OH SEES - Smote Reverser (Album Review)

With the fluency of which ideas come to the mind of John Dwyer, Commander in chief of Californian, psych-garage-rock extraordinaires Oh Sees, it must be essential that he records as many albums as his unprecedented talent allows, or risk self-combustion.  A minimum of two LP’s a year the usual output.  With this latest exploration into rock hallucinogenica, there are moments that almost resemble traditional song-writing, the groove machine that is ‘C’ a prime example. Of course this notion is broken with absolute bone crunchers, ‘Overthrown’, along with the band’s trademark space-rock launches to destinations unknown.  After all Dwyer has become the key-master of the genre, able to alter his surroundings at will.

John Peel famously described The Fall as “always different, always the same”, which can also be said of Oh Sees.  ‘Smote Reverser’ delivers everything  you expect from an Oh Sees album, whilst surprising throughout.  The Oh Sees influence has surfaced of late, with a string of psyche bands making waves, and while King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are very good, Oh Sees are great. 

 

Words by Ben Barry.

 

 

THE SURRENDERS - Shouldn't Have To Dig (Single Review)

West Midlands based four piece The Surrenders first came on my radar when they supported local indie heroes The Scruff at Esquires in Bedford a couple of months back. Having shared many stages recently for This Feeling, The Scruff recruited The Surrenders as main support for their hometown gig and it was an inspired choice as the band's raucous blues rock won them a whole host of new fans.
 
Having since played their self titled EP to death I was glad I wouldn't have to wait long for new music from The Surrenders, as their new single Shouldn't Have To Dig is released this Monday, 3rd August.

The track has a real retro feel about it and you can tell the band are massively influenced by the 60s. Combining the tight musicianship of the likes of The Rolling Stones and The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Connor Brooks' cocksure, soulful vocals, if you shut your eyes it could almost be the summer of love again. In terms of more recent influence you could argue that guitarist Richard Jones' heavy riffs are reminiscent of John Squire's during the Second Coming era. It's the sort of song you can imagine going off with much throwing of beer and limbs at small venues and large ones alike and hopefully it can propel The Surrenders to the next level.

Words by Danny Buckley

SUEDE - Don't Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You (Single Review)

90s legends Suede released the second single from their upcoming eighth studio album The Blue Hour last Friday and it’s a belter.

Don’t Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You sees the Londoners return to the glammed up but somewhat dark indie rock that has made them so successful over the years after string laden lead single The Invisibles. Richard Oakes’ lead guitar drives the song along at pace and Brett Anderson’s trademark falsetto is present and correct in the chorus. You get the impression that DBAINLY would be at home on either one of their most critically acclaimed albums, 1994’s Dog Man Star or Night Thoughts from two years ago.

Eight albums in and it seems that Suede’s creative juices are still flowing as well as ever. It’s a good omen for the new album The Blue Hour, which is available to pre order now ahead of it's release on 21st September.

Words by Danny Buckley

THE TWILIGHT SAD - I/m Not Here [Missing Face]: Single Review

 

 

‘Nobody Wants To Be Here & Nobody Wants To Leave’ released in 2014, was almost the last throw of the black dice for The Twilight Sad.  As fortune favours the brave, the album led to critical acclaim finally breaking through the wall.  The band haven’t looked back since.  Touring arenas with The Cure, and winning over all audiences in front of them with their sound of mope & glory.  Residing on post-rock royalty Mogwai’s record label, Rock Action. They make for perfect bedfellows.  With an unwavering intensity, The Twilight Sad are not just storm clouds, they bring the thunder and lightning with latest single ‘I/m Not Here (Missing Face)’.

Amongst the bleakness, there’s always been a fire raging in the heart of Scotland’s purveyors of doom laden indie.  Here they continue their reign of soul striking, miserabilist bliss.  James Graham’s unmistakable Glaswegian delivery acts as the prophetic voice of the plight and darkness surrounding, as the pounding rhythm builds to a cyclone of emotion.  The Twilight Sad are a dream, or perhaps nightmare come true.  Triumphant in the face of adversity with more sweat, guts and soul than any other band around, long may they continue their journey into the abyss.

 

 

 

Words by Ben Barry.

Gig Review: Bearheads/The Visitors/Bilk @ The Horn, St Albans

Bearheads started off with some powerful and heavy musical resonance which made my ears prick up instantly. The lead singer teased me every now and again with a real husk to his voice which I enjoyed. Although this wasn’t the case all the way through their set. Some songs resembled a young pop-punk band which isn’t really my cup of tea so their set finished and I was left a little confused as to whether I was a fan or not. They did bring a crowd however and they all seemed to lap up their vibes so maybe it was just me.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Visitors were up next, I have listened to this band previously and have been curious about how they sounded live ever since, and I can tell you, they did not disappoint me. They even threw in an Arctic Monkey’s cover which by the way wasn’t too shabby. You can tell these boys are influenced by the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Libertines etc. The front man brought a mature indie tone to the stage and he wore it well.

Bilk took the stage, three very young-looking lads but they brought some tight knit yet gritty riffs to St Albans that night. With hints of Jamie T and Ratboy and someone else I can’t quite put my finger on I was thoroughly taken back by clever and realistic lyrics being thrown at me. I wasn’t the only one who was enjoying it either, I think the guy jumping around with an England flag tied round his neck definitely having a great time.

 Sol Abrahams of Bilk

Words by Saffron Long.

Photo by Neil McCarty.

 

 

JUST EVERYWHERE - Paint (Single Review)

One of Manchester’s best kept secrets, singer-songwriter Paul Baird lets his imagination bubble take sail once again as Just Everywhere.  The delicate ‘Paint’ is a glimpse into the wonderland that will be ‘Light Side of the Raw, Just Everywhere’s second album due for release on 3rd August.  

Sharing the haze and sparkle of dream-poppers Beach Fossils and Happyness, ‘Paint’ is a tranquil gaze from above the chaos. Encouraging the listener’s own imagination to wander, until you’re living in your very own daydream.  So enjoy the serenity, enjoy its beauty, let your bubble drift amongst the clouds with Just Everywhere.

 

Words by Ben Barry.

INTERPOL - The Rover (Single Review)

 

Interpol’s debut album ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’ is quite rightly regarded as a seminal album. Released in 2002 during the New York explosion, the record had a razor sharped edge on their contemporaries.  Darker, cinematic and well, better.  Suited and booted, Interpol were the complete package, possessing staying-power. Second album ‘Antics’ only lent more weight to the bands reputation, giving them charting “hits”, ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘Evil’.  The years ahead witnessed the band stumble and become stifled.  Unable to grow and push their sound beyond its origins.  They remain a force live, with sets leaning heavily towards their two great early albums.

Enough of the history lesson, what of the new?  A first taste of what will be Interpol’s 6th album, Marauder; ‘The Rover’ breaks no new ground.  Another Interpol song for Interpol fans.  A little  rawer than we’re used to, it comes with some clout.  Perhaps victims of their own success, this single is a good excuse to tour and plunder the back-catalogue but little else.  Having witnessed ‘The Rover’ live, I can confirm it lends itself well to Interpol’s set. I wouldn’t want it taking the place of a loved tune though.

 

Words by Ben Barry.