with “Occasion” and while we stick with certain, soft-emo tones we’re given a far more delicate track. Heavy on piano and strings, leading into acoustics it’s got an almost semi-country feel and in ways develops into something fans of SMASHING PUMPKINS could appreciate.

At 2:44, “Otherwise” is the shortest track on offer here and while it’s a little disjointed in places, we’re treated to some decent throwback, early 2000’s alternative rock, this could have easily of come out of the nu-metal era listening to this chorus, balancing on a fine line between nostalgic and dated…”Unforgiveable” then retouches certain ballad aspects but here it’s clear Hardy doesn’t have the vocal capability to properly do this justice, he lacks a softness; a sweetness at times which would have taken this track to the next level, before we finish up on another diverse trio of tracks. “Emotionless” has more of that throwback nu-metal influence with its crossover rap metal vibe, “September Day” utilises slow, gritty electronica; coming across as spacey before we close on “Catastrophic” and it’s a weird mixture of trippy spoken word and poor rap…leaving the listener with more of a sense of “Why?” as opposed to “Wow!”. Overall…while I can sit here and applaud Hardy for all the entertainment he’s provided me over the years in ladder matches, musically he doesn’t quite grab my attention so easily, there are genuine moments here that offer a great deal of promise as some of the rockier tracks have potential, and credit to him he's not afraid to experiment, but he needs to iron out a couple of things. One things for sure, it’s not as bad as THAT match with Sting at Victory Road 2011….[4]

Back in 2003 the world of rock music underwent a little renaissance and for the first time in a long time, Goth was cool again…yes black was back and several artists made huge impacts on the world stage. Without a shadow of a doubt, EVANESCENCE stole the show with their chart topping, haunting super-hit “Bring Me To Life”, alternative rock having rarely seen such commercial success…veterans TYPE-O-NEGATIVE dropped the outstanding “Life Is Killing Me” in all of its dark humoured glory…Finnish icons HIM made their UK / US breakthrough with “Love Metal” (Helped ever so slightly by the relentless plugging of Bam Margera) and rock music as a whole found a new heart-throb in Ville Valo…and a little band called THE RASMUS released one of the year’s biggest hits, “In The Shadows”….many thought that the Finns had come out of nowhere, capitalising on this wave of alt. rock popularity but in actual fact they started life back in 1994 while still in high school, and while charting higher than their Scandinavian peers here, the longevity wouldn’t last and as quickly as they became new Goth’s on the block, they ironically slid back into the shadows, eventually going into lengthy hiatus in 2012. Fast-forward five years however, and 2017 see’s The Rasmus return with their ninth studio album; “Dark Matters” but…the question is, do The Rasmus? Let’s find out…

The album opens up with lead single “Paradise” and it finds itself somewhere between ambient acoustics and generic indie-rock…front-man Lauri’s vocals are still honey coated as ever and he sings with an air of innocence as he juxtaposes the idea of one man’s hell being another man’s paradise…it’s a pleasant little song for what it’s worth but for a come-back single after a five year absence it’s a little underwhelming and it doesn’t incite much excitement to start the album…”Something In The Dark” follows up immediately afterwards and here we have this incredibly light, bubbly pop track…musically it sounds like it’s taken influence from modern dance-pop records, lacking only in pace, and the chorus here suffers from being a little flat really, it works as a nice, simple pop song but little else. With “Wonderman” then we’re finally met with some chugging riffs and you’re lead to believe that the album is going to come to life here but, the idea is shot down as the track descends into a soft ballad and it’s massively disappointing…and here we find the album’s primary flaw.

While we know Lauri’s vocals aren’t exactly the strongest, they’ve never been an aggressive rock band…but…we do know they can churn out an absolte banger and he’s capable of delivering, I’ve already mentioned “In The Shadows”, but they also have “Guilty” in their repertoire and hell, just listen to “Life Burns!” with APOCALYPTICA…they can do it, but this album is bereft of life, or even a point at times… despite having certain easy listening qualities, such as the funk driven “Crystalline” and the frankly Eurovision-esque “Delirium” providing an album highlight in all of its catchy pop splendour, the rest of the album is annoyingly lacklustre. “Empire” for whatever reasons deemed acceptable in production utilises a god-awful kazoo-like effect that you’d possibly find in a clichéd R’n’B track…it’s actually horrendous…while “Black Days” and “Dragons Into Dreams” are for whatever reason content with boring the listener into a coma more effectively than an opioid overdose…this album simply fails to inspire on many levels and it’s just an absolute shame…even from a pop music perspective this is relatively half-arsed and lifeless and to make the point clearer, there’s more substance to the last LINKIN PARK record, and look how that was received. Dark matters? Well, this album sadly doesn’t. [3]

While talking about music in the 90’s, it’s easy to just talk about how NIRVANA were the hottest band in the world for a while and say that, alternative rock and metal in its multitude of sub-genres was going through a massive transition but, here in the UK, the scene was so incredibly random…aside from a booming rave culture spanning from the naughty north to the sexy south (God that was a terrible song), we had the SPICE GIRLS wanting all of the zig-a-zig-ah…drugs or sex, you be the judge…we even had MR BLOBBY at Christmas Number 1 in 1993 for fuck sake, but one of the most enduring movements in British music was Britpop…merely a pigeonhole for bands of a certain era, it was made famous by indie-rock artists such as BLUR and PULP but probably the biggest of the lot, was OASIS. Featuring the now iconic Gallagher brothers; Liam and Noel, they became one of the biggest bands to ever come out of the UK, finding rare success Stateside for a British artist, but, sadly you can have too much of a good thing and in 2009, after continuous strain between the brothers, Oasis came to an end. There has been plenty of talk about reunions over the years but other projects have taken priority and now, in 2017, we find LIAM GALLAGHER finally releasing his debut solo album; “As You Were”…is the darling of UK rock ‘n’ roll merely delaying the inevitable or is his story still very much morning glory? Let’s find out…

The album opens up with “Wall Of Glass” and after a harmonica driven country-blues style intro we’re met with relatively simplistic yet catchy indie-rock, the chorus keeps things minimal with some choir-esque backing vocals, accompanying Liam’s distinct voice rather well all things considering, giving his droning Manc accent an added sense of soul, it’s a nice enough introduction really and there’s plenty more where that came from…”Greedy Soul” keeps up the  indie-rock momentum but it’s got one hell of a groove…the rhythm is infectious here but again, kept simplistic much like the opener but bettered, it’s so slick and it’s got a great hook this, an easy album highlight. We revisit certain country elements on “You Better Run” too and in ways it’s like Liam has been listening to  JAKE BUGG to rediscover his mojo here…boosted further by subtle layering’s of brass, it’s good stuff.

​“Come Back To Me” has a touch more of the old attitude we know and love, couple that with more prominent electric guitar, we’re taken on a trip down memory lane audibly, while bonus track “Doesn’t Have To Be This Way” has certain throw-back qualities to the likes of THE LIGHTNING SEEDS in its melody and structure, but it’s not all smelling of stone roses…oh no…for Liam has mellowed somewhat in his age and there are several ballads dotted throughout this album…”Paper Crown” is a quaint little BEATLES inspired acoustic piece, while “All My People / All Mankind” takes a dreary, dismal look at society, lambasting selfies and such of the world around him, declaring his return, no more bullshit essentially and it’s quite a serious track in tone. While Oasis fans are desperate for that reunion, Liam here proves that he’s still one of the most important performers in British music…he may not sound as pissed off as he used to, and to be perfectly honest he probably doesn’t care what you think in that respect, but the important thing is he’s back making new music, and it’s a well-balanced album from start to finish. Now…as you were. [7]

I’ve touched upon certain influences and my own personal inspirations in previous posts, musically or otherwise, but for now we’re going to focus on one in particular; BAM MARGERA. Yes growing up in the MTV era of JACKASS it was always Bam that stood out to me more; the skating, the style...the taste in music…the latter in particular struck me as I noticed he (like myself) was a big fan of HIM which I thought was ironic…and as I watched more of his stuff, I slowly discovered his taste in bands was frankly pretty fucking good! This was cemented when he said he got to pick his own music for his own spin-off show “Viva La Bam”…so when he released his very own compilation record entitled “Viva La Bands” back in 2005, well, you can only imagine my excitement…several of the bands I was already aware of but one or two would become new favourites for life and today we’re going to be looking at one of those very bands…THE SOUNDS. Formed in Helsingborg, Sweden in 1998 and cited as being a combination of BLONDIE and THE CARS, they quickly found themselves a loyal fan-base with their blend of up-tempo rock ‘n’ roll funk with retro synth-pop undertones and earlier this year, they returned with a brand new EP called “The Tales That We Tell”…gather round folks, it’s story time…

The EP opens up with “Thrill” and immediately we’re immersed in their retro disco-pop style…Maja Ivarsson’s vocals distinctive with her combination of high pitch with husky, graveled tones…the rhythm here is simple, allowing her voice to stand strong amidst the synth-led alt. pop…and really there are aspects of this track musically that could appeal fans of both BILLY IDOL and A-HA…a wonderful start this. “The Darkness” follows up and we’re met with a deeper, bass-driven piece here but not in a heavy sense…with a touch of piano sprinkled within the song sporadically and an up-beat chorus with a great hook…for a break-up song it’s rather positive, Félix Rodríguez rocks up with a brief but passionate solo to add a climatic feel to proceedings…it’s equally defiant and delightful.

We take our foot off the gas for a moment with follow up track and EP highlight “Sail Into To Sun”…utilising soft string sections over a soothing acoustic piece, coupled with the subtle inclusion of steel drums, we’re given a truly beautiful little ambient pop record and for four minutes we sail away with Maja’s voice, the mellow tone of the track allowing her vocals to flourish; she excels here, this is lovely, before we finish then on closing track “Turn To Gold” and we return to their preferred mix of big pop melodies with a  funk-driven core sound; with a bold chorus and a superb saxophone solo closing the track, this really is gold (OK it’s brass but you know what I mean) and the EP ends on a high note. While it would be incredibly picky of me to be disappointed here, I can’t but help but wish that this was a new album…these four tracks prove if anything just how consistently good The Sounds are and really it just wets your appetite. Here’s hoping for a new full-length soon but for now, the tale that I’m telling YOU is go and listen to this EP…seriously. [8]

Do you believe in a thing called love? Well apparently you did back in 2003…yes 14 years ago, a little band from Lowestoft in Suffolk called THE DARKNESS ejaculated onto the scene like the most flamboyant of glam rock money shots with their debut album “Permission To Land”…the old-school rock ‘n’ rollers (fronted by spandex-clad mad man Justin Hawkins) instantly became hot property after an immensely successful year (They held off the mighty IRON MAIDEN at the top of the charts and won everything from Kerrang! to Brit Awards…they even had a stab at the coveted Christmas Number 1!)…they were touted as saviors of British rock with a multi-platinum selling album and the world was theirs for the taking…but somehow it all went wrong. In the wake of their follow up; 2005’s “One Way Ticket To Hell…And Back”, Justin left the band, tired of the whole process of recording and touring, coupled with a stint in rehab, and ultimately, the band split up…after such promise, that one way ticket would never find its way back…or so we thought. Fast forward a couple of years and after a reformation, we find them in 2017 releasing their fifth album; “Pinewood Smile”…enduring one-hit wonders or a long lost treasure? Let’s find out…

The album opens up with “All The Pretty Girls” and after a slow-building, droning guitar intro we’re met with Hawkins unmistakable shriek…his falsetto vocals giving the band enough of a unique edge to earn them their popularity early on but over time it’s become sort of a gimmick and detracts from the song to a degree…musically it’s solid rock with a fairly decent solo to boot, one thing that can be said is that instrumentally they’ve always delivered…a shaky start. Follow up “Buccaneers Of Hispaniola” is an immediate remedy however…an early album highlight, it’s got a brilliant rhythm, it’s incredibly slick and some wonderful indie-rock hooks, couple with some enjoyable riffs, this is a quality song and is much better overall, this is The Darkness on form.

As I mentioned, musically, The Darkness have never disappointed…”Solid Gold” capitalises on the classic rock influence, the AC/DC and DEF LEPPARD inspired riffs, but the song has a very tongue-in-cheek feel, attacking the industry and their critics with their trademark blend of humour…speaking of which, “Southern Trains” is a brash and punk-inspired piece…but being so very British, we have a song about delayed services and rail commutes…while “Japanese Prisoner Of Love”…about the uh, intimacies of prison relationships shall we say…dropping the soap and such…is a generally quirky track, albeit random. “I Wish I Was In Heaven” has another strong indie-rock vibe with pop elements, but again those vocals seem like their being milked, we get it, Justin can hit some impressive notes but, here they spoil a generally decent song, before we finish up on “Stampede Of Love”…while yes, it does have Western qualities, a stampede conjures up images of chaos, frantic animals, galloping across the plains…this has all the urgency of a galloping sloth. The deluxe edition has four extra songs…”Rack Of Glam”, Justin’s tribute to tits I guess, while there’s a sweet but peculiar acoustic track about losing his virginity, although nothing entirely memorable. While it’s fair to say, I honestly don’t think The Darkness will ever match the glory of their debut, and to be honest I think they know that too, so really it’s unfair to compare everything they do to that first album…look what happened to LINKIN PARK with “Hybrid Theory”…for what it’s worth it’s a decent record with some enjoyable moments and some good, solid rock ‘n’ roll…but it’s not a world beater…solid bronze if anything…[6]

It has to be said, 2001 was a great year not just for established artists, but breakthrough bands as well. SUM 41 released “All Killer No Filler”, JIMMY EAT WORLD oh so casually dropped “Bleed American”, Aaron Lewis’ STAIND were absolutely everywhere with “Break The Cycle”…and as much as we try to, we can’t ignore the impact LOSTPROPHETS had on the UK scene when they unleashed “The Fake Sound Of Progress”. All of these would go on to become household names…but some bands just came and went…or so we thought. One of these bands was AMERICAN HI FI, and when they delivered us “Flavour Of The Week” off of their debut album, we didn’t think that’s literally all they would be. Sure, they released a few more albums down the line, but they never truly took off after that initial hit. However, 2014 sees them back with a fresh new album, “Blood & Lemonade”…is this their year?

Starting off with “Armageddon Days”, its evident the band retains their ability to write catchy hooks around seemingly serious undertones. The track is subtle but a real foot tapper, a great, simple yet effective chorus and as a whole, there’s plenty of rock ‘n’ roll swagger here. It’s a good start. “Golden State” sounds more familiar, a pleasant dose of radio friendly rock, the bands signature sound unchanged inducing a welcome nostalgia trip, resulting in an enjoyable listen.

“Wake Up” is a far livelier effort, which is fitting, with its almost punk style guitar driven intro. Front man Stacey Jones’ vocals remain soft and melodic however keeping everything on a more pop based tone, but it’s a highlight track. “Amnesia” takes things up a gear yet again with some great bass driven rock, musically it’s probably as heavy as you’re going to get with the Boston based 4-piece and it’s a welcome change of tempo. “Killing Time” and “Portland” keep the album ticking, before we end on “No Ordinary Life”. The longest track on offer here, it’s a sombre rock ballad of sorts, but it does include some slick 6-string work courtesy of Jamie Arentzen.

“Blood & Lemonade”, despite its charm, will never live up to that song thirteen years ago, we can’t deny that, the band were lucky AND unlucky enough to have such a hit, people always seem to remember the song before the band, but, credit to AHF, they’ve stuck at it through an ever changing landscape in musical trends and they’ve written another simple yet enjoyable album. This may not catapult them into superstardom, to be fair I think they’re past that now, but it’s still very much worth a listen. [7]

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

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/blood-lemonade/id890566287

If you’re a supporter of your local scene, it’s always heart-warming to see with your own eyes,  a band develop over time, and back in June, I wrote a piece on a young band by the name of GLASS GIANTS. Having steadily risen in popularity as a reliable live band, as proven by a recent sell-out show at the iconic CLWB IFOR BACH, the Welsh quintet are back with their 2nd EP; “Cocktails & Bikinis”. Aided by the trusty hands of producer Romesh Dodangoda, how far have these Welsh lads come?

Opening track and lead single “D.A.N.C.E.” see’s the boys continue down the path of fun, light hearted pop-rock which they’ve undoubtedly mastered. It’s easy on the ears, catchy and simplistic, drawing you into the EP with its mildly hypnotic tones.  “Seeing Is Believing” and “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” keep things running along smoothly; the production is slick allowing you to take everything in with crystal clear quality. Ross Dixon’s vocals are powerful and melodic whilst also managing not to drown anything out, given the almost laid back, somewhat gentle style of indie inspired rock the band plays.

“Dirty Knees” despite being an EP highlight, an undeniably enjoyable track, with a great chorus, for some reason, seems to come across as just a little bit, too...innocent? A song such as this, about cheap women and such…you’d expect from STEEL PANTHER, and done with no remorse for that matter too…the track’s been done well but it’s all a bit polite if you ask me, before we finish up on “Love.Live.Laugh”. It starts off with some nice solid guitar work, before plodding along with more of the expected clean vocals and radio friendly rock.

Whilst Glass Giants have earned a name for themselves as live performers, and are clearly good song writers, there hasn’t been a great deal of progression since their ironically titled first EP; “Define Progress”. The sound is still great, it’s enjoyable, but, ultimately, it is essentially more of the same, if not just more polished. Once the cocktails have run out and the bikinis are off, there’s only so much you’ll have before you eventually want to go home. A short burst of fun this one. [6]

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

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/cocktails-bikinis-ep/id897196227

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again; south Wales has one of the richest deposits of talented and/or passionate musicians in the UK, if not the world. Everywhere you look you’re a stone’s throw away from a gig or an up and coming band, busker or songwriter, and one of the freshest bands on the scene, are Pontypridd’s IN REQUIEM. The alternative rock 4-piece (consisting of vocalist/guitarist Adam, guitarist Owen, bassist Grant and drummer Lee) have literally only been around a couple of months, but they’ve already played a promising debut live show supporting REAPER IN SICILY and also, already have a self-titled  4-track EP under their belt…Too much too soon? Let’s see…

Opening track “Trapeze” softly seeps out of your speakers with a really mellow, almost sleepy tone. It’s gentle indie rock, very hushed in its delivery, aside from its chorus, leaving you with a feeling of “oh…” rather than “ooooh!” but it’s a pleasant start, nothing wrong with the track as such but it’s a timid introduction.

“Animal” seemingly has a little more life to it, crunchier guitars, an almost grunge-like tone and when it kicks off properly it’s a welcome riff driven number, albeit a familiar one…anyone else recognise the slight hint of “Fortune Faded” by RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS as it gets going? Just me? It’s there! Coincidence or not; a solid track none-the-less…

“Into The Night” returns to the delicate, ambient tones of the first track, at over five minutes long it does appear to go on a little bit but it’s got some fairly boisterous segments that’ll wake you up If required, before we finish on “Holy Hands”, which is a classic case of leave the best until last. It’s a good quality, straight up rock song, easy on the ears, and over before you can fully appreciate it, making you want to hit replay. Again, there are subtle similarities to the likes of RHCP, but this time in general style as oppose to any section in particular, it’s got that feel about it and all in all, it rounds the EP off nicely.

In Requiem may have only been around since, well, May, but they are clearly eager to get the ball rolling early on. Obviously there’s a long way to go before they’re a fully polished outfit but more live shows, more hard work and ultimately more patience, I’m sure they’ll be around for some time to come. Until then, enjoy this for what it is, rough and ready, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. [6]


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

You can listen to "Holy Hands" on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rqmband

For some reason, the UK has a bit of a soft spot for indie/alternative duos. Whether it’s THE TING TINGS, GOLDFRAPP or more recently, DRENGE, two seems to be the magic number; so really, it comes as no surprise that Brighton’s fresh faced rockers ROYAL BLOOD are on the verge of making huge breakthrough’s in the current music scene. The pair, comprising of Michael Kerr (bass and vocals) and Ben Thatcher (drums) have just released their debut self-titled album which has already been praised by well-respected voices such as Radio 1’s Zane Lowe and are on the verge of chart success…let’s see what all the fuss is about.

Starting off with “Out Of The Black”, a slightly disjointed, off-kilter intro leads into a sullen indie-rock number, generally plodding along but it does have a chorus with a bit of bite, it’s a little dark with a slightly ballsy attitude, it’s a grower this one. “Come On Over” carries with it more rock ‘n’ roll swagger, the bass driving the song forward with some great rhythm, while “Figure It Out” has qualities not too dissimilar to artists such as THE WHITE STRIPES, pleasant stuff here.

“Blood Hands” is a slower, deeper display from the duo, quite bluesy, raw and emotive; it’s one of the albums highlights, that notion continued with “Little Monster”; a simple track, easy on the ears, again, utilizing the catchy chorus. “Loose Change” and “Ten Tonne Skeleton” keep the album rumbling along then, before we finish up on “Better Strangers”. It’s a bit of a slow burner this one, but draws everything to a close on what is essentially a nicely rounded album.

Royal Blood have released a quality album here, proving that passion and dedication will allow even the most minimalistic means of expression to sound bold and prosperous. Add this to an already acclaimed live performance, recently confirmed by a well talked about set at Reading & Leeds Festival, these boys from Brighton are flying the flag for British indie artists and musicians, and they fly it high. [8]


You can find Royal Blood on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK
The album, "Royal Blood" is available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/royal-blood/id891695026

Regardless of your opinion of the man, BAM MARGERA does a lot for bands. Be it his massive endorsement of the band HIM, their fellow Finn’s THE 69 EYES, or be it lesser known bands such as THE MOXY and LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE, he’s always promoted artists through whatever he’s done, whether that’s a compilation CD or the soundtrack to a TV show or a DVD, and, more often than not, they’re awesome too! So when Bam personally recommends a band to you, you check them out. Back when I interviewed him in July, he suggested I check out a band called THE FAINT, who just so happen to have a new album out called “Doom Abuse”. Here’s what I discovered…

Opening up with “Help In The Head” it’s apparent we’ll be dealing with a variety of influences from the word go. Vocalist Todd Fink carries similar tones to the likes of indie artists such as KASABIAN, while musically it’s slightly grungy, a little punky and very alternative; interesting stuff. “Mental Radio” introduces more of a synthesized electronic sound, but it’s quite straightforward, generally consistent throughout, plodding along enjoyably enough before “Evil Voices” unleashes some quality up-beat indie rock. It’s got a brilliantly catchy chorus and is easily an album highlight.

“Salt My Doom” is an altogether different kettle of fish, far brasher, more intense and as far as this album extends, it’s heavier too, delivering a short burst of energy, while “Animal Needs” on the other hand is fairly monotonous in a KRAFTWERK sort of way, albeit rockier. “Loss Of Head”, “Your Stranger” and “Lesson From The Darkness” keep everything flowing smoothly, before we eventually finish up on “Damage Control”; a relatively slow, sullen anti-climax.

It’s a shame really that, these four guys from Nebraska have been at it since the mid-nineties…yet they’re relatively unknown within the UK. Hopefully “Doom Abuse” can change that, it’s well worth checking out, whoever you prefer to trust, me OR Bam. [7]


The album "Doom Abuse" is available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/doom-abuse/id827930963 
The Faint on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaint

The line-up is complete, the stage is set, Cyfarthfa Park is ready to host the return of MERTHYR ROCK! With the stage times now announced, who will you be seeing this Sunday? Which of the three stages appeals to you more, and who do you think will step up and deliver? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Please visit http://merthyrrock.com/ for tickets.

MAIN STAGE
21:00: Taking Back Sunday
19:35: Reel Big Fish
18:10: Anti-Flag
17:00: Blitz Kids
16:00: Save Your Breath
15:00: Clear The Auditorium

SECOND STAGE
20:25: The Blackout
19:00: Feed The Rhino
17:40: LostAlone
16:30: The One Hundred
                                                                   15:30: Colt 45


                                                                   YOUNG PROMOTERS NETWORK STAGE
                                                                   19:55: En Garde
                                                                   19:00: Continents
                                                                   18:05: When We Were Wolves
                                                                   17:10: Falling With Style
                                                                   16:15: Reaper In Sicily
                                                                   15:15: Breathe In The Silence

Less than twelve months ago, the MANIC STREET PREACHERS dropped “Rewind The Film”, their eleventh studio album. It was a very mellow, quite stripped back affair, focusing on a sense of nostalgia and heritage. It lacked the usual bite the former Welsh punks can be renowned for but it was still a quality record. 2014 however already sees them release yet another album; “Futurology”. Two years, two albums and seemingly two opposite concepts…or are they simply lost creatively?

Opening up with the album’s title track, it’s already clear that things are a little livelier this time around, a soft indie rock number utilising the melodious tones of James Dean Bradfield’s vocals, with a simple rhythm to Nicky Wire and Sean Moore’s respective playing. It’s a pleasant start. First single “Walk Me To The Bridge” has a slightly 80’s vibe to it musically, again, a simple track but with a chorus as bold as any, while “Europa Ghet Durch Mich” has a heavier, electronic pulse driving the song. Guest vocals from German actress Nina Hoss give the track extra bite and it makes for an interesting listen.

“Sex, Power, Love And Money” and “Mayakovsky” are grittier guitar driven pieces, with the latter being primarily instrumental, while “Misguided Missile” and “Dreaming A City (Hugheskova)”…another instrumental…are both incredibly catchy and are both album highlights.

Despite its title, what the Manic’s have treated us to with “Futurology” is a fine collection of tracks combining the sleek, seemingly effortless, modern observational song writing we've come to recognise from the Welsh rockers, with a slight retro nod to artists along the lines of KRAFTWERK and ULTRAVOX in places the way it’s all been delivered. It’s still very much a Manic’s album, but with just enough ingenuity to be fresh and more importantly, enjoyable. No matter what direction they take, be it rewinding or contemplating the future…it’s all irrelevant. What counts is the end product, and in album twelve they've proven yet again just how reliable they are. [8] 


The album, "Futurology" is out now: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/futurology/id858632456

Tonteg, a quiet little village in south Wales, not far from Pontypridd, nothing particularly spectacular…nobody of any notable fame has ever come from this neck of the woods, so why am I rambling on about it? GLASS GIANTS…that’s why. This fresh unsigned 5-piece maybe merely starting off on their journey as a band, but with enough charisma to win over just about anyone, and not to mention having a support slot for McBUSTED already under their belts, Tonteg may very well be the next hotbed of a seemingly endless abundance of Welsh talent. With their début EP entitled “Define Progress”; let’s see how they do just that…

Opening up with “Pilgrim”, we’re greeted with a catchy blend of light rock and bouncy pop melody. At its liveliest it’s a really energetic foot tapper of a song, simple chorus and simply a joy to listen to, but at its most tender it’s a thing of beauty. Ross Dixon with an impressive set of vocals; the charming young lad that he is… “Runaway” focusses more so on the rockier side of things; it’s a far more guitar driven number with a more assertive tone to it. In places it’s got an ever so slight resemblance to fellow Welsh rockers 4th STREET TRAFFIC in its big, bold production allowing for a huge positive sounding song, a flurry of noise and an emotional climax, it’s an EP highlight.

“Phoenix” returns to the happy-go-lucky style of the EP’s opener, at its peak leaning more towards a fun pop-punk style, another top tune, before we finish up on “Young And Free”. It doesn't stray far from the path and gives the listener another dose of simple but more importantly, enjoyable pop inspired indie rock, rounding things off nicely. Glass Giants haven’t defined progress purely for themselves here, what they have done is inadvertently spoken on behalf of the whole south Wales music scene. With more and more bands getting inspired to pick up instruments and write music, more and more bands have to up their game to get anywhere in life, and progress as musicians in an already flooded industry. Glass Giants haven’t cared about sounding a particular way to fit in, or used breakdowns because their popular, or this, or that, they've just written quality songs and play them well, that’s all you need to stand out sometimes. Expect to hear these boys on the radio sooner rather than later. [7]


The EP "Define Progress" is available now on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/define-progress-ep/id720956895

“With a vivid range of both influences and sound, A WORLD DEFINED offer originality in what is an otherwise heavily diluted scene”; an arrogant statement some would say, but this ambient, alternative rock 5-piece from Derby are full of self-assurance and exude complete confidence and pride in their craft. Having recently released a brand new EP; “In Absence”, does it define the originality stated, or is the very originality they claim altogether absent?

Kicking off with “June”, we’re met with some light guitar work and some gentle reverberated percussion before we burst into the song proper; the song is thrust forward and it’s a lively introduction to the band, it’s a great track. The title track is a gentler affair but no less passionate, the vocals on display are hard to pin down, there’s a certain warble to front man Liam Reeves that’s unique yet recognisable at the same time, just as with “The Void”…on first listen picking up hints of JEFF BUCKLEY but with the angst and frustration akin to the likes of Brock Lindow of 36 CRAZYFISTS for example, in places (minus the intense screaming), it makes for an interesting and captivating listen.

“Gild The Lilly” starts off as more of an acoustic, bluesy number, before descending into a torrent of gang vocals and an increasingly intense sensory journey, before “Brothers” takes us back to square one with a really up-beat rocking number. A clear EP highlight, it’s a heartfelt indie rock anthem in the making, multi-textured, it would make for an ideal climax had it not been for “Outro”, which really just ends things awkwardly really. The idea is nice, but it adds nothing to the EP, leaving you with a feeling of “oh?” instead of “wow”.

A World Defined claim to be original, but really, the concept of originality is quite the myth in this modern day and age, especially in music. It’s so very hard for an artist of any genre to break the mould and appear to be brand new and unique, and in all honesty, A World Defined don’t quite do this, but, they have coloured outside the lines just enough to stand out from the generic indie scene. The band is currently still unsigned and in a way, that benefits them musically. There’s a raw passion that carries through the music that otherwise might be lost elsewhere, and it’s this combination of passion and complete freedom that allows for EP’s like this one to see the light of day. The only thing absent from “In Absence” is a record label’s backing…but quite frankly it doesn't need one. [7]


"In Absence" is available on iTunes for just £4.74: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/in-absence-ep/id819231982

Since their emergence in 2011, Exeter based rockers I DIVIDE have steadily proven themselves as genuine contenders for success in an admittedly heaving  UK music scene. Releasing “What’s Worth More” that same year, it was clear from the start that this 5-piece wasn't doing anything by halves; proving they were already capable of churning out top tunes, but fast forward a couple of years and we find ourselves listening to a much more confident and comfortable band. With the release of “Last One Standing”, let’s see how well they can back-up this self-assured title…

Kicking things off with “Follow Me”, it’s already clear the production quality has improved, everything sounding that bit more polished. Tom Kavanagh’s vocals coarse, yet melodic, giving the song an edgier feel, despite its core sound owing to the heavier side of pop-rock. It’s a good start, before “Tell Me Something” bursts in almost immediately. It’s a much bolder number from the word go, with a real hook to it and further highlights the bands new found confidence.

Newest single; “I'm Not Leaving” is brilliantly conflicted, in the sense that it still manages to sound huge, whilst maintaining a somewhat subdued feel. It’s a passionate performance all round and delivers a massive sing-along chorus; the softer moments allowing Kavanagh’s vocals to shine through, over some subtle yet enticing guitar playing from Henry Selly and Josh Wreford, great stuff.

“Cold At The Bottom” and “Run Away”, continue to take advantage of utilising pop melodies in amongst the more rough around the edges feel of the bands playing, with the former even throwing in a sleek, albeit very brief guitar solo, until the album closes on “Look At Me Now”, a refined yet melodramatic piece that draws you in with its emotional feel, focussing more on the bands tender side, and its works really well. I Divide may lack in experience, having only been around for a handful of years, but they pay their dues on the road and on the live stage, and rightfully deserve your attention for the song writers they are. Can they keep it up though? With the industry they are in being so cut throat these days, with so many artists being disposable, it’ll be hard work to say the least, but with “Last One Standing”, they've made a solid statement that they are in this for the long haul, so it’ll be interesting to see how they develop for record number three. [7]

Download: “I'm Not Leaving”, “Look At Me Now”
"Last One Standing" is available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/last-one-standing/id816417026

Back in 2001, four guys from Utah decided to break the mould, it was time to shake things up a bit, and, after a lot of disinterest from a variety of labels, and a lot of patience, THE USED managed to release their début self-titled album through REPRISE RECORDS. With songs such as “Maybe Memories” and “A Box Full Of Sharp Objects”, The Used became one of the hottest new bands on not just the scene, but any scene. Their penchant for combining great rock melodies with raw punk intensity separated them from the then mainstream nu metal machine that had reached its peak, and were breaking away from the pack, garnering a loyal cult following. That following grew with follow up album “In Love And Death” and the huge singles including “Take It Away” and, over the course of time, Bert McCracken and co became one of the key bands of the emerging post-hard core/alternative scene. 2014 see’s the Orem based four-piece release the new album “Imaginary Enemy”.  

“All revolutions are impossible until they happen; then they become inevitable”…this is what greets us as we press play for track one, “Revolution”.  It’s an anti-political burst of energy with killer hooks and a great sing-along chorus, some of the catchiest material the band has released and it’s a bright, promising start. Lead single “Cry” delves further into the pop-infused melodic approach, allowing for a really accessible track that’s sure to go down well as a crowd pleaser at live shows.

“Generation Throwaway” is, despite its title, really quite the soft number. It’s got a huge sounding pop-anthem style, gang vocal chorus that catches you off-guard, after having expected a brash, unapologetic punk rock statement. “Make Believe” is a bit livelier but again, it’s lacking bite. A catchy song, that’s undeniable, but that’s as far as it goes. The same can be said for the title track and, well, the album as a whole in all honesty.

Whereas it’s not unheard of for The Used to utilise melody to great effect in their song writing, it’s unusual for them to produce such a unilaterally fashioned album. There are a lot of great songs on “Imaginary Enemy”, it’s an entertaining listen with some top tunes, but it just seems, innocuous. It’s probably their most accessible album to date, bar the odd pocket of mild aggression, which some long-time fans may deem disappointing, but, in a scene drowning in metalcore, it does I guess provide a more than welcome alternative. The Used have allowed the lyrical content in their songs to provide food for thought while making a really commercially friendly album. It’s clear they've stopped to take note of what’s happening around them, and they've delivered an album not only relevant in terms of topic, but they've done it stylishly too. It stands out, and on this rare occasion, for a band like The Used to make a pop album is exactly what we needed. I guess the imaginary enemy is the mainstream itself…fans of rock and metal universally see mainstream culture as plastic, with no depth or ingenuity other than for making fast money, The Used have released a record full of radio friendly tracks not to “sell out” per Se, but because they’re smart. The mainstream is only the enemy if you want it to be, you can just as easily use it to your advantage…”Force Without Violence” and all that…[8]


"Imaginary Enemy" is available now via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/imaginary-enemy/id804990197

Since forming back in 1999, TAKING BACK SUNDAY haven’t necessarily been the most stable unit, so to speak... Whereas commercially, they've done very well finding chart success in America, having hit the Top 10 of the Billboard charts on multiple occasions, the inner structure of the band itself hasn't always been so solid. Numerous members have come and gone over the years, with creative differences often being the catalyst for change, but right now in 2014, the band have released their sixth studio album, “Happiness Is” with a line-up unchanged from their previous self-titled record and a new found sense of stability, so with that, let’s see what, according to TBS, happiness really is…

The album starts off rather melodramatically, “Preface”, full of layered strings and an intense orchestral feel rises in intensity over its brief length, before first track proper, “Flicker, Fade” gets the album under way. A sharp burst of drumming comes and goes all so suddenly, before the whole thing turns into a soft, mellow indie-rock track. Adam Lazzara’s vocals warm and, welcoming one minute, forceful and passionate the next.

“Stood A Chance” takes things in an altogether happier direction. It keeps the indie-rock vibe but sounds more pop driven, a great summer festival song, you can’t not enjoy listening to this track. “Beat Up Car” is slightly more stripped back, very much driven by drummer Mark O’Connell, and aside from the chorus, it’s a really easy going number. The longest track on the album, “It Takes More” strips things down further still, delivering this sweet, ambient rock ballad, providing ample relaxation mid album, before “They Don’t Have Any Friends” and “Like You Do” bring the album back to life.

“Happiness Is”, as it so happens, does a pretty good job of summarising what, well, happiness is after all (musically at least) combining elements of radio friendly pop melodies and clear vocals with light rock and acoustic guitar, this is a real feel-good album from start to end, and while it may not have any tracks that immediately jump out at you as instant hits, it’s all the better taken in slowly over a period of time, allowing opportunity to absorb and appreciate each track. A great album. Who needs Pharrell when you've got Taking Back Sunday to cheer you up? [7]


Download: "Stood A Chance" and "We Were Younger Then"
"Happiness Is" is available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/happiness-is/id786667823

“Mathcore” or “Mathrock”…one of many ridiculously named sub-genres invented for the soul purpose of categorising and pigeon-holing bands to cater for target audiences. Terms such as this are thrown around all too frequently these days, and ICARUS THE OWL are one band to be labelled in such a way. There’s no real need for it, essentially the band are quite simply a progressive alternative indie-rock band, but their use of time signature changes, off-kilter melodies and poly-rhythms sets them apart from your run of the mill rockers. Having formed in 2009 in Portland, Oregon, ITO have been honing their craft and fine tuning their brand of catchy thinking man’s rock, and have recently released a brand new self-titled album.

Beginning with “Ignore Check Engine Lights”, we’re greeted immediately with the powerful vocals of Joey Rubenstein, delivering a strong melodic performance over some fine, intricate playing from guitarist A.J and drummer Rob, a great start.

“Dethroned” carries with it a more up-beat punk-pop feel. It still hints at the technical musicianship that the band are renowned for, but is an easier listen all round, more accessible for the casual rock fan, while “The Monster Within” starts with a flurry of intense drumming, before fleeting in and out of tempo’s and key changes.

“Flint And Steel” is quite a soft number in contrast to its name, lots or harmonious, lingering vocals, with the chorus only slightly picking up allowing for some fine pop-rock enjoyment. The drums driving this song forward yet feeling almost restrained at the same time, the occasional flurry breaking free from the subdued feel of the song, creating an interestingly layered listen.  Finally then, we’re greeted with the last track on offer; the 8 minute + monster of a song “The Pharmacist”. It’s a slow builder, highly dramatic and full of intensity, but that doesn't last too long, as we soon find ITO playing around with tempo and pitch, taking full advantage of the length of time the song gives them to indulge in their unique preferences for key changes, it’s epic and artistic in equal measure.

Whereas it’s a bit of a given that you won’t find Icarus The Owl being played by many (if any) mainstream music outlets, you can’t deny the bands ability to turn seemingly complicatedly structured songs into catchy, heavy pop melodies. This new album is right to be self-titled, as it perfectly captures what Icarus The Owl are all about. It’s an album this four piece should be proud of, and it’s also an album that you really should listen to. [7]


Download: "Dethroned", "Flint And Steel"

"Icarus The Owl" is available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/icarus-the-owl/id797827090 

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