News Archive

Wilderness Heart is the third full length album from Canadian quintet Black Mountain. Recorded partly at Seattle’s London Bridge Studios, the same place where many seminal grunge albums by the likes of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Temple of the Dog and Pearl Jam were recorded, the album packs a classic Pacific Northwest vibe reminiscent of the aforementioned 90s mega acts. Big guitars, throaty vocals and classic rock grooves are all in abundance, but the band departs from formula not only by including some cool retro keyboard and synth sounds but by featuring two vocalists, Stephen McBean, who also fills out the guitarist role, and Amber Webber. There’s a bit of a Dead Weather vibe happening with the complementary male and female vocals, and while both bands are obviously operating from a similar reference point, the two headed vocal attack seems to work a bit better in the Dead Weather, the twin screaming banshee wail of Alison Mossheart and Jack White, whose voices are eerily similar, sounding more consonant than the gravelly roar of McBean and the sweetness that Webber brings to the table. From that standpoint, then, the vocal dynamic in Black Mountain is more reminiscent of the interplay between Black Francis and Kim Deal in the Pixies, even though the musical styles of the two bands are somewhat different. If anything, Webber’s vocals might be a little too sweet in the context of Black Mountain’s music. Nevertheless it works, and the shared vocals make for a nice change of pace from the typical heavy rock fare.

Kings Of Leon have unveiled the track-listing and artwork for their new album ‘Come Around Sundown’ which is scheduled for release on October 19 in the States and the day before in the UK (Oct 18)

‘Come Around Sundown’ is being released in two formats with a deluxe version that will include additional bonus tracks and a standard edition.

The first acts due to take part in the 8th annual Liverpool Music Week have been announced today, with heavyweight dance act Leftfield leading the early line-up.

Legendary songwriter Neil Young has unveiled the tracklisting for his forthcoming solo album, which will be released on September 27th.

The man behind the iconic artwork designs which played such a pivotal role in the story of Manchester’s legendary independent label Factory Records has lent his considerable talents to the latest official England football shirt to roll off the production line.

After announcing what was claimed to be their final winter tour this week, The Pogues’ guitarist Phil Chevron has vehemently denied the legendary band will not be touring again, and has claimed the announcement is nothing more than a marketing ploy.

Guns n Roses carried their recent problems in the UK with them to Ireland last night, and were reportedly bottled off stage after arriving on stage over an hour late once again.

London band The Maccabees have revealed they have started work on the follow-up to 2009’s ‘Wall Of Arms‘ after performing an as-yet-unnamed new track at last weekend’s Reading/Leeds festivals.

In today’s Soundbites, our quick take on news, reviews and tabloid gossip, Axl Rose continues his one-man battle against Reading/Leeds, Amy Winehouse offers Pete Doherty her flat, there’s a track from Dead Confederate’s recently released album, Sex Pistols move into smellies, and Katy Perry could be in the money.

After their first two albums ‘Funeral‘ and ‘Neon Bible‘ made them one of the most critically-acclaimed bands in the world, Arcade Fire are now moving into rock’s big league following the cross-Atlantic success of their recent third record ‘The Suburbs‘. However, the band are now fearing the new momentum will bring it’s own problems.