Dora Brilliant - Real Bombing

EP review by KevW

There are many interesting things to mention about Londoners Dora Brilliant. They're named after a Russian spy who was also a nightclub singer, they once shared a stage with Chas from Chas & Dave (but not Dave), they don't practice much because they don't want to sound over-rehearsed, plus it saves money that way. But it's our job to tell you about the music, so lets have a look at latest release 'Real Bombing', seven tracks, each of which has a story. Their style doesn't vary a great deal throughout, but as it's jumpy and catchy angular post-punk this doesn't really matter. It's a riotous little record the feels like it's eaten too many Smarties and is in the midst of an uncontrollable rush of e-numbers and sugar. It's spectacularly boundless in its energy. And according to the press release each song has an unusual subject matter, although they don't list them in the correct order so we'll take a guess.

The second Earl Of Essex ('Elizabeth and Essex'), when molluscs attack ('The Limpet'), your brainstem ('The Unknown Quantity Show'), corruption of the flesh ('Everyone's Getting Me Off'), when you can't touch ('Talk It Up'), acting is hardest ('Scale Of One To Ten') and the last refuge for sound investments ('Retreat To The Border'). Whether we've got the right we don't know and I guess it doesn't matter, it just helps to illustrate that Dora Brilliant are a slightly balmy band with plenty of ideas to fuel their jittering guitar-powered indie/pop/punk tunes. Don't confuse their oddball nature for disposable, novelty music though, 'Real Bombing' is a tidy and entertaining listen full of good tunes. And for the record they sound perfectly rehearsed, so their current schedule appears to be bang on.



Dora Brilliant's website

Stream or buy the EP





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Family Machine - Skeletons & That

Single review by KevW

No doubt there will be hundreds of shameless cash-ins for Halloween. TV specials, bands recording spooky tracks and covering ghostly songs from the past, but you can be pretty sure that 'Skeletons & That' isn't one of them. Yes The Family Machine have chosen this time of year to release it, no doubt on purpose, but it definitely doesn't sound like the Oxford bunch wrote and recorded this song with any particular festivals in mind. This isn't a spooky sounding song, it doesn't feature ghostly effects and stereotypical lyrics. It's more a contemplative track that happens to have the word skeletons in its title.

Lyrically it touches upon being scared of ghosts as a child but the main theme to this song appears to be one of lost love rather than witches and devils. And quite a touching little number it is too, tinged with sadness and a feeling of loss, yet it's incredibly pretty and moving, the gentle backing of faintly humming strings and a plucked guitar let the vocals take charge which makes for a song that feels incredibly personal. So if you were already sick of hearing about our unusual annual celebration of all things evil then there's no need to skip this one, it's worth listening to at any time of year.



Family Machine's website

To download 'Skeletons & That' for free head here





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Rainbow Shark - Rainbow Shark EP

EP review by KevW

Splitting their time between Manchester and Oxford, two cities that are currently powerhouses of the UK's alternative music scene, are duo Rainbow Shark. Consisting of Jack Levy (keys, electronic noodling) and Bill Wright (guitar), their music is like a magnet that attracts tiny elements from varying bands and genres and pulls them together to form a cohesive whole. It's this conglomeration that makes up their eponymous debut EP. At a guess, these songs seem to begin life as simple acoustic tracks which are then developed into more interesting compositions with the addition of beats and a plethora of other sounds.

Perhaps most conventional is the pensive 'Behind The Shards' which uses this formula to ordain a decent guitar tune with other layers that result in a more stately feel. The more atmospheric 'The Sundown Bears' is better still, employing a more substantial and dubby beat that brings the duo's sound more in line with Four Tet and other folktronica masters, with additional trip-hop leanings. The final track, 'Killer Sharks' feels bleaker, icy almost, and seems to deal with the pain of desolation. Rainbow Shark haven't quite reached the heights that seem within their grasp just yet, but this first outing shows they could be on the path to something special.





Rainbow Shark's website

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The Boxing Lesson - Health Is The New Drug/Better Daze

Single review by KevW

This single from Texan psych-rockers The Boxing Lesson was first released earlier on this year but there's a definite feeling of darkness about it that may be more suited to the strange ritual of celebrating all things ghoulish that takes place at this time of year, and so it's being given another (deserved) push complete with a new video to tie in with Halloween. 'Health Is The New Drug' is a blitzkrieg of guitars being shredded with a deep and brawny psychedelic groove, a little like Wooden Shjips minus the repetition, it throbs and rumbles with considerable drive. It's a song worthy of top billing, but 'Better Daze' makes you wonder why it wasn't shared as a double A-side.

Sounding something like The Cramps covering Roxy Music, 'Better Daze' is a match for 'Health...' with added sinister undertones. It contains some similarly impressive fretwork and a crunching psych beat; neither of these songs make you think of sunny days and fluffy clouds; these are forbidding sounds and the slightly comical, part animated video they've made for 'Better Daze' works a treat (or should that be a trick or treat?) and shows that while their music may be stern and powerful they don't take themselves too seriously. Something that's always a good quality to have.




The Boxing Lesson's website

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Time And Energy - Strange Kind Of Focus

Album review by KevW

It's funny how band dynamics work, often two is the magic number. Whether it's a core songwriting partnership in a larger group (Lennon/McCartney, Squire/Brown, Morrissey/Marr and so on), an actual duo (I'm sure you can think of hundreds) or even a solo artist who has a regular writing or production partner (Elton John with Bernie Taupin, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones). Bouncing ideas between the heads of two people can work wonders, not only because it's two creative sparks, often one person's ideas will compliment another's and stop the music becoming stagnated, whereas too many cooks can often spoil the broth.

Californian pairing Jorge Rios and Brennan Roach have got themselves working together just fine as Time And Energy, even taking care of the varied instrumentation (usual rock-type set-up plus keys and synths with added clarinet) and production. On 'Strange Kind Of Focus', their second album, they sound well within their comfort zone whilst still coming up with some interesting tunes. It's a fairly eclectic form of alt-rock they make and has enough variety and a modern enough feel to make for an decent listen despite not being overly remarkable; I think the word we're looking for is solid. Difficult to fault, enjoyable but hardly earth-shattering.

They hop about a little which helps keep things fresh; the heavy, funk groove of 'O'Molly' gives way to the simple, psychedelic acoustics of 'Think It Through' and the album works because of this reasonably wide range of sounds, from the jazz/Latin/tribal fusion of 'Hot Air' to soulful highlight 'Thought Forms' which follows it. Time And Energy aren't afraid to play around and try out different ideas. You could maybe liken them to TV On The Radio or Beck in that respect. They're unlikely to change anyone's life through the music on this album, but it sure is good to have guys like this around who aren't content to just play it safe.




Time And Energy's website

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Five For Free #127

JUBA - Bloodvessels

We don't feature many bands from Portugal and I'm not exactly sure why. There may be a history of dodgy metal acts associated with the country but if there are more bands of the calibre of JUBA (or the Discotexas label's roster, see below) then maybe it's time to cast aspersions aside and investigate further. 'Bloodvessels' is a terrific and lively piece of post-punk that's bristling with energy.


JUBA's website





Dead Can Dance - Opium

It's been over 30 years since Australian genre-mashers Dead Can Dance first started putting their innovative ideas onto tape and moved to the UK where they laid down a legacy that inspired many. Since the late 80s the band has been sporadic in its activity, but the latest reformation/incarnation have been touring new album 'Anastasis' far and wide. Grab new single 'Opium' below.

Dead Can Dance's website

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Moullinex - Take My Pain Away

The Discotexas label has also been helping open our eyes to some top tunes from Lisbon and beyond, and their latest release is the debut album from Moullinex who splits his time between the Portuguese capital and Munich. The album is titled 'FLORA' and is full of quality electronica like 'Take My Pain Away' that you can safely party to without the merest whiff of cheese.



To download 'Take My Pain Away' for free head here

Moullinex's website

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Squalloscope - Z-E-P-H-Y-R

Our other current favourite label based on continental Europe is Austria's Seayou Records who are releasing this new single from former artist to check out Squalloscope. The Vienna-based singer-songwriter is putting out the superb experimental textures of 'Z-E-P-H-Y-R' which mix acoustic guitars with electronic production and her fine voice. The track is taken from her album 'Soft Invasions'.



To download 'Z-E-P-H-Y-R' for free head here

Squalloscope's website

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Major Major Major - Peace Love Darkness

Austin, Texas has been proving to be a great hotspot for garage and punk bands of late, and another impressive act to add to their roster is Major Major Major, who despite their name are a duo, and probably not majors, although we haven't checked. Anyway, their eponymous debut EP is out now and here's the brilliantly raw and bouncing 'Peace Love Darkness'.
 
Major Major Major's website

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goodbyemotel - People EP

EP review by KevW

Well it's alright for some isn't it? This new EP from goodbyemotel was recorded in a beach shack on the Australian coast, but please try and get the image of those Fosters comedy ads out of your head, there's no stereotypical laddish/sexist behaviour going on here. I think this Melbourne lot can just count themselves lucky to have such inspiring locations to work in. They have lofty aspirations too, referencing Coldplay, Radiohead, U2 and other million-sellers as inspirations. Your inner indie mind will already be setting off alarm bells, but since when has wanting to become successful been a bad thing? Should bands intentionally set out to be shit? Or should they set out to make they music they want to make? You should always follow your ambitions, and that's what goodbyemotel are doing.

Whether your inner anti-sellout goblins are telling you to avoid them at all costs is of course a different matter entirely, and if it is more rough-cut and DIY sounds that you prefer then you're looking in the wrong place. goodbyemotel opt for a clean and polished sound with definite commercial leanings; this is indie-rock with anthemic qualities that's aiming for star-status and isn't afraid to pull out all the stops to get there. Their songs have already been used on TV a fair bit back home and that may translate to the UK and US too; these four tracks are also engineered with radio play in mind, all big choruses and note perfect playing. The songs are pretty good to be honest, but if you find yourself enjoying 'People' and you want to maintain your uber-cool stance then you're probably better off not letting your mates know about it.





goodbyemotel's website

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Artist To Check Out: The Cry Baby

Article by KevW

This captivating new quartet from London are led by singer and songwriter Anna Waldmann who doesn't bow down to convention in her themes, that's for sure. Since she was a child, Anna had the responsibility of caring for her mother and grandmother, an experience she draws upon lyrically, especially on 'Anaesthetic' which is stark but beautiful in the way it details with its subject matter about pain and morphine. The Cry Baby have a very distinctive sound that feels like a lesson in restraint. The sounds are subtle and anything else wouldn't offset the voice so brilliantly. And that voice is the most unique aspect to what they do; child-like but ghostly, it draws you in as though you're being absorbed into some kind of fairy tale. The experience is certainly like falling into another world.

Musically The Cry Baby don't fit any particular category; there's a hint of folk, echoes of trip-hop, the escapism of dreampop and occasionally a stripped-back baroque sound. It's all carefully considered without being so perfect that it becomes sterile. As such, this combination of subtlety, experimentalism and almost lullaby-like sounds is quite beguiling. At the moment the tracks online are still demos, although they sound better than that. The plan is to begin working with producers and look at a debut single in the new year. If they continue making music as spellbinding and ethereal as this we have a hunch that this won't be the the last time you hear from this excitingly promising new band.







The Cry Baby's website





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The #1s - Self Titled 7"

Single review by KevW

What's in a name? Well calling yourselves The #1s could be seen as arrogant or it could be seen as simply being confident. Either way, it's surprising it hasn't been used before (or maybe it has, but not that we can think of). More exact and more descriptive is calling their latest release 'Self-Titled 7"'. The #1s aren't a band to bore you will details. We know they're Irish (probably) and simply describe themselves as "powerpop/punk", which to be fair hits the nail bang on the head. Much like this to-the-point approach to press and biography, their music is also concise and certainly doesn't allow for any messing about.

There are two tracks on this 7" (it's also available for download) and the whole thing is done and dusted in under five minutes. They're keeping the spirit of punk alive, and despite a cover which maybe looks a little too try-hard, like they want us to know that they don't give a fuck, the tunes feel natural rather than styled. 'I Wish I Was Lonely' is great fun, melodic, punchy and simple; it's exactly what punk should be about, great tunes stripped of indulgence and self-importance. The more ragged 'He's Too Good For Everyone Else But He's Not Good Enough For You' is essentially more of the same and makes this a single that's difficult to fault. Ignore the cliches of beer can, fags, shades, leather jackets and badges, these guys have some top tunes.
 

The #1s' website

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The Dreaming Spires - Just Can't Keep This Feeling In

Single review by KevW

The Dreaming Spires initially appeared to be one of the surprise packages of 2012, coming from nowhere with a highly accomplished update of the psych-folk sounds born in the 1960s. Dig below the surface and perhaps we shouldn't be so surprised they've turned up with one of the debut albums of the year. As founders of Truck festival they know their onions as it were, plus some members served time in acclaimed bands Danny The Champions Of The World and Goldrush. It seemed only right that guys lucky enough to have jammed with members of Mercury Rev, The Band and The Jayhawks would be sitting on a clutch of decent tunes themselves.

As we approach the inevitable torrent of end of year lists, it's more than likely that the Oxford bunch will crop up in a fair few, and they deserve to. It's been a great year for the band and they're rounding it off in some style too, with a UK tour that should feel a little like a victory lap, and also the release of a new single from their acclaimed 'Brothers In Brooklyn' album. 'Just Can't Keep This Feeling In' is harmony-soaked "country shoegaze" that sounds like the celebration that it should be. We're looking at similar ground to Teenage Fanclub or Big Star in their prime, upbeat and melodic and doing nothing more than it should. It's both succinct and perfectly formed. If you live anywhere near the venues listed below we recommend grabbing some tickets and giving yourselves a great night out.



The Dreaming Spires' website

Buy the single

Catch them live:

Nov 01 The Maze, Nottingham
Nov 02 Pivo Pivo, Glasgow
Nov 03 Ducie Bridge Pub, Manchester
Nov 04 The Cluny 2, Newcastle
Nov 05 Studios, Macclesfield
Nov 07 The Wilmington Arms, London
Nov 09 The Palmeira, Hove / Brighton
Nov 10 The Bullingdon Arms, Oxford
Nov 16 Esquires, Bedford





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Towns - Dig Your Heels

Single review by KevW

As you will have gathered (either by having stumbled upon our site before or realising the significance of its name) we're partial to the odd bit of distortion and shoegaze. We're also partial to a bit of Nottingham's finest noise-merchants Spotlight Kid and have featured newcomers Towns before, suggesting that their psychedelic, wall-of-fuzz sounds fit snugly in between baggy and Britpop. The two bands have just played a gig together and we're jealous that we couldn't make it, but all is not lost as the Western-Super-Mare guitar-wranglers have a brand new EP available for us to merrily feast our ears upon.

'Sleepwalking' is available now and the swirling, intense buzz-fest of 'Dig Your Heels' presses all the right buttons (or more likely, all the right effects pedals). There is a shoegazey thing going on but really this track is powerpop that's been abused so much it's screaming out in pain. There's a strong melody and soft vocals which only enhance the guitars that besiege the song as if trying to lay waste to any notions of tunefulness but instead becoming a part of it. This is a mighty song, something akin to early Supergrass having nightmarish hallucinations. Noisy, but in the most perfect of ways.



Towns' website

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Lupen Crook - British Folk Tales

Album review by KevW

Lupen Crook's music has been described as many things during his career, and "folk" is certainly one of them. His latest solo offering (he's minus his Murderbirds here and recorded most of the instrumentation himself, including taking control of the production) has a slightly misleading title, but I guess that depends on your own personal interpretation of what constitutes folk music. 'British Folk Music' doesn't offer olde-worlde lyrics and curious vocal intonations, it's not full of fiddles and it doesn't make you think of beards and woolly jumpers. In fact there's not really a stereotype in sight, except perhaps that much of the album makes use of an acoustic guitar, but rarely a guitar on its own. He's part Ian Dury, part Joe Strummer and part The Good, The Bad & The Queen-era Damon Albarn.

Crook has shunned the mainstream at a time when he had the opportunity to jump on the nu-folk bandwagon and you suspect that even the thought of doing such a thing would make his blood boil. From the off, 'The Counting Song' combines acoustics with rock, garage and even a hint of baggy; what follows is equally eclectic and if it is to be described using the f-word then the term "anti-folk" would be much more appropriate. Crook's lyrics are cutting, political and witty in equal measure, with angry backing vocals employed at points, including single 'Treasons To Be Beautiful' in which he conjures up a dark, swirling and biting attack on the state of things. As the song screeches to a halt you know that the vitriol he's used on past records very much remains.

'Crumb Trails' is an rare moment of tenderness and reflection that's very sweet despite it being a contemplation of suicide: "you couldn't love me if you tried, I'm just a streetlamp to you on a starry night... I'm on top of the world and I'm gonna jump, so baby don't break my fall, just give my regards to all the friends that I forgot to call". It's soul-baring stuff that kicks aside any notions that his music is fuelled by fury alone. Following it is the similarly personal and rather majestic 'Note To Self; this majesty reappears on the poppy 'If You Love Me Come The Morning' and contemplative closer 'Human Remains'. The surreal and spooky 'Herding Cats' even displays a playful side and helps mark 'British Folk Tales' as one of the most varied and interesting album's he's made thus far. It shows versatility and a well-founded confidence that means, whatever the genre, Lupen Crook is one of our most individual and maybe undervalued songwriters.



Lupen Crook's website

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The Sugargliders - A Nest With A View 1990-1994

Album review by KevW

During the first half of the 1990s when cult Australians The Sugargliders were active, I was entering my teens and beginning to explore beyond the reaches of daytime radio fodder, seeking out collage-rock and grunge from the US as well as delving into the British indie scene that would soon, for better or worse, develop into Britpop. Evening radio schedules became essential; Steve Lamacq followed by John Peel followed by Mark Radcliffe became an important routine and a route to discovering weird and wonderful emerging sounds that you wouldn't normally hear. Indiepop was a big part of it, yet somehow the handful of singles and solitary album from the brothers Meadows and co. managed to pass me by, and despite two more decades of trawling music's hidden corners and forgotten scenes, this welcome retrospective is acting as my personal introduction to the band.

So how to judge it? As a museum piece? As a flashback to a bygone era? Or approach it the same way you would with any new album? Surely the latter is the most sensible, fair and objective way. After all, it's not as though they instigated a scene and left a legacy that still reverberates through modern music today. They had an individual sound for sure, but one that belonged to a chain of guitar-pop bands that existed for years before them and bands that are creating similar sounds to this day. What is overwhelmingly apparent is the timelessness of these songs; they don't sound dated one tiny little bit. If you knew no better you'd have no reason to believe this wasn't a brand new, fresh-faced group setting out on their mission to craft some decent pop music. Another point that should be made is just how consistent they were, even on this extensive 20 track compilation there are no weak links.

Most of the originally released music is here, from lovably stripped-down jangle of debut single 'Sway' through to the ever so slightly more experimental swansong of 'Top 40 Sculpture'. Perhaps the most telling point to be made about 'A Nest With A View' is that although extensive it doesn't feel overlong. The sunshine-pop begins with the excellent 'Ahprahran' and it doesn't set until the very end. They successfully flirt with some bigger beats on 'Reinventing Penicillin' and the slightly twee 'Give Me Some Confidence' is another highlight on a record with many. It's the simplistic innocence and delicious melodies that make The Sugargliders sound so moreish. It feels like a shame that they passed me by when they were a going concern, but this near impeccable compilation goes a long way to making up for the missed opportunity. If you're a long-time fan then enjoy the memories, but if you're a fellow newcomer then make sure you don't let these gorgeous tunes pass you by.







The Sugargliders' website

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Johnno Casson - Window Shopping

Album review by KevW

Possibly the most common way for people to hear about new bands is through their singles, as these naturally get more exposure than album tracks. The problem is that a couple of songs doesn't always do justice to the work that's been created. Sometimes songs can work much better in the context of a full album, and maybe this is a reason why many of our favourite bands get overlooked by the mainstream press: you simply can't 'get' them through just hearing the odd tune. You need to absorb the full album. Colchester's Johnno Casson (who you may also know as Snippet) might, for some at least, be a rare example of where the opposite is true.

Every song on his new album 'Window Shopping' is good, very good in fact, although none of them are overly remarkable. In isolation you could happily listen to any track here and be mildly impressed. Where it runs into trouble is that as a whole, a dozen introspective, self-depreciating tales of failed relationships and the passing of time simply become overbearing. Many albums have successfully dealt with heartbreak, desperation and desolation very successfully (Spritualized's 'Ladies & Gentlemen...' for example) but these have been more varied, more cutting and more emotive than the moderate sorrow about feeling "out of sorts" that Casson talks of here.

'Window Shopping' isn't pained or imaginative enough to detail the disillusion of growing old and life's misery with any conviction. You really rather wish he'd just cheer the hell up. Despite these negatives, if you take the odd song there are some very pretty moments such as 'Whatever Happened To The Working Class' or 'Everybody's Got Sides', and the female vocal on 'Out Of Credit' is delightful. It's difficult to criticise any part individually (although for some reason 'Battle Scars' reminds us of the theme to Last Of The Summer Wine, we'll let you decide if that's a good thing) as they're all accomplished and pleasant, plus some of the lyrics are witty and clever and you can sense that much care, thought and soul has been poured into this album, it's just a bit much in one go. So worth investigating but best done so in bite-sized nuggets.




Johnno Casson's website

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Lola's Bad - Drown With Me

Single review by KevW

Lola's Bad are part Greek and part English. In fact they're part many things; pop, avant-garde, performance artists, doom-mongers, experimentalists, minimalists, tribal and mysterious. And that can only be a good thing right? It certainly beats being labelled as 'singer-songwriter'. Evangelina C is a Greek performance artist, choreographer, director and singer, and in Lola's Bad she works with English multi-instrumentalists and producer Bat Halliday. The music they make is fairly uncategorizable but the best description we've heard is The Knife meets The Cocteau Twins, something that sums up the slightly ethereal and dreamy nature of their experimental and sometimes harsh sounding take on alt-pop.

Such a comparison is perfect for new single 'Drown With Me'. The music feels uncomfortable and shady whilst also being distinctly impressive in its nonconformist nature. It's ghostly and stark as well as having an incredible attention to detail and managing to put across its message impeccably. For some people 'Drown With Me' will be music to be impressed by as opposed to music to actually listen to, but anyone with a more left-field taste will find plenty to admire. Of course being such a multi-talented duo it would be an astonishing waste for them not to accompany this single with a skilfully produced video that captures the very essence of the song in visual form, so that's exactly what they've done. We're guessing the critics will be all over Lola's Bad before too long.



Lola's Bad's website

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Documenta - Dronepop #2

Album review by KevW

It's not a trick or a means to draw attention from unexpected sources (hello Egyptian Hip Hop), Belfast's Documenta are being 100% accurate by calling this new album 'Dronepop #2' (and as they're not fans of being misleading, I'll give you three guesses what their previous release was called. Yep, got it in one.) As the band have mentioned themselves, much of the so called alternative music press spends most of its time championing landfill indie and and bands looking to scrape a few crumbs up from below Mumford & Sons banquet table. Space rock and drones are alive and well but have been driven underground. For example, Sonic Boom (Sonic bloody Boom!) was booed following a support slot with Kurt Vile earlier this year. The audience didn't know who he was or understand his music at all.

If such a legend can disregarded by a young crowd who have no idea what he was doing, then what hope to fellow space travellers have? The best option is to stick to your course, make the music you believe in, as you think it should be, and let those in the know appreciate it, knowing that the current generation are missing out. Hopefully David Holmes' interest in the band will help them reach a wider audience, but still, they have their whole lifetimes to catch up, and music goes in cycles so the day of the drone will come again. This is the exact approach taken by Documenta and their music is very much in the vein of Spacemen 3 (their previous EP included a cover of 'Losing Touch With My Mind' as well as sonic adventurer Sun Ra's 'Space Is The Place'), Loop, Spectrum and early Spiritualized, although it doesn't sound dated in the slightest.

They're a group that appreciate the power of melody and formation as much as repetition, so while the likes of 'Miki' are carried along on a bed of constant, undulating sound waves, lead guitar and vocals are also present, adding identity to these expansive pieces. 'Gentle's Yard' is an awesome, vibrating krautrock number that shows the effect additional melody can create. It's hypnotic but you can hum along to it at the same time; a rare quality to discover. However the music was created it sounds purely analogue and this is something which always leaves a vibrant and forceful effect; warmer and more real as well as, oddly, more futuristic than digital. 'Just A Spell' could have graced a Spectrum album and the mesmerising 'The Lost Golden Bough' has a touch of Cheval Sombre to it, himself crafting similar textures. Epic last track 'Everything's Alright Forever' sets the controls for a different dimension though, with clattering drums and an a more compelling sound. 'Dronepop #2' isn't an exercise in invention, it's more a case of keeping the spirit alive; something it manages to do with ease.





Buy the album from Documenta's website





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Out This week - 29th October 2012

Allah-Las - Busman's Holiday

We're loving the garage-rock revival that's been rampant in California and the surrounding areas, and one of the more faithful and downright best of this new crop are Allah-Las whose eponymous album is out this week. In short; it's bloody brilliant. Anyone who's ever enjoyed listening to a Nuggets compilation should get on the case without further ado. Here's 'Busman's Holiday' to get you in the mood.



Allah-Las' website

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Plateaus - Blackout

Of course that part of the world has been embracing punk sounds too, and we're not talking the abominations like Blink 182 and that crowd of goofy idiots. San Diego's Plateaus are keeping the real spirit of US punk alive with a hint of The Ramones about their glorious and melodic thrashing. Here's the excellent 'Blackout' from their self-titled album, out this week.



Plateaus' website

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Ethereal & The Queer Show - Horse

On the other side of the US there's been many a band dabbling in shoegaze and dreampop (which is kind of making this week's 'Out This Week' the epitome of The Sound Of Confusion's tastes) and the curiously named Ethereal & The Queer Show make beautiful electronic sounds such as the swoonsome 'Horse' from new album 'Cosmotopia', it's bloody great.



Download 'Horse' for free by heading here

Ethereal & The Queer Show's website

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Writer - Hot Days

If we're ticking all the usual splendid boxes then we'd better stop off in Brooklyn, where brothers James and Andy Ralph are releasing their debut album as Writer. Taken from the appropriately titled (although a bit weird) 'Brotherface' is the grungy alt-rock of 'Hot Days' which is further proof that those guitar heroes of the early 90s are becoming an ever-growing influence on today's batch.



Writer's website

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OBLIGATORY RECORD OF THE WEEK

Sambassadeaur - Memories

The lengthy wait for new material by one of your favourite bands can be agonising. Then exciting when they announce that a new album is imminent, then even more exiting when they release the first single from it. Then disappointing when you listen to it and find that the new one from Sambassadeur isn't as good as 'Subtle Changes' or 'Sandy Dunes', in fact it sounds, by their standards at least, quite ordinary. And then... the wonder of music takes over! At first glance this is a reasonable enough return by the world's most under appreciated band, but just wait until you've had the chance to play it a few times. The sublime 'Memories' is what's known as a grower, and boy does it grow. It may not be their best song but it still pisses from a great height over much of the music world. There is magic here after all, you just have to wait a little while for it to hit you. But it's definitely worth it.



Sambassadeur's website

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Artist To Check Out: Alice Guerlot-Kourouklis

Article by KevW

As we've said before, a little mystery in music can go a long way. Would David Bowie's ever-changing personas of the 1970s have been as intriguing had they had Twitter accounts and posted photos of their breakfast on Instagram? Would they bollocks. It's partly down to our not exactly substantial knowledge of the French language, distrust of auto-translate and the email we received in broken English with scant information that makes Alice Guerlot-Kourouklis such an enigma to us. A few links to stream some music are all we have to go on, but investigating her website using our GCSE French has led us to believe she was born in 1978 and lives in Paris. She also has an album available which contains some quite brilliant pieces of minimalist electronica, so have a listen, see what you think and then use your (probably) superior French skills to find out more from the links below.

We think the 18-track '334, distance' was released earlier this year, and depending on your point of view, such a large collection of tracks is either a bargain or far too much to digest. If you're of the latter persuasion then don't be put off, this record is a journey, full of exotic sounds and varying styles that will ensure boredom doesn't easily set in. There are ambient instrumentals, a plethora of different vibes and atmospheres to be found and music that ranges from spoken word to electronic to classical. This really is a like stumbling upon a musical treasure trove. And because of its vast and eclectic nature it's the gift that just keeps giving, there's so much to find and different sounds to be heard with every play; it's likely to be an album that retains your interest for quite some time. There's simply too much here to be summed up without our review turning into an essay, so listen to some samples and if you like them, you'll find many many more where these came from.







Alice Guerlot-Kourouklis' website

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Baby In Vain - Machine Gun Girl/The Catcher

Single review by KevW

More goodies from Denmark's burgeoning alt-rock scene? Don't mind if we do! These three girls are still in their teens and showing such a talent at this young an age often means we're dealing with a band just getting started (obviously), but one that will most likely continue to improve for a while yet. It's often pointed out that Brian Wilson was only 23 when he wrote Pet Sounds. 23? Baby In Vain are aged between 16 and 19, they have a few years before they reach that grand old age and if there's development to be had then the trio could go on to great things. They'll be releasing two singles before the year's out, beginning with this one.

Both tracks here are an update of 90s grunge and college-rock, with a little extra fuzz and just a hint of blues. 'Machine Gun Girl' has a slow-burning swagger, as if it knows it could take you out in one blow if it needed too, and 'The Catcher' is similarly confident and brooding. Baby In Vain have got two very self-assured tracks here and create a righteous racket with seemingly effortless cool. You probably wouldn't want to mess with them, let's just hope that they're given the space and time to grown into the all-conquering beast they have the potential to become, and they don't end up being victims of the shady dons of the music scene who are after a quick buck. If Baby In Vain were to burn out too soon it would be a crying shame.





Baby In Vain's website

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Severin - Ways To Distract

Single review by KevW

It's been a pleasure watching Severin's career develop this year, be it the coldwave of freebie 'Factory Fodder' or their superb EP 'Everything Breaks', they've shown incredible promise and a crunching noise-pop sound that's just the right side of full-on terrorism of the ears. The duo are sticking to their guns and keeping their volatile edge and quaking beats, neatly combining them with a sharp but accommodating female vocal. The problem with a lot of bands who've walked a similar path is that they've been embraced by the critics but largely shunned by the public, and therefore many have a quite short shelf-life.

There's a reasonable chance of Severin bucking this trend and their debut album could be about to arrive at the perfect moment, just when the wider music buying public are getting used to bands like Teeth and Crystal Castles who've almost become a household name. The choice of Rory Attwell, a man well acquainted with the art of making noise sound great, seems like the perfect selection of producer. This debut album is due in the new year and the first single taken from it is the typically juddering yet melodic attack of 'Ways To Distract', a song that suggests the future's looking very bright for these guys.



Severin's website

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Be The Bear - Coffee Kids

Single review by KevW

Following on from the super alt-pop of last single 'Bad Things' are Swedish/Danish/English duo (work that one out) Be The Bear who are somehow hiding under the radar of much of the UK's music press, when really they're producing the exact sort of music we should be doing our damnedest to promote and bring decent pop back to the forefront of our insipid commercial music scene. Surely it's only a matter of time until NME, Radio 1 and all the other outlets currently playing it remarkably safe take a leap of faith and embrace what this pair are doing. If 'Bad Things' was a great track that may have been just a touch too downbeat and maybe lacking maximum commercial potential then they should try this new single on for size.

On 'Coffee Kids' they don't just up the pace a little, the whole song is a step up in many ways; more contagious, more radio-friendly, more universal in appeal and in possession of some serious crossover appeal. It's not selling-out by any stretch of the imagination, it's just a very very good electro-pop tune that retains enough grit to keep its soul intact. So come on UK, there's much more to the pop scene than big US female stars and arrogant rap dinosaurs, Be The Bear are proving that with a glint in their eyes and a fire in their belly, plus they have the tunes to get the public on board. It's time to give yourselves a slap in the face and venture beyond the usual suspects.



Be The Bear's website

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The Cast Of Cheers - Trucks At Night

Single review by KevW

It's been a fantastic year for Dubliners The Cast Of Cheers, not only have they released an album that won heaps of praise from the music press, the even more fickle record buying public have taken a bit of a shine to them too. They're rounding 2012 off in some style, currently tearing apart venues across the UK as part of NME's Generation Next tour alongside Howler and Gross Magic. The perfect time to line up another single then, and one that picks up the baton of jittery, stammering, math-rock and post-punk, a baton previously held by Bloc Party, The Futureheads and Foals, although in these guys' hands it seems even more frantic than normal.

'Trucks At Night' is one of those songs that you get worn out just listening to, which probably makes it a great weight loss technique. I've just played it three times in a row so I've probably dropped a couple of dress sizes. How on earth they get through a set full of these is anyone's guess (but we're sure it's legal). So if you're lucky enough to be catching any of the gigs expect sweat, loss of footwear and possible broken limbs. Those are all things to worry about the next day though, so get down the front and enjoy it, the atmosphere could be electric.



The Cast Of Cheers' website

Buy the single

Catch them live:

OCT 29 - NOTTINGHAM, UK - RESCUE ROOMS

OCT 30 - LONDON, UK - KOKO

OCT 31 - BRIGHTON, UK - THE HAUNT

NOV 09 - ROUEN, FRANCE - LE 106

NOV 12 - NIMES, FRANCE - LA PALOMA

NOV 13 - BORDEAUX, FRANCE - LE ROCHER DE PALMER

NOV 14 - NANTES, FRANCE - STEREOLUX

NOV 15 - PARIS, FRANCE - ZENITH





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Buckaroo - Attention/Grounded

Single review by KevW

There's a nagging sense that you shouldn't really enjoy these songs quite as much as you do. They're very polite, cleanly recorded, fairly middle of the road and wouldn't say boo to a goose. Butter wouldn't melt in their mouths. But to hell with our pretentious notions and snobby stance; Buckaroo have released a single that contains a pair of sweet songs with big puppy-dog eyes and you can't help but give in and just fall for the damn things. They only formed this year but this debut release shows an expert ear and a professional approach that suggests they know exactly what they're up to and have maybe been members of other groups in the past. It's not the work of amateurs.

First up is the countryish shuffle of 'Attention', a song that very much follows where others have led, there's no originality here at all, yet it's undeniably lovely and demands your complete attention, mainly down to the hugely addictive voice of Augusta Dayton and the simplistic, inch-perfect production. 'Grounded' also highlights that voice but ups the tempo resulting in a song that's best described as foot-stomping. Get any redneck, hillbilly thoughts out of your head though. 'Grounded' is too classy and dreamy for that. You could maybe liken them to an Americana version of The Concretes or Mazzy Star; they achieve a similar feeling but get there by different routs. It's a shame there are only two songs, you could listen to this all day.





Buckaroo's website

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Constant Supply - Crystal

Single review by KevW

This County Donegal pairing have been floating around for a couple of years, using their distance from the centres of major music scenes to their advantage and developing a style that's not directly influenced by other movements going on around them. Using guitar, bass, vocals and a drum machine, Constant Supply released their first EP, 'Alleviate' at the beginning of last summer, something which led to more gigs and more press and radio coverage, all helping to get the ball rolling. The time since then has been spent putting together their debut album 'The Coast Ain't Clear', which is due for release sometime soon, although an exact date hasn't been given just yet.

The first cut to be unveiled from these sessions, which were recorded with Villagers man Tommy McLaughlin, is new single 'Crystal', a track made of dark textures and menacing undertones. It's a shadowy little tune and you wouldn't trust it as far as you could throw it. According to early reports the album will follow in a similar vein and names such as Radiohead, Pavement and Elliot Smith have been mentioned as references. So we can expect a brooding record that's not exactly full of the joys of spring, but one that may well go some way to establishing this underground duo even more.



Constant Supply's website





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Dead Wolf Club - Radar

Single review by KevW

Ah Tintagel, the home of King Arthur and his knights and the magical wizard Merlin; the birthplace of the guitar and the discovery of electricity, this town has given us such noted musical heroes as The Beatles, Bob Marley and Celine Dion. Is there a more important place on the whole of this planet? The Romans didn't think so, basing the plan of their Italian home to match street maps of the north Cornish town and the ancient Egyptians constructed their great pyramids there before transporting them by specially commissioned barges to the Giza plateau. Yes, we're talking utter crap, there may be the myths of King Arthur and his comrades but besides that Tintagel has had a relatively quiet existence. Wracking our brains long and hard we failed to think of any bands/musicians of note to be the product of the picturesque location.

That was until we heard Dead Wolf Club, who although relocated to London for at least part of the time, hail from the coastal village and produce a mighty racket as if their goal was to rouse the sleeping king from his slumber so he can return to save our glorious land from the sinister, shapeshifting Tory millionaires currently doing their best to sink our once great ship of a nation. With a rollicking indie/punk track like 'Radar' they should at least get him stirring a little. The vocals yelp furiously and the guitars shudder incessantly before the chorus hits and spreads a soothing layer of melody over the song. It's got a neat hook too, and deserves to spread its appeal far and wide. Quite probably the best thing to come out of Tintagel for about 1500 years.



Dead Wolf Club's website





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Maia - Pepper Stars

Album review by KevW

If you had to choose a location that claims to have invented "sci-fi folk" then Huddersfield would probably be quite low down on the list. Yet this is the claim of West-Yorkshire's Maia, and their second album 'Pepper Stars' has a cover and title befitting of such a declaration. And check these track titles: 'Alien', 'More Strangely Than The Moon', 'Four Angels', 'Pepper Stars'... they're making a decent attempt at backing up their statement, and lyrical themes often focus on subjects not of this world. But what would sci-fi folk sound like? Is that what 'Space Oddity' was? Or the music from The Clangers? Sci-fi folk may be an oxymoron; can you mix futuristic sounds and imagery with the rustic, earthy sounds of folk?

Maia may have an obsession with space but it's an earthly noise they make, albeit a wonderfully diverse one. 'Alien' with its military drums and heavenly voices definitely strays from traditional sounds (and actually does include some Clangers-like noises), but then 'Zuma Aluma' has a continental feel, part French and part Latino; they're obviously fans of diversity and not slaves to routine. The twee and twinkly 'Alight Adventure' is joyfully fantastical, also including more exotic sounds, and we're only three songs in. There are flirtations with jazz such as 'Dear iO' and the trad sounds on 'The Grandfather Plan' which possesses cinematic qualities, as do many of these compositions.

The beautiful simplicity of 'Where Else But Earth' is a moving highlight that flowers into a mariachi and flamenco hybrid with some excellent backing vocals and imaginative lyrics. In contrast it's followed by the gentle, countryish bop of 'The Boy', then 'More Strangely Than The Moon' takes country and bolts on a ton of brass making something pretty unique. There are even playful hints of classical music on 'Sundown' and 'Towards The Onion'. Single 'Living In The Alligator' could be the best starting point for people used to more conventional songs and structures. These are clever tracks with interesting arrangements, they may be sci-fi in some of their themes but their music is truly global.









Maia's website

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Family Cave - Family Cave EP

EP review by KevW

Slightly at odds with the experimental indie/electro-pop sounds emanating from their city at the moment, are New York's Family Cave, a band whose style is steeped in deeper tradition; those of folk, Americana and traditional guitar music. This makes them no less interesting as their songs are utterly lovely. Have you ever listened to a Lambchop record and wished the bugger would just cheer up a bit? Help is at hand on 'All The Places', a song dealing in similar sounds and imagery but one that doesn't require the same amount of dedication to be enjoyed. The vocals are lighter and the music has an optimistic glint in its eye while happily incorporating acoustic guitars, pianos and harmonicas. You could maybe say this was Americana for people who don't really like Americana, but that implies it's somehow not as worthy. For the record it is as worthy, although that shouldn't matter either way and bands should be judged on their tunes.

Free track 'Place For Me' captures a similar atmosphere; reflective and thoughtful but untarnished by the ravages of time and the memories of lost loves and missed opportunities, it could be that this lightness comes from the band's Californian roots, you can feel the sunshine glowing in the music. 'Direction' is a simple acoustic ditty backed with mournful strings and a a sweet melody, transporting you from campfire singalong to something altogether more decorative and inspiring. For many the highlight of this EP will be 'Walk Like', by virtue of its admittedly adorable sock-puppet based video. Whichever your favourite, it's unlikely you'll find anything life-changing here, instead 'Family Cave' is a nice little EP with some instantly likable songs on, and sometimes that's all you need.




Family Cave's website

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Moones - Better Energy

Single review by KevW

OK so we're guilty of missing out on this adorably funky piece of guitar-pop when it was released as a single earlier on this year, but to throw out that old cliche: better late than never. Even more so when it's a catchy, jumpy and energetic number like this one. Moones might not be a household name, yet their work hasn't gone unnoticed and the video for 'Better Energy' is nominated in two categories at the UK Video Music Awards. Given their quirky style and non-mainstream sound it seemed a fairly safe bet that their video might follow a similarly interesting and unconventional route, especially as they're a small band nominated for some big awards. We thought we'd better investigate.

Sure enough, this hyperactive bundle of fizzing indie/pop is accompanied by suitably bizarre, perplexing and grin-inducing madness. Combining real footage with animation, pyrotechnics and dubious looking stage props, the video (at a guess) details a shipwreck in the Antarctic during which the captain catches fire and dies, the band are left performing on an iceberg where they successfully go fishing for mackerel, um, sausages, a barbecue and a canister of gas. SOS messages go ignored by a passing fisherman receiving a massage from a penguin and eventually the iceberg crumbles away leaving the band to freeze to death. Oh, and there's a piano playing cat with a machine gun who gets eaten by crabs. Just ive them the prize now.



Moones' website

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Tom Odell - Songs From Another Love EP

EP review by KevW

Is having your music hyped by Lily Allen (yeah we know she's called Lily Rose Cooper now but we're just making sure everyone knows who we mean...) a good thing or a bad thing? Well on the one hand, it's gained the London singer and pianist more publicity than he would have had by this point, although given time his music should generate an equal amount of publicity, just without this kick start. On the downside he's got to put up with about six months' worth of reviews mentioning this connection ahead of his actual music (sorry there, Tom). Tom Odell would most likely do well regardless of celebrity endorsements. His music is fairly universal, in that it crosses barriers ensuring fans of many genres will find appeal here, and it's also very good and therefore likely to receive fairly widespread acclaim, not just from niche corners of the market.

Debut EP 'From Another Love' finds him in typically good voice, the one we first heard when we featured him a few weeks back, it's a voice that's not only note perfect but one that has no trouble conveying bucket-loads of emotion; the guy sure can sing. So the buzz is accurate, but is it sustainable, will people still be flocking to hear him when a new next-big-thing turns up? The answer is most probably yes. His music does show great talent and is devoid of any gimmicks. It's raw and emotional but note-perfect enough to pull in plaudits from all over the place; from NME to Radio 2. 'Another Love' deals with heartbreak but this most overused musical emotion doesn't feel tiresome in this instance, it knocks you for six instead. Odell's songs are hallmarked by this powerful voice combined with delicate piano that, when needed, hits great heights. The EP is available on Monday, but to get a taste of the raw talent at work, check out these session versions of 'Sense' and 'Can't Pretend'.







Tom Odell's website

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Five For Free #126

Blonde Bunny - How Do You Cope, Hope?

Now here's a band capable of bringing the psych-rock crown back to the UK. London-based Blonde Bunny have made their debut EP available for free download and 'How Do You Cope, Hope?' has one of the heaviest psych grooves we've heard all year. With a muscly bassline and some scorching guitar this lot have what it takes to be rubbing shoulders with the big boys before long.


Blonde Bunny's website

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ELIM BOLT - Farm Kid

In November, South Carolina's ELIM BOLT will be releasing their debut album on a new local independent label, Hearts & Plugs. Titled 'Nude South' it looks set to be full of what they accurately describe as "indie croon rock". So it has edge, generally avoids mainstream rock sounds, and also shuns lo-fi ramblings in favour of something more substantial. Check out free single 'Farm Kid'.



ELIM BOLT's website

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Selebrities - Time

We've been banging on about Brooklyn electro/post-punk band Selebrities for quite some time now and it's been a little disappointing that they haven't become as big as they deserve to be. But slowly and surely their star continues to rise and maybe that break into the more mainstream music press is finally on the horizon. Grab awesome free track 'Time' to hear what all the fuss is about.



Free download: 'Time'

Selebrities' website

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Aztec Birds - No. 7 Honey

More impressive rumblings from the North East of England, an area producing more quality new bands than most at the moment. Aztec Birds are a guitar/vocals and drums styled duo, but stop any White Stripes comparisons right there. The tunes on their debut single are a punky and psychedelic form of garage rock that you can dance to, and they make a superb noise.



Aztec Birds' website

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The Foreign Films - You Were My Summer Sun

Rounding things up with some gorgeous, melodic sounds are The Foreign Films whose new single includes the orchestral, sunkissed pop of 'You Were My Summer Sun'. Beginning with some tidy harmonies and a reflective mood, it soon builds to a sublimely realised and euphoric ending that should capture the heart of many a guitar-pop fan, especially those with a penchant for 60s pop.


The Foreign Films' website

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