A cameo cant last forever
Anna C isn't swayed by key rings and dreams
THE LUCID DREAM- Love in my veins
The Lucid Dream hail from a world where they are aware that they are
dreaming (thats what a lucid dream is, fact fans). If their name
is a statement about the fact that they feel they are dreaming if they
think their music is going to get them anywhere then they shouldnt
be so hard on themselves. Personally, judging by their confident bluesy
early 90s baggy style, I think it could be either
a sceney drug reference or just the fact that it sounded cool. Regardless,
it is quite fitting to the ambience these Northerners create.
A reverb-soaked vocal is the biggest giveaway that TLD are massively
influenced by Jesus and Mary Chain and The Stone Roses- with that and
the massive takeover by the Hammond at the end of the single, youre
questioning whether two decades have passed at all. B-side The
devil will ride is a remix by Richard Norris who has recently
worked with Erol Alkan, having previously remixed Primal Scream and
The Doves, which also gives you an idea of whats on offer here,
a nice swagger and beats Kasabian would cock a leg to making TLD one
to listen out for. Whether they can go the distance like the indie royalty
they hold so dear remains to be seen. Its the dream though innit
and singer Mark Emerson can already warble better than Ian Brown so
lets keep that dream alive.
Released 30th May, 2011.
www.myspace.com/theluciddream08
The Brights- A cameo cant last forever
Whats in a name? Well, in this bands case,
a preview. Think sunny, jangly guitar pop and cheerful melodies akimbo.
Think repetitive singalong lyrics about a girl who should make up her
mind about something. Think four men from Essex who apparently take
their influences from the 80s but sound like they belong in The
Britpop era. At least they do on this single, where the closest comparisons
in my opinion are The Coral and Menswear. I used to love Menswear. Not
so keen on them now, though I can appreciate their total cheeky soul-selling
antics for what they were (just that). And that they did it for a grin.
They did it because they seemingly loved playing music and they were
decent enough at it. Much like The Brights perhaps. Not that they are
without a soul but still lack that bit of originality, the originality
that hopes that the definition of cameo isnt more than a song
title, that oomph that means I will remember this long after the CD
has winged its way to the charity shop. Still, they have been played
on XFM and Radio 2, have recorded their debut album with the producer
that brought us Shed 7 and Ian Brown and one of them has a bowl cut.
So rock on, Tommy.
Released 18th April, 2011.
http://www.thebrights.co.uk/index.asp
FREDS HOUSE- Freds House EP
This EP came to me with a nice little keyring shaped like a house, which
I liked a lot. While I didnt rate their music quite so much, I
still think Cambridgeshire band, Freds House, are a talented bunch,
even if they dont completely float the proverbial boat. Whats
more, they just sound so nice. Could their summery, sweet goodness rub
off on me? Er, probably not. But the mood is notably more pleasant.
So called because they recorded at their producers house, who
was interestingly called Fred, four men topped with a pretty female
singer makes for a good starter in the folk-pop stakes- especially as
the two lead vocalists, Vikki and Griff, are a couple so one can thoroughly
enjoy them sighing at each other in gay abandon, while everyone else
just goes awwwwwww. And this is how Freds House will
generally make you feel. If you have a heart, you will be charmed by
their traditional harmonies, storytelling lyrics and pretty arrangements;
dreamy melodies reflecting on life in opening track TV for sleepers
as they weave a lullaby out of words and twinkly moonbeam. A mirror-glass
lady winks as my ship passes by they sing. Who knows what theyre
on about, but it sounds magical, before the laidback but sadder Mother
of three about a down-trodden, er, mother-of three, takes
things to a more poignant conclusion. Drawing their influences from
Simon and Garfunkel to The Swell Season, though their melancholy is
far more trite- sounding not unlike Fairport Convention- Freds
House are worth a listen if you are into this sort of thing. Whereas
its long been pondered that how I keep going without such a vital
organ is a complete medical mystery.
Released 7th May, 2011.
www.fredshousemusic.co.uk
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