DMA'S- For Now (Album Review)

Since releasing their first EP in 2015 DMA's have built a considerable and immensely loyal following in this country. The Australian three piece's debut LP Hill's End gained them considerable recognition for it's 'Britpop Revival' style with uplifting lyrics and big choruses that recalled Oasis at their brilliant, swaggering best.

If that debut release would've fitted perfectly in with the musical landscape of 1994-97 then aspects of second album FOR NOW wouldn't be out of place in any year between 1990 and 1999. DMA's have never been shy to wear their influences on their sleeves and continue to do so here.

Opening and title track 'For Now' is the stand out. It's like all the best bits of The Charlatans' early records married with the shimmering guitar of How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths with just an added dash of Kula Shaker (remember them?)

Lead single 'Dawning' is the track that most resembles the band's previous album, with soaring lead guitar parts and a strong melody. However most of the tracks here such as the brilliant 'Time and Money', single 'In The Air' and the beautiful 'Health' have more of  laid back vibe than the first record, even sounding like Travis in places. However the production has been taken up a notch on this release thanks to Kim Moyes, with even the more sedate tracks sounding more grandiose than their Hill's End counterparts. This may be a deliberate attempt at mainstream appeal (songs like 'Warsaw' and the aforementioned 'Time and Money' are the sort of tracks you could imagine turning on up on some sort of Spotify playlist for a summer barbecue whereas closing track 'Emily Whyte' is reminiscent of more than one of the singles on The Verve's Urban Hymns ) or may just hint at a natural progression in terms of the band's maturity.

In short For Now is a more stylistically varied and assured album than their first. Naysayers might point to the continuation of the 90s influences as a bad thing but I don't see it as an issue when done this well. The likes of 'The End' and 'Warsaw' can't help but put you in a good mood, such is their instantly uplifting nature, with frontman Tommy O'Dell's soaring vocals coming to the fore. For Now is everything a second album ought to be; a natural progression from their first, but so unmistakeably DMA's that their old fans will be delighted and it may just gain them some more.

THE CORAL - Sweet Release (Single Review)

It's difficult to believe that it was sixteen years ago this summer that The Coral elbowed their way into the national consciousness with their debut album that included the barnstorming hit single Dreaming of You. Since then the band has gone from likeable Merseyside rogues to one of the most consistently acclaimed alternative acts in the country, whilst also notching up several other hit singles such as Pass It On and In The Morning.

New track Sweet Release is the first single from their upcoming ninth studio album Move Through The Dawn which is out in August and it's fair to say it's a perfect choice for a lead single. It's a song that instantly reels you in with it's simple, upbeat melodies and the psychedelic tinged guitars wouldn't sound out of place on Noel Gallagher's latest album, or indeed any Super Furry Animals LP.

If the singles chart landscape was the same as it was sixteen years ago then I would be backing Sweet Release with it's catchy, indie pop vibes to be another hit for The Coral. As it is it's a perfect precursor to an album which might just prove to be an even sweeter release.

Gig Review: IDLES @ Craufurd Arms, MK 13th April '18

 

The Craufurd Arms, a quirky little pub with a dark and dingy sweatbox round the back.

What more could you ask for?... The Pad Presents throwing the modern day post punk powerhouses that are Idles into the mix, of course!

I was pleased to see a fairly busy room for the supporting act LICE also from Bristol (the same as Idles) who recently released their new EP IT ALL WORKED OUT GREAT Vol.1 on Balley records (Idles' new record label)

LICE are a slightly mixed matched looking bunch and you most certainly do not expect to hear Stammering Bill which captures not just me, but it seemed everyone in the room with its bluesy bass, smooth guitar and heaving rolling drums. Their lyrics show a fun youth but also political intelligence. Throughout the whole of their set their was banger after banger, each tune packed with epic oomph.

Idles take to the stage and I am already feeling like I want to take my shirt off and swing it around my head. The energy in the room from the crowd is intense so you can imagine how they feel on stage. 

Heel/Heal smacks me in the face, making me all giddy. Building up the anticipation in the room.

Joe's stern and powerful vocals in Divide and Conquer sounded stronger than ever with the scratchy riffs and thunder like drums. Throughout their soul capturing set, people are flinging themselves in the air with their fingers crossed hoping a few companions would be nice enough to hold them in the air and carry them forward (or back). I, myself bottled it!

It was refreshing to hear a couple of the oldie’s; Queens and The Idles Chant captivated the room. Coming to the end of their set, and while playing White Privilege a sweaty Bobo (Mark) comes prancing into the crowd and kneels down at my feet (something every gal wants, no?) giving me the opportunity to scream 'YEAH!' at the top of my lungs into his microphone while on the other side of the room Lee steam trained it through the crowd playing gut quenching riffs with his guitar in the air.

The crowd could not get enough of the earnestness of the band and rightly so, I do not think there was one thing I did not enjoy about this set. In fact, I liked it so much, I was sick into my scarf.

The rawness of each song, the truth of the everyday man behind each lyric and the pure passion of each member of the band is what captivates me every time I see them.

I am going to stop licking their arses now.

 

          Photo credit: Neil McCarty.

MILES KANE - Loaded (Single Review)

‘Loaded’ is the long awaited return to solo action for Miles Kane. It's something of an all star line up on the writing credits as Kane and Jamie T have been joined by Lana Del Rey after a chance meeting in LA. Kane is said to have been blown away with Del Rey's input on the chorus. 'Loaded' is not necessarily a new direction in style though as there is still the unmistakable echoed vocals mixed with a catchy chorus and strong Miles Kane guitar sounds. 

It’s been almost 5 years since the last release with Miles off recording with The Last Shadow Puppets he also formed a Beatles tribute "supergroup" named Dr. Pepper's Jaded Hearts Club Band with Matt Bellamy (Muse) and members of Nine Inch Nails and The Zutons. It’s fair to say Miles Kane has had some fun being away but ‘Loaded’ shows he is absolutely ready to be put back in the limelight. Looking forward to the imminent album.

Matt Crawley

Transmission 

https://youtu.be/EIAycrBl6KU

BILK - Spiked (Single Review)

This weekend Essex band BILK released new single ‘Spiked’ on Legion Records, produced by Rich Turvey (Blossoms, The Coral). 

An immediate toe tapper that has you hooked by Luke Hare’s bass, perfectly accompanied by Harry Gray on drums... and when Sol Abrahams vocals and guitar kick in you know you’re going to dance to this one at their live shows. They describe themselves as a unique blend of indie, rap and punk and this song captures the tale of drunken night at a house party, with a catchy chorus you’ll be chanting along with in no time. 

BILK recently announced they will be supporting Cabbage on their current UK tour and its easy to see why they've been chosen to join the ride!

You can also catch them at numerous local live shows, with Wah Wah Club at Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes, on April 25th, and with Transmission favourites Sarpa Salpa at Bedford Esquires on 12th May. 

BILK are certainly ones to watch this year. 

Sleeper @ Bedford Esquires 7th April '18

Tickets for Sleeper’s Friday night show at Bedford Esquires sold out within hours as those who were there first time around and younger heads alike snapped up an opportunity to see the recently reformed Britpop act.

And it’s fair to say that the band put on a show in keeping with the hype. Led by the immensely talented and still drop dead gorgeous Louise Wener they rattled through classic songs from all 3 of their albums from the 90s.

Their cover of Blondie’s Atomic (as heard in the iconic Trainspotting soundtrack) and set closer Sale of the Century were personal highlights as Wener has the crowd wrapped round her little finger throughout.

It remains to see whether Sleeper will become the latest in a long line of nineties reformers to go the whole hog and release new music but on this sort of form and judging by the raucous reaction from the crowd they could get away with just playing their hits for a good while longer.

Photo Credit - Neil McCarty