Author: Hannah Spencer Page 2
Nightmare & The Cat - Nightmare & The Cat
Nightmare & The Cat are a superb find; a blend with a rough and ready indie drive, a blues edge, and still the sensitivity of a relatively recently (2010) formed musical package. 'Sarah Beth', the...
Review posted on 7th March 2011
Roddy Woomble - The Impossible Song & Other Songs
'A New Day Has Begun' is a full on folk stomp right from the off; with an emphatic bass line pounding out the beat together with drums, banjo, mandolin, violin lines and all, the thirty-six...
Review posted on 7th March 2011
Two Spot Gobi, The Sun Will Rise Album Review
Opening with a fast-moving, rhythmic cello part flanked by gentle suggestions of guitar, 'Guiding Star', the first track on Two Spot Gobi's forthcoming album, The Sun Will Rise, instantly sounds the band as something a...
Review posted on 21st February 2011
Cage The Elephant - Thank You Happy Birthday
Thank You Happy Birthday, Cage The Elephant's long-awaited second album, evidences a band that are entirely in control of their multiple personalities; a band that mix gentle considered melodies with the psychotic, boisterous punk aggression...
Review posted on 21st February 2011
The Chapman Family - Bristol Thekla 2nd February 2011
Far from halted by the wind and rain of a stormy February evening in Bristol, a near-capacity, music-hungry crowd crammed into the dark and dingy hull of the Thekla, a transporter boat turned gig-venue moored...
Review posted on 7th February 2011
Little Comets - In Search Of Elusive Little Comets
In Search Of Elusive Little Comets is the debut album from Newcastle-based four-piece Little Comets, who's alternative fusion combines a perky indie-disco edge with a confident, eclectic blend. The result is outstanding; an album that...
Review posted on 1st February 2011
Stateless - Matilda
Stateless are far from just another bland, guitar-based indie band; in fact, they're pretty much the opposite. Combining echoing atmospheric accompaniments and soaring vibrato-laden falsetto with the electronic beats and squelches of fuzzy, sample-ridden trip-hop,...
Review posted on 1st February 2011
Portico Quartet - Knee-Deep In The North Sea (Deluxe Edition)
Portico Quartets' album Knee-Deep In The North Sea is of the most mesmerising, inspiring albums ever released; a bold statement entirely deserved. Initially released in 2007, Knee-Deep In The North Sea's outstanding, innovative sound was...
Review posted on 1st February 2011
The Chapman Family - Burn Your Town
Following their superb October-released single, 'All Fall', Stockton-On-Tees quartet The Chapman Family continue to prove their arena-filling potential through their debut full length album. Further emphasising their raucous energy and determination, the swaggering forceful confidence...
Review posted on 31st January 2011
Men - Talk About Body
It's impossible to stay still while the infectious, arty, punk-tinged disco house sounds of MEN are echoing clear. An offshoot remix project of feminist electro-punk band Le Tigre, the Brooklyn-based collective capture the energy of...
Review posted on 10th January 2011
Bleu - Four
American thirty-something singer, songwriter and producer William James McAuley III, better known by his performing alias, Bleu, has worked on many musical projects over the past decade; writing for many artists as well as his...
Review posted on 4th January 2011
Fenech-Soler - Demons
The third single from their eponymous September-released debut album, 'Demons' is another fine example of the Fenech-Soler blend; infectious synth-ridden dance-pop following swiftly in the footsteps of the likes of Friendly Fires, Calvin Harris, Frankmusik...
Review posted on 4th January 2011
James Rhodes - Bullets and Lullabies
James Rhodes' third album, Bullets & Lullabies, is a two-edged, somewhat bi-polar sword; a disc of frantic, aggressive, dramatic, fast-paced energy contrasted with a disc of a calmer, more sensitive alter ego, or in Rhodes'...
Review posted on 4th January 2011
Teddy Thompson - Bella
The fifth full-length album from folk-pop singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson is another solid offering that cements a musical blend already near perfected on 2008's A Piece Of What You Need. Opening track 'Looking For A Girl'...
Review posted on 4th January 2011
Dylan LeBlanc - Paupers Field
Paupers Field, the debut album from Louisiana-born twenty year-old Dylan LeBlanc, is a solid and knowing release of country-tinged American folk which evidences great experience and maturity, especially from one so young. The country-folk blend...
Review posted on 17th December 2010
James Vincent McMorrow - James Vincent McMorrow
A brief collection of gentle and deep-thinking, wistful folk ballads, Dublin singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow's self-titled EP showcases a sensitive musical style in the vein of the likes of Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. 'If...
Review posted on 30th November 2010
James Walsh - Live At The Top Of The World
Recorded in the remote town of Tromso in the north of Norway, James Walsh's 'Live At The Top Of The World' EP grew out of the closest major settlement to the North Pole. With string...
Review posted on 30th November 2010
Lightspeed Champion - Bye Bye
Opening with ''Til I Die', a Beach Boys cover with a dreamy kind of Flaming Lips meets Blur circa Think Tank album vibe; composer, songwriter, producer and musician Devonté Hynes, better known as Lightspeed Champion,...
Review posted on 30th November 2010
Rumer - Seasons Of My Soul
A truly stunning debut album, Seasons Of My Soul showcases the exceptional talent of Sarah Joyce, aka Rumer, whose fine voice and songwriting ability blends together the beauty and melancholy of Karen Carpenter and the...
Review posted on 30th November 2010
The Beautiful Losers - Four Corners Of A Tiny Planet
Hyped on their MySpace as 'Indian-influenced electro-acoustic alternative rock', from The Beautiful Losers one anticipates a kind of exciting fusion of folk and world music meeting alternative rock; despite starting with a strong cohort of...
Review posted on 30th November 2010
The Savings And Loan - Today I Need Light
Opening their offering with a smooth yet sombre, captivating string ensemble introduction, The Savings And Loan immediately evidence their sensitive, moving and beautiful if melancholic intentions. 'Swallow' then falls into a raw down-tempo song with...
Review posted on 30th November 2010
Lyrebirds - Blondehead
Lyrebirds' Blondehead EP crashes through the sound waves, opening with a determined guitar riff reminiscent of early Stereophonics, which is then flanked by forceful, driving bass and drum. 'Now I Know Why' is an energetic...
Review posted on 18th November 2010
Olly Murs - Olly Murs
Almost a year since finishing runner up in the sixth UK series of X Factor in 2009, Essex born soul man Olly Murs has finally collated a selection of damn infectious, laid back, funky reggae...
Review posted on 18th November 2010
Westlife - Gravity
In the twelve years that've passed since they were manufactured in 1998, Irish megastars Westlife have had an outstandingly successful career. Having matured through ten big-selling albums from a fresh-faced five-piece pop boy band to...
Review posted on 18th November 2010
The Last Republic - Parade
The Last Republic kick started their career last year by winning the 2009 Road To V competition to play the main stage at V Festival, then opening for Bon Jovi at London's O2 Arena as...
Review posted on 18th November 2010
Kassidy - The Rubbergum EP - Vol. 3
Review of Kassidy's EP The Rubbergum EP - Vol. 3 released through Mercury RecordsThis time last year, Glaswegian based quartet Kassidy, then known as Cassidy, released their debut single 'Night In The Box', which blended...
Review posted on 18th November 2010
Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt - I Love You I Love You I Love You & I'm In Love With You! Have An Awesome Day!
Unable to avoid judging a book by its cover syndrome, even reading their name and looking at the album sleeve there's a blatant suspicion that Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt's debut album may be a crazy...
Review posted on 10th November 2010
The Bees - Every Step's A Yes
Still drenched in the psychedelic retro edge that they've always offered, The Bees' fourth album is another solid and, to some extent, timeless release. Since their Mercury nominated debut in 2002, the Isle of Wight...
Review posted on 10th November 2010
Kisses - The Heart Of The Nightlife
Kisses are an LA based duo that make chilled out feel-good music; a contented blend of electro pop and more down-tempo electronica. Through The Heart Of The Nightlife the duo, Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson...
Review posted on 8th November 2010
Various Artists - BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge Volume 5
The fifth and most recent annual compilation of recordings from BBC Radio One's Live Lounge is yet another selection of aural treats. A collection that mainly features covers of other artists' songs alongside a smattering...
Review posted on 8th November 2010
Suggested
Leisure Festival - Dreamland in Margate
On the same day that Glastonbury welcomed back Margate's adopted sons, The Libertines, Margate itself put on it's very own Leisure Festival as it...
Pretty Fierce talk to us about collaborating with Doja Cat, emetophobia, arena tours and staying "true to yourself" [EXCLUSIVE]
Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.
Will Varley & Jack Valero - The Astor Theatre Deal Live Review
Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.
WYSE talks to us about her "form of synaesthesia", collaborating with Radiohead's Thom York and the prospect of touring with a band [EXCLUSIVE]
With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...
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Bay Bryan talks to us about being a "wee queer ginger", singing with Laura Marling and being inspired by Matilda [EXCLUSIVE]
Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...
Keelan X talks to us about staying true to "your creative vision", collaborating with Giorgio Moroder and being "a yoga nut" [EXCLUSIVE]
Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.
![Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]](https://images.contactmusic.com/images/home/homepage/luke-de-sciscio-abof-a.jpg "Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]")
Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]
Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...
Annie Elise talks to us about the challenges a female producer has to face and "going through a year of grief and sickness" [EXCLUSIVE]
Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...
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