Album Reviews
Album Review: King Charles – Gamble For A Rose
Things are changing for singer-songwriter Charles Costa AKA King Charles. His 2012 album ‘LoveBlood’ was a bouncy and quirky collection of pop gems. But January sees the release of its follow-up, and it couldn’t be further removed. Those big pop hooks have been replaced with something else; something more honest, and raw. After his collaboration …
Say Psych: Album Review, Paradise by Pop. 1280
The planet is in a pretty fucked up state and we’ve only got ourselves to blame. That may seem obvious to some, but given that Pop. 1280’s position is that we have collectively sleepwalked into this situation, not many are going to be arsed to think of this let alone agree. Pop. 1280, named presumably …
Say Psych: Album Review, Different Sun by Electric Eye
Norwegian quartet Electric Eye are one of those bands who have been on my radar for some time. I very much enjoyed the band’s debut album ‘Pick-up, Lift-up, Space, Time’ from 2013, especially ‘Tangerine’ which has made it onto countless playlists of mine. The band is now very much back and centre of my thoughts …
Say Psycht: Album Review, Blezard by Cavalier Song
This is the first review that I have written since David Bowie died. This is relevant because he had a huge impact on how I listen to and understand music. While this no doubt informs everything I write about music implicitly, the amount I have been thinking about him and his music this week will …
Album Review: David Bowie – ‘Blackstar’ – A Post-Script
Around a week ago I had the enviable task of reviewing the ‘Blackstar’ album (hey, it’s what we do and I got lucky – see below for original review). Like everyone, aside from the man himself (and his closest circle), I had no idea I was reviewing David Bowie’s parting address to the world. On …
Album Review: The Anchoress – Confessions Of A Romance Novelist
The UK has always been a big producer of unique female singer-songwriters. What our ladies have always offered is something with a little more edge; something cooler and quirkier. Take for example Amy Winehouse, Bat For Lashes, FKA Twigs, and the legend that is Ms. Kate Bush. But with a new year comes the arrival …
Album Review: Hinds – Leave Me Alone
With the release of their highly anticipated debut album, ‘Leave Me Alone’, Hinds melt away the January blues with twelve songs full of attitude, charm and Spanish warmth. The Madrid quartet started out as a duo called Deers in 2011 before Carlotta Cosials and Ana García Perrote were joined by Ade Martín and Amber Grimbergen …
Album Review: Turin Brakes – Lost Property
To me Turin Brakes are like an old friend I’ve lost regular touch with over the years that I bump into in my local one evening. We’ve not seen each other for a while, but after some initial awkwardness, we end up having one of those nights out that sticks in your memory and reminds …
Album Review: Ignite – A War Against You
A War Against You is the first release in ten years from California’s melodic hard-core punks Ignite. The band return with their own blend of fast paced melodic hard-core and thought provoking political, socially aware lyrics. The album opens with the signature almost operatic sound of frontman Zoli Teglas, belting out the opening lines with …
Say Psych: Album Review, Mind Control by Sun Dial
Sun Dial will need no introduction to many. Formed in 1990 by Gary Ramon, the band has explored many different aspects of psychedelic and space rock during its existence, and has often sprung a surprise or two, not least with its response to the release of its 20th anniversary retrospective (‘Processed For DNA’), an eponymously …