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.

Brilliant new single from Dublin band: THE GANDHIS

The Gandhis are an ambitious band with an equally ambitious debut album titled: YOU ARE MY FRIEND. Despite it taking its time to reach me, I am most certainly glad it did. However, it is not the album as a whole that I draw your attention to: it is a new single which is out on March 4th via iTunes. Although it's safe to say that the entire album consistently showcases a dynamic songwriting ability for MAINSTREAM pop and is a refreshing twist on what in recent times has become something of an over done sound. Where have this band been hiding away?

The finely chosen and final single to come from the album is : You Are My Friend (which has a radio edit!!). It has a catchy sing-a-long chorus, with conventional guitar lines and up tempo beats mixed with perfectly delivered male harmonies. It makes for a song that is almost custom built for radio! BUY IT>>>> NOW.

PS:::you have got to check out the song they wrote for DATA from Star Trek- LOVE THIS BAND

also check them out on BTV_ BRILLIANT. Look at how great they are live.

ACOUSTRA: putting 'rad' back into TRAD

We have been hearing a lot about this Trad/folk band of late and with no wonder, they tick all the boxes. Fun, Talented and up for the mighty craic of it all...They are not in it for the debauched lifestyle, more so for the hell of it and for the lust of the music. Even though they can fairly find their way around the cover songs these past 10 years or more, its in the writing of original music that they relish in. 

March 2011 see the band release their debut EP and it's about time! We think this band will be shaking the floor boards of many a venue over the coming months and its just what we need in times like these. Speaking of recession, the band are giving the EP away for free also! Once you pass on the good word on and spread the musical love that is. The title of the EP, is The way it used to be and it also has a skit video to match: not so much in the rude mode of their fellow Limerick allies; The Rubberbandits, but a more a to the point dig at the Irish government and the state they have the country in. ( Video below ) But do check out TECHNO TRAD, by far one of the best pieces of original music I have heard, ever, in fact. And where the hell did the accordion player come from, word has it he also uses a wha pedal on it at live gigs!

CHECK IT OUT: FREE MUSIC- download and pass the link on!

  

Official band statement:

: "We wrote The Way It Used to be, as we’ve seen what the government has done to the country. They spoonfed us and squandered our economies cash, so who are we to ask the people of Ireland to dig deeper into their pockets at such a trying time. We thought to opt to give this EP away for Free- All we ask is that you download a tune & pass the link on! Or follow us http://twitter.com/Acoustra, see you all at a gig in the future!"

OFFICIAL VIDEO:

   

Stephen Young & The Union

STEPHEN YOUNG & THE UNION's album just arrived on my desk. Via special digital delivery, and to be honest there are many special things about this band. Based on the first listen, they are a mix between An Emotional Fish/ Imelda May (a male version on the more up tempo songs)  and The Waterboys. (Which, lets face it, it never a bad thing.) 

From the first track, the said single COKE & RUM, he brings us into the full fettle of what the band are capable of: that is creating a pounding heartfelt retrospect that will set him apart from his luminaries, with piano, roaring guitars, basslines galore and a seedy vocal that sounds like there was definitely Coke and Rum on the ready- this surely appeals to the repeat button!

Whether in a mellow mood or just plain aggressive, Young & The Union's music comes from the heart. 

The album’s title is ‘Wilderness Machine’. Young explains: “the concept of the album is loosely based on a character, who left his hometown after the break-up of a relationship and the death of a close friend. He moves to a remote house in the mountains where he writes a series of letters that lead to a novel”.

The recording process for the album took two years in total. It involved 11 different musicians in three different studios. Young was adamant on getting the right place at the right time to capture the imagery and overall sound of each song. 

A very good album- looking forward to having this on repeat.

new music 2011: GENTRY MORRIS

Gentry Morris: Awake ‘O’ SleeperHailing from South Georgia in the USA, Gentry moved to Bangor, Northern Ireland, in his mid 20s. Having honed his talent by touring the States for several years, including a stint in Nashville, he now calls Ireland home. He is about to release his third album, a mix mesh lucky bag of simplified & heartfelt musical treats delivered in an original voice that has become one of my favourites. His tone is one of pure audible luxury.

Attempting to following in the formative footsteps of Josh Ritter – it looks like Morris is using Ireland as a starting platform for his musical career. And what do we think of that, well we think it will work. 

AWAKE 'O'O SLEEPER is an acoustic masterpiece. Stunningly self produced and captures acoustic instrumentation to the full, leaving you with glowing lush sounds, which blends with Gentry’s vocals and the guest vocalists on the album. (including Juliet Turner). 

Stand out tracks: Fools Gold, Lie, Dervishes. Sublimely excellent third album that is well worth checking out.

9/10

also check out: very cool.

Xmas Singles + music

FUNZO: 'This Christmas' – In aid of Barnardos

Funky & poptastic outfit ‘Funzo’ have decided to dedicate all proceeds from the sale of their First ever single ‘This Christmas’, towards Barnardos charity. 

The song itself is a delightful appetizer in the form of a Christmas tune, that will leave you hungry for the main course album, which the band have promised will be out in the new year. Lush the whole way and with mellow as can be harmonies and effortlessly catchy music throughout, we shall be hearing this on the radio in the Month of December with all the other legendary Xmas tunes.

*It is Funzo’s belief that during the season of goodwill, people will be keen to support the single release and help raise significant funds for Barnardos. For more info on the band please go to their facebook page

*If you would like to make a Charitable donation please see contact details for Barnardos below.

Or click here to donate

THE SAW DOCTORS// RED CORTINA (First Love Stays With You Forever)

Official Release Date: 3rd December 2010 (exclusively to iTunes). 100% of All proceeds go to St Vincent de Paul Society**.

One line review: 'Legendary band- legendary re- record'.

Red Cortina (First Love Stays With You Forever): A song about the first time you fell in love… As the lyric says: Christmas Party Seventy-Seven… Heart Beat Like An Earthly Tremor…. First Love Stays With You Forever……

**

Eleanor McEvoy exclusive stream: SHIBBOLETH: captures ‘A devastating economic crisis’.

When Eleanor began write her new album, I’d Rather Go Blonde, Ireland was in the grips of severe winter weather and a devastating economic crisis. The 6th song on the album, Shibboleth, is especially relevant in light of the news of the bailout of the Irish government:

LISTEN TO THE EXCLUSIVE STREAM HERE: http://bit.ly/fbS52Z

One line review: "Wow".

***

THE FRANK AND WALTERS Release new Xmas Single ‘Song for a Future Love’

Release new Single ‘Song for a Future Love’ On Dec 10th 2010 (FIFA RECORDS)

With Indie hits such as ‘Fashion Crisis Hits New York’ & ‘After All’ (which reached the top twenty in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at #11. The group also appeared on Top of the Pops in support of the single; it went as high as #5 in the Irish charts). Their music today is as relevant as any of the new pretenders on the block and only a handful of bands anywhere in the world can lay claim to such longevity of popularity. Catch the band revisiting Indie classics and new material from their forthcoming album set for release in 2011, at a list of December shows around the country.

Dates:
11.12 Liverpool, Zanzibar,
23.12 The Academy Dublin,?28.12 The INEC Killarney,
29.12 The Savoy Cork,
30.12 The Royal Theatre Castlebar, Co Mayo,?31.12 Dolans Warehouse, Limerick.

One line ( or two ) review: "do this band know how to write bad music? NO I didn't think so. Brilliant".

***

Various artists: Mark Lamarr’s Rhythm & Blues Christmas- Out Now!

“A satisfying blend of hits and obscurities ranging from blues to jazz, but predominantly R&B”

With Shake, Rattle And Roll, The Beginners Guide To Reggae and Alternative ’60s under his belt, Mark Lamarr’s current Radio 2 slots are the self-explanatory Shake, Rattle And Roll and God’s Jukebox, an eclectic mix of hip hop, funk, country and gospel. Mark is also regularly called upon to present a radio show on Christmas Day and it is the R&B, blues, doo wop and jazz element of that show that is reflected in this selection of favourites drawn from his own collection.

The Ravens’ “White Christmas” and Mabel Scott’s “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” reached #9 and #12 respectively on the R&B chart over the 1948 Christmas holiday period; Felix Gross’s “Love For Christmas” and The Oriole’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” both peaked at #9 a year later; and “Far Away Blues (Xmas Blues)”, which featured Little Esther and Mel Walker singing with the Johnny Otis Orchestra, was a #6 hit in 1950. The remainder of Mark’s selection is a mixture of familiar names (The Moonglows, Joe Turner, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Louis Armstrong, among others) and a smattering of less well known artists, all conspiring to make your seasonal holiday a Rhythm & Blues Christmas to remember. Check out: http://soundcloud.com/fantasticvoyage/louis-armstrong-cool-yule

One line review: "A necessity for the Xmas collection!"

Falling for Nick Howard..

Falling for Nick

The press release writes that : There's a little something special about Nick Howard. Usually we like to find out these things for ourselves, so off we went to have a listen, and low and behold, it does not lie.  The press Release does not Lie. He is finally here, the guy that can potentially rescue us from the drowning scores of singer songwriter hopefuls that just aim, shoot, fire and miss the target. Overhyped or under hyped, no one has really caught our attention quite like this guy. He already sounds like he has been here for years, he already sounds like he has arrived.


It is an actual Fact. Hello Nick Howard.


As an Award winning British Singer Songwriter, he produces a mild folk/pop sound that beckons toward a brave, new, post-emotional future. His new offering ‘Falling For You’ effortlessly creates gentle background music that sways like the waves and feels twice as cool.

go check out: