Album Reviews
Album Review: Die Nerven – ‘Out’
‘Out’ is the third LP release, by Stuttgart post-punk trio Die Nerven. I am delighted that this found it’s way to me via Ben Lynch at PinDrop Publicity – just the other day, I was reminiscing about John Peel having introduced me to Xmal Deutschland and Einstürzende Neubauten back in the day, courtesy of one of those Facebook …
Album Review: Zombi – Shape Shift
Listening to the heavy synth band Zombi is like zoning out to the opening credits of some imaginary sci fi or horror film. As you listen to the synth strings well up and overpower the mix, and the Neil Peart-like precision of the drums you can almost picture some imaginary scene of intense space flight. …
Album Review: Keep Shelly in Athens – Now I’m ready
Everything seemed to be rosy in Greek duo Keep Shelly in Mind’s world, at least from the outside following the release of their highly regarded debut album, 2012’s At Home. However, shortly afterwards, lead singer Shelly P left to persue a solo career, and the future of the band, given that they were 50% lighter …
Album Review: The Zombies – Still Got That Hunger
The Zombies new album, ‘Still Got That Hunger’ is after repeated listenings, hard not to like. For a band formed in 1961, they still tour a hell of a lot, so no-one can argue with its title. It’s in places semi-autobiographical, nostalgic and as technically proficient as one would expect, from a band responsible for …
Album Review: The Garden – Haha
Welcome to a land that’s familiar, yet slightly out of sync, and a little bit unnerving. Welcome to The Garden and their latest album ‘Haha’. The Californian duo have put together an album that at first glimpse makes about as much sense as their ‘vada vada’ philosophy – “… an idea that represents pure creative expression …
Album Review: Protomartyr – The Agent Intellect
Over the last fifteen years there have been many bands to emerge that wore the post-punk moniker proudly. That’s not to say they deserved to wear that moniker, mind you. That’s also not say they picked that moniker out themselves. It seems music critics(I’m not one as I don’t get invited to their soirees, nor …
Album Review: Editors – ‘In Dream’
A nagging synth pattern, a minimal echoing drum and a guy whose baritone chant of ‘I’m a go-getter’ sounds alarmingly like Nick Cave. One could be forgiven for thinking they’re listening to an outtake from the latest Bad Seeds offering, 2013’s ‘Push The Sky Away ‘ that is, until they’re startled by the falsetto in …
Album Review: Morning World by Teen Daze
At the risk of stating the obvious, the introduction of vocals into a piece of music completely changes the nature of it. For instance, a passage of instrumental music, which may be a rich and complex when taken on its own, can be relegated to the mere role of intro or instrumental break once the …
Album Review: Reverend and the Makers – Mirrors
Sheffield indie rockers Reverend and The Makers were instantly covered in glory right from their very first album, the brilliant The State of Things, that marked them out as purveyors of the finest groove-laden smart pop back in 2007, and followed it, with a hint of sophistication and witty political lyricism, with A French Kiss …
Album Review: Deafheaven – New Bermuda
Never in my life did I ever think I’d like a so-called “black metal” band. Up until a few years ago I didn’t know what black metal really was. The black metal genre was something I looked at from a distance and thought better to indulge in it. I got the Gothic stuff. The sludge-y, …