Sick of DIY?
R*E*P*E*A*T's newest reviewer does it for himself...

 

Luxembourg: Sick of diy

www.luxembourgband.com
www.myspace.com/luxembourgband

Described by themselves as 'pop noir' (whatever that is) - "intelligent and glamorous pop music with a chip on its shoulder."

The vocals have a crooning, tragic quality to them that reminds me a bit of my Grandma's Frank Sinatra records but accompanied by an elaborate musical composition consisting of a mix of guitar, bass, drums and synthesiser. All of it quite predictable.

Luxembourg has been compared with Pulp, Smiths and Soft Cell. Although the first track 'Sick of diy' was quite catchy, the rest of the CD was instantly forgettable - a reminder of Father Dick Byrne's audition for the Eurovision song contest in Father Ted.

4/10

Education: Cool As you, Charles

www.areyoueducated.com
www.myspace.com/educati0n

This is Education's first two track single. 'Cool As You' opens with a fast punky guitar riff and pounding drums which sounds a bit like The Jam and it comes as a slight surprise to hear the crystal clear, precise vocals of the singer Christopher Taylor cut in. With crashing cymbals and humorous catchy lyrics, it all holds together well and is worth listening to again - it grows on you.

'Charles' has some interesting guitar pieces (the national anthem in disguise?) but I found the lyrics annoying. Although mildly mocking of our 'beloved' royal this shows none of the Sex Pistols anti-royal rage, and this is not the band's style - a bit too repetitive and the weaker of the two tracks.

Influenced by, among others, Morrissey/Smiths, Madness, and The Killers maybe we will hear more from them.

7/10


Razorlight: America

www.razorlight.co.uk
www.myspace.com/razorlight

Razorlight are one of the most popular indie bands around and 'America' shows why, with its twiddly, acoustic guitar introduction and catchy tune and chorus line.

Johnny Borrell's melodic and powerful vocals are combined with bland, unoriginal lyrics while the chorus and the catchy 'Oh oh oh' gives the song an anthem-like quality. However it lacks the kick that great songs have. Not really sure what this is about - a self-obsessed whine about nothing in particular….a success possibly with Emos.

Time Out magazine sums it up for me when they said "Razorlight, and Borrell in particular, will be happy to trade in their spiky selves for a Number One album. But if they go any further into the middle of the road they'll hit the barrier."

6/10


Marie Miller: Fast Lane

www.marie-miller.com

A solo singer backed by a four piece band in the musical style of pop and country rock. A slightly husky singer with a musical production as carefully composed as her hair. Disturbing.

1/10

Milburn: What You Could've Won

www.milburnmusic.com

A fairly new four piece band from Sheffield. They have been described as "a blend of indie-ska-pop rock, refreshing lyrics and virtuoso instrument playing." Their sound has also been compared to the The Jam and Razorlight.

'What You Could've Won', part of the debut album "Well Well Well", has a thrashing guitar chorus and a solid pounding drum rhythm. The vocals reminded me straightaway of the Arctic Monkeys and the band's website shows that they are friends and toured together earlier this year, although apparently Milburn formed some time before The Arctic Monkeys.

Worth listening to if you are an indie pop rock fan.

8/10

Shuffle: My Friend's Girlfriend/An Old Uprising

www.shuffle.info
www.myspace.com/shuffleshuffle

This is the band's debut single. The band consists of drums, keyboard, guitars, bass and vocals. Jazz meets electro ska? Not a band to be pigeon-holed. Energetic and quirky but unexceptional. Not something I would want to listen to more than once.

4/10


Bauer: EP - Connected, Don't You Move, Indian Sign, Gone

www.baueronline.co.uk
www.myspace.com/bauermusic

A bland euro indie pop composition. The vocals are slightly soulful and the guitar, bass and drums are all technically good but unremarkable, except for 'Indian Sign' which has a pulsating bass line and slower, more deliberate verses, and is probably the best track of the four.

A middle of the road band. Like a plateful of rice with no sauce. Bland and boring.

2/10


Dirty Pretty Things: Wondering

www.dirtyprettythingsband.com

A single from their debut album ' Waterloo to Anywhere': Described as a mix of punk rock, ska and a touch of brit pop.

Although only formed a short time ago, Dirty Pretty Things have become popular very quickly. Carl Barat, who used to be part of The Libertines, has a strong slightly raw voice. The catchy lyrics, bold lead guitar riff, solid drumming and slightly blurry bass make this a memorable song that has echoes of The Clash.

I've seen this band play live and they are great. A brilliant single.

9/10

By Steff

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