Straight Lines – Freaks Like Us Posted on May 16, 2012 by The Music Team The only freaky thing about Straight Lines sophomore effort Freaks Like Us is how instantly appealing the glossy rock gems are that the Pontypridd boys produce, that the songs stay wedged in your brain for days, if not weeks. What does this mean you ask? It’s bloody good! And here is why! Straight Lines write catchy songs. Straight Lines write really catchy songs. Yet the Welsh quartet don’t sacrifice clever songwriting to achieve this goal. Because of this, it emphasizes their talented songwriting ability and how this album will undoubtedly signify a very bright future ahead of them. What is striking is just how all the songs are that more complex, an indication of each member’s increasing ability on their instrument, but also how the facets of their sound have expanded as a result. Bigger and heavier riffs, which add extra grit, are showcased in the title track and new single ‘Commitments’; blend perfectly with Tom Jenkins distinctive voice displaying the fact that Straight Lines are very capable of rocking out. That isn’t to say that Straight Lines have shied away from melody, as ‘Ring The Bells’ and ‘Empty Chest’ are great examples of how pop punk ditties are conceived with absolute conviction. The only obvious low point (and there are very few) is embodied by the track ‘Bury My Thoughts’ which, sadly seems to fall flat as it sounds confused, and while it does come across sincere, appears a tad contrived as the big budget ballad which just doesn’t seem to fit the tone of the album and sticks out for the wrong reason. This is however a minor hiccup compared to the stand out point on Freaks Like Us that is the subliminal ‘The Dealer’s Hands’ which combines melodic perfection, unhinged aggression and whole lot of attitude. The jumping guitars sound reminiscent of Billy Talent on top form and if you’re not careful the middle section will certainly melt your face off. It is safe to say that Straight Lines are flying the flag for intelligent punk pop that should and will be reaping the rewards very shortly. Freaks Like Us is the sound of growth and unrelenting eagerness to be huge. All clichés aside, watch this space! 9/10 Written by Nick Gray
Zulu Winter – Language Posted on May 16, 2012 by The Music Team Ever wondered what it would be like to witness a Zulu warrior wondering around a frosty hilltop during a winter spell? So do we, but it would probably be parallel to Zulu Winter’s debut album Language; spellbinding, dazed and absolutely glorious. To say that Language is an album of subtlety is an understatement, on the surface it seems that the debut doesn’t really compromise of much else than the obvious presence of keyboards and singer’s Will Daunt’s voice. Yet with repeated listens Language’s delicate and intricate song structures present themselves and before you know it you are being subjected to countless layers of audio bliss. The London five piece start things off nicely with opener ‘A Key To My Heart’ introducing pulsating and dreamy Synths, which wash over the listener and submerges you in a icy world of possibility. ‘Bitter Moon’ and ‘Small Pieces’ utilizes the other aspects of the band as quirky riffs and groovy bass lines provided by the guitars help drive these spectral beauties that the songs seamlessly merge into one. The entire album seems to mesh into one continuous piece of work making the ethereal journey all the more enjoyable. Other highlights include tracks such as ‘Let’s Move Back To Front’ where Zulu Winter display how massive they can make their sound that will inevitably garner widespread attention. ‘Movements Drift’ really demonstrates Daunt’s abilities as a songwriter and vocalist as his impressive falsetto slots in perfectly with the booming drums and the contemplative electronics that accompany his voice. The only weak part of the album that can be identified is the bands single ‘We Should Be Swimming’ which lacks a definitive catchy riff or vocal hook making the song, while of a good quality, not the same caliber that the rest of Language delivers. Zulu Winter should be proud of the album they have produced as Language manages to grab your attention with its simplicity and understated depth and by doing so transport listeners to an otherworldly state for the duration of the 47 minutes. An astounding debut in any artist’s eyes. 9/10 Written by Nick Gray
Feeder – Generation Freakshow Posted on May 11, 2012 by The Music Team What can we expect from Britain’s veterans of stadium-rock, as their eighth offering, Generation Freakshow, is unleashed upon our undeserving ears? Well while Feeder’s sound is living up to its arena filling reputation, it’s hard not to feel that this album, while full of life and catchy anthems, seems to be treading all to familiar ground and in doing so is making the Welsh three piece sound slightly uninspired. Let’s start from the beginning. Following on from the critically acclaimed Renegades which hailed the Welsh trio’s return to their heavier roots, expectation for big riffs and memorable hooks is expected, and riffs a plenty, there most certainly is. Album Opener ‘Oh My’ kicks things off in a raucous fashion as Grant Nicholas’ soaring guitars and instantly recognizable vocals showcase the Feeder that we love and know and while it fails to hit stratospheric heights it definitely lets the listener know that the boys from Newport are back in business. While the first few songs on Generation Freakshow are examples of finely crafted rock songs, ‘Hey Johnny’ really ups the ante as the memorable chorus with the perfect blend of vocal hooks and instrumental crunch, combine to a devastating and head-bopping effect. ‘Quiet’ literally lives up to it’s title as the band softer side makes itself known and when doing so Nicholas’ vulnerability is exposed as he sings “never thought I’d be alone.” The song illustrates Feeder’s diversity and showcases their impeccable song writing skills as the song slowly builds as layers of ambient guitars dance hand in hand with delicate synths making this one of the highlights of Generation Freakshow. Singles ‘Borders’ and ‘Children of the Sun’ hold their own within the album yet do come across as being slightly predictable which is the main problem with Generation Freakshow. Feeder’s latest contribution is a fine effort and proudly sets the standard for successful rock bands within Britain, but this album shows moments of genius and genuine ability, Generation Freakshow, for the most part, seems to lacks any excitement and true conviction and at times sounds laborious and insipid. If this was the product of a smaller and less accomplished band, this CD would be praised for it’s huge and appealing songs, but as Feeder have already set such high standards with previous work, this album was always going to have it hard. Nonetheless Generation Freakshow is an accomplished slab of British rock which will provide alcohol fuelled sing-a-longs to accompany the ever impending summer. 6/10 By Nick Gray
Marina & The Diamonds – Electra Heart Posted on May 9, 2012 by The Music Team Electra Heart is the second studio album by Welsh singer Marina & the Diamonds, moving away from the indie pop of her first album and taking a plunge into electro pop. The record is centred around the idea of different female roles in life, opening with ‘Bubblegum Bitch’ an upbeat track with catchy lyrics, with her singing “Oh dear diary we fell apart/ Welcome to the life of Electra Heart” making way for the rest of the album. Although this is the opening track, I feel that it is the weakest; the lyrics are simple and manufactured with no meaning. The song doesn’t allow for Diamandis’ strong vocals to come through. However, my mind was changed instantly with her song ‘Buy the Stars’, one of the slower tracks which opens with simple piano. Her vocals truly come to front; her soulful voice evokes emotion instantly. The songs on the album are best when Diamandis opens up tenderly, for example her song ‘Lies’ is another track where her powerful vocals take over, the lyrics are honest and open and really allow the listener to not only just appreciate the music, but also to relate to what Diamandis is singing, something ‘Bubblegum Bitch’ lacked. The lead single ‘Primadonna’ has been extremely successful in the charts, and it is in keeping with the quality of the album with catchy electro beats with Diamandis’ strong vocals once more – an excellent pop tune with a quirky edge that so many artists have been unable to achieve without sounding flat. Diamandis surges forth with the electro vibe with ‘Sex Yeah’ which is one of my favourite tracks in this new release, with heavy drum beats creating a dichotomy between her soulful vocals and the weighty music. The album focuses on women and the different roles they play, with song names such as ‘Homewrecker’ and ‘Teen Idle’, and it seems that Diamandis has focussed on subjects that are close to home, as she sings with such sincerity, especially in the slower and more touching songs. It all fits neatly together with a continuity of synth and speedy drum beats, and makes an excellent pop album to be enjoyed by all. Diamandis ends the album with ‘Fear and Loathing’, a slow and meaningful track; rounding off quite a bitter collection of songs with a much more positive outlook. Diamandis sings “there is no crime in being kind/Not everyone is out to screw you over./ Maybe, oh just maybe they just want to get to know you” followed by the chorus “Don’t wanna live in fear and loathing/ I wanna feel like I am floating/Instead of constantly exploding/In fear and loathing” the song feels almost like a cliff-hanger for more that she has to say, and maybe her next album will clear it up for us all. I felt that this was a brilliant way to end such a catchy album designed for pop consumption as it leaves the listener with a feeling of wanting to know more, like an unfinished story. Marina & The Diamonds has created a well put together pop album in Electra Heart, but I feel that with the quality of her voice and her talent she could have produced something more quirky and appealing for the indie market as well as focussing on the pop market. 7/10 By Amelia Gibson
Polar – Iron Lungs Posted on May 1, 2012 by The Music Team Polar’s frosty debut offers up thrilling and ferocious hardcore infused punk that delivers a punch to the gut, leaving you reeling for the next 38 minutes and wondering what the hell just happened. The Guildford quintet’s latest offering is one that has been met with excitement as EP’s released prior to their full length debut have shown the band’s sound building and maturing into the formidable wall of noise that greets your ears from the second you press play. ‘K.C.M’ and ‘Sick Old Buzzard’ kick things off in a feral fashion, reminding us that punk doesn’t have to just be 2 minutes of staccato drums and relentless riffing, as the opening tracks display a concoction of clever ideas concerning the structure of the songs ultimately helping to propel the songs forward. Vocalist Adam’s shouts and screams cements Polar’s conviction in the audio format and capture the frenetic nature of the live shows that they have built their reputation on. It is almost impossible to not listen to this record and imagine it within the live setting and just how inherently mad things will get. The Baltic boys (last pun, we promise) sound absolutely massive throughout the entirety of Iron Lungs and this is showcased brilliantly by one of the highlights of the album, being the title track as it displays the diversity deployed as the instrumental track, delves with fantastic dynamics. For a brief moment, the atmospheric and ambient tones lull you in to a false sense of security. But before you know it, a cacophony of crashing drums and epic guitars envelope the listener’s eardrums, as if an Arctic behemoth (ok we lied) is announcing its arrival with an almighty roar. Other highlights include the furious ‘Lifeboats’ and incendiary ‘In Country’, which provides some of the best head banging moments on the whole album. Accompanying lyrics such as ‘make us who we are’ depict that Polar are the embodiment of their music and their craft, which is made abundantly clear throughout Iron Lungs and adds to the appeal. All in all, while Iron Lungs isn’t a reinvention of heavy music such as punk or hardcore, they have certainly delivered a corker of an album, which has been fuelled by the bile and rage of five lads from Guildford. Iron Lungs will undoubtedly provide an example on how ‘balls to the wall’ heavy music is created and executed with confidence. 8/10 By Nick Gray
Evolution Fest 2012 Posted on May 1, 2012 by The Music Team Taking place on the Diamond Jubilee weekend (Sun – Mon 4th), this years Evolution Festival is guaranteed to kick start your summer with a bang. The 2012 line-up is looking near enough un-missable, with massive headliners DeadMau5, Dizzee Rascal, Rizzle Kicks and Maximo Park all announced. The festival has continued to grow in size and now boasts an impressive three stages sat in-between the picturesque view of the Tyne River and Millennium Bridge. The variety of musical genres to choose from is somewhat impressive…Dance lovers are spoilt for choice, with DJ sets from Shy FX, Fricton and Toddla T on the cards. If rock n’ indie is more your thing, Miles Kane, Band of Skulls and indie/folk legends Noah & The Whale will more than fit the bill. Not to mention a set from critically acclaimed singer-songwriter James Francis Leftwich confirmed. This festival is a little unique; camping is not an option considering the entire affair takes place in the space of only 2 days. This gives the public time to freshen up and prepare for the next day and evening of non-stop fun. Plenty of budget accommodation is available for the non-local goers. See this website for details: http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/accommodation#productlist=/accommodation Described by Clash Music as ‘the UK’s model city festival’, weekend tickets costing a mere £35 (daytime – £25) and no work/school Tuesday (thanks to the Queen) this festival is the perfect time to party! See here for tickets: http://www.evolutionfestival.co.uk/tickets.html
Charlene Soraia Posted on April 24, 2012 by The Music Team Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms 19/03/12 There is a very relaxed feel about the Wedgewood Rooms tonight. The usual raucous mood of the venue has been replaced by a chilled out vibe, and, with the usually mosh pit ridden dance-floor covered in tables and chairs, it almost feels like you have walked into a jazz bar. Talking to members of the audience before the show there is an eager anticipation for the headline act, Charlene Soraia, whose career has blossomed since her cover of The Calling’s ‘Wherever You Will Go’, featured on a Twining’s Tea Advert. In our interview before the show she says cheerily, “I’m certainly not offended when people say, ‘the Twining’s girl’. At this stage in my career, I think any recognition is good, and if people only know me for being the ‘Twining’s girl’, at least they know of me.” Along with Charlene, there is a curious sense of intrigue around the relatively unknown supporting acts, Dan Shears and Andrew Foster. First to the stage is ‘local boy’ Andrew Foster who, being from Portsmouth, starts by thanking the people at Wedgewood rooms for giving him this opportunity. Andrew is not formally on the tour with Charlene, and is only playing with her and Dan Shears for this one show. His soft yet strong vocals and smooth guitar playing is very easy to listen to, and makes for a perfect opener to the evening. If the audience wasn’t already relaxed, they certainly are now, as Andrew’s Ed Sheeran-like music combines with his well crafted-lyrics to provide a truly enjoyable experience. Check out our studio session with Andrew Foster on Igneous from before Easter by clicking here. Next up is Dan Shears, who has been touring with Charlene throughout the whole of her ‘Moonchild’ tour for the last 2 months. He has the confidence of an Essex lad and instantly creates a good rapport with the audience as he opens with a joke. He cockiness means that the entire venue is taken aback by what comes next, as he begins his first song and shows off his tremendous vocal talent. A former choirboy, Shears voice is truly spectacular and at numerous times during his performance, he has the audience truly mesmerized. There is a slightly medieval feel to his music, which makes it fresh and interesting to listen to, and his witty charm continues to entertain the crowd throughout. As he leaves the stage, he leaves with a smile, and a cheery roar from the crowd. After much anticipation, the headline act, Charlene Soraia finally takes to the stage, and she’s met with a huge round of applause. She joyously states, “It’s my first time performing in Portsmouth, and I want to have fun!” and she means it. As the 23 year old begins her set, the audience can all instantly see what a talented and inspired musician she really is. Despite being best known for her piano cover of ”Wherever You Will Go”, Soraia’s real gift is her guitar playing. Being self-taught, her music doesn’t obey the regular conventions, and that makes for a very entertaining variety of songs. Her skillful guitar playing and beautiful vocals make for very easy listening, and she has a quiet cheekiness about her that makes it impossible for the audience not to enjoy her set. She closes her performance with the cover that caused her sudden rise to fame, and as the crowd listens to her tremendous voice one last time, she brings every member of the audience to their feet to applaud her off the stage. It’s a deserved ending to a highly enjoyable evening, and with a new album due out in the Autumn, Charlene Soraia appears to be an artist that we’ll be hearing a lot of throughout 2012. Written by Pod Howard Photos by Kevin Wilkins [Show as slideshow]
Takedown Fest 2012 Posted on April 20, 2012 by The Music Team University of Southampton 18/03/2012 This was a proud day for the UK music scene. Not only was Takedown 2012 set up and run by a British independent promotions company, all the bands that graced the 4 stages were also born and raised on our great shores. Diversity was the key word here, as each stage was filled with the best of metal, hardcore, punk, indie and pop; so every ones tastes were catered for. The venue this year was the University of Southampton, which served host to some great talent. The 4 indoor- stages were in separate areas of the Uni building, so there was no noise spilling into each of the performances and it never felt too crowded. The atmosphere of the day wasn’t too far removed from somewhere like Reading Festival: Everyone was in high spirits, and full of booze thanks to the cheap drinks prices! One of the sponsors, Monster Energy Drink, turned up in their trademark black and green trucks to give out free cans of their tasty beverages, which served as much needed fuel for the masses that came. Desolated helped kick the day off on the Guitar Central stage, the pit erupted into 2-step heaven as the Soton lads showed off their new hardcore sound. Straight after, The James Cleaver Quintet turned heads with their heavy riffs, loud shirts and brass instrument skills. It was Polar’s turn afterwards, who kept the pit alive with songs such as ‘Tonight Matthew, I’m the Batman’; and even though they are new kids on the block, a loyal fan base turned up to support the Surrey lads. Bands such as Hildamay, The Afterparty and Housefires entertained a constantly packed crowd on the Southampton Music stage (ironically only The After Party are from Southampton), and left a great impression for all those people who hadn’t checked out these up and coming acts. On the Big Deal Clothing stage (which was conveniently placed near the bar, much to my liking), local band Burn The Fleet played to a packed out crowd, who were all too happy to sing back the lyrics to vocalist, Andrew Convey. Proxies also graced the BDC stage with their blend of electro-hard hitting rock, and managed to sneak in a short version of ‘I Miss You’ by Blink 182 into their set. Meanwhile at the main stage Don Broco absolutely killed it and showed why they are one of the best live bands in today’s scene. Frontman, Rob Damiami, got involved in the pit and left everyone with big fat smiles on their faces. Canterbury had the crowd dancing along with their perfect mix of pop/indie tunes such as their latest single ‘More Than Know’, while the ladies in Evarose proved that it’s not only the guys who know how to rock. Lower Than Atlantis conquered the main stage and were definitely a crowd pleaser when they pulled out their Foo Fighters medley, in the middle of ‘Bug’. Mike Duce’ unique warm tones held out, despite blending singing with shouting. Bury Tomorrow headlined the Guitar Central stage, and showed their hometown why they are becoming one of the biggest names in today’s scene. The boys certainly put on an impressive stage show, with screamer Daniel Bates getting up close and personal with the crowd. After Lower Than Atlantis and Deaf Havana had their way with the crowd, main stage headliners, Skindred brought their fusion of reggae/metal to the table after a delayed start, but left fans remembering why they are rock legends. Band of the day had to go to Norfolk heroes, Deaf Havana, who took to the main stage to perform for us a whole range of tunes from their 2011 album Fools and Worthless Liars, plus a couple of their classics such ‘Friends Like These’ and ‘Nicotine and Alcohol Saved My Life’. Vocalist James Veck-Gilodi was joined on stage by his brother, who only served to amplify their already massive sound. The room was completely packed, which prompted a one in, one out policy at the doors. The only way is up for the Havana boys from here! After the day came to a close, the fun didn’t stop, because the official Takedown after party was starting up at Unit. The likes of Don Broco, Bleed From Within and Bury Tomorrow got behind the decks to battle it out in a series of DJ sets. The event also gave fans the chance to chat and hang with some of their favorite bands, and definitely left more than a few people star struck. Once everyone was full of alcohol, great music and company it was time for it all to come to an end. This festival really was a testament to how great the music scene is these days for us Brits, so here’s to Takedown 2013. Written by David Morgan Photographs provided by Marianne Harris [Show as slideshow]
Black Stone Cherry Posted on April 17, 2012 by The Music Team Southampton Guildhall 27/03/12 Having already performed at 10 different major cities in the UK and with this being their only Southern date of their UK tour, Black Stone Cherry needed to make it a good one to leave a lasting impact on the region. With the ever growing fan base purchasing every single ticket available for the tour, it’s no wonder the expectations of their performance were high. However, to get the crowd warmed up and ready for what was to come, they needed a band that knows how to get the audience rocking and this band was Rival Sons. Having been given a 40 minute slot, the pressure was on them to keep the energy alive within the Guildhall and it sounded like they had achieved this without even breaking a sweat. With the lead vocalist hitting incredible notes and using the power in his voice to enthral the crowd, they sure put a great start to what was going to be a night to remember. Now it was time for the fans had been waiting for. Black Stone Cherry were ready to hit the stage. Keeping the atmosphere going, Black Stone Cherry didn’t introduce themselves with the typical guitar strike of the first note from their opening song. They decided to play something to remind the fans exactly where they are from. The Kentucky Quartet began their show with Jerry Reed’s ‘East Bound and Down’. Once hitting the stage, the liveliness of the band was undoubtedly clear to see why the bands fan base is forever growing. Ben Wells (Guitarist) is what is known as a photographer’s nightmare. Bouncing from side to side on the stage and making it practically impossible to capture a focused shot of his performance. He would step up onto the front speakers on the stage and encourage the Guildhall to join in. What was hard to miss about Ben was his love and respect for his influences as Elvis and Aerosmith featured prominently on his guitars. Also, John (Drummer) became a magician whilst performing as he was twirling his drumsticks, throwing them in the air and catching them and launching them at the audience. With all this happening seamlessly, he simultaneously received new drumsticks to play with. Throughout the performance, BSC consistently interacted with their audience to ensure they were still as pumped up as the band. They decided to give the fans a rest from the frantic performance by performing a few acoustic songs and gave the audience a good sing along with songs including Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’ and Oasis’ ‘Champagne Supernova’. The fans treated BSC to singing ‘Things My Father Said’ which put a blown away emotion on their faces. It’s at that point in which it’s clear how much performing to people and creating music means to Black Stone Cherry. Coming towards the finale of their set, Black Stone Cherry catch out the singing crowd with a rendition of their hit ‘Blame it on the Boom Boom’ which had every person in the Guildhall up and jumping. This left the crowd chanting their name. It was only moments later they couldn’t help but to come back on and perform two more songs for the enthusiastic audience. In an encore filled with Fans singing, John’s drumsticks flying off the stage and through the crowd and Ben still bouncing as if it’s the first song, the band went out with a bang and never looked like they wanted to stop. It truly was a concert that was played with every inch of passion that each member possessed. It was understandably clear to see that if they were to return to the South coast, they would once again play to a full house as they rise from strength to strength. Words by Nicola Rainbird and James Frampton Photo provided by Andy Pritchard [Show as slideshow]
Noah and the Whale Posted on April 12, 2012 by The Music Team Portsmouth Guildhall 25/03/12 Dashing suits, violin quartets and red socks; just a few of the words to sum up the Noah and the Whale boys’ elegant performance at Portsmouth’s Guildhall last night. Indie-folk support act Emmy the Great (originally a member of Noah and the Whale) were crowd appreciated, with quirky acoustic hits from their most recent 2011 album Virtue and first 2009 album First Love. Along with the amusing quotes “I had my belly button pierced in Fratton” from lead vocalist Emma-Lee Moss, they entertained and hyped up the crowd, ready for the main act of the evening. With gleeful smiles and posh appearances, Noah and the Whale walked on stage, and the crowd uproar showed the tension building wait by the audience had paid off. Opening with ‘Life is Life’; a well known single from latest album ‘Last Night on Earth’, the crowd awoke. After a few more chirpy tunes such as ‘2 Atoms in a Molecule’ and ‘Old Joy’, to which the audience sang out loud, the gig took a different turn… Usually when a band turns mellow during a gig, the audience grow tiresome, but when Noah and the Whale calmed their music down it was mesmerising. The elegant string sounds of the violin, at one point used as a siren-styled sound effect, the strum of the acoustic guitars, the soothing voice of lead vocalist Charlie Fink- all of this causing an absolutely star-struck crowd. ‘Wild Thing’ was definitely a melodious song proving this, as was ‘Love of an Orchestra’ from their second 2009 album First Days of Spring. The Portsmouth Guildhall was a strange venue, at times it was upbeat and packed out, but towards the climax of the gig, it felt very eerie and empty, also with a slightly rude and unappreciative crowd, but Noah and the Whale strove above this with an excellent performance. The audience are enthused again by the well known chart singles ‘Tonight’s the kind of Night’, and the spelling bee chorus of ‘L.I.F.E G.O.E.S O.N’. By any measure, it was a triumphant gig. With a powerful encore of ‘First Days of Spring’, Noah and the Whale elegantly ended their show with bows and gleeful expressions, pleased with their talented performance. Words and Photos by Emma Huskins [Show as slideshow]
