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’

Tom ConnickFebruary 24, 2014Leave a comment

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’

Tom ConnickFebruary 21, 2014213 Comments

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’

Tom ConnickFebruary 20, 2014Leave a comment

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’

Tom ConnickFebruary 19, 201425 Comments

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’

Tom ConnickFebruary 19, 2014Leave a comment

Review: Eagulls – Eagulls

The Leeds-based five-piece will drop their self-titled LP on March 3rd, but is it more eagle or seagull? Perhaps someone has already come up with that, but this album feels like both across its 10 tracks, swaying between a sense of wonderful intrigue and ear-piercing doubt. There is a bunch of mysterious openings and dark riffs to get interested in, with opener ÔÇÿNerve EndingsÔÇÖ suggesting … Continue reading Review: Eagulls – Eagulls

charliemockFebruary 17, 20141 Comment

Album Review: Of Mice & Men – ‘Restoring Force’

Founded by original Attack Attack! vocalist Austin Carlile and bassist Jaxin Hall in 2009,┬á┬áCosta Mesa, CaliforniaÔÇÖs Of Mice┬á&┬áMen seemed set to make their biggest steps as a band yet, five years on from their formation, following the introduction of bassist and clean vocalist Aaron Pauley. Tipped to be amongst metalÔÇÖs ones to watch of 2014, the band have called their third album┬áÔÇÿRestoring ForceÔÇÖ, in reference … Continue reading Album Review: Of Mice & Men – ‘Restoring Force’

Tom ConnickFebruary 17, 2014111 Comments

Album Review: Bombay Bicycle Club – ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’

Since the release of their debut album ÔÇÿI Had The Blues But I Shook Them LooseÔÇÖ in 2008, Bombay Bicycle Club have been quietly working their way to the top of the British indie scene. With the release of ÔÇÿSo Long, See You TomorrowÔÇÖ, perhaps their most inventive and exciting album yet, they donÔÇÖt look set to stop any time soon. The commercial success of … Continue reading Album Review: Bombay Bicycle Club – ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’

Tom ConnickFebruary 3, 2014February 9, 2014Leave a comment

Review: Billie Joe and Norah – ‘Foreverly’

It doesnÔÇÖt seem like the most natural fit at first sight. The idea of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong releasing an album with Norah Jones may make listeners imagine a strange jazz/soul/pop-punk fusion album, but on ÔÇÿForeverlyÔÇÖ, the woman behind ÔÇ£my heart is drenched in wineÔÇØ and the man behind ÔÇ£do you have the time to listen to me whine?ÔÇØ are paying tribute to … Continue reading Review: Billie Joe and Norah – ‘Foreverly’

charliemockJanuary 31, 20142 Comments

Album Review: Los Campesinos!

You know those albums where every song is absolutely top notch? Those albums that you just canÔÇÖt stop listening to? Yeah? Well, this is one of them. ÔÇÿNo BluesÔÇÖ is the newest release from CardiffÔÇÖs very own sextet and itÔÇÖs a mighty good one, to say the least. DonÔÇÖt let the optimistic title get you too in the mood for the latest bubblegum pop though; … Continue reading Album Review: Los Campesinos!

charliemockNovember 30, 2013December 4, 2013Leave a comment

Album Review: The Fratellis – ‘We Need Medicine’

At what point between┬áChelsea Dagger and now did The Fratellis lose it? A change of sound for the band has resulted in a mish mash of all the acts that have appeared in the charts over the last twenty years, and not in a good way. ÔÇÿWe Need MedicineÔÇÖ, third album and comeback after a five-year hiatus for the Scottish trio opens with ÔÇÿHalloween BluesÔÇÖ. … Continue reading Album Review: The Fratellis – ‘We Need Medicine’

Tom ConnickNovember 6, 2013November 6, 2013Leave a comment

Album Review: Deaf Havana – ‘Old Souls’

In 2010, Hunstanton-based band Deaf Havana lost their aggressive vocalist Ryan Mellor, and with that a substantial aspect of their post-hardcore sound; their future as a band was uncertain.┬á But the band had been through too much together to just give it all up; too much hard work had been put in and too many hours had been spent on the road to run away.┬á … Continue reading Album Review: Deaf Havana – ‘Old Souls’

Tom ConnickNovember 6, 20132 Comments

Album Review: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP 2

Drugs. Rape. Suicide. Murder. Homophobia. Misogyny. There didnÔÇÖt seem to be a taboo subject that Eminem wouldnÔÇÖt tackle releasing ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ back in 2000. Having since opted for an altogether less angry sound on following releases, from the jokiness of 2004ÔÇÖs Just Lose It to the reflectiveness of 2010ÔÇÖs Not Afraid, could it be that ÔÇÿthe most meanest emcee on this earthÔÇÖ has … Continue reading Album Review: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP 2

Hannah Embleton-SmithNovember 4, 2013November 9, 2013Leave a comment

Album Review: Luke Sital-Singh – ‘Tornadoes’

In an age where music is plagued by over-production, 808s and dwindling sincerity, Luke Sital-Singh provides an oasis of calm for the British music scene. His third release, ÔÇÿTornados EPÔÇÖ, is chilling and inspiring; a mellifluous soundtrack to a crisp November stroll, perhaps. With previous recognition from The Guardian heralding the 25-year-old as a potential ÔÇ£British Bon IverÔÇØ, his latest four-track offering could indeed propel … Continue reading Album Review: Luke Sital-Singh – ‘Tornadoes’

Tom ConnickNovember 4, 2013Leave a comment

Album Review: Diana Vickers – ‘Music To Make Boys Cry’

Remember Diana Vickers? Semi-finalist on The X Factor 2008? If not, perhaps you should, because take one glance at her impressive r├®sum├® and you’ll see a UK album chart-topper, original fashion line and acting roles in film, television and the West End marking her successes over the past five years. Back now with her second album Music To Make Boys Cry, Vickers claims it’s “the … Continue reading Album Review: Diana Vickers – ‘Music To Make Boys Cry’

Tom ConnickOctober 28, 2013October 28, 2013Leave a comment

Album Review: Max Raptor – ‘Mother’s Ruin’

Back in the 1970s, the UK played a major role in the huge new genre punk-rock. Since then, punk has changed a lot, as the StatesÔÇÖ took hold of it with Green Day and Rise Against. But with the Burton-based Max Raptor, the UK showcases how it can still create some solid punk-rock, with their latest album ‘MotherÔÇÖs Ruin’. It must be said this is … Continue reading Album Review: Max Raptor – ‘Mother’s Ruin’

Tom ConnickOctober 23, 2013October 23, 20133 Comments

Album Review: The Getaway Plan – ‘Lovesick’

If youÔÇÖre looking for a cross between everything you once found on MySpace and the Camp Rock soundtrack, then Australian ÔÇÿalt-rockersÔÇÖ The Getaway Plan are your guys. Self-produced EP ‘Lovesick’ goes from almost catchy to downright depressing as it burns through its four painfully samey tracks. Whilst the riffs in title track ÔÇÿLovesickÔÇÖ could be the making of something more, TGPÔÇÖs whiney teen-angst lyrics (ÔÇÿI … Continue reading Album Review: The Getaway Plan – ‘Lovesick’

Tom ConnickOctober 23, 2013October 23, 20131 Comment

Album Review: Hanson – ‘Anthem’

Wave goodbye to ‘MMMBop’, kids, Hanson are back with a cleaner, more mature release┬á(you would hope so after nearly twenty years in the game) that could just send them into the charts once more. ThatÔÇÖs if the charts want something that sounds like Maroon 5 circa 2002 – ÔÇÿJulietÔÇÖ (complete with lyrical references to the play) and ÔÇÿTragic SymphonyÔÇÖ scream Songs about Jane. But then, … Continue reading Album Review: Hanson – ‘Anthem’

Tom ConnickOctober 23, 2013128 Comments

Album Review: Pearl Jam – Lightning Bolt

┬á9/10 With contemporaries Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Nirvana (if we count that Paul McCartney collaboration) making music again, Seattle rock icons Pearl Jam have quite some competition releasing Lightning Bolt that they didnÔÇÖt have releasing their previous album Backspacer four years ago. As the only one of these bands to have remained active since formation, the band rocketed to fame with one of the … Continue reading Album Review: Pearl Jam – Lightning Bolt

Hannah Embleton-SmithOctober 18, 2013October 21, 2013Leave a comment

King Krule – Six Feet Beneath The Moon

Archy MarshallÔÇÖs music has been attracting interest for over three years and for many, this album has been a long time coming. Intense hype has followed his every move and with the likes of Beyonc├® and Frank Ocean expressing admiration for the teenager, there was always a nagging doubt that this debut offering wouldnÔÇÖt quite satisfy the immense expectation. Released on his nineteenth birthday, 6 … Continue reading King Krule – Six Feet Beneath The Moon

Tom ConnickAugust 27, 2013September 6, 2013Leave a comment