Album Reviews
Album Review: Aimee Mann – Mental Illness
Aimee Mann has always had an interesting approach to making music. With a mix of guitar pop anthems and rousing acoustic ballads, her lyrical prowess and dry wit has always kept her on top of her game; probably the reason she is still going strong after nine albums and twenty-five years. And that’s merely her …
Album Review: The Underground Lovers – Staring at you Staring at Me
In 2013, after a nine year hiatus, Melbourne’s legendary The Underground Lovers returned triumphantly with the album “Weekend” – listed as one of Backseat Mafia’s favourite releases for that year. Luckily, this time round we have not been kept waiting so long – four years later and they are back in business with the release …
Say Psych: Album Review: 10 000 Russos – Distress Distress
Rating: 8/10 Portuguese trio 10 000 Russos marked their place as a force to be reckoned with when they released their self-titled debut LP on Fuzz Club Records back in May 2015. The album has sold out twice over and includes such stomping tracks as ‘Karl Burns’ and ‘Usvsus’. Followed by extensive touring, they have …
Album Review: Me And That Man- Songs Of Love & Death
Ordinarily, Nergal finds himself at the helm of one of the black metal scene’s biggest staple bands, Behemoth. However, his side project- a collaboration with rock musician John Porter- Me And That Man couldn’t seem more different on the surface. While still encompassing an evocative, dark aesthetic, Songs Of Love & Death has allowed Nergal …
Album Review: Ásgeir – Afterglow
Ásgeir was just a mere 20 years old when he became an overnight sensation with the release of his debut album ‘In the Silence’, the album became the fastest selling debut from a home-grown artist in Iceland, breaking all previous records and outselling Björk and Sigur Ros. ‘Afterglow’ sees the return of Ásgeir, and with his return, a new …
Album Review: British Sea Power – Let the Dancers Inherit The Party
The iconic British Sea Power are back after a four year hiatus with one of their best albums since my personal favourite “Open Season” (released way back in 2005). “Let The Dancers Inherit The Party” is the same BSP as before but with added melodic bounce, the same amount of fresh, almost childish, optimism mixed …
Album Review: Billow Observatory’s ‘II: Plains/Patterns’
Billow Observatory exist on some ethereal plane. The music that Jonas Munk and Jason Kolb create has the feel of a constant, syrup-y flow through time and space. It’s no surprise as to the duo’s penchant for grandiose musical beats given their main gigs(Kolb is a member of Detroit, Michigan’s Auburn Lull and Munk is …
Album Review: Fazerdaze – Morningside
I’m just going to go straight to the point about Morningside, the debut album from Fazerdaze (essentially the output of New Zealand’s Amelia Murray). It is an extraordinarily accomplished work of art. I could just say go and order the album without hesitation and leave it at that. It’s that good. However, I shall indulge, …
Album Review: The Vibrators – The Epic Years 1976-78 4CD Set
Along well before 1976, The Vibrators had done there time playing the London Pub circuit, hanging at The Elgin Pub, with Strummer and the 101ers, and crafting there own sound, early recording s with Chris Spedding on the RAK label were pretty much overlooked although they got a Peel session on the back of it, …
Album Review: Year of Birds – ‘White Death to Power Alan’
For fans of The Fall, The Wolfhounds, Clinic, and the noisy end of the C86 sound ‘Year of Birds’ are a Teesside based post-punk outfit and have just released their new album ‘White Death To Power Alan” The LP out on Odd Box (Wolfhounds) and is their most focused to date whilst still retaining they’re …