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Album Review: Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color
On Alabama Shakes debut album, Boys & Girls, they proved an affinity for the roots-y rock ‘n roll. They were a tight band with a vocalist in Brittany Howard that rivaled pretty much any young up and coming soul singer record labels were attempting to shove down our collective throats. Not only could Howard sing so …
Album Review: Blur “The Magic Whip”
It’s been a long time coming and a lot of water has passed under a lot of bridges in the 16 years since Blur released their last studio album as a four piece but “The Magic Whip” has put Blur firmly back in the spotlight. It’s their 8th studio album in their 25 years or …
Listen : Dublin psych band Tomorrows draw on the spirit of krautrock for “Another Life”
My oh my, have you heard Tomorrows’ “Another Life”? No? Well you really should. It’s like a druggy, sunny afternoon baking in the rays with someone you wouldn’t mind melting into the earth with. It’s like a hot air balloon ride into the stratosphere. It’s like a stroll into the ether and laughing all the …
Album Review: Roisin Murphy – Hairless Toys
Roisin Murphy will release her third solo album ‘Hairless Toys’ on May 12th, but after nearly eight years since her second album “Overpowered’ reached number twenty in the UK album charts I’m guessing a few of you may be wondering who Roisin is; Firstly. it’s pronounced Rosheen, like machine, not Roison, like poison or Wassin’ …
Live: Tom Brosseau at Wilton’s Music Hall
I knew ‘Perfect Abandon’ would sound at its best live: Tom Brosseau and band did not disappoint. Wilton’s Music Hall played host to a beautiful evening of otherworldly country and folk, blending most of the new record with one or two cuts from preceding release ‘Grass Punks’, and a couple of other, older treats. Everyone was on …
Track: Miya Folick – Talking with Strangers
Talking with Strangers is a new release from the Santa Ana, California singer-songwriter Miya Folick. After growing up in a Buddist family, music was always an important part of her life, but that only really took off when she taught herself to play the guitar in downtime whilst studying Theatre in college. Talking with Strangers …
News: Soul Legend Percy Sledge dies
Percy Sledge is one of those rare artists who secured their pension pot with their debut single as When a Man Loves a Woman must be played on the radio somewhere in the world every second of the day. Sledge, who died today, is not unusual in the soul world for having one classic single …
Track: Northern American – Modern Phenomena
Ahead of their debut album Modern Phenomena, which drops on May 18th via Heist or Hit Records, Los Angeles quartet Northern American have released a taster in the shape of the albums title track. Its a follow-up to the bands 2013 EP Happiness Hungover, and was recorded at Red Rockets Glare Studio in Santa Monica …
Live: Champs – Belgrave Music Hall – Leeds – 8th April 2015
We are big fans of Champs here at Backseat Mafia and loved their recent album ‘VAMALA’ which we reviewed here, one of a multitude of rave reviews for the Isle of Wight duo’s album of exquisitely crafted and gorgeously harmonised pop-folk songs. It really is an album of sheer beauty and if you haven’t yet added …
Track: Meesh – Lake/Endings/Glenn
I first came across Meesh last December, attracted in a sort of anti-Mumford and Sons fashion by their self-labelling of their music as anti-folk. Despite this label, their music was a little bit folky, but I loved it nonetheless (see my earlier review). They have just released three new songs, available to download for free, …