Albums
Updated 5th December 2011
ARCHIVE:
IT'S DRY AND BONNY HERE
WOLVENTRIX "OURS TILL DAWN" (FABRIQUE RECORDS)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? The problem for Al Stewart was that he lacked any kind of male import, thrust, threat or swagger. The problem for Jake Shillingford was that he strode out in strobes and drama and found it difficult to add the shades of downbeat.
Wolventrix, not a real band, it's a Tom Walkden production, have mastered the laconic, conquered, if you will, Laconia, and it's good to have them, him, whatever. There is a class, a genre defying, uneasy comfort that flows from these songs. Apart from "Sham White Wedding", that's just loping with a leer after "Pop Muzik", but somebody had to.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes. The best pop music, or muzik, if you prefer, is always the most simple, or the most complicated, the most innocent or the most tediously weary. "Ours Till Dawn" is an album full of that and that shows a potentially ferocious talent at work. Listen before you sneer.
WHERE IS IT? www.fabrique.at/
WOLVENTRIX "OURS TILL DAWN" (FABRIQUE RECORDS)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? The problem for Al Stewart was that he lacked any kind of male import, thrust, threat or swagger. The problem for Jake Shillingford was that he strode out in strobes and drama and found it difficult to add the shades of downbeat.
Wolventrix, not a real band, it's a Tom Walkden production, have mastered the laconic, conquered, if you will, Laconia, and it's good to have them, him, whatever. There is a class, a genre defying, uneasy comfort that flows from these songs. Apart from "Sham White Wedding", that's just loping with a leer after "Pop Muzik", but somebody had to.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes. The best pop music, or muzik, if you prefer, is always the most simple, or the most complicated, the most innocent or the most tediously weary. "Ours Till Dawn" is an album full of that and that shows a potentially ferocious talent at work. Listen before you sneer.
WHERE IS IT? www.fabrique.at/
Is that fucking red thing still following me?
'TILL MY VEINS RUN DRY?
MALOKAI "HEART BEATS EP" (NAMELESS / FACELESS RECORDS)
RELEASED? 13th February 2012 .
SOUNDS LIKE? Green Day. That's it. Malokai sound like Green Day. What shall we talk about now?
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, I believe that Green Day are pretty good, all the way from "Basket Case" to "American Idiot". I also believe, obviously, that Malokai are pretty good as well, nifty old punky power pop, rocked off with conviction and style.
WHERE IS IT? www.malokai.co.uk
MALOKAI "HEART BEATS EP" (NAMELESS / FACELESS RECORDS)
RELEASED? 13th February 2012 .
SOUNDS LIKE? Green Day. That's it. Malokai sound like Green Day. What shall we talk about now?
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, I believe that Green Day are pretty good, all the way from "Basket Case" to "American Idiot". I also believe, obviously, that Malokai are pretty good as well, nifty old punky power pop, rocked off with conviction and style.
WHERE IS IT? www.malokai.co.uk
YOU DO THE MATH, I'M DRINKING & DANCING
ANDREW JACKSON "FERAL FAMILIAR" (Reverb Nation)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? I don't understand. The statistics on this bloke's page say that he's got 1,500 followers and has had his songs played 166 times. Now, I didn't come here to do primary school sums, but that tells me that nearly 90% of his 'fans' don't listen to his music. Shame, it may be easy to find well produced road-rock, but it's rare to find an artist who can make Ted Nugent look like Oscar Wilde.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes. It's easy, old boy, rawk n roll, it's music for drunks and I like it a lot and, like any other po-faced snob, I'm bouncing away, enjoying the fuck out of it while coming up with all sorts of smart ways to tell you that you'd be wrong to enjoy it too.
WHERE IS IT? www.reverbnation.com/andrewjacksonrock
ANDREW JACKSON "FERAL FAMILIAR" (Reverb Nation)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? I don't understand. The statistics on this bloke's page say that he's got 1,500 followers and has had his songs played 166 times. Now, I didn't come here to do primary school sums, but that tells me that nearly 90% of his 'fans' don't listen to his music. Shame, it may be easy to find well produced road-rock, but it's rare to find an artist who can make Ted Nugent look like Oscar Wilde.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes. It's easy, old boy, rawk n roll, it's music for drunks and I like it a lot and, like any other po-faced snob, I'm bouncing away, enjoying the fuck out of it while coming up with all sorts of smart ways to tell you that you'd be wrong to enjoy it too.
WHERE IS IT? www.reverbnation.com/andrewjacksonrock
EATS ME LIKE A BEAST
MICO "MY TENTACLES" (STREET FURNITURE MUSIC)
RELEASED? January 2012 .
SOUNDS LIKE? Art. Meiko Shimizu is a London based recording artiste. You already know that she's Japanese, the tentacles being the giveaway. Now then, the words
'experimental music' are designed to scare real people into the cold embraces of El Divo and Amy Winehouse, so you'll be brave and open minded when we agree that Mico is, most definitely an artiste who loves to experiment, eh? Good. Now be slightly reassured, because Mico is employing a variety of classical, or normal formats in interesting ways. For example, "I See A Soul", a beautiful bit of electronic wooze that winds Kate Bush into Bjork, via a semi-classical edifice of shifting synths and it paints, in five small words, "Eats me, like a beast" an intriguing picture. Is Mico talking about the act of creation being a selfless and self-destructive process or merely praising an enthusiastic lover? We don't know, but like pretty much all of "My Tentacles" it's something that's engaging and catchy as well as possessing, or giving an impression of, depth, art and thought process. I don't even like "Cobra Mist", but the slickly cloying electronics that turn Mico into some kind of cybernetic Eartha Kitt are impressive in themselves. It's seven sides of wonderful that the standout track, "Think Like A Swarm" showcases an artiste who does the exact opposite.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, and important too, but also, and this is important, "My Tentacles" is hella fun as well.
WHERE IS IT? www.mico.uk.com
MICO "MY TENTACLES" (STREET FURNITURE MUSIC)
RELEASED? January 2012 .
SOUNDS LIKE? Art. Meiko Shimizu is a London based recording artiste. You already know that she's Japanese, the tentacles being the giveaway. Now then, the words
'experimental music' are designed to scare real people into the cold embraces of El Divo and Amy Winehouse, so you'll be brave and open minded when we agree that Mico is, most definitely an artiste who loves to experiment, eh? Good. Now be slightly reassured, because Mico is employing a variety of classical, or normal formats in interesting ways. For example, "I See A Soul", a beautiful bit of electronic wooze that winds Kate Bush into Bjork, via a semi-classical edifice of shifting synths and it paints, in five small words, "Eats me, like a beast" an intriguing picture. Is Mico talking about the act of creation being a selfless and self-destructive process or merely praising an enthusiastic lover? We don't know, but like pretty much all of "My Tentacles" it's something that's engaging and catchy as well as possessing, or giving an impression of, depth, art and thought process. I don't even like "Cobra Mist", but the slickly cloying electronics that turn Mico into some kind of cybernetic Eartha Kitt are impressive in themselves. It's seven sides of wonderful that the standout track, "Think Like A Swarm" showcases an artiste who does the exact opposite.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, and important too, but also, and this is important, "My Tentacles" is hella fun as well.
WHERE IS IT? www.mico.uk.com
AN ARMY OF COUNTERFEIT CHARACTERS
QUIET REBELLION "STILL TALKING SCRIBBLE " (LOCAL NOBODY RECORDS)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? Superficial
word-smithery ruins quite
listenable soundtracks.
Never mind Hitler, slip past
Deliah Smith, avoid eye
contact with anyone from
Marillion, the dictator of the
day is "Award winning
Yorkshire-based songwriter
Shaun T Hunter". If ever a
man needed a friend, it's
Shaun T Hunter. There are
big and relevant clues, like
the music beating seven shades of shit from the, ahem, lyrics and there are small and possibly more relevant clues, like the need to insert the 'T' in Shaun T Hunter.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Depends what you mean by 'scribble'.
WHERE IS IT? www.quietrebellion.com
QUIET REBELLION "STILL TALKING SCRIBBLE " (LOCAL NOBODY RECORDS)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? Superficial
word-smithery ruins quite
listenable soundtracks.
Never mind Hitler, slip past
Deliah Smith, avoid eye
contact with anyone from
Marillion, the dictator of the
day is "Award winning
Yorkshire-based songwriter
Shaun T Hunter". If ever a
man needed a friend, it's
Shaun T Hunter. There are
big and relevant clues, like
the music beating seven shades of shit from the, ahem, lyrics and there are small and possibly more relevant clues, like the need to insert the 'T' in Shaun T Hunter.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Depends what you mean by 'scribble'.
WHERE IS IT? www.quietrebellion.com
THIS ISN'T FUCKING HORRIBLE
MY TALKING PUA "MY TALKING PUA" (UNSIGNED)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? Punked up, back beaten, guitar stormed, innocent thrashing for the title track, "My Talking Pua", a bit of Blondie wrangling a Patti Smith pretender, but that's not the whole of it... I've flipped n chipped through the My Talking Pua soundcloud and the trend is Ms Harry doing Jamie Hince and there's always been a lot of that about.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Who cares? We have the originals.
WHERE IS IT? www.soundcloud.com/mytalkingpua
MY TALKING PUA "MY TALKING PUA" (UNSIGNED)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? Punked up, back beaten, guitar stormed, innocent thrashing for the title track, "My Talking Pua", a bit of Blondie wrangling a Patti Smith pretender, but that's not the whole of it... I've flipped n chipped through the My Talking Pua soundcloud and the trend is Ms Harry doing Jamie Hince and there's always been a lot of that about.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Who cares? We have the originals.
WHERE IS IT? www.soundcloud.com/mytalkingpua
THIS IS FUCKING HORRIBLE
EMILY O'HALLORAN "MORPHINE AND CUPCAKES" (TEAR STAINED RECORDS)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? I am a 'westerner'. I like booze, sex, a selection of drugs, music, literature, architecture, sport, comedy, current events and politics, not all at the same time, but you get the
idea. So, I am a complete wanker, a spoilt, over educated, but wisdom light waste of space and I can still understand why other cultures want to to see me dead. I have a kind of knuckle dragging, reluctant self-awareness. Emily O'Halloran appears to be completely content with the certainty that the world revolves around her and that her trite observations make things real. Emily is young, pretty and enjoyed an 'unconventional, yet idyllic upbringing on a hippie commune' in Australia before 'her travels brought her to New York, where she remained for two and a half years, reciting her poetry in Greenwich Village coffee houses'. If you don't hate Emily O'Halloran already, I can do it for you, no charge.
IS IT ANY GOOD? It's competent enough aor, but totally undermined by the spoilt brat back story and the fact that a whack of Bob Dylan connections are flagged and then the lead in track is a blatant knock off of 'Knocking On Heavens Door'. In short, 'Morphine And Cupcakes' is a Marianne Unfaithful does Bob Dylan exercise, a cynical exercise. At least the human tragedies that churn n gurn through the X-Factor mincer are honest in their lust and self delusion.
WHERE IS IT? www.emilyohalloran.com
EMILY O'HALLORAN "MORPHINE AND CUPCAKES" (TEAR STAINED RECORDS)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? I am a 'westerner'. I like booze, sex, a selection of drugs, music, literature, architecture, sport, comedy, current events and politics, not all at the same time, but you get the
idea. So, I am a complete wanker, a spoilt, over educated, but wisdom light waste of space and I can still understand why other cultures want to to see me dead. I have a kind of knuckle dragging, reluctant self-awareness. Emily O'Halloran appears to be completely content with the certainty that the world revolves around her and that her trite observations make things real. Emily is young, pretty and enjoyed an 'unconventional, yet idyllic upbringing on a hippie commune' in Australia before 'her travels brought her to New York, where she remained for two and a half years, reciting her poetry in Greenwich Village coffee houses'. If you don't hate Emily O'Halloran already, I can do it for you, no charge.
IS IT ANY GOOD? It's competent enough aor, but totally undermined by the spoilt brat back story and the fact that a whack of Bob Dylan connections are flagged and then the lead in track is a blatant knock off of 'Knocking On Heavens Door'. In short, 'Morphine And Cupcakes' is a Marianne Unfaithful does Bob Dylan exercise, a cynical exercise. At least the human tragedies that churn n gurn through the X-Factor mincer are honest in their lust and self delusion.
WHERE IS IT? www.emilyohalloran.com
Are you sure that's Bob Dylan?
TOO DIGGY-DIGGY?
JOHN WATTS, FISCHER-Z
"MORETHANMUSIC" (MTUMUD2)
RELEASED? Re-released 16th January.
SOUNDS LIKE? Interesting. Like a more
considered and intelligent take on the post-Richie
Manics school of issue based song writing and that's
not just because of "The Wave". That is, of course,
when Joe Jackson isn't looming large in the process.
There is a lot of frilly nonsense on the press release
about John Watts and his multi-media, total artist
credentials, maybe his stage plays and sculptures
are also top-drawer works with one foot in the late
seventies and the other in the mid eighties.
Favourite is "Head On" an ear-candied
collusion of Roxy Music and late, late,
Who, an elegant rant at Bush, Blair
and other death enthusiasts. So, this is fun, bouncing between personal episodes and agi-prop pop-rock. We know that John Watts is at home in a band situation, but it'd be interesting to hear how the material stands up without the whistles and bells.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yeah, he's a bright guy, articulating issues and emotions, but the music is kind of getting in the way, it's all a bit busy and over egged, to quote Granny, "If he's got something to say, I'd like to hear it."
WHERE IS IT? www.johnwatts.co.uk
JOHN WATTS, FISCHER-Z
"MORETHANMUSIC" (MTUMUD2)
RELEASED? Re-released 16th January.
SOUNDS LIKE? Interesting. Like a more
considered and intelligent take on the post-Richie
Manics school of issue based song writing and that's
not just because of "The Wave". That is, of course,
when Joe Jackson isn't looming large in the process.
There is a lot of frilly nonsense on the press release
about John Watts and his multi-media, total artist
credentials, maybe his stage plays and sculptures
are also top-drawer works with one foot in the late
seventies and the other in the mid eighties.
Favourite is "Head On" an ear-candied
collusion of Roxy Music and late, late,
Who, an elegant rant at Bush, Blair
and other death enthusiasts. So, this is fun, bouncing between personal episodes and agi-prop pop-rock. We know that John Watts is at home in a band situation, but it'd be interesting to hear how the material stands up without the whistles and bells.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yeah, he's a bright guy, articulating issues and emotions, but the music is kind of getting in the way, it's all a bit busy and over egged, to quote Granny, "If he's got something to say, I'd like to hear it."
WHERE IS IT? www.johnwatts.co.uk
That's never Marianne Faithful
CAUTION: FREE FORM NAZI INVASION AHEAD
WHY I MUST BE CAREFUL "HONEYCOMB" (SELF RELEASE)
RELEASED? 20th April 2012.
SOUNDS LIKE? Well, who am I to judge? Ah, right the reviewer bloke, okay, take
this part of the press release on board first... The limited-edition album is housed in
a handmade wooden frame that has spent enough time inside of a beehive for a
colony to form their iconic honeycomb structures on either side of the record. The
result is a one-of-a-kind beeswax sculpture as secreted from the wax glands of, and
organized by, thousands of honeybees. Demanding its own place away from your
other LP’s, perhaps even on the wall, this honeycombed album is under
consideration by the Olfactory Art Council for 'Best Smelling Album Of The Year'.
Yeah, they're nuts, in a good way and they say that about their record and we say
this... Chick Corea molesting end of the band Steely Dan via a late jazz license. It is
more than a little sci-fi bonkers, though and the man on keyboards has some
serious questions to answer, mainly of the 'how fucking good do you need to be,
you fucking show off?' variety. So, seriously, this is jazz and, brace yourself, pretty
free form, in much the same way that the Nazis did their invading in an appalling,
but appealingly random way.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, because "Honeycomb" is a tightly disciplined and
compelling slew of sounds that are made up from individuals riffing on the collective
host. Everything and everyone takes a turn, offers a showcase and the combination
makes the whole, er, whole. You can see which way this analogy is buzzing?
WHERE IS IT? http://whyimustbecareful.com/
WHY I MUST BE CAREFUL "HONEYCOMB" (SELF RELEASE)
RELEASED? 20th April 2012.
SOUNDS LIKE? Well, who am I to judge? Ah, right the reviewer bloke, okay, take
this part of the press release on board first... The limited-edition album is housed in
a handmade wooden frame that has spent enough time inside of a beehive for a
colony to form their iconic honeycomb structures on either side of the record. The
result is a one-of-a-kind beeswax sculpture as secreted from the wax glands of, and
organized by, thousands of honeybees. Demanding its own place away from your
other LP’s, perhaps even on the wall, this honeycombed album is under
consideration by the Olfactory Art Council for 'Best Smelling Album Of The Year'.
Yeah, they're nuts, in a good way and they say that about their record and we say
this... Chick Corea molesting end of the band Steely Dan via a late jazz license. It is
more than a little sci-fi bonkers, though and the man on keyboards has some
serious questions to answer, mainly of the 'how fucking good do you need to be,
you fucking show off?' variety. So, seriously, this is jazz and, brace yourself, pretty
free form, in much the same way that the Nazis did their invading in an appalling,
but appealingly random way.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, because "Honeycomb" is a tightly disciplined and
compelling slew of sounds that are made up from individuals riffing on the collective
host. Everything and everyone takes a turn, offers a showcase and the combination
makes the whole, er, whole. You can see which way this analogy is buzzing?
WHERE IS IT? http://whyimustbecareful.com/
I go where the Seagulls shit tattoos