Music
Track: Cullen Omori – Cinnamon
By Ryan Jameson Weaver Not many people know this, but Smith Westerns were an incredibly special band. They crafted delectable teenage gospel in a way that was almost purposefully harking back to their past but proud and boastful enough that it lived on its own. They were snotty Chicago kids encapsulating the hype machine of …
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 …
Live Review: Slaves – 02 Academy, Leeds, 10.11.2015
Slaves; the two-piece from Tunbridge Wells that unexpectedly rose to fame in 2015. Their debut album reached number eight in the UK album charts, they played Glastonbury festival several times in one year, they brought grime and punk together with their incredible cover of Skepta’s ‘Shutdown, they sold out their November tour with demand for …
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: New Music, Burnout Beach by Wooden Indian Burial Ground
By all accounts there is something special coming down the line from Wooden Indian Burial Ground on EXAG Records later this month, and what a tasty taster we have here with the video for the lead single, ‘Burnout Beach’, from new album, ‘How’s Your Favourite Dreamer?’, to be released in February. The video somehow captures …
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 …
Meet: Sid Griffin from The Long Ryders
In the midst of endless mid-80s synth pop the arrival on these shores of The Long Ryders with their swaggering fusion of country rock with punk attitude was a welcome relief from the manufactured pap clogging up the charts. Their first album Native Sons was only held off the top of the UK Indie Charts …
Track: Field Music – Disappointed
Sunderland avant rockers Field Music first heralded their forthcoming album Commontime before Christmas in the shape of The Noisey Days Are Over. If that vibrant slice of progressive indie pop wasn’t enough to tickle your musical taste buds, they’ve followed it up with the equally brilliant Disappointed. Described by David from the band, who takes …