From the off, from man exiting his carcass coated cave into the dawn and thumping his scarred chest with primitive instinct, it’s captivating. ‘Cave Song‘, all groove and gusto, …
Pennie Smith
Are some things better left alone? Maybe, but an insatiable curiosity for what might be possible can often trump one’s protection of a legacy.
The Twilight Sad are constantly trying to develop their sound; once Scottish noise-makers utilising feedback with ferocious power and beautiful melodies, then analogue-synth driven dynamos, all haunting keyboard beeps and songs that are as dark as the night.
Now, a combination of all those elements has been focused, honed and …
During the recording sessions for ‘Sleeping Operator‘ The Barr Brothers, in their prolific nature, created 40 new tunes.
Now, condensed into thirteen, they have collectively compiled a folk-rock wonder capable of nurturing and nourishing every wound that might scar the surface of our skin.
Meditative, hypnotic, but always unusual …
With ‘Plowing Into The Field Of Love’ it is a sure thing these post-punks Iceage have discovered a soft-spot for writing love songs that come with as much beast as they do beauty.
The engine is running fast, with enough horsepower to out-race any strike of lightning, adding some surreal …
Interpol have always looked to adapt and develop, never limited or marginalised to the 1990’s hype of post-punk bands they were first associated with.
The departure of bassist Carlos D and a solo project from frontman Paul Banks has led to the rediscovering of strength which is ‘El Pintor‘, their …
Manchester’s younger sons The Courteeners have returned with a brave fourth album, ‘Concrete Love‘; they’re forever a youthful and inventive band that see the beauty in twisting heads, turning tables, and tearing out hearts.
Their experimentalism is exceptional, their madness amazing. The Courteeners can no longer be marginalised by the …
“Our aim was always to make music this size,” Twin Atlantic frontman Sam McTrusty has said.
And, from listening to the album as a whole, ‘this size’ should be no lesser than the greatest of heights.
A monolith piece of pop-rock magic is ‘Great Divide‘, still complete with a full-on …
…And The Hangnails unleashed their third album ‘Rut’ on July 25th.
There’s a difference between ‘release’ and ‘unleash’; the former would indicate a typical, typecast adopted method of allowing listeners to digest and fall in love a record.
The latter indicates a total takeover of heart, mind, soul and body, …
Never underestimate the power and potential of a lo-fi garage-rock-revival duo; to do so would be foolish if listening to …And the Hangnails‘ latest gem ‘You & I’.
A tune about wrestling with yourself, combating the uncertainties you face when that glance in the mirror is unsure …
Gruff Rhys has never been shy of experimentation. ‘American Interior’ is an album that encompasses that notion.
Always moody, melancholic and melodic, it is delivered with a trademark craft of songwriting not unfamiliar with Super Furry Animals, but clearly something only he, the solo artist, could do in such a …
‘Turn Blue’ is only a difficult album considering the sheer size and scale of what 2011’s ‘El Camino’ did for The Black Keys.
So, in seeking more to hop a little than leap lifetimes ahead, ‘Turn Blue’ is a real treat for the midnight blues, with trippy taints of …
Within The Horrors‘ new album ‘Luminous‘ is a clear confirmation that they remain a band capable of catapulting emotions far and wide, thanks to the mixture of sounds invented to invite a psychedelic world of positivity.
Never ones for sparing, daring and lengthy introductions to albums, the opener ‘…
It’s hard to believe, after such a long and varied career, that ‘Everyday Robots’ is the debut solo album from Damon Albarn; the modern day originator, innovator and instigator of all things British.
The album is full of tracks that establish Albarn’s position as the always interesting – and …
Back in 2006 – before the recession, bankers’ bonuses and a coalition government – England were looking forward to the World Cup in Germany and the band of the moment had ‘the world at their feet’.
Embrace, the five-piece Yorkshire outfit with Coldplay’s ability to churn out melodic pop-rock …
Nine Black Alps are a band that captures a release of angst and anger whilst maintaining a sense of precious melody; a combination of cradling before the crush, splitting atoms and severing heads during the course of eleven tracks.
‘Candy For The Clowns’ encompasses all things sinister and serene throughout …