ALBUM REVIEW – IBRAHIM MAALOUF: TRUMPETS OF MICHEL-ANGE
French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf’s latest album, ‘Trumpets of Michel-Ange’ sees itself as more than just a record. It is also part of an initiative to make the quarter tone trumpet his father invented accessible via a series of lessons, instruments and recordings. The instrument was crafted with an additional fourth valve which enables the player to mix Middle Eastern and Western scales together in a way that was previously impossible. Each of the tracks on ‘Trumpets... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – MOLCHAT DOMA: BELAYA POLOSA
Belarus’ biggest post-punk trio, Molchat Doma, are back striking again with their new early ‘80’s Joy Division/ The Cure inspired Atmospheric fourth album, Beyala Polosa, or ‘White Stripe’. This is the band’s first studio album since the release of 2020’s fantastically moody and gloomy Monument. The trio’s best project coming into this album, in my opinion. As an English listener coming into this ten-song album, and already familiar with Molchat Doma’s... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – DAVID LANCE CALLAHAN: DOWN TO THE MARSHES
On his Bandcamp page, ‘Down to the Marshes’ is self-proclaimed as being David Lance Callahan’s third and best album, as well as being touted as a masterpiece. These are heady claims, especially as his first two solo albums, ‘English Primitive I & II’ were startling works that drew deserved hyperbole from the more discerning music journalists. Let’s look inside and see whether the latest claims are justified. ‘Down to the Marshes’ begins with ‘The Spirit World’... Read More
LIVE REVIEW: THE LEMON TWIGS – ACADEMY 2 12/09/24
The Brian Wilson vocals announce the Twigs are about to twig their way onto the stage, and take the Academy 2 on a strange hour and a half of time-travelling, genre-bending, jangly retro Americana. Plus some Merseybeat. It’s 60s… at times it’s 70s… it’s a little discombobulating, which would be a problem were it not all so… well, nice. Even the rather odd between-song banter between the band makes you feel like you’re back home on Long Island, in the childhood bedroom... Read More
ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 13 SEPTEMBER 2024
Silent Radio presents this week’s unruly bundle of releases for your delectation. Juniore Trois, Deux, Un Flag-bearers for neo-sixties French-indie cool whose third album channels French classics through the hyperactive lens of B-52s New Wave and 60s American garage-rock. Jade Hairpins Get Me The Good Stuff Second album from Fucked Up’s Jonah Falco and Mike Haliechuk –... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN: LEMONS, LIMES AND ORCHIDS
Sometimes, a voice can bubble away in the background, a pleasant enough accompaniment on the radio, gradually infiltrating the senses until eventually the realisation dawns that it is something special. Such a description could be applied to my appreciation of Joan Wasser who is about to release her tenth studio album under the moniker of Joan As Police Woman, ‘Lemons, Limes and Orchids’. So, what is it about the voice that has become so attractive? There is definitely a honeyed... Read More
GIG GUIDE – SEPTEMBER 2024
We have trawled through the forthcoming gigs in and around Manchester so you don’t have to. We believe that if we are going to recommend a gig to you, then it should be exactly that, a recommendation. There’s always plenty of great gigs going on in Manchester, too many to cover them all, but here’s the list of gigs we’re excited about in September 2024. 12 The Lemon Twigs: Academy 2 – Guitar pop perfection with glorious vocal harmonies, recalling The... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – MIDWIFE: NO DEPRESSION IN HEAVEN
No Depression in Heaven, Madeline Johnston’s newest release under the Midwife moniker, is a steady trickle of dreamlike slowcore from the other side of an infinite expanse. The Denver, Colorado-based purveyor of self-described ‘Heaven Metal’ (described as emotional music about devastation) returns after last year’s excellent Orbweaving – a collaboration with Vyva Melinkolya – with seven new ethereal offerings. Having been written whilst on tour over the past... Read More
EP REVIEW – HOUSE OF PROTECTION: GALORE
When Stephen Harrison and Aric Importa left Fever333, it was very unclear if or when both of these top-notch musicians would return. It took a short while, but when House Of Protection was announced, the news took the alternative scene by storm. The hype was nearly overwhelming, and their debut EP proves to match this hype. With four of the six tracks on this EP already out, the short record starts out with the band’s most recent single ‘Pulling Teeth’. This electric track... Read More
ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 6 SEPTEMBER 2024
As Autumn begins, so commences the bombardment of great new releases. This week’s selection is as follows: Claude Fontaine La Mer A vibrant blend of 60s French yé-yé pop, Studio One reggae, and Brazilian tropicalia sung in English, French and Portuguese. The unexpected combination of styles makes this album stand out. Hinds Viva Hinds Their most accomplished, sonically adventurous, honest... Read More