July, 2012

Spector have announced a large tour of the UK to begin later this year with their debut album ‘Enjoy It While It Lasts‘ due for release next month.

For the uninitiated, Angus Stone is one half of Australian brother-sister folk duo, Angus and Julia Stone. While his first solo album, ‘Smoking Gun‘, was released under the moniker Lady of the Sunshine, this time his name is proudly emblazoned on the front.

From that alone, one can assume ‘Broken Brights‘ is more than just a few songs Stone had lying around.

Solo records are often bold declarations of musical freedom and discovery. That can lead to inspired work, as the artist in question breaks from the shackles of overbearing and over-conservative band mates. But it can also mean quality control is thrown out the studio door with the removal of the last barrier between questionable material and the public.

On ‘Broken Brights’, Stone experiences the pros and the perils of being on his lonesome. Still, anyone expecting a wild departure from earlier work will be disappointed. One glance at the cover – its colour palette spans different earthy shades of brown, say from The Band to Harvest– would be enough to know Broken Brights is rooted in Stone’s usual earnest folkisms. Indeed, the thirteen songs on ‘Broken Brights’ are what you’d expect – well written, melodic folk songs.

Arctic Monkeys‘ cover of The Beatles‘ 1969 track ‘Come Together‘ is proving popular on the iTunes singles chart after being included on the London Olympics’ official opening ceremony album.

The annual Underage festival, which is held exclusively for 13-18 year olds, will not take place this year, with organisers citing ‘production problems’ as the main cause of the cancellation.

Slash will return to the UK later this year after recently completing a European tour which included a stop off at the Download festival last month.

New Jersey band The Gaslight Anthem‘s new LP ‘Handwritten‘ has debuted at number one on this week’s UK Record Store Album Chart, which is compiled entirely from sales registered at Britain’s independent record shops.

Looking for some free new music to tide you over this weekend? Well you’re in the right place with the Live4ever Ezine‘s New Tunes guide. We’ve sorted through our packed inbox over the last seven days to offer up the best in mp3s, Soundcloud links and YouTube videos for your viewing and listening pleasure. Check out previous editions of the New Tunes Guide here.

Arctic Monkeys performed a live cover of The Beatles‘ ‘Come Together‘ during the London Olympics’ epic three-hour plus opening ceremony last night (July 27th).

Reformed Manchester icons The Stone Roses have brought their hugely successful reunion tour to Japanese shores for a headline performance on the opening day (July 27th) of this year’s Fuji Rock festival.

Nashville band The Features will visit the UK in September as their ‘Wilderness‘ album prepares for a British release on the 10th of that month.