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I am officially blacklisting anyone who calls Liam Finn a singer/songwriter... Not because he’s not technically a singer/songwriter – but so he doesn’t get pigeonholed into what comes into mind when someone is described in such a way. Liam Finn live at Scala was nothing like I had imagined. Having picked up his debut album, I’ll Be Lightning a while back, I assumed he would be the typical ‘man and his guitar’ outfit, playing the songs directly from his album. Good Lord, was I wrong. As soon as openers Connan Mockasin and Laurence Arabia had left the stage, Liam Finn appeared alongside his techs to set up his equipment – I thought this was odd, appearing on stage to tune your own guitar without the massive fanfare for an introduction, but everything was explained later in the show. As prompt as the schedule would allow him to be, Liam introduced himself and his accomplice Eliza Jane Barnes (‘EJ’) (on backing vocals and percussion), to a riotous response from the packed room. The...
Liam Finn - Live at Scala
2 December 2008

Altsounds Recommends Liam Finn - Live at Scala
Kenan Bell – ‘Good Day’ EP Hailing from Los Angeles, California, 25-year old rapper is Kenan Bell has just released his debut EP, ‘Good Days’ and is setting the Hip Hop scene alight with his ‘shoegaze, minimalist’ Hip Hop sound. Apparently attracting fans from almost every demographic sphere both here in the UK and of course in the US, it’s not hard to see why once you hit play on the EP. Hip-Hop has taken up many different personas over the years since its inception in the Bronx circa 1970s and when a new artist comes along, some may find it easier to stick with the Hip Hop ‘establishment’. Instead I challenge you to sit down, relax and spend about 20 minutes in the company of Kenan Bell, well, at least through your stereo anyway… ‘Good Day’ is one EP that your ears deserve to hear, not because its ground breaking, it isn’t, but simply because his lyrics are well thought-out and dropped over sonic beats, which are supported by his sun-drenched LA vocals. The songs, they...
Kenan Bell - Good Day [EP]
+1 Records 		Dustin Kensrue is better known for his work with post-hardcore band Thrice, but over the past year or so Dustin has ventured in to the solo market. Dustin’s first album Please Come Home was released at the end of last year and did pretty well. The Good Night Is Still Everywhere is a Christmas album and features 8 cover songs and 2 originals. Dustin is a big fan of Christmas songs and decided to express this through this album. The Good Night Is Still Everywhere isn’t cheesy at all and is based on the more traditional approach to Christmas songs, including such classics as O Holy Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and The Pogues Fairytale of New York. The songs are sung with a very warm tone and Dustin’s voice is so soft and easy to listen to. It’s Dustin’s passion for Christianity and his believes that give his sound genuine sincerity. The songs are very simple and seem to flow so easily. This is the perfect album to have playing on Christmas Eve afternoon to get you in the mood for...
Dustin Kensrue - The Good Night Is Still Everywhere (CD)
Vagrant Records
What a name for a band, one of the best I have heard. Anyone not having heard of the band would assume Eagles Of Death Metal are actually a Death Metal band, but that’s far from correct. Jesse Hughes and Joshua Homme have something special here. They are just out to have a laugh, and what better way to achieve this but to create garage rock at its most unique through the majesty of song. The whole album has a southern rock vibe, with lashings of cowboy boots and spurs. At moments Queens Of The Stoneage pop into the track but then are violently tucked away with some cool funk influences. Comparing EODM to another band is very hard, they are original in their own right, influences are hard to spot and it’s difficult to tie them down to a conventional genre. This is the third instalment to their album collection, and it’s a great investment. Dance-ability and blues take up a hefty section of the album, with clever production that sounds slightly vintage. The tracks sound layed back,...
Eagles Of Death Metal - Heart On [Album]
Downtown Music

Altsounds Recommends Eagles Of Death Metal - Heart On [Album]
Much as these annoying cash-ins get squarely right on my breast area and are clearly some conniving little record label executive's mean way of ripping us all off; why don't you just come around my house and steal my credit-crunch cornflakes you mean-spirited cock! Anyway I'm getting way-laid with my argument here. What I was trying to say is much as these tie-ins bug me I have this urge to hear anything Glasvegas release and as such I dipped my hand into my ever emptying pocket and forked out for 'A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)' which instantly outstrips Coldplay's little rip-off mini-album as all six tracks featured here are new to the Glasvegas canon. So what does 'A Snowflake Fell...' tell us? Well for starters much as this is a Christmas album it's not the sort you'll be playing to Granny on Christmas morning well not if 'Fuck You, It's Over' is anything to go by. However, this is a continuation of Glasvegas self-titled debut album albeit with the Christmas theme...
Glasvegas - A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)
Sony BMG

Altsounds Recommends Glasvegas - A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)
Paper Trail is T.I.'s sixth studio album, and was apparently penned whilst T.I. was on house arrest awaiting gun crime charges back in November 2007. It is rumoured that this is the first time that T.I. has written lyrics on paper since I'm Serious', his debut album - hence the 'Paper Trail' album title. The first single from the album is 'No Matter What', a rolling, snare-driven track that talks about his possible incarceration, losing his partner and child, revenge, and staying on top. Possibly not scenarios you and I may have experienced, but we can all totally understand the message. '56 Bar Intro' contains quite possibly my favourite lyric in the whole world - 'I'm back on top like a toupee'!! Not every rapper can get away with that, surely?! 'You Ain't Missing Nothing' is a really beautiful piano-led track. The lyrics are deep and well written, almost as if T.I. is talking to a friend or relative. It's all about staying strong, and toughing it out - something ALL of us...
T.I. - Paper Trail (Album)
Atlantic
A girl 4 piece that can actually play their instruments? Never you say? Well listen and listen well. The Sheffield based punk rock band, Maeven, rock out harder than a Motorhead fan with tourettes. The girls have the aesthetics as well as the talent, making them a great musical package. Having toured through the Us back in 2006 with great results, they have obviously gathered some good experience before jumping in the never ending minefield of studio time. The record is produced by themselves and Matt Elliss, but does have a few tell tail signs of a DIY job. Digital distortion for one and some dodgy noise-gating on the drums. This is kind of a shame, as the material is very good. Potentially the record could sound stupidly good, but for a debut they have done a spot-on job. With punky hard bass lines and heavy guitar work, the album gets off to a thumping start with 'Queen Of Hearts', an energetic rock'n'roll track. This is the sort of track you can drive to. It's fast with some good...
Maeven - Maeven (Album)
LockJaw Records 		Seemingly another unnecessary release by a record label in order to simply cash in; 'Prospekt's March' does little to dissuade from this statement with three of it's eight tracks having featured on the 'Viva La Vida..' album albeit in a slightly different guise. Firstly we get 'Life In Technicolor ii' which is simply the lead track on the latest album which was instrumental but this time we get Chris Martin crooning over the top 'I can hear it coming/I can hear the siren sound/now my feet won't touch the ground' I don't quite know what he's on about but then who ever does? It's intriguing, however; to wonder did the music or the lyrics come first because I can't see any reason for this not being on 'Viva La Vida..' in place of the instrumental version... very odd. Secondly we get 'Lost' but with added Jay-Z because that is clearly what all Coldplay tracks have been missing - someone to rap about Tupac and Biggie over them! And lastly we get the Osaka Sun Mis of 'Lovers In Japan' now...
Coldplay - Prospekt's March (EP)
Parlophone/EMI 		OCTOBER SKY LIVE @ THE ANNEX WRECKROOMINDIECAN SHOWCASE A few days ago I saw October Sky live at The aAnnex Wreckroom in Toronto. I had not seen a full set yet, so I was looking forward to seeing them kill it at the Wreckroom. In case you don’t know October Sky, they are a band fresh out of Montreal and literally, they were fresh out of Montreal arriving in Toronto at 5pm that day just in time for sound check. The band members are; Karl Raymond – Vocals/Guitar, Yanik Rouleau - Keys, Alex Racine – Drums and Andrew Walker on Bass. This was the band's first show since the wrap of their Canadian tour, kicking off a few more gigs before the year’s end. The band was eager to hit the stage and luckily they didn’t have to wait too long. Things were moving slowly though, as the first band were nowhere to be found and that threw everything off. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/lipon/OS1.jpg Note to all newbie bands if you are the first band slated to perform, be there before the...
OCTOBER SKY LIVE @ THE ANNEX WRECKROOM
TRX DISTRIBUTION

Altsounds Recommends OCTOBER SKY LIVE @ THE ANNEX WRECKROOM
It's amazing what you find in the freezing cold wastes of backwater Scotland (and by that I mean the entire country), clearly somewhere there is a western plain that serves bourbon to chaps-wearing hicks and hill-billies. To be honest I wish I could find out where it is because the jukebox in the bar would clearly involve Sons & Daughters, Teenage Fanclub, Frightened Rabbit, and the next in line to that Americana-pop throne Le Reno Amps. 'Send Me On My Way' is the right malt-blend of Scottish indie-pop artistry distilled thoroughly with something akin to early The Eagles commercial country rock creating a nice little mixer. Harmonious vocals are interspersed with a driving tub-thumping rhythm section before the wonders of the lapsteel (neatly played by Marc Beatty of Brakes fame) are unleashed. It's a wonder that in the bleakness that is Glasgow (believe me I live there) has produced something as fresh and clearly sun-soaked as this that can rise from the mundanity of life that we...
Le Reno Amps - Send Me On My Way (Single)
Drift Records - Out 8th December 		For a band with a great name this EP is a big disappointment. I was expecting to hear a funky porn soundtrack, how wrong I was. The Joy Of Sex are just another indie band who think playing guitar badly and singing out of tune is cool. It annoys me when I hear bands like this as they are filled with people who think they’re musicians by making a load of noise. They have the attitude that if they hit a lot of bum notes in a song it sounds rad. The chances are if you like bands like The Wombats and Arctic Monkeys you’ll find this band ‘interesting’. All of the songs on this EP are poorly produced; this is another environment where indie bands thrive. The snare and bass drum sounds are god awful and the bass drum sounds like its hitting water for God’s sake! I think The Joy Of Sex should give their name to a bad 1970’s style psychedelic porn band, I would find that highly amusing. www.myspace.com/joyofsex
Joy Of Sex - Self-titled [EP]
Self-Released

Altsounds thinks Joy Of Sex - Self-titled [EP] is terrible
When I first put this album on I thought that this could be a new fresh sound, but then I realised the album was just one big song, as every song sounds the same!. The guitarist uses the same guitar sound in every song, every song has the same type of structure about it, and it’s so boring. One of the most boring albums I have ever listened to in fact! The singer’s voice goes right through me, I’m hearing a slight resemblance to Morrisey, that’s not a good thing in my eyes, the man’s voice is boring as hell. The Bookhouse Boys do like they’re spaghetti western sound, every song is set in that way. It grabs your attention for a few seconds but then gets old. I remember Green Day doing a similar style to this in a song on Nimrod I think it was. Guess who did it better? I can’t really say much more about this album other than in the song ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ he uses the word cunt! I was shocked and appalled at that.
The Bookhouse Boys - Self-titled [Album]
Black Records
As I pressed the play button on this single, I had very high expectations. Keane’s previous two singles had been veering off in an exciting new direction for the band. “Spiralling”, the first single, seemed reminiscent of the 80s disco scene and even incorporated guitars, an instrument Keane seemed destined never to use before this album. “Perfect Symmetry”, the album’s title track brought my expectations crashing to the ground. It sounds so much like the Keane of old that the public loved to hate. Maybe they haven’t changed. Maybe they’re still just the public school boys trying to appear cooler than they are. Don’t get me wrong, this song isn’t awful, the chorus is decent and does stick on the mind. It is however a gargantuan step back for Keane, when they could have potentially been the best British band of the moment. The song is arranged just as Keane songs were in their first two albums. A piano riff backed by drums and bass (not bass guitar however, I’m beginning to think...
Keane - Perfect Symmetry (Single)
Island 		I’m From Barcelona are like the musical representation of Swedish film ‘Together’; they’re Swedish for a start, they welcome any like minded strangers into their group, their debut album, ‘Let Me Introduce My Friends‘, was full of love (although only free if you downloaded it illegally), and now, as in ‘Together’ we see that life isn’t always a happy clappy sing a long for them all. I’m From Barcelona’s debut album ‘Let Me Introduce My Friends‘ was so infectiously joyous, that many will see this darker, more downbeat effort as upsetting a revelation as Cookie Monster being weaned off cookies; certainly the reviews for ‘Who Killed Harry Houdini?’ suggest a real dividing of opinion. However, it’s hardly Leonard Cohen territory they’re treading here, and anything would sound downbeat after the saccharin sweet twee-pop of ‘Let Me Introduce My Friends‘. First track ‘Andy’ sets the tone, with I’m From Barcelona now sounding more Arcade Fire than Polyphonic Spree. Rather than sing about...
I'm From Barcelona - Who Killed Harry Houdini? [Album]
Delores Recordings/EMI Music Sweden 		I didn’t really know what to expect when I put Laura Izibor’s record on considering two main facts: A/ I had never heard an Irish R’n’B artist before that I could think of, and B/ the last artist I reviewed from Atlantic Records was in short a massive disappointment. So imagine my surprise when the bass line kicked in and without a seconds thought my foot start tapping uncontrollably under my desk as I reached forward to turn it up. This is funky as hell. Laura has a beautiful soul voice that conjures up the summer party atmosphere that takes the listener back to the glory days of riding around in cheap hatchback cars with the windows down, the music loud, and the sun beating down. Subtle horn lines support the vocal melody during the choruses, which are both laid over a bed of loose organ, funky bass which cherishes the space as much as the notes, and a drum beat that maintains the simplicity of classic hip hop drums, and which feels amazing. Make sure you listen out for the...
Laura Izibor - From My Heart To Yours [Single]
Atlantic Records
Coming out in just over week on the 8th of December is the latest record courtesy of London based Distiller records - The Chemists “Radio Booth” and what a single it is! With fast paced, crunchy rock sounds conjoined with a hint of UNKLE esque dance vibes, “Radio Booth” comes as a great welcome to any record collection and guarantees to make even the most docile crowd drop their pints, raise arms in the air and dance like demented badgers. Riding the wave of intermixing electro beats with distorted riffs, The Chemists have crafted a fantastic piece of work that appeals dynamically in the same way Aphex Twin got a generation of alternative music lovers racing to the clubs. This is achieved whilst maintaining their rock leanings by demonstrating high technical abilities and a great ear for song craftsmanship. Powerful drum beats crash through a carefully weaved tapestry of soaring guitar licks, gritty power chords and rolling bass lines that could be compared to acts such as Queens of...
The Chemists - Radio Booth [Single]
Distiller Records 		When you hear the name Tony Christie you immediately fill yourself with thoughts of the song “Amarillo”, only you realize what you're thinking of is Peter Kay, and not the real man behind it all. Tony Christie's new album, “Made in Sheffield” is frankly something you might buy for your grandparents. Reviving many songs from famous Sheffield artists such as The Human League, Pulp, and an unknown talent in Martin Bragger, Tony Christie still has a voice that is strong enough to please his fans. Made in Sheffield kicks off with a lovely instrumental on the song “Only one who knows”, where you have visions of Frank Sinatra or Matt Monroe. Lyrically any fans of the Artic Monkeys or The last Shadow Puppets, would soon realize it’s the work of Alex Turner. Tony Christie's mature voice makes the song very moving, which definitely brings the song to life. “Perfect Moon” and “Born to Cry” are average songs but Tony Christie’s powerful voice makes them both very uplifting to listen to. ...
Tony Christie - Made In Sheffield [Album]
Autonomy 		First impression for me came from the artwork that was supplied with the promo CD I instantly thought it was going to be one of those DJ Sharkey, DJ Mumble-Bumble-Whatever, etc. happy-hardcore compilations purely because those animated cartoon characters on the sleeve reminded me on of old nineties tapes my brother owned. However, it turns out that appearances are quite deceptive in this case as Shiema sound absolutely nothing like the glow-stick waving, ecstasy popping, dance-a-thon that I was expecting. Instead this is; whisper it, very emotional rock - yes people Emo. Now I'll be the first to admit I don't really have any time or patience for the Emo movement, or lack of movement so I instantly know I'm not going to be up to the task of reviewing this release because I don't want to depress my speakers. They'll never forgive me! What to do, what to do? Ah I know! Play it on someone else's stereo and make them suffer the backlash... ta-da! So what do we have here, well four...
Shiema - Make Them Swing Till It Hurts (EP)
Self Released
“Ready For This” is the new show, “So Fu**ing Rock” is the new DVD: Tim Minchin has been like so like busy like. The singer-songwriter recorded his fresh release earlier this year in London, before writing and revealing his latest show “Ready For This” to audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Now Minchin has taken his show to the road and tickets have been selling fast. I went along to check it out, so here is (like) a little recount of my evening. The night kicked off with the title piece, an introductory epic, “Ready For This”. It certainly got everybody in the mood - something Tim Minchin proved he has a knack for - he was the potter and we…were sold immediately on the groovy piano playing and rather naughty song about people with red hair. I related to it profoundly because I am a ‘ginger’. I was also acutely aware at the time that “Prejudice” was only a warm up for what was to follow. So I braced my diplomatic self as we were invited to sing along to a little...
Tim Minchin LIVE - "READY FOR THIS"
Saucy, scandalous and absolutely sensational.

Altsounds Recommends Tim Minchin LIVE -
Well this is quite an interesting act. When the CD arrived and I saw the words Nordic Folk Metal written in big bold letters. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But the end product is not as bad as I thought it would be, it’s a bit odd but then again what do you expect Nordic Folk Metal to sound like? The way to sum up Asmegin to someone who has never heard of them is to describe it a cross between Opeth, Nightwish, My Dying Bride and some native Scandinavian music. It’s hard to really rate this as it sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard. The production is really good and the musicianship is of a pretty high standard. This helps with making Arv listenable, if even just in a curious manner. There is a range of vocal styles over the various riffs, ranging from very doom-esque screams to floaty operatic female vocals. The whole affair is rather theatrical with lots of strings and added instruments dropping in and out with the change of dynamics. The more I listen the more I am getting...
Asmegin- Arv (CD)
Napalm Records 		“I Get it Wrong” is the first single to be taken from Reading five-piece The Race's sophomore album, 'In My Head It Works'; and it's three minutes of exactly how Editors wished they still sounded had they not become completely overcome with feigned earnest. There are elements of early Radiohead too; just under two minutes in and the guitar sounding like a car breaking down brings to mind Jonny Greenwood in ‘Creep’. Ed O’Brien claimed that was “the sound of Jonny trying to fuck the song up”, but of course everyone now knows it made the song. Now whilst I wouldn’t say the same here, it does demonstrate that The Race are thinking a little differently, and they too perhaps understand that pop music is at its best when its make up is smeared. “Correct me when I get it wrong” cries singer Dan Buchanan. Well there’s not much wrong here at all. First b-side ‘Maisie’ is one of those rare songs where the verses are better than the chorus. They sound like The Cure at their most poppy, which...
The Race - I Get it Wrong [Single]
Shifty Disco
After two Brit Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards, and five Grammy nominations, the ex-army officer returns with another song about... well, can you guess? This is yet again a classic cut from the bleeding-edge of the middle-of-the-road. Mr Blunt croons along to a mid-tempo beat (as usual) about how he (yet again) cannot tell a girl about his feelings, obviously a subconscious act on his behalf in order to store up more mid-tempo-ballad-type material in the future. God help us all. 'Love Love Love' rather appropriately resembles typical English cuisine - bland, lifeless and seriously devoid of excitement. And after consumption of the song you will no doubt experience the same feelings as I did - bloatedness, drowsiness and the embarrassment in knowing your country produced this music. Make no mistake, this is safe music for safe people. In fact that M&S wearing, Daily Mail reading neighbour of yours is listening to this song right now. Don't be one of them. This is not a tirade...
James Blunt - Love Love Love [Single]
Warner

Altsounds thinks James Blunt - Love Love Love [Single] is terrible
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! It’s not often I say this, but this record could actually not be more wrong. If you imagine their opening track: ‘Ready For Love’ which has a post-Queen pop edge that could be, not exactly positively compared to Scissor Sister’s then you’ve got an idea of what they’re going to sound like. Not great. Then you realise that it’s just been brought down a few more pegs with its smothering of crap TV show theme juice and the 80’s pop rock movement in America. This doesn’t bode well for where this record is going to go. If it weren’t for the necessity to alert others to this then I would have stopped listening at the heavy breathing and micro-waved the CD. Although I’m not being overly harsh for the sake of it, I am truly failing to pick up on the merits of this record. The song structure is somewhat basic but modelled on old rock and roll numbers so not unforgivable. There’s plenty of huge tracks on the radio at the moment that cling to old song structure...
Purple Melon - Melon Music [EP]
Unsigned

Altsounds thinks Purple Melon - Melon Music [EP] is terrible
'Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear' is the first thing that came to my head when I listened to The Brute Chorus' new single 'She Was Always Cool'. It is The Brute Chorus' third single that is due for release on December 15th 2008 - and according to their Myspace page it is an attempt at a Christmas number one. I hope they're joking! I will eat my hat if it makes it in the top 40 at Christmas let alone number one. The Brute Chorus sound similar to a rubbish attempt at copying The Arctic Monkeys with a bit of folk music thrown in. That may be the most annoying thing, The Brute Chorus try to combine cheesy, generic Indie with gentle British Folk and... well... they fail miserably. The Brute Chorus were unsuccessful in getting the combination right and so 'She Was Always Cool' ebbs and flows between the two very different genres. 'She Was Always Cool' also has a B-side entitled 'Artemissia' and this is one of those occasions where the B-side is actually better than the single. Having said...
The Brute Chorus - She Was Always Cool [Single]
Unsigned
Linkin Park release their second official live album 'Road to Revolution' after their recent gig at Project Revolution in Milton Keynes. The CD/DVD combo features 17 of Linkin Park's biggest hits recorded live in concert. However, this review is based on a sample CD that contains only 10 tracks, 5 of which have already been released on other albums. The other 5 being the live versions of those tracks. Therefore this review is based on those 5 tracks only. The first of these live tracks is 'Leave Out All The Rest', one of Linkin Parks most popular songs from their 2007 album 'Minutes to Midnight'. The track begins with a cheer and the crowd begin clapping the rhythm throughout the first verse. 'Leave Out All The Rest' is performed well live with Chester Bennington's vocals being almost tuned to perfection throught the entire track, which is something difficult to do live. Although, after seeing Linkin Park live at Download in 2007, I know just how outstanding they are. The...
Linkin Park - Road to Revolution [CD/DVD]
Warner Bros 		Volcanoes don't look like your average Indie band in fact they resemble some sort of MOR Metal band and have a Bass player called Boa Internationale (possibly one of the best things about Volcanoes - I like it) so it comes as somewhat of a surprise when you hear the sound Volcanoes distribute to the world. Vocalist Sam Bedford has that very recalling sound that makes you think of many of the most recent Indie chic including Maximo Park, Razorlight and Kings Of Leon and it's the vocal delivery and lyrical content that make this worth listening to. Tracks such as 'Long Live My Enemies' and 'Gunter The Shooter' bounce along with flaying funk bass with 'Gunter..' also showing of a penchant for frenzied guitar, 'Lucy Lambado' also lends itself to that most 21st century of guitar sounds with also a doubled-up vocal that borrows heavily from The Coral. There is little to Volcanoes that any avid listener will be able to distinguish as particularly new but I'm sure you'll pick up many...
Volcanoes - Fruits Of The Fuzz (EP)
Self-Released 		Gene Shay, co-founder of the Philadelphia Folk Festival, defined folk music by saying, "In the strictest sense, it's music that is rarely written for profit. It's music that has endured and been passed down by oral tradition…it brings a sense of community. It's the people's music." I love that description. It covers all that is right and good with music, which is often lost these days being clouded by profits and sales, and going back to the roots, back to how it was originally meant to sound. Shay’s description also illustrates perfectly The Songs EP from Under One Sky. Under One Sky is a collaboration brought together by Scottish multi-instrumentalist, John McCusker, fusing together 12 highly acclaimed Scottish and English musicians and vocalists. Without even mentioning the outstanding lead vocalists, on any one track from The Songs EP you can hear musicians such as Andy Cutting, Ian Carr and Ewen Vernal combining to form 5 pleasant and thoughtful tracks. The first...
Under One Sky - The Songs EP [EP]
Navigator records

Altsounds Recommends Under One Sky - The Songs EP [EP]
This song was released. I hated it. It went a little like this: Listen # 1: WTF??? What is this crap? Who produced it? What on earth does Rihanna think she’s doing getting associated with this? Bugger me, it’s that stupid tune off the internet!!! Listen # 2: Seriously, someone has to stop this. It’s making my ears bleed. There’s something very wrong with the listening ears of millions of people who have bought this. Listen # 3: Ayay…ayay…ayay….oh jeez, did I really just sing that out loud??? On a more serious note (if you can be serious about a hook that was made famous by a boy in his bedroom via the medium of YouTube), this is a classic example of a record that is made a hit by a ridiculously memorable hook. The lyrics, in general, are nothing that we haven’t heard before, but this is definitely going to be a club banger. The production (by Just Blaze, whose credits include work with Jay Z, Cam’ron, Jadakiss, Talib Kweli and many...
T.I. - Live your Life feat. Rihanna [Single]
Atlantic 		It’s a shame that the Les Gars EP starts of with the song it does. Track one, ‘Cut it out’, is a sleaze rock snarly middle of the road number that misleadingly worries you into thinking the remainder of the five track EP will consist of the same stuff. But, as I said, that would be a misleading assumption. I almost 100% like the songs in the reverse order they were put on the EP, track five being my number one (or number two, track four is pretty damn good too), and track one being my least favourite. What Les Gars offers in their best tracks are grunge filled guitars and perfectly drawn out vocals that draw connotations with a certain Mr. Cobain, so much so that I woke up with the song, "Nice way to see things" (track three), persistently running through my head making me ardently wonder where the hell that song was from? It has to be a Nirvana one but I couldn't place which album it came from. And then it dawned on me; it was from the Les Gars EP I listened to last...
Les Gars - La Physique [EP] 		This was make or break for me, as a Finch fan seeing them play live for the 3rd time I had it in my head that this was their final chance to woo me. The reason being that the two previous times they never played 'Letters to you' and that was the main reason I fell for them (so to speak) and I hoped more than anything they wouldn't let me down. The main support was a band I had never heard of called The Hexes. I had quickly checked their Myspace profile before I left for the gig and wasn't particularly impressed that a band with a bog standard profile and very few friends had gotten the main support slot for Finch, but I thought no, give them a chance. I tried to play some of their tracks but unfortunately Myspace declared that this was unavailable at the time, so I had a surprise in store once I entered the Oxford Academy. My first observation when I arrived was that if the smoke machine wasn't working over time there would be little in the venue other than smoke, and...
Finch Gig 24/11/08 Oxford Academy
I hoped more than anything they wouldn't let me down

Altsounds Recommends Finch Gig 24/11/08 Oxford Academy
With 80's synth pop making a resurgence in culture, especially in the latest samplings of Kanye, Common and Timbaland, Semifinalists sophomore effort, accurately titled "2", makes a noble effort at breaking (or should i say, "Breakin'"?) into this genre. Released by the UK label V2, Semifinalists appear to be an accurately named band, for reaching the semi-finals would probably be where this group would end up in a Battle of the Bands contest. With a vocal range reminiscent of Ben Gibbard, Semifinalists' lead singer wistfully sings in these twelve electro/synth tracks, with the assistance of a lovely female vocalist. With her contribution to the album, the songs they collaborate on are reminiscent of The Postal Service's duet "Nothing Better", lyrically injecting the songs with a poetic back-and-forth. Musically the band utilize the electronic sounds of not only The Postal Service but The Blood Brothers as well, creating brash upbeat sound on some songs and a lazy, lilting pop...
Semifinalists - 2 [album]
V2 records 		While barely able to stifle laughter from the cliché that is the band name Broken Melody, including the medieval font their moniker is typed in across the top of the album (what emotion is the medieval-ness supposed to evoke in a listener I am not sure..."hard"? Iron Maiden-like?) Face The World is a typically generic rock album. Seemingly rising from the ashes of Creed (or even worse...Alter Bridge and Nickelback) everything about this album is generic. From the cheesy power ballad-esque intro entitled "Reflections" which segues into the predictable opening guitar lick of "The Force of the Life". At least the album does seem to be produced fairly well from an unknown indie label, and the instrumentation gets an "A" for effort, with a well-placed lick or drum track here and there, but each of the nine tracks off this album are easily forgettable, and any quality that they do effectively portray, such as those listed above, are done much better by a myriad of other bands. The Irish...
Broken Melody - Face The World [Album]
Copro Records 		There’s little that can normally quell my spirits when it comes to a gig I’m looking forward to, bar an epic trot across London due to tube outage and inadequate bus services. So three hours and a cab journey later, I’m bailing into the Astoria 2 pissed verging on devastated about missing all three support acts, Skindred and Time Again but namely ex-lead vocalist with Dropkick Murphys Mike McColgan’s new outfit, Street Dogs but soldiering on to finally get the opportunity to see headliners of the Eastpak Antidote Tour 2008, celtic punk veterans Flogging Molly live. I make it just in time to catch the start of Flogging Molly, and from the moment I walk through the door, a punk rock aural suckerpunch sets me right and my hellish three hours are a distant memory. And I realise quickly - if the first few songs are anything to go by, I’ve quite a night ahead of me. Kicking off with a few numbers from their most recent offering, Float, their first real critical and commercial success,...
Eastpak Antidote Tour 2008 - Astoria 2 - 5th November 08 [Live]
Flogging Molly, Skindred, The Streetdogs, Time Against

Altsounds Recommends Eastpak Antidote Tour 2008 - Astoria 2 - 5th November 08 [Live]
The Walkmen are truly a unique group. In a society where the charts are currently cluttered with a lot of bland indie bands, it's always refreshing to check out The Walkmen's innovative twist on the genre, and what they have to bring to the table. Their new album - You & Me is no exception. Packed full of mesmerising chord combinations, entwined perfectly with atmospheric production, You & Me takes a few listens to really fully appreciate, but once you’re there, the album is a joy to listen to, with each song leaving you complete with a sense of fulfilment in a different way. Hamilton Leithauser’s passion for the music his New York band creates, as always, comes through with the intensity of his vocals. In songs such as I Lost You and the epic On The Water, it comes across that he shares Thom Yorke’s ability to create a strong impression that he is at one with his music and totally infused in the moment. In some of the more laid back points You & Me has to offer, such as the...
The Walkmen - You & Me [album]
fierce panda

Altsounds Recommends The Walkmen - You & Me [album]
Cut Off Your Hands are like any other indie band...jumpy guitars, catchy beats and easy-to-sing-along-to lyrics. It’s not distinctive, it’s not new and it’s certainly not original. Hailing from the land of many sheep, aka New Zealand, Cut Off Your Hands were originally called ‘Shaky Hands’. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately?) they were forced to change their name when an American band called; The Shaky Hands threatened a law suit against them. Oh so rock and roll. Their album, produced by Bernard Butler (Manic Street Preachers, Suede, Libertines), is set for release in January next year. In the meantime they have offered an album sampler to give an idea of the shape of things to come... First up is ‘Expectations’. With it’s choppy rhythm, and memorable-ish chorus, this song was made for an NME playlist. It screams indie, and it screams average. Next, ‘Oh Girl’, which has such lyrical genius as: “Oh girl/Can you come over to my house?/Oh we can do things that we’ve never...
Cut Off Your Hands - You & I
Sixsevenine 		Having neither seen nor heard this five-piece from Tempe, Arizona, I am an objective listener of their latest album ‘Thinks and Feels’. The band is What Laura Says and hey, I like that, “What Laura Says, Thinks and Feels”; fun. The album says a lot about these five long-haired lads, mainly sporting their originality and cool song-writing and arranging skills. They combine a lot of styles and textures, like stride piano, 60s disco, rag-time, gospel, scratching, electric guitar riffs and plenty of falsetto vocals. All these and more combine to form beautiful contrasts and layers to the band’s sound. They clearly draw from classic boy bands of old, like The Beatles and Beach Boys. I especially like the humour that ‘What Laura Says’ put into their vocals. It’s not found in the lyrics so much as the interesting sounds that are sometimes even silly, although in a good way. Check out ‘Couldn’t Lose Myself If I Tried’ and the harmonies in ‘Wish I Could Fly’. Also keep an ear out for the cool,...
What Laura Says - Thinks and Feels [Album]
Terpsikhore Collective

Altsounds Recommends What Laura Says - Thinks and Feels [Album]
The Monocult are an odd bunch. Hailing, as a ‘band’, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne The Monocult are not a pre-organised unit but a complex lattice built from many different members, performers and folk fanatics who have been drawn together by pianist/keyboardist Matt Henderson in order to produce a record described as, in their own words, “experimental, acoustic, trip hop, dark ambience played by humans”. Not by prolific piano monkeys, we must note. Although The Monocult (whoever they are!) have ambitions of taking their music live in the near future, for the time being they’ve independently released debut EP “Maybe We Should...” just to get the ball rolling and to showcase their musicianship and their sound. And I can’t fault the personnel as musicians, they’re tight and I’m sure they’re intuitive – but something about “Maybe We Should...” doesn’t stick with me. For one thing, the vocals are far too striking and quite frankly made me jump. It’s all too easy to get distracted from the...
The Monocult - Maybe We Should... [EP]
Pink Liquid 		With an introduction of sounds reminiscent of what would visually be blissful sunshine, anchored to the opening lyric of ‘I want to go to heaven for the weather’ projects you into a warm summers day even though it is deep winter! The opening of the song captures your happy thoughts and you want more. Unfortunately, after you hear the entirety of ‘Heaven for the Weather’ you’re left with a vacant feeling of ‘is that it?’ This single does not reach anywhere near the true talent that The Streets once gave birth to. Instead it lacks creativity and already sounds a little dated, unlike some of their older material which was and still is original, inventive, exciting and edgy. It is quite clear that The Streets have mellowed in recent times and ‘Heaven for weather’ is a clear example of this. The song feels like a reflection on where they have come from but instead of being dramatic, volatile and provocative, it is ‘mundane’. Mundane I hear you cry, I’m afraid so! OK, so...
The Streets - Heaven for the Weather [Single]
sixsevenine recordings 		STOP! STOP! STOP! Now, Stop by The Medicine is catchy, familiar and I could easily live with it. I hated it when it started, don't ask me why. The lyrics are personal and real, and the more it goes on, the more it grows in every way. Whilst searching for this band on Myspace I found another band called, ' The Medicine' who were also pretty good I might add! Coming back to "The Medicine" in question, it's quite obvious that there is no cure for what I have. I have ears that are too fussy, eyes that don't budge from their point of view and a sense of smell that constantly needs to be challenged and if it doesn't then it stops working!! If you claim to be the drug, then blow us away. "The Medicine" are in danger of being the poison if played on repeat. As such I'll do as they are asking and STOP! 'Stop' by "The Medicine" has a certain charm to it that many will latch onto, have a listen and decide for yourself. MySpace.com - The Medicine - Blackpool, UK - Indie /...
The Medicine - Stop! [Single]
Diffusion Records
I must say, as a fan of much of Mr.Weller's work I was excited to be offered the opportunity to review his headline tour gig at Cardiff International Arena on Thursday 20th November 2008. On the way to the venue I was asked for directions to the CIA. I obliged the couple with the pertinent information they needed only to be asked "How come you are going to see Paul Weller? He's a bit before your time isn't he?" This question hit me hard and I quickly began to realize why Paul Weller's genre was often referred to as "Dad Rock". It wasn't until this precise moment that I realized that there was going to be a much older crowd attending the show tonight. That was not a problem for me by any means, it is just a testament to how many years Paul Weller has been making and performing his musical signature sound- and very well may I say! After a quick burger van quarter pounder we are in the venue watching the support act. Although I did not catch their band name, they were quite possibly...
Paul Weller - Cardiff international Arena - 20th Nov 08 [Live] 		The album art of this self titled debut album by Innerpartysystem leaves a lot to be desired. Not exactly a good start as far as they go. Innerpartsystem sounds like something that should be crazy and exiting and the most exiting thing about this album art work is the FBI anti piracy warning. 'Die Tonight Live Forever' sounds suitably emo for a song name, although this is misleading, so far this band have pendulum-esque, dance, trance, rock down to a tee. The refrain 'we're all here cause we've lost control' is repeated so many times I actually start to believe it. 'Last Night in Brooklyn' follows, the start is pretty epic as far as this genre of music goes, moving towards the Metro Station ball park with breathy vocals and a prominent drum beat, its another winner. 'Don't Stop' is another good track, although it is becoming a bit monotonous in the best possible way, a bit samey but not offensively so.. yet. 'Structure' is pretty wow. the lyrics for a start are just...
Innerpartysystem - Self Titled [Album]
Island Records 		“Do you like good music?” A rather odd question once asked by Arthur Conley. Surely everyone’s answer to this would be yes I do, Arthur. If the question had been “Do you like mindless drone?” then the only people who would answer yes would probably be ‘Opera House’ fans. If I had to put a tag on them I would call them a poor man’s Turin Breaks. I knew from the start that I wasn’t going to like this EP. I’m not a fan of pop music and I was unhappy to see that the four tracks on ‘Change in Nature’ were all 3 minutes and 35 – 45 seconds, a sure sign of pop on the horizon. On the positive side it is well produced and the drums at the end of ‘Change in Nature’ are quite good. The main problem I have with ‘Change in Nature’ is its lack of dynamics, the tracks roll along and when you get to the end you struggle to remember anything that’s happened. Luckily ‘Change in Nature’ is only four tracks long, any longer and I think I would really start to hate Johnny Lloyd’s voice. My...
Opera House - Change In Nature [EP]
Marrakesh Records
Runon Fragment's self titled second album reminds me of walking into a bar to discover a local band playing and quickly turning round to walk straight back out. Not because I don't want to listen to live music but because I know how every song is going to sound. Based in LA, Runon Fragment could be described as a rock band with elements of grunge, a generic description for generic music. There's nothing really on this album that makes you want to take an interest in the band. There's nothing that makes you want to go see them live. Almost all the songs regurgitate riffs and then there's the cliched solo that makes no impact on the song at all. This is evident on the second track 'Reunion' which does have some promise with a nice clean guitar part but just as you feel the song is about to kick into a chorus it does nothing, leading me to think that I just listened to the chorus and didn't even realize. The next track, 'Birthday' however does have a chorus and it shows a better style...
Runon Fragment - Runon Fragment (Album)
P3

Altsounds thinks Runon Fragment - Runon Fragment (Album) is terrible