Robb Murphy

I got this cd last week from an artist I had never heard of before; Robb Murphy, but only got round to listening to it today. It will now, most likely be on repeat throughout the weekend to the extent of near overload. 'Love in Abundance' is the new ‘Cannon Ball’ or ‘Better’ - It is just sublime. Just press play and ‘Love in Abundance’ may take you back to that moment when you first discovered Tom Baxter or Damien Rice. And surely it is time we swooned over a new Singer Songwriter with heart rendering songs that reach out and touch you instantly.

Robb Murphy’s inimitable style derives from his background as a producer/engineer. Retaining all the hallmarks that separates him from his contemporaries in the singer-songwriter world – he has the creativity, the passion, the raw emotion and the haunting beauty that great singer songwriters are made of. 

'Love and abundance' builds from nothing to a crescendo of devastatingly beauty sung straight from the heart. It contains a pop folk flavor with a touch Irish heritage.

Armed with a distinctive voice that demands the repeat button, which is only emboldened by an uncanny lyrical ability, Robb Murphy’s debut Single ‘Love In Abundance’ is a must for fans of acoustic pop ballads.

VerseChorusVerse

You may have heard of And So I Watch You From Afar.. you may have not (if you were hiding under a rock for the last few years that is..) Either way, what you are about to feast your ears upon will bear no resemblance to the guitar fueled, loud antics of ASIWYFA. Despite the fact that Tony Wright wrote most of the songs from the highly successful aforementioned instrumental outfit, his soft soundings here in VerseChorusVerse are remarkably nothing remotely likened to his previous works.

Here we see the artist stripped back and laid bare. Imagine Neil Young in his solo years when he set out to embark on his own accord and vision and this is what you will find here; a hidden gem with the debris that prevented it from shining, becoming suddenly revealed.

Wright will now endeavour on his own path and we are eager to hear exactly where it will lead.

One word describes this debut EP: beautiful.


One Fine Day is a feast for the ears that would easily sit comfortably following a Bon Iver track on your Ipod. You can almost feel the leaves of Autumn on your feet on Into the Autumn ( it also brings you close to Tom Petty's Into The Great Wide Open) and The Accused & Thrown Away  are resonant of the excitement I felt when I first listened to Villagers debut album. There is something very special going on here. It won't be too long before everyone else follows pursuit. 

‘Tumble Bee’- by Laura Veirs 

This latest offering from Veirs comes after her recent personal entry into the world of motherhood, inspiring her to investigate the history of children’s music and consequently record Tumble Bee, a collection of traditional American folk songs refreshed and reinterpreted for the youth generation. 

Featuring My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Bela Fleck and Basia Bulat amongst others- the album delivers tonnes of good old-fashioned childish fun in bountiful quantities. 

Simplicity is key here. The album evolves with a gentle and soothing tone throughout.  

It's a playful, uncomplicated and easily driven record for music lovers of all ages to enjoy. 

Fancy Face

Fancy Face is the new single from Katie & The Carnival. It's a candy coated musical all sorts delight. 

Fronted by Katie Richardson, who transcends the stereotype of the quirky female vocalist, with her remarkable stage presence, soulful voice and joyous wit. The bands over all music soundings are soulful and harmoniously driven with influences from folk, pop, jazz, rock and a little bit of dark cabaret! 

The pr notes read: Katie creates the kind of smokey jazz that Norah Jones might make if you snuck a load of vodka in her diet coke! Upon listening to this I can't argue with that. 

Download it now, its fun, quirky and eccentrically delightful. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fancy-face-single/id477541028 

Lane del... who??

Our artist of the week goes to Lana Del Rey.

I heard of her first last week, and since then I can not get Video Games out of my brain. Its lush, its eloquently sublime, contagious even. Indeed, there has been a deafening buzz surrounding this New York dame but it hasn’t drowned out her sultry-voiced, string-backed appeal on this debut. Initially, first impressions - Video Games is an unassuming track; then leeks into your brain, enchanting you to near submission; and a star is born. 

Thinks Nancy Sinatra meets Tori Amos. Suberb.

Listen to her performance on Jools Holland recently:

Fling, delightful debut album.

This album isn't exclusively a folk album, though there are some traditional tracks, but rather it's an eclectic, powerful record that highlights the bands intricate musicianship and it's no disappointment. 

The energy is ever prsent in track such as THE BOTTLE OPENER, and the powerhouse of  BANKS OF OHIO, which also has a twist of gypsy going on there. Here, you will see the bands desire to startle and experiment with their musicality, but with a certain maturity and emotional depth, and great variety. 

The traditional instrumental songs on this long payer are eloquent and stunning. Shady Grove, has a Seeger Session sing-a-long feel to it. The precision harmonies are essential here, while there comes a gypsy resonance in tracks like Puerta Del Sol and Banks of Ohio. 

These contemporary songs range from various instrumentally fueled foot stomps and contain a cohesiveness that glues this great folk band together.  The nine or so instrumentals are — two-thirds traditional 1 third gypsy — while the latter are fine songs in their own right, decorated with - easy-to-listen to- vocal harmonies. All in all providing a sumptuous introduction to this Galwegian Band. This is an album worth listening to.

Dublin band The Deadflags, release their EP You Got It Wrong on Oct 28th. You can see them in Whelan's in Dublin On Oct 26th doing their Indie pop thing.

The band muster up sounds that are irritatingly good. An up-tempo Irish equivalent to Razorlight at best, The Deadflags know how to piece together a good tune and have honed in their craft on this illustrious EP. Do yourself a favour and add this to your music collection.

Links: http://www.thedeadflags.com http://myspace.com/thedeadflags http://www.bebo.com/the-dead-flags http://www.sonicbids.com/thedeadflags

being a villain can now be a lotta fun..

Wonder Villains exude a certain amount of fun and mischief all in one musical stance. If you're into silly non emotive straight up in your face fun music, then you MUST check this band out.  Getting ready to share their much hyped music, they will release a brand NEW EP titled ZOLA which CONTAINS THREE TRACKS: 

1. ZOLA, 2. 33, 3. RUNNING IN CIRCLES. 

This will be the band's debut release and will be out through No Dancing Records in October; a bit of a joint release with Third Bar Artist Development. The Wonder Villains; a pop band from Derry, love to make songs about many varying subjects such as ‘Zola’ (yes Gianfranco, the footballer) and Peter Petrelli (the character from Heroes). 

Having just completed their A-Levels they're now busy dishing out helpings of joyful, blistering anti-pop, while finding out how high they can push the distortion on their homemade keyboard sounds.

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL STREAM TO THEIR NEW EP HERE!!

They'll be blazing a trail across Ireland & UK in the coming months and head out on tour with General Fiasco in October.

Tour Dates (Supporting General Fiasco):

Sat 22nd Oct - Academy 2, Dublin 

Sun 23rd Oct - Thekla, Bristol 

Tues 25th Oct - King Tuts, Glasgow 

Wed 26th Oct - Rainbow, Birmingham 

Thurs 27th Oct - Islington academy 2, London 

Sat 29th Oct - Deaf institute, Manchester 

Sun 30th Oct - Queens, Belfast

In the meantime play this record, play it loud, tap your feet & clap your hands!

Links to band: 

http://www.facebook.com/WonderVillains 

http://wondervillains.bandcamp.com/


In the meantime check them out Live at BBC Introducing this year:
http://youtu.be/_ckmxeXaML0

Tom Fuller new album hits home

Tom Fuller is back on the scene with his new album Ask. And in short: it is brilliant.

It's the third studio album from the Tom Fuller Band. Hailing from The windy city Chicago, Fuller is a seasoned musician who while growing up, was a massive fan of Paul McCartney. 

I don't think the dream to one day record and hang out with Mc Cartney's band was ever within his grasp, but as the time went by, one day; it would happen. 

It is that early love of McCartney's music and influence which is ever florescent on Ask. On this third album Fuller is joined with Abe Laboriel Jr. and Brian Ray of McCartney's band to record the album and to fulfill that sound which was resonating in Fullers' mind all these years. And the result: a rockin' piece of music, a well produced, rounded and solid album of great proportions.

Ask begins with a catchy tune "Lovers" and continues with the infectious title track "ASK". Featuring uplifting melodies in an album full of many, it becomes a great introduction to an evenly flowing album. Ask continues with "Doin' Nothin," and it's memorable chorus which keeps an upbeat theme throughout. The album remains consistently buoyant and closes with the captivating "Garden Dreaming Days."

Inspired by the solid soundings of McCartney, this record is a just effort from Tom Fuller & band. His vocals are great, raw and true, buy this record its brilliant. Even better while driving with the windows open and volume up to the loudest... preferably in the sun too.

 9/10 

Download Lovers: A crackin' tune:

  

Ben Glover/ Before the birds

Ben Glover is not just a good looking chap with a guitar in hand, no no no, he is a good looking chap with a guitar in hand, great songs and a hell of an album to sell at gigs.

..Glover recorded new album Before the Birds in Nashville with producer Nelson Hubbard. Naturally when one finds a suitable and stellar workmate, a just relationship is formed where the producer can draw out the very best in the artist. And he did, because 'Before The Birds' is simply stunning. It's one of them more you listen to, the more you hear type of records, each song unveiling parts of Glover that he has laid bare.

His voice is also more heart felt and has developed a slight husky growl that gives his vocals an endearing charm. Opener 'Trick Of The Light' sets the tone for the entire album. The approach seems to be a less is more from the sparse instrumentation to the main focus being put on the vocals this time around and it works really well. Each track is allowed the space to envelope the listener and has a soothing and lasting effect.  

It's definitely a laid back dinner party record but it's also a long drive on a summers day 'lets all be glad about what we have' - type of album as he evokes a happy, hopeful chemistry throughout.  

There are stand out tracks that could hold their own on certain evening and night time radio shows, such as 'Trick of The Light' and 'To Believe'. But I don't see it sitting well between Beyonce and The Script on daytime/morning mainstream radio, as it's just not cast with the same iron, which is not entirely a bad thing either, in a commonplace where artists are slashing around at their integrity to write songs suited for radio it's always refreshing to find a songwriter that remains true to himself without sacrificing too much of his art. Besides, Glovers sound has a familiarity to it, he is like an old friend whom you will listen to when he speaks, this is an artist who can demand your attention as he HAS something to say. 

a fine album well worth checking out.

8/10

www.benglover.co.uk

JOHN EDGAR VOE; WESTERN NOTES; SUPERB

Martin Corrigan fronts folk/ alt country outfit: John Edgar Voe. They will be releasing a Four track EP titled Western Notes on June 24th, which gives a fine example of what is to come in the upcoming album, set to be released in early 2012. 

Their use of syncopation and asymmetrical rhythms with long and irregular melodies reflect the wide open geography of the American landscape, so it's a bit odd to find that they are from Fermanagh. 

There is wit and consternation and wonderful phrasing throughout. 'Highwayman' echoes Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire asserting that very important call-and-response format. While 'The Conscript' contains lyrics that make you want to listen to every word, in addition to every note, delivered in part dialogue and part song, it is one of my favourite tracks on the EP.

Overall, this EP will make a great addition to any Ipod or playlist collection. Corrigan has the uncanny ability to delve into the very soul of a song, he tells it as it is and delivers a song in an uncannily cool and austere manner, like that which only Cash could manifest. His voice is perfectly suited to the narrative style he has chosen for a good part of this project. He draws you into a story like few other people can. It's not surprising so, that here is another exceptionally good high quality act from the North of Ireland.

Like them: FACEBOOK
LISTEN TO THE EP:
    

John Edgar Voe; essential Summer listening

Seeping Into Cinemas Music Video : Shoot Out

I just Love Love Love this guy: here's his new single and official music video:

The album launch takes place June 16th in Odessa, you'd be a crazy person NOT to go, its music to sooth the ears and enlighten the soul with an electronic twist which is utterly sublime>  http://www.facebook.com/seepingintocinemas

JP Ryan; an astute songwriter

DANCING WITH ANIMA: ALBUM REVIEW.

I was recently sent an album of JP Ryan's. I hadn't heard of him, and the album's title was not alluring, yet after a little hesitation I pressed play and was pleasantly surprised. After all it was raining outside, wind was strong and the fire was lit. So why not. While reading the PR notes I learnt that he has supported the likes of Rod Stewart to name but one. I began to think how many new acts get such a platform? I later learned that he has a good rep for his live shows, so if you are out an about be sure to check on his live dates over at http://www.jpryanmusic.com/JP_Ryan_/Tour.html

The album: JP Ryan's songs are enriched by a wonderfully warm, rich breathy vocal similar to that of the late Christie Hennessey and resonant of Tracy Chapman. The album Dancing with Anima, was released last year, to a quiet stir, obviously a slow burner, but yet it is filled with heart rendering ballads, that don't necessarily have a place on mainstream pop, but yet can seep into the crevices of modern folk and merit him with a modest bit of respect. Tracks of note include "Leave the radio on" & a lovely rendition of "Yesterday". All in all the album will not break record sales, but is a nice anecdote for a rainy day. "In my shoes" melody is like a toned down version of Limp Bizkit's version of behind  Blue eyes, and its annoying, very annoying.. Other than that, there is nothing offensive about this album, its safe and plays out with ease.

Too easy in fact, so much so that it may just get forgotten. Hopefully not as he is a fine songwriter and guitarist.

6/10

Henrietta Game: Black Ship

Henrietta Game: Black Ship

Henrietta Game; are a band of many qualities, so lets tick all the boxes here: they can compose elite songs that will knock many of their contemporaries out of the water like in the game battleships, they can all sing (the harmonies are astounding), they can all perform, they are each multi instrumentalists and they are each exquisitely good looking (in a medieval striking way). There is Cello, Guitar, Stomp, Violin, Glockenspiel, Drum, Piano and a vast array of lead and harmony Vocals. A merging of disparate musical influences that has resulted in something rather special indeed. It's almost like they are a distant cousin of Julie Feeney, as it has that same masterful touch and a mix of unique sinuous music composed to utmost masterful musicianship.

They have just finished recording their stunning debut Black Ship and are about to launch a new Single Sleep Then to what I believe will be a fast growing fan base. 

Impressively, Black Ship never over indulges, as some new bands tend to do on their debuts in a ply to overcompensate for something amiss, no, instead it expands and boasts a conundrum of epic soundscapes and its daring is only matched by its warmth and sublime textures.  It is worth noting that various members of the band are classically trained musicians, which adds a depth of sheer quality to their work. 

This album begs for the repeat button, and when it finishes you want to know why? and find yourself back in your seat in reality as it sucks you into its own world. In a good way. In a very good way.

check out their acoustic version of Black Ship performed live in The Ruby Session;

Seeping into absolute bliss

Very very rarely does one come across something unseen and unheard, especially in the age of technology, over hype and buzz words over saturating it, but when it happens that a little rock contains a sparkle to reveal it to be a hidden gem, ah when it happens its is majestic. 

Such a thing happened to me recently when in my dropbox came a gem of an album by Seeping Into Cinemas, a name I was unfamiliar with, but was instantly curious about. The album 100,000 times blends beautiful low-key delicate whispered vocals strewn together in a perfectly sublime manner; allowing each track to evolve into the next. 

The album is made up of of ten dreamy melodic haunting tracks that pays homage to a world full of broken hearted misanthropes and sad souls who dream of escape. Indeed it would be suffice to say that Barry O Briens work is reminiscent of the early soft acoustics of Smashing Pumpkins, Yo la Tengo and Low, as they have an allure that remains with you and lingers on - its melodic, its sublime, its special, absolutely worth giving it a listen and of course, spending a few quid on when the album comes out.

Check out  a track (Dour Hour)  from the album here: Note how cool O Brien and indeed his entire band are:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100501453370916

--

‘Seeping Into Cinemas’  ‘100,000 times’ the debut album –
gets its Release date on: June 17th
go to the: Launch night June 16th Odessa, Dublin!

BROOKE FRASER; album FLAGS

Brooke Fraser releases her first UK & Irish album debut today : Flags. It is formed out of vivid tales of stories and characters with intro-centric tunes, a charm and a half and catchy as you can get hooks. Fraser draws inspiration from characters other than herself and opts for colorful storytelling on Flags. Its no wonder it is already up for numerous awards in her homeland of New Zealand where she is an eight times platinum selling phenomenon.

I think it will be Fraser’s capability at delivering soft lingering, lilting melodies that will give her a steady rise not to mention her diverse catalogue of charming songs on this album.

The New Zealand songstress self-produced the record with a sublime confidence that radiantly reflects and beams off the songs. Whats more apparent, is her exploration of different instruments and soundscapes.

Standout tracks include the opener Something in the water (Video below with has over 1.6 million views already!) with its instantaneous sing-a-long appeal, or the piano-backed Aqualung duet, “Who Are We Fooling,” the ‘every girl’ track and Canadian shout-out, “Betty” and beautifully sparse “Sailboats.”

Fraser’s urge to write this album came to her one night at California music festival, Coachella, so it’s only fitting that there be a song in its honor and recognition that you can envision she will play at festivals with the sun going down in the back drop to fans lazily swaying to her hypnotic and enchanting voice. All in all this album is beautifully written and sublimely produced with a personal touch that captures the inner beauty in this artists' music which is destined to propel her into relative stardom away from home.

Flags: Wood & Bone) 10/10

Check out Something in The Water; the lead single from the album here:
Flags (Wood & Bone)

ROBERT SARAZIN BLAKE> THE BELFAST SESSIONS

In 1997, Robert Sarazin Blake dropped out of college and hit the road. The folk music of his father’s house had combined with the DIY punk ethos of the day and produced his first batch of songs, Another Irrelevant Year. On the heels of Richard Manning, Billy Bragg, and Ani Difranco, Blake’s 18-year-old release is an early document of the folk-punk movement. On his first US tour, Blake played 30 shows around the US planting seeds as he developed touring, not as an economic model, but as a lifestyle. He hasn’t stopped. Ten full length albums into his career, he’s continued to write pulling from folk roots, his travels, his contemporaries, and the quiet spot in the back of his mind. The writing has evolved, mellowing with experience and expanding with reference, but the essence of the work has remained the same-strong narratives solidly built on the folk foundation and fully in the immediacy of the now. The touring and performing has become an art in itself. Performing 200 shows a year, Blake is a world class performer in a neighborhood venue.

With gigs across the USA, Europe, and most commonly Ireland. Hitch hiking his way throughout his first tour around the country, guitar on his back, playing bars, rooms, festivals and fields, Blake developed a deep appreciation for Irish Traditional folk music. This year sees the release of THE BELFAST SESSIONS LP. Recorded in Belfast and Bellingham over the course of 2 sessions, the album features trad maestros John and Tina McSherry and Francis Mc Ilduff. 

THE BELFAST SESSIONS

THE LP: Flourishing songs of the everyday, of love and of the weather against a backdrop of uillean pipes, bodhran and guitar, the album is a testament to this powerful songwriters capacity at the simple, yet poetic delivery of song. 

The album features his most accessible work to date, most noticeably; 'Waiting' and 'City Covered in Snow.' It's a folk/trad record, written and conceived in the two wettest towns this side of Glasgow, informed by his love of folk, trad and quality music.

On 29th April, Blake returns to Ireland again with this new record, 'Belfast Sessions.'on deadslackstring records. He's not sleeping on beaches, or parks anymore (well we hope not!) but he is bringing his distinctive style of folk music to bars, venues and rooms around the country.

Irish Tour dates: 


29th April - Cobblestone, Dublin 


30th April - House show, Kinsale, Cork 


1st May- Roadside Tavern, Lisdoonvarna 


2nd May - Limerick 


4th May - Roisin Dubh, Galway 


5th May - Auntie Annie's, Belfast 
6th May - Cavan 


7th May - McGirls Pub, Leitrim 


8th May - Furey's pub, Sligo

Links: 
www.sarazinblake.com

new reviews! PETER BJORN & JOHN/ POLY STYRENE + MORE

POLY STYRENE: GENERATION INDIGO

Cult Punk legend, Poly Styrene who summarised an entire youth movement and helped revolutionise Seventies counter culture ahead of changing musical styles, releases her eagerly awaited: Generation Indigo next month. Here is a record that resists being a nostalgic Punk by-product and proves that there is still much of the essence of the woman she was, residing here. In fact not a bit has wavered, she is still capable of delivering a punchy monotone vocal and great Punk tracks, resonant of the early days. What I find great and utterly impressive here is that Poly Styrene has successfully not succumbed to total Pop degeneracy. 

The album stimulates the senses, dallying around Pop standards with clever dub arrangements and non-commercial dance beats. The pristine production gives a perfect vessel for her unchanged and un hinged non-cynical look on life. Ever the caring, anti-war and very much socially aware woman she always displayed herself to be. This album is exciting without portraying a completely transparent and false image - Awesome.

I also just heard that Poly was recently diagnosed with Cancer, so therefore Any planned shows arranged with the promotion of this record are currently on hold .I wish Poly a very speedy recovery while currently undergoing treatment.

PETER, BJORN & JOHN: GIMME SOME

There was a time that not a day went by without hearing the tune of Young Folks. It’s the token catchy song that has fears of getting ruined because of multiple plays. Yet, I am quite sure that Peter, Bjorn & John, are proud of it and so they should be, it made way for all things that followed. 

Gimme Some reins you in with the obvious pop songs, they’re so poppy they border on being a guilty pleasure. Half of the album see's the band doing what they do best, the other half is them experimenting, which is also what they do best. This is in no way a disappointment in any sense and absolutely a worthy addition to their distinguishable discography. 

Gimme Some doesn’t lack is energy. It doesn't lack great pop songs destined to be Summer anthems, It is idiosyncratic in the shortest bursts of vigour that almost sounds like a garage rock band and they’ve managed to release a great pop album with the unmissed absence of whistling… albeit I think its safe to say Gimme Some willl and them back on the map they have been traveling off and on since Writers Block.

Here is one of the tracks:

Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History

It’s a fact; Two Door Cinema Club have been unstoppable for the past year. With sold out shows all over, its no wonder that amongst their loyal fans, it extends to include Kanye West, Daft Punk and Blink 182, and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world comes on board the gravy train. That is, if their debut record Tourist History is anything to go by. (All aboard then..)

The album, features to the point, customized electro-pop anthems arranged and executed in a teen like fashion, aimed at a youth market who will support to till the bitter end. Here is target marketing, at its best. They deliver, deliver, deliver.

Offering the listener 10 tracks, over the space of about 35 minutes, they album is a high-octane energy bar with all the fat trimmed off. Two Door Cinema Club have stepped into the arena, and will remain for the fight offs. We think they will survive.