SINGLE: The Jim Jones Revue – High Horse
The feeling is right. It’s raucous, punching, bleary eyed, spinning, upbeat, honky-tonk ruff rock’n’roll blues. But the song’s simple structure is nothing original, and the use of the radio effect on the singer’s voice is a style that gets old – it does not standout as anything to be noticed. The music video shot for this song is based around the dark and delectable fairy tale The Red Shoes: a vain tale of a girl’s desire for the crimson red shoes leading... Read More
SINGLE: Roots Manuva meets Wrongtom – Jah Warriors
I listened to this record once and thought it was absolutely terrible. Now normally, that’s OK because I can listen to crap over-and-over and rip it to pieces. The whole review process is done in a day or two and I can relax. ‘Jah Warriors’ was so bad that I had to hide for a week before I touched the CD again. I honestly couldn’t bear to listen to it – and this review is being written on the third and last (ever) listening of this terrible, terrible piece of ‘music’.The... Read More
SINGLE: Klaxons – Echoes
Gorillaz once described winning the Mercury Music Prize as, “Like carrying a dead albatross round your neck for eternity”. With such a widely lauded and awarded debut album, when it comes to the Klaxons it’s not the Prize that will weigh them down, but the album itself, and you can substitute that albatross for a jumbo jet. Every album will limp along beneath the shadow of Myths Of The Near Future, and every single beneath Golden Skans. Consequently, the initial shelving... Read More
LIVE: THE DOMINO STATE – 11/08/2010
– THE NIGHT & DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER – On an evening when the England football team faces Hungary in the first match since the national side’s woeful showing at World Cup 2010, it is unsurprising that the crowd at Night & Day Café is larger than it might have been on any other Wednesday. Yes, for music is the main concern here. While tears may not have been shed during their sets (and it’s not always possible to say the same about Team England),a mention... Read More
SINGLE: Cooly G – It’s Up In My Head/Phat Si
After the organ moving sub bass of “Love Dub”, and the kicked back beauty of “Weekend Fly”, Cooly G comes in strong with her next release on Hyperdub.“Up In My Head” follows in the flow of “Love Dub”. Tender synth stabs open, swiftly followed by the cushioned drums bouncing onto the track. Cooly’s vocals caress the track, dreamily floating around the pads in a manner that is deep, soulful and beautiful to behold. This is another slice of blissful dreams from... Read More
LIVE: NASHVILLE PUSSY/VOIVOD – 10/08/2010
– MOHO LIVE, MANCHESTER – There’s a reet posh fancy tour bus outside Moho tonight because double headliners Nashville Pussy and Voivod are American and they can afford it. It begs only one question… why are all roadies fat guys in shorts??? There is no barrier in front of the stage tonight and the place is filling up nicely for a school night. WAYWARD CHILD are up first and deliver an enthusiastic set to an almost 80s rock soundtrack. Rock is suddenly becoming... Read More
LIVE: THE DWARVES – 09/08/2010
– MOHO LIVE, MANCHESTER – It’s my first time down at Moho, and I’m pleased to see that in the apparent current trend, there is another thwacking great pole right in the view of the stage. Good times. But there’s more… there are stairs. That don’t go anywhere but up… hmmm. Anyway, first up on tonight’s line up is TROJAN HORSE. All in check shirts in an almost uniform fashion aside from the drummer, their sound is one that can only be described as one with... Read More
SINGLE: Ikonika – Dckhdbtch
After the brain shaking goodness of “Contact, Love, Want, Have”, the genius that is Ikonika steps forth once again with “Dckhdbtch”, the latest release in the Planet Mu series. From her first release to this latest Ikonika never fails to amaze me. The depth bestowed in her tracks both musically and in their engineering is phenomenal. Showing a deeper thought process than most, the interweaving of each instrument is so skilfully processed, cleverly built out and set out... Read More
LIVE: KENDAL CALLING 2010 – DAY 3
– LOWTHER DEER PARK, PENRITH – The last day blues that the weekend is almost is over are now upon me, but at the same time thoughts of home comforts are also crossing my mind. As I meander past the main stage Erland and the Carnival are making sure that any overnight cobwebs are blown away. Micky P Kerr is an act I stumbled across last year and am glad to see he is here again this time round. The Calling Out marquee has a good turnout for this early slot and as the... Read More
LIVE: KENDAL CALLING 2010 – DAY 2
– LOWTHER DEER PARK, PENRITH – Well it’s the second day and as is to be expected I’ve had very little sleep, even though I thought that last beer before bed might help. Anyway the weather isn’t too bad and after a bite to eat and probably the worst brew I’ve ever tasted, I’m ready to rock n roll again. Over at the Calling Out stage Stormy Corner swagger onto the stage. This six piece band from Skelmersdale certainly have plenty of attitude, with half of them... Read More
