Columbia

The Blinders – Columbia – album review

Hotly anticipated

Alongside Joy as an Act of Resistance from IDLES, The Blinders debut Columbia is one of the most hotly anticipated albums of 2018.

I was in fortunate to receive early copies of both releases, IDLES having the earlier release date and being mesmerised by their release in recent weeks, The Blinders album had a lot to live up to.

Columbia

I’m glad to say it did not disappoint. Columbia provides the listener with an evocative blend of light and shade, dark matters, imploring pleas and optimistic hopes for the future. The album title comes from the name given to a promised Utopia.… Read the rest

Joy as an Act of Resistance

IDLES – Joy as an Act of Resistance – Album review

Resistance…

As I tried to review this album, technology was resisting me and not causing me joy. Due to the highly anticipated nature of this album, the only preview copies available were via stream. Being an aging gentleman, my preferred listening is via physical format, vinyl or CD, followed by download and streaming only if I really have to. (The album is due for release on 31st August on Partisan)

Colossus

Technology was against me as I managed to listen to lead track Colossus several times before every device I was using turned against me. Fortunately Colossus lives up to its name a gigantic song both musically and lyrically.… Read the rest

SEIL LIEN

SIEL LIEN – I Am Fire/A Little While More

Neil Tells the Truth…

Glasgow music fans are in for a treat this Thursday (26th July)

New York Doll, Sylvain Sylvain is visiting to play St Lukes & the Winged Ox. The gig is in support of his book – “There’s No Bones in Ice Cream”.

Sylvian Sylvain

Not only do you get an original New York Doll, but you get treated to a set by the darkly majestic Filthy Tongues. Metcalfe, Kelly, Fin and company will make your year playing tracks from the first two albums of their magnum opus.

The Filthy Tongues

Jacob’s Ladder was one of the albums of 2016 and the second album of a trilogy, this year’s Back to Hell, is already being celebrated as one of the albums of the year in Louder Than War’s mid-year list.Read the rest

Deep Sky Objects - Desire

Deep Sky Objects – Desire – new single

Desire

I have had a song shared with me recently that I find myself returning to time and again. The track, Desire, is out today and is the latest release from 3-piece Irish band Deep Sky Objects.

The single is a heady mix of hard-riffing guitars exuding the ire of Rage Against the Machine teamed with a warm ostentatious soaring power-pop vocal in the vein of White Lies & Interpol, underlined by a crashing drum-line and solid crunching bass.

The band members include brothers Kevin O’Brien (lead vocals, guitar), Thomas O’Brien (drums and backing vocals) and DD Foley (bass guitar and backing vocals).… Read the rest

The Eddies - Still Takin the Mick

The Eddies – Still Takin’ the Mick EP review

The Eddies

Dundee’s The Eddies cement themselves as one of Scotland’s premier punk outfits with their new EP, Still Takin’ the Mick, dedicated to Mick Kilbride. Five tracks in total, and while it may sound like an old cliché the tracks are all killer, no filler.

The band have an flair for a full-throttle humdinger of a tune with a chorus that has you joining in from the off, take the first 2 songs on the EP as prime examples – “No way, not now, go away cos I’m not listening” and “My game – my rules.”

This EP highlights the knack they have and how accomplished they are at this opus.… Read the rest

Kilmarnock Calling

Kilmarnock Calling

The Bellfield Tavern

I had been meaning to get across to Kilmarnock for some time to see a gig in The Bellfield Tavern. There are regularly plenty of not to be missed great gigs on in the venue. Unfortunately, up until recently I had missed every single one of them. Hmmmm. I rectified that recently and vowed not to be a stranger to the quality wee venue.

I finally managed to get along a couple of weeks ago to see a fantastic punk triple bill – Fife’s Crimedesk, West Lothian’s Heavy Drapes and all the way from Belfast, The Defects.… Read the rest

Red or Dead

Red or Dead – UK Publicity Machine – review

You may remember I reviewed Red or Dead’s album a while back.

The folk punks with a conscience are back. The UK Publicity Machine is inspired (inspired sounds too positive – disheartened maybe?) by events surrounding this weekend. The wedding that no-one can escape no matter how hard you try.

The wedding and the constant publicity around it is more of a distraction from the real problems going on in the world. The obscene expenditure is something the taxpayers can ill afford. Especially when you consider the flipside of the events in Windsor this weekend and what the money could be used for.… Read the rest

Cyanide Sundae Nothing to Lose EP

Cyanide Sundae – Nothing to Lose EP review

Not a new release but one of these “new to me” bands that I have been listening to over the weekend.

Nothing to Lose EP

Nothing to Lose is a 4 track EP of sonically appealing gravelly vocalled melodic hard rock, with well-structured and thought out songs. They  appeal to the side of me that loves The Yo Yos, Wildhearts, The Main Grains, Therapy?, Zodiac Mindwarp – rock music that dips its toe into a bit of punk attitude.

Lead track, What Can I Do?, the track which provides the name of the EP, is all driving guitar, pulsating bass and crashing drums.… Read the rest

Vulpynes-EP

The Vulpynes – EP review

Vulpynes

One of the most exciting bands I’ve seen or heard in recent years is a two-piece from Scotland – Jo and Nicky Darc of The Twistettes.

There must be something in the Celtic water as I’ve just experienced the debut EP from cousins in spirit from across the water. Dublin 2-piece The Vulpynes (Maeve Molly – vocals & guitar & Kaz – drums).

Like the Twistettes, Vulpynes make a supremely loud and eminently listenable racket for a 2 piece eschewing the need for un-necessary additional members.

The four tracks on the EP showcase the bands obvious talents. Maeve providing sophisticated dirty, grungey garage rock guitar licks while Kaz does a mighty fine job as rhythm section with intricate tight pulsing drumming, a perfect foil for the rich vibrant vocals provided by Maeve.… Read the rest

We are ILL album cover

ILL – We are ILL – album review

ILL vs Music Today

I like music to inspire, to excite and invigorate. To take me off in unexpected directions and escape reality, or at least give me a different take on reality. I like my music to provoke thought but not be too po-faced. Music is for enjoyment, it can be fun even if you’re trying to make a point.

I can’t stand the unending conveyor belt of beige, insipid, uninspiring bands (groups?) that appear in droves these days. On one hand I blame reality shows like X Factor. All because a similar group/pretty boy with a guitar released an instantly forgettable ditty that became massive.… Read the rest