ALBUM REVIEW – TESS PARKS: POMEGRANATE
What is immediately apparent listening to ‘Pomegranate’ is that while it oozes optimistic sentiments, the album comes from a place of fragility and trauma. It sees Tess Parks working with long-term band member and close collaborator, Ruari Meehan, on a record with a substantially expanded musical palette in comparison to her previous album, ‘And Those Who Were Seen Dancing’. While the psych pop roots of someone best known for her collaborations with The Brian Jonestown... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – GUY BLAKESLEE: EXTRAVISION
What you are about to hear, should you feel inclined to put Guy Blakeslee’s album ‘Extravision’ on after reading this review, is a cohesive and comforting project: every composition contained within is captivating, each evoking a different feeling through the myriad instruments and sounds the musician uses besides the acoustic guitar, which he used to play almost exclusively before the making of this record. There is a significance behind these elements –... Read More
LIVE REVIEW: WUNDERHORSE – LIVERPOOL ACADEMY 14/10/2024
When I first saw the tour poster for Wunderhorse all over the UK some part of me melted a little inside, in my time going to music gigs, I haven’t seen a band burst out of nowhere and leave such an impression on people as them. Ever since their debut album Cub in 2022, there was always the feeling that they were going nowhere but up, with critical acclaim by the likes of the NME and RollingStone, Wunderhorse feels like one of those bands that you sit back as they do nothing... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS: CARTOON DARKNESS
Amyl and the Sniffers first came to my attention through seeing the single ‘Chewing Gum’ as a ten second clip and being entranced by the loud guitars, consistent beat and vocals coming from this woman who looked like butter wouldn’t melt. But, after watching the full video I knew butter definitely would melt and she’d batter me if I say otherwise. Hailing from Melbourne, Amyl and the Sniffers are a four-piece fronted by Amy Taylor, Bryce Wilson behind the kit, Declan... Read More
ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 11 OCTOBER 2024
Another week jam-packed with interesting new releases jostling for attention. Here Silent Radio offers its pick. Stick in the Wheel A Thousand Pokes As far from pastoral folk as you can get. Named after the 14th Century story of Tittivilus, the recording demon, who collects scribes’ mistakes (pokes) and the idle chatter of the “liars with their hairy tongues” congregation, SITW’s fourth studio album is a satirical and often boisterous work all about our... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – GOAT: GOAT
Swedish masked psych warriors, Goat, have managed to create their own distinct niche. No other band has quite their image or sound, even though their music manages to combine many elements: psychedelia, wild guitar soloing, tribal percussion and chants. It feels appropriate that their latest album, eponymously titled, coincides with them releasing their own set of tarot cards. They describe them as “a playful and beautiful deck that will contain all the important symbolism and... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – CEMETERY SKYLINE: NORDIC GOTHIC
When a new supergroup is formed, it is often expected for the band to play the same genres the members are used to playing in their other bands. Not Cemetery Skyline. The five piece, which consists of members from iconic bands such as Dark Tranquillity and Dimmu Borgir, is not a melodic death metal or black metal band. This new project is purely hard rock, with some synth and gothic elements. Giving the listener an insight into what type of sounds inspire each of these metal icons... Read More
LOOKING AHEAD: BEYOND THE MUSIC FESTIVAL. 9 – 12TH OCTOBER 2024. VARIOUS MANCHESTER VENUES
Want to understand more about the current issues affecting the music industry and see tons of bands too? Then the second Beyond The Music Festival is the place to be between 9th – 12th October. During the day there’s discussions on a wide range of music industry based topics with a host of renowned artists, presenters, and music industry figures, then at night there’s around fifty bands per night playing across the city’s music venues. Highlights include: Daytime... Read More
ALBUM REVIEW – CHRIS ACKER: FAMOUS LUNCH
Chris Acker is best known for his husky tone and absurd lyricism, often intertwined with raw passion and thought-provoking realism. The first glimpse of Acker’s new record came in the form of ‘Shit Surprise’, a playful track that dances between the lines of self-deprecation and a longing for an evasive love. Unlike the title of the first single, Famous Lunch is anything but a shit surprise – it’s a collection of honest, thoughtful and at times heart-warming tunes that... Read More
GIG GUIDE – OCTOBER 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 October 2024. October 3 rd – Solar Eyes – 33 Oldham Street The Birmingham band will be bringing their blend of... Read More
