Alabama Shakes set to release album!

I have been eagerly awaiting the news on this album release and its just in..Alabama-based roots-rock quartet Alabama Shakes, are set to release its debut album, Boys & Girls, on April 10th via ATO Records, and you can listen to the first single "Hold On" below.

What is so darn special about this band?.... well they have a kick ass Singer-guitarist 'Brittany Howard' who's deeply emotive vocals are part of what has helped this band turn so many heads. 

We are not the only ones shouting out loud about this band either..Alabama Shakes have been getting plenty of outside encouragement, too. They're kicking off a series of live 7" releases from Jack White's Third Man Records with a two-song single, recorded last fall at Third Man's Nashville studio and arriving later this month. The band is set to make its TV debut on February 7 onConan, We reckon a Jools performance won't be too far after..

As for Boys & Girls, Alabama Shakes recorded the album at the Bomb Shelter in Nashville, producing and mixing it themselves. The crew promise "swampy dirty South rock, blues, and soul delivered with punk rock fervor." Check out the track list below, and visit Alabama Shakes' Facebook page for tour dates.

1. "Hold On"
2. "I Found You"
3. "Hang Loose"
4. "Rise To The Sun"
5. "You Ain't Alone"
6. "Goin' to the Party"
7. "Heartbreake"r
8. "Boys & Girls"
9. "Be Mine"
10. "I Ain't The Same"
11. "On Your Way"

Tracks to check out

This is a compelling and beautiful song from one of Ireland's finest; Eleanor McEvoy. With its simple acoustic arrangement, driven by the piano and soft heart-felt vocals, it is simply stunning..

Wonder Villains: Ferrari

Lets face it each year there is a break through act that emerges and pounces on the scene with a rather loud or progressive bang. We think Wonder Villains will be 2012's... Sugar coated and fresh out of school, they are set on taking over the world with their sparkly-infectious-pop-gems. Such as new single 'Ferrari'

If you are into Acoustic ballads that'll warm the aul cockels of your heart look no further. As Winter leaves us and Spring approaches with Valentines day's impending Loved up atmosphere, you should check out Robb Murphys track (which we highlighted here before) 'Love In Abundance', it's just so gorgeous, but check it out yourself..

Holy shepherds pie Batman! 'Local Superhero’, the latest music video from Northern Irish Pop Rock act Window Seats, has been selected for broadcast across Europe on MTV Rocks, the 24-hour alternative music channel operated by MTV Networks. It has also been named BBC Big Screens National Film of the Week—which is massive kudos to the band. The track features on their latest EP which is FREE! from here: http://music.windowseatsofficial.com/ It sounds like Foo Fighters meets Smashing Pumpkins in a mid fight with Batman and The Joker. It's catchy, well produced and promising.  And with the official video for Local Superhero gathering the attention of MTV, the band may just get a break into the vast abyss of bands trying to carve their own niche... they are not a lesser version of something that's already out there, instead, they are a great combination of various Modern Rock bands and on a low budget they do a pretty darn fine job of recreating an epic rock sound. *Ones to Watch for sure.

...and be sure to check out the official Music video:

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: