Author: Tom Connick

Music

Album Review: Reverend And The Makers – ‘ThirtyTwo’

The Sheffield-based indie pop act responsible for ÔÇÿHeavyweight Champion Of The WorldÔÇÖ have returned. Reverend And The MakersÔÇÖ fourth album came out on 24th Februrary and ÔÇÿThirtyTwoÔÇÖ has seen their highest pre-order figures to date. The band produced the album their selves with the helping hands of Youth and James Welsh. Opener ‘Detonator’ starts where their previous album left off. Its distinctly ÔÇÿeightiesÔÇÖ sound continues … Continue reading Album Review: Reverend And The Makers – ‘ThirtyTwo’

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Album Review: Spring Offensive – ‘Young Animal Hearts’

ThereÔÇÖs a good chance youÔÇÖre looking at this thinking, who the bloody hell are this Spring Offensive then? DonÔÇÖt worry, youÔÇÖre not alone, but you should be. Remember when Foals were just some band from Oxford who nobody had ever heard of? Well there must be something in the water over there because theyÔÇÖve done it again. Spring OffensiveÔÇÖs ÔÇÿYoung Animal HeartsÔÇÖ is one of … Continue reading Album Review: Spring Offensive – ‘Young Animal Hearts’

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Album Review: Farao – ‘Farao’

The self-titled EP of Norweigan singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kari Jahnsen – or Farao – is four tracks of compositions by the singer, who also plays all instruments except for drums, played by Magnus Eliassen. Claiming to take influence from Sigur Ros and Radiohead, their moods come across on this effort. ÔÇÿTell a LieÔÇÖ begins the EP, with simple acoustic guitar sequences and drum patterns┬á giving … Continue reading Album Review: Farao – ‘Farao’

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Album Review: Skaters – ‘Manhattan’

ÔÇÿManhattanÔÇÖ by New York City rock band Skaters lands into early 2014, exposing more than a sly glance to similarly Big Apple obsessed bands of recent years. ÔÇÿTo Be Young In NYCÔÇÖ is a song right on this line of thought, coming across as somewhat arrogant and indulgent, perhaps a feeling exclusive to listeners who have never had the privilege of visiting the city. In … Continue reading Album Review: Skaters – ‘Manhattan’

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Live Review: Sway (Clutching At Straws), Soda Bar, 20.02.14

Playing in Cardiff for the first time since the release of mini album ÔÇÿCome What MayÔÇÖ in December, alternative folk quartet Clutching At Straws headline TRMMusic AgencyÔÇÖs new event Sway in Soda Bar on this February Thursday evening. With dimmed lights, silver silk across the ceiling and sparkling circles hanging around the barÔÇÖs logo, this isnÔÇÖt the typical venue for a group used to playing … Continue reading Live Review: Sway (Clutching At Straws), Soda Bar, 20.02.14

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Live Review: Avicii, Earls Court (London), 21.02.14

Swedish sensation Tim Bergling, better known by his stage name Avicii, is one of the biggest and most in-demand DJÔÇÖs in the world right now. His eagerly anticipated True Tour kicked off in Australia at the end of January and touched down in Blighty on 21st February, where the house DJ performed to a sold out EarlÔÇÖs Court in London. Following on from headline slots … Continue reading Live Review: Avicii, Earls Court (London), 21.02.14

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Album Review: Little Comets – ‘The Gentle EP’

The ÔÇÿindie kitchen sinkÔÇÖ (whatever that means) Geordie trio Little Comets have certainly come a long way since their unprecedented gigs in Marks and Spencer when they burst onto the scene in 2009. While the well-known catchy tracks such as ÔÇÿDancing SongÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿOne Night In OctoberÔÇÖ continue to attract sell-out crowds to their shows, their newest release ÔÇÿThe Gentle EPÔÇÖ greatly reflects the bandÔÇÖs … Continue reading Album Review: Little Comets – ‘The Gentle EP’

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Single Review: Radkey – ‘Feed My Brain’

Listening to RadkeyÔÇÖs new single ‘Feed My Brain’, it is clear to see that this punk-rock group are trying a different approach to their usual style of music. Gone is the fast paced tempo seen in tracks such as ‘Romance Dawn’, as instead we are introduced to a slower-paced, yet equally rocky sound. However, far from detracting from this bandÔÇÖs compelling music, ‘Feed My Brain’ … Continue reading Single Review: Radkey – ‘Feed My Brain’

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Album Review: Whales In Cubicles – ‘Death in the Evening’

Taking their name from Andrew Bird song ÔÇÿPlasticitiesÔÇÖ, London-based indie rock four-piece Whales in Cubicles formed in 2010. ‘Death in the Evening’, recorded at Monnow Valley Studio in Wales with producer Nick Mailing, is their full-length debut album after two years of releasing singles. Stylistically, Whales in Cubicles donÔÇÖt seem to be bringing many new things to music on this heavily 90ÔÇÖs-influenced album. Short and … Continue reading Album Review: Whales In Cubicles – ‘Death in the Evening’

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Album Review: The Destructors – ‘New York, New York’

The Destructors are a British punk band, formed on the back of the 1977 punk revolution.┬á They have attempted to re-live this heyday on more than one occasion, having reformed alongside a continually revolving line-up, name changes and a huge catalogue of releases.┬á One cannot deny their passion for the music that changed their lives. Their latest output, ÔÇÿNew York New YorkÔÇÖ is as close … Continue reading Album Review: The Destructors – ‘New York, New York’

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Feature: Smartphones at Gigs

The way that we enjoy music has forever been subject to new media technology. From the compact disc to Spotify, and back again via music television, the music industry has altered in line with the new possibilities that technology has provided. Likewise, technology has provided new ways for fans to get hold of their favourite music with home taping and then illegal downloads making music … Continue reading Feature: Smartphones at Gigs

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Album Review: Skindred – ‘Kill The Power’

SkindredÔÇÖs take on alternative metal combined with dancehall, hip hop and electronica has proven to be one of the most exhilarating and entertaining live experiences around. All studio albums have had a good number of exciting anthems, but the band gives a sense that they are yet to deliver a consistently great┬áone that conjures up the same thrill of one of their live shows. With … Continue reading Album Review: Skindred – ‘Kill The Power’

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Spotlight: Undertone, Cardiff

There are three kinds of basement; that of creepy horror films, the pop-punk band and venues equipped for reams of mega-fun parties. Undertone is the latter, perhaps with a sprinkling of the second (fingers crossed). Undertone, you know, that door next to 10 Feet Tall thatÔÇÖs always blasting your favourite song out as you pass by, has recently had a compete re-vamp and it is, … Continue reading Spotlight: Undertone, Cardiff

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Album Review: Stallone – ‘Cardiac Black’

Stallone are amongst the ranks of the recent resurgence in brilliant UK hardcore; and what an addition they are! Their debut album, ÔÇÿMireÔÇÖ, was released last October and was received exceptionally well with a notable, thoroughly deserved 8/10 review from Rock Sound magazine, including this promising line, ÔÇ£theyÔÇÖll be turning heads soon enoughÔÇØ.┬á And that statement was not wrong! With their latest output ÔÇÿCardiac BlackÔÇÖ, … Continue reading Album Review: Stallone – ‘Cardiac Black’

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Album Review: Lewis Watson – ‘Some Songs With Some Friends’

Despite not being the most imaginative of titles, Lewis WatsonÔÇÖs fifth EP ÔÇÿSome Songs With Some FriendsÔÇÖ does exactly what it says on the tin. After launching his career on YouTube, WatsonÔÇÖs popularity and recognition has accelerated with each EP release, and ÔÇÿSome Songs With Some FriendsÔÇÖ documents his ongoing progression as an artist. The lead track ÔÇÿEven IfÔÇÖ was initially released on his second … Continue reading Album Review: Lewis Watson – ‘Some Songs With Some Friends’

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Live Review: Mayday Parade, Solus, 03.02.14

You can forgive people for thinking that pop punk is for kids. The steadily growing queue of fans that snakes its way around the streets surrounding Cardiff’s Student’s Union consists predominantly of 14 year olds who have just discovered hair dye. That aside, the sheer amount of people suggests the show deserves at least some attention. First to take the stage of the sweaty, beer-scented … Continue reading Live Review: Mayday Parade, Solus, 03.02.14

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Album Review: You Me At Six – ‘Cavalier Youth’

You Me At SixÔÇÖs long-awaited ‘Cavalier Youth’ has finally arrived. Touted as an album of epic proportions, the Weybridge quintet have delivered the album of their careers. Turning their back on both the pop-punk and post-hardcore scenes that had influenced them in the past, ÔÇÿCavalier YouthÔÇÖ could be the release that sees them become a band listened to by everybody. Striving for commercialism rarely makes … Continue reading Album Review: You Me At Six – ‘Cavalier Youth’

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Album Review: Warpaint – ‘Warpaint’

Four long years since their full-length debut ÔÇÿThe FoolÔÇÖ, Warpaint open their self-titled follow up with an apology. Seconds into ‘Intro’, drummer Stella Mogwaza makes a minor error, drawing attention to it with a scream and a ÔÇ£sorryÔÇØ, then shrugs it off and begins an impressive percussive performance, setting the tones for band and album. ÔÇÿIntroÔÇÖ has a rollicking drive and guitars that weigh ambience … Continue reading Album Review: Warpaint – ‘Warpaint’

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Interview: Frank Turner

Dillion Eastoe speaks to Frank Turner ahead of the first night of his arena tour at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena. Tonight is the first show of the tour, how are you going to translate the live show from the smaller venues youÔÇÖre used to, to playing in an arena setting? Frank: ItÔÇÖs a question I spend a lot of time thinking about actually. The reason weÔÇÖre … Continue reading Interview: Frank Turner

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Music

Album Review: Blitz Kids – ‘The Good Youth’

After a surprise encounter with prolific producer John Feldman led to spontaneous writing sessions abroad, Blitz Kids vocalist Joe James began laying down the foundations for what was to eventually become the bandÔÇÖs brilliant new studio album. ÔÇÿThe Good YouthÔÇÖ was recorded out in LA during the early part of 2013 and is the result of the band finally finding the right direction for their … Continue reading Album Review: Blitz Kids – ‘The Good Youth’

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