Swine and Cockerel
Fi Beckett seeks to separate the ducks from the geese
Soundbite - Red Raw
Not quite sure if I like this or not. An uneasy mix of ska and rock
which leaves me with the feeling that this three-piece aren't quite
sure where they're goin with it. And what's with the singer's voice?
Genuine or not, it's the worst American accent I've ever heard, makin
em sound a bit like The Mighty Might Bosstones if they were fronted
by Jon Bon Jovi. But then my boyfriend nicked it for the car and absolutely
loves it, and normally he hates everyone and everything so they must
have something going for em. Just not sure what. http://www.myspace.com/soundbiteuk
Elliot Minor - Parallel Worlds
The fact that this record was mixed by Fallout boy's producer would
normally be enough to put me off even listening to it, but I'm so glad
I did cos, even though I know I shouldn't, I love it! although at first
it does sound like just another generic pop-rock song, all fast-paced
guitars and quirky lyrics (it's about a haunted attic, apparently),
what sets it apart are the vocals. Parallel Worlds is awash with the
most beautiful, perfect harmonies, sounding decidedly choral towards
the end. So it comes as not much of a surprise then to learn that Elliot
Minor (who I think get their name from their piano, fact fans!) were
choristers together at York Minster, no less. I know this has been played
to death on Kerrang! but don't let that put you off.
Mybe - 4 track ep
Mybe (pronounced 'mibe') have been together since they were 15 and have
spent the last 12 years supporting the likes of The Damned, SLF, UK
Subs and John Otway. And it's not hard to see why they've been a support
band for so long - they're uninspired and completely uninspiring. The
first 3 tracks anyway. Track 4 is marginally better, with more than
a nod to the punk supremos they support, but you'd think, after 12 years
a bit more of their influence would've rubbed off. Says here they are
actually influenced by The Wildhearts, Green Day and Supergrass, but
you wouldn't know it to listen to em. Shit name too. Ho hum. http://www.myspace.com/mybe
The Worldonfire - Live to Tell the Tale
Ooh, this is intriguing - the cd comes shrinkwrapped and although it's
a 12 track album, tracks 4, 8 and 11 aren't listed. It even comes with
a lovely handwritten not, hope it's worth the anticipation... Sad to
report that it's not. All a bit samey, angst ridden lyrics about the
shitness of life but without offering any possible solutions or desire
to change it. Nice guitars tho, bit Smithsy in places and the singer
is achingly earnest, so I gotta give em points for that. http://www.myspace.com/theworldonfire
Balor Knights - Tornado/Get Straight
I've heard the second track of this AA side before on
a cd my mate sent so I'm already familiar with their sound. Unashamedly
indie, with an infections energy that draws comparisons with Graham
Coxon's manic style, this Sheffield band are rapidly gaining a reputation
as one of the most exciting bands in the city. Not sure about that but
they're definitely worth a listen, so check out their myspace. http://www.myspace.com/balorknights
Sometree - Hand and Arrows/Notion
Both these tracks remind me of a cross between Sting and that bloke
who sang 'Tinseltown in the Rain', so not a good start. Which is a shame
because, vocal abominations aside, this is really rather good. Lots
of twists and turns so you don't quite know where it's going next, this
would benefit from being purely instrumental. But then Mark Lanegan
likes em, apparently, so what do I know? http://www.myspace.com/thisissometree
The Pigeon Detectives - 4 track ep
Not quite sure what to think about these cos they're currently bein
shagged by the media, while at the same time it's cool to say they're
shit. Ooh, I know, I'll listen to it and make my own mind up. Genius!
Well, after two listens I have to say that I dunno what all the fuss
is about, whichever side of the fence yr on. Jingly-jangly guitars romp
along with a bit of over confident swagger, with lyrics reminiscent
of Miles Hunt when he was good, or even their cheeky contemporaries,
Arctic Monkeys. But they're not even interesting enough for me to have
a proper opinion about at all, I can take em or leave em. So I'll probably
leave em....
Anada - Demo
Don't think that there are any actual sitars involved in the making
of this record, but it sure sounds like there are. I'm really enjoying
this, like nothing I've ever heard before, like Evanescence doing the
soundtrack to a Bollywood movie. Quite Metallica in parts and the singer's
voice is at once at odds with it, but also perfectly suited. All a bit
bizarre, yet it works beautifully, most atmospheric thing I've heard
in ages. Being Cambridge based a lot of you may have seen em already,
but if you haven't, you should. http://www.myspace.com/anadacambridge
The Straw Bear Band - 4 track ep
What the fuck is this all about then? Sounds like the music you would
imagine Druids make. All a bit of a dirge really and about forty years
too late. Sorry.
Captain Polaroid - Other Short Stories and Better Works of Fiction
Oh, this is lo-fi with knobs on! Home recorded Mozza-style wry observations
on love, hate, war and peace, set to a backdrop of fucked up fuzzed
up guitars and drum machines. Captain Polaroid says what he means and
means what he says. So listen up. http://www.myspace.com/captainpolaroid
The Mighty Roars - Swine & Cockerel
Holy Fuck!!! Think I've just had an epiphany! No really,
I'm half expecting to be bathed in golden light whilst bein serenaded
by angels. With harps! This is everything I love about music; fast,
ballsy, in yer face with attitude by the bucketload. They've been compared
to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and while it's obvious why, I think this band are
far, far better. And there's definitely more of Debbie Harry's punk
princess to singer Lara Granqvist that Karen O's bonkers glam rocker.
I can't even choose a stand out track, they're all equally energetic
and exhilarating, like stagediving naked into the moshpit at CBGB's!
If you love music then you MUST buy this, it'll blow you away. http://www.myspace.com/themightyroars
Fi Beckett
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