Author: charliemock

Music

Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

Words To The Blind sees two of LondonÔÇÖs most exciting alternative bands, the post-punk institution Savages and Japanese noise rockers Bo Ningen, perform simultaneously. At the heart of this 38 minute long experimental track is the early 20th century art movement Dadaism, in which artists valued and expressed irrational thought through visual chaos and unconventional structures. Words To The Blind finds the practice of automatic … Continue reading Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

charliemock
Music

Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

Parkay Quarts – Parquet CourtsÔÇÖ offshoot consisting of Andrew Savage, Austin Brown and a few friends ÔÇô return with Content Nausea, juxtaposing the last Parquet Courts release, Sunbathing Animal, which heavily featured ideas of freedom, with the idea of ÔÇÿcontent.ÔÇÖ Content Nausea is a slower, plodding release compared to the more up-beat, aggressive albums previously released, but the characteristics of a sharp punk band are … Continue reading Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

charliemock
Music

Album: One Direction – Four

Despite their meteoric rise to fame and global success, Four does nothing to cement One DirectionÔÇÖs status as the most successful boy band since The Beatles. The aptly-titled fourth album from the band boasts a more sophisticated 70s pop-rock sound with Fleetwood Mac-esque guitar riffs and layered choruses reminiscent of EaglesÔÇÖ Hotel California. On paper, this sounds like a step in the right direction (pun … Continue reading Album: One Direction – Four

charliemock
Music

Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

ItÔÇÖs been a bit of a musical rollercoaster for The Kooks; with a slippery on-record slope since finding an incredible debut inInside In/Inside Out, theyÔÇÖve been hanging by a thread for the past few albums. But, having ownership over the odd tune to keep them in contention has helped with 2014 seeing them pick up the slack with their fourth LP┬áListen.┬á Walking On Cars bring … Continue reading Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

charliemock
Music

Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14

On a night where they’re competing with the Welsh rugby team for punters, there’s a worry that The Gaslight Anthem could play their joint largest ever show to a half-full room. Indeed, during openers BaysideÔÇÖs angst-punk set, the throng was barely ten deep with many electing for the seating at very back of the arena. The veteran New Yorkers pound through a half-hour set characterised … Continue reading Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14

charliemock
Music

Review: Simple Things – 25/10/14

We review Bristol’s premier electronic and alternative music festival, Simple Things… How To Dress Well ÔÇô Colston Hall 1 The Colston Hall has an unwelcome habit of swallowing up anything that steps inside it; itÔÇÖs no secret that it takes something, or someone, special to counteract its consuming capabilities. Tom Krell is an unassuming man, not the sort youÔÇÖd expect to kill a crowdÔÇÖs chatter … Continue reading Review: Simple Things – 25/10/14

charliemock
Music

new/newydd – November

The best new and upcoming artists to look out for this month… Dream Beach No label involvement, no blog premiers and no A&Rs; Ryan HemsworthÔÇÖs Secret Songs venture is every new musicianÔÇÖs dream. A chance to be heard by 20,000 followers with no compromises and no strings attached, Secret Songs brings the best and brightest in new electronic music to the forefront. Dream Beach, one … Continue reading new/newydd – November

charliemock
Music

Review: DimSwn

Credit: LCN Photography We review Cardiff’s premier music festival, DimSwn… Seazoo – Clwb Ifor Bach On entering the downstairs of Clwb Ifor Bach, you could be mistaken for thinking that youÔÇÖd been transported into eighties era Top Of The Pops. ItÔÇÖs a fact that Seazoo point out as they finish up their sound check. Bathed in atmospheric blue and green lights that befit the bandÔÇÖs … Continue reading Review: DimSwn

charliemock
Music

Live Review: Fear Of Men, Clwb Ifor Bach, 29/09/14

Tom Reeder reviews Fear Of Men at Clwb Ifor Bach Monday night, and as openers The Echo and The Always materialise on stage, the audience of Clwb Ifor Bach remain scattered, drawn instead to their beer and gossip. It doesnÔÇÖt take long for The Echo to steal their attention, though, and after the opening song, everyone is listening intently. ItÔÇÖs never easy to open a … Continue reading Live Review: Fear Of Men, Clwb Ifor Bach, 29/09/14

charliemock
Music

Interview: Turbowolf

Charlie Mock chats to Turbowolf pre-Simple Things Festival… You’ve been working on album two over the last few months – how’s it all coming along?┬á I think it’s been a few years but a few months sounds better. The good news is that it’s finished, the bad news is that it’s so good that it will sour everything that’s ever been. What can we expect … Continue reading Interview: Turbowolf

charliemock
Music, uncategorized

new/newydd – September

The best new and upcoming artists to look out for this month… Anna of the North The sounds of Anna of the North have been slowly filtering to further adrift shores for some time now. Promising a special brand of electro dream pop, itÔÇÖs hard not to fall head over heels for the Norwegian singer-songwriter and her ethereal vocal stylings. Debut single ÔÇÿSwayÔÇÖ was released … Continue reading new/newydd – September

charliemock
Music

Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt

Brian Fallon has been writing songs about heartbreak all his life. So what makes this collection different? The clues are in the lyrics. Gone are the yearning odes to ÔÇÿMaria,’ who one suspects was an amalgamation of teenage romances, and thereÔÇÖs scarcely a proper noun in sight. Having just come through a gruelling divorce from his wife of ten years, FallonÔÇÖs wounds are raw and … Continue reading Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt

charliemock
Music

Review: Twin Atlantic – Great Divide

Twin Atlantic impressed with their cracking debut full length, ÔÇÿFreeÔÇÖ.┬á Since then, the amount of interest focused on their follow up has increased with every year that has gone by. The boys from Glasgow have coped with this unexpected pressure with ease. There are no second album nerves apparent anywhere on ÔÇÿGreat DivideÔÇÖ. The album is confident and cohesive. There is a clear sense of … Continue reading Review: Twin Atlantic – Great Divide

charliemock
Music, uncategorized

Review: FKA twigs – LP1

FKA twigsÔÇÖ debut album ÔÇÿLP-1ÔÇÖ is not as humble as the title would suggest. Tahliah Barnett letÔÇÖs her music do the talking without need of a fancy title. The ethereal intro of ÔÇÿPrefaceÔÇÖ takes the listener almost to another dimension; angelic vocals are backed with a deep bass and a dark, beautiful, dreamlike feeling (more so than words) is explored. This aura is very present … Continue reading Review: FKA twigs – LP1

charliemock
Music

Review: Biffy Clyro – ‘Similarities’

Biffy ClyroÔÇÖs B-side compilation album, ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ, is not a waste of time. ItÔÇÖs not a cheap money spinner that tides keen fans over until the next album cycle. It’s a demonstration of the hugely prolific and profound songwriter, frontman Simon Neil, and an exceedingly professional band doing exactly what they do best. The very nature of a compilation dictates that ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ is not as coherent … Continue reading Review: Biffy Clyro – ‘Similarities’

charliemock
Music, uncategorized

Review: Morrissey – ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’

International tensions are increasing, conflict has provoked much political debate, and whatÔÇÖs more, the UKÔÇÖs general election is fast approaching. It is the time for celebrity cynics and anarchists to force their views upon us, increase their tabloid exposure, and make some money. Unsurprisingly, Morrissey has released a new album. While the opening lyric, ÔÇÿWorld Peace is None of Your BusinessÔÇÖ, does not provide the … Continue reading Review: Morrissey – ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’

charliemock
Music

Review: Plaids – Plaids

With little time left to wait for PlaidsÔÇÖ self-titled debut album, punk fans may now rejoice. Unlike their scuzzy low-fi contemporaries in the DIY scene, Plaids have managed to refract their energetic songs through a prism of crystal clear production. The result is twelve tracks that fans of post-hardcore will relish. The theme of ÔÇÿspaceÔÇÖ ties the record together and the lack of song titles … Continue reading Review: Plaids – Plaids

charliemock
Music

Review: Joyce Manor – Never Hungover Again

Joyce Manor have delivered an unpretentious belter of a record. Storming past at a breakneck nineteen minutes long, the Californian bandÔÇÖs third full-length almost ends too soon. More arty than pop-punk and more hectic than plain olÔÇÖ indie, ÔÇÿNever Hungover AgainÔÇÖ forms somewhat ironically the perfect soundtrack to days spent drinking with your buddies. Themes of regret seem to permeate the record and as frantic … Continue reading Review: Joyce Manor – Never Hungover Again

charliemock