Garlands

Singles Round Up 2023 – Pt 1 – January 2023

February 10, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

So much for my plan of being better organised into 2023, Can’t believe we’re nearly 2 weeks into February and I’m still lagging behind…

Anyway, what follows is a list of the songs that have been soundtracking my January, some from the end of December too seeing as how I was TOO organised in December and published my December singles before Christmas…

Ren – Hi Ren

One of the most affecting singles of the end of December/beginning of January is this soul baring song from Ren. Brutally honest about his health struggles the song is a bare knuckle battle between himself and his thoughts, with a sound reminiscent of Eminem and The King Blues, once you press play on the video you will find it utterly impossible to be distracted by anything around you.… Read the rest

Songs and Snippets

October 31, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

As a lover of albums, one off tracks and singles sometimes pass me by, it would be remiss of me though not to highlight the plethora of quality stand-alone tracks, singles, or album teasers that have been waved temptingly in front of me over the past weeks and months.

In no particular order…

Deer Leader

Deer Leader follow up the absorbing Four Deuces with new single Crocodile. The single is an epic taste of what the band can do and fairly whets the appetite for more from this remarkable trio. An enigmatically engaging elegiac start to the song, hypnotic rhythms, soothing and reassuring, becoming softer and lulling you into a safe quiet place ….… Read the rest

Singles Round Up – Lockdown Summer 2020

August 4, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

Over the period of lockdown (and I admit even before that) I’ve been sent a variety of singles/songs/demos for my listening pleasure. Unfortunately, some don’t get past the delete button (not always because they are… well, you know) but because I’m overwhelmed and don’t have the headspace to deal with them.

Over the last couple of weeks when I was on holiday in between day trips (avoiding the crowds and sweating masses) and decorating, I filtered out some of them….

Katherine Aly – God Breed

Following up her previous singles, The Skin I’m Made of, Sunny Days and Misty Me, this time around the silkily angelic-voiced Katherine Aly serves up a slice of absorbing brooding electronica with her latest single, God Breed.… Read the rest

Savage Cut – Before the Sea Does the Mile – review

May 15, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

The last gig I attended this year had Savage Cut on the bill. The first time I’d managed to catch the band live, and I have to say I was blown away. It will have to live long in the memory as it may be one of the only gigs I get to in 2020. The band are a three piece with no singer. Instead their songs feature a line-up of inspired choices of guest vocalists or samples.

The gig in Sleazys featured a cast of distinguished guests including the legendary Jimbo McKellar and rapper Hexstacy (review of the gig here).… Read the rest

Singles Round Up

May 11, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

During lockdown, music is one of the things that is keeping many of us going, the postman has been busy delivering some fantastic new albums on CD and LP, but I’ve also been catching up on several cracking singles and EPs – both physical and online releases.

The following is a select few of the tracks and singles I’ve been enjoying, I’ve added them all to my Ginger Quiff 2020 Spotify playlist (if the’re on Spotify of course…) featuring bands and artists I’ve reviewed or featured on the blog or for Louder Than War this year.

First Up and it is the sublime indie guitar heroes, Garlands, who have released two singles during the current lockdown period, The New Weird at the end of March and their new one Where Things Belong displaying their distinctive melodic alternative rock.… Read the rest

Savage Cut & Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers – live

February 2, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

A sneaky extra gig this one. One of these will I/won’t I nights that ended up as an I will. I was on drop off and pick up duties for Strictly, so it was only a partial gig, having to leave before the headliners, but as the now vegan Meatloaf once said, 2 out of 3 isn’t bad. This was living on the edge for me – gigs three nights in a row. Jeez I’m 50-man, ma lugs can’t cope.

So, three bands on offer for a fiver. Can’t say fairer than that. Especially not in a week when I re-mortgaged the house in order to get tickets for Guns ‘n’ Roses.… Read the rest

Ones That Got Away – Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers & Garlands

January 29, 2020 By neilho27@sky.com

First (maybe even last) in a random series of albums that got away. Ones from last year that I maybe didn’t get around to writing about or that for whatever reason never really got to listen to properly.

Bit of a double whammy this one – and it may, or may not, have something to do with both bands appearing on the same bill in Glasgow at Nice ‘n’ Sleazy this Saturday (1^st February).

Outstandifold & the Wettygrippers

The unusually monikered Outstandifold followed up their last (and rather good) album Box with their (who would have guessed) fourth album. Go Fourth, sees them metaphorically do just that.… Read the rest