Album, Single, EP and Live Reviews

Live Reviews: Brainwash VI @ Brudenell Social Club & Royal Park Cellars, Leeds 15.10.11
The annual showcase of Leeds-based musicians (and a few special guests) that is Brainwash Festival has garnered much attention since its conception and is as highly anticipated this year as ever. So, with two days of bright sunshine to play with, what better way to spend it than in light-deprived ear-numbing happiness?
Posted on Nov 1st, 2011
Live Reviews: Cut Copy @ Manchester Academy 2 26.10.11
Whilst this small, dark Academy venue is a far cry from the damp, spacious surroundings of the Warehouse Project’s habitual location, Australia’s Cut Copy manage to get the crowd raving as if they were partying at 4am under Manchester Piccadilly Station. Perhaps it’s the excitement from their latest LP Zonoscope. Or perhaps it’s the fact that us Brits haven’t seen them for three years since they toured In Ghost Colours. Whatever it is, we’re quite happy to welcome the boys from down under with open arms.
Posted on Oct 31st, 2011
Albums: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Soul Time! (Daptone)
B-sides and rarities from the undisputed masters of retro soul/funk
Posted on Oct 31st, 2011
Albums: Maria Taylor - Overlook (Saddle Creek)
Her second band Azure Ray were consistently beautiful. Her debut solo album Invisible Ones was a sublime offering of excellent songwriting. Her ex-boyfriend was Conor Oberst. Maria Taylor is one of the coolest US artists I can think of, but you wouldn't believe it from her latest offering Overlook.
Posted on Oct 31st, 2011
Albums: Tori Amos - Night Of The Hunters (Deutsche Grammaphon)
Night Of Hunters is worth the persistence.
Posted on Oct 31st, 2011
Live Reviews: Yann Tiersen @ o2 Academy, Birmingham 25.10.11
With only a year's difference between Dust Lane and his new album Skyline, Yann Tiersen clearly has a lot to show in his recent productive flux.
Posted on Oct 30th, 2011
Live Reviews: Tellison / Fixtures / Jackhatch @ Moles Club, Bath 26.10.11
Local powerpop trio Jackhatch explode into their show-opening set tonight, assaulting the Moles crowd with a barrage of heavy rock riffs and frenzied basslines. Jackhatch seem rough around the edges, but this just adds to their charm - they aren't a polished mainstream act, they are a DIY band focusing on getting the crowd moving. Dripping with infectious licks 'Mindy' hints at a more mature New Found Glory and stands out as a definite highlight - the offbeat guitar and ska-tinged vocals from lead singer Chris Bunt showcase an unexpected side of the band. Jackhatch play uptempo, danceable rock songs from start to finish, ending their half-hour set on their self proclaimed “biggest chart topper”.
Posted on Oct 30th, 2011
Live Reviews: S.C.U.M @ Academy, Manchester 08.10.11
The pressure of tonight, despite the small crowd size, would easily crush any other band. It’s particularly tense for S.C.U.M – and frontman Thomas Cohen in particular – where the tension of living up to your older brother’s shadow (The Horrors), must be nerve wrecking.
Posted on Oct 30th, 2011
Live Reviews: Why? @ Union Chapel, London 24.10.11
As Why? shuffle on stage in front of an anticipant Union Chapel crowd, Yoni Wolf - front man, and chief mischief maker promises something different. Not just an atmospheric set in an unusual venue, but a showcase of entirely new material. With a 5th album on the horizon this is most definitely a test run but Why? sound like they've been playing these songs for longer than half a tour.
Posted on Oct 28th, 2011
Live Reviews: Sŵn Festival @ Various Venues, Cardiff 20-23.10.11
Now in its fifth year, Cardiff’s answer to South by Southwest is going from strength to strength.
Posted on Oct 27th, 2011
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