Archive for March, 2006

• Band / Artist : Brave Captain
• Genre : Pop / Rock / Electronic
• Sample Track Download : I Don’t Know Any Better
• Buy CD : N/A
• Free Digital Download : Download
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

Although the name Brave Captain may not mean anything to anyone not already a fan, the name Martin Carr, might be more familiar as the man behind that monster group of the 90’s the Boo Radleys. The “Wake Up” album brings back particular memories, of staying at a friends house and hearing the next door neighbor singing “Wake Up Boo!” at 8am on weekend mornings from his garden. Not the best thing to hear when you are recovering from a hang-over. Actually it’s not the best thing to hear at anytime, but enough of the neighbor’s naff voice.

Brave Captain is a slight departure from the Boo Radleys sound I’m familiar with (just the one “Wake Up” album), but maybe it’s just Martin Carr coming through more in the music, it’s hard for me to decide as I haven’t heard too much of either, but I get the feeling Martin is a big electronic music fan and this does reflect strongly in the music. Before you sigh and decide to move onto something else, this isn’t just an electronic album, this is more a pop/rock album with a hint of electronic. It’s actually very well done and enhances, rather than overshadows the songs.

Although comprising of only 8 tracks, they do total up to nearly 40 minutes of music. The album opens very strongly, both musically and vocally with the track “Whatever Happened to the Fingertipsaint”. Track 2, “I Don’t Know Any Better” brings back a hint of that old Boo Radley sound. Track 3 “Punk Rock” has some of those retro sounds, that I’ve heard in a few songs of late. You know, the sounds like old 80’s arcade games. This is an interesting song, that rambles and repeats, but I’m a particular fan of this style of song. I won’t go into each song individually, but the final song, “Jerusalem” is an interesting song, with it’s white boy rap style and intelligent lyrics, but I won’t mention the elephant.

Conclusion : This is an extraordinary album and one that deserves some widespread recognition. To top it all off, the whole album is available for free, all you need to do is submit your email address to get download instructions. It doesn’t get much better than that.

• Band / Artist : Something for Rockets
• Genre : Rock / Electronic / Dance
• Sample Track Download : Do Me on the Dancefloor (The Pre Valve Sound)
• Buy CD : Insound – Bands Store
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 8 out of 10

The first thought through my head, when I heard Something for Rockets (SFR) had completed a new EP, was “about bloody time”. Call me demanding, but the self titled album was released in 2004, so to have some new material is great. There’s also been a slight line up change, but that’s neither here nor there, as this is still the SFR you know and love.

The EP contains 2 new tracks and 4 remixes of varying interest. The two new tracks are absolute corkers. Beginning with “I Never Know”, it’s not until the break between tracks that you get a chance to pause for breath. Make no mistake this is driving, edgy, infectious music at it’s best. Track 2, “That’s a Lie” sees mellow as the name of the game, with Rami’s (the lead singers) voice used to good effect.

The rest of the EP comprises of the remixes and this is very much a mixed bag. “Might as Well (Xylos Remix)” is very much in the jungle, drum and bass style, which I have to admit is not my favorite type of music to listen to, but somehow my dislike is kept at bay. “The Line (Homles Mix)” is not too far from the original, with a high speed, high hat sound throughout. However it’s when you get to “Do Me on the Dancefloor (The Pre Valve Sound)” that my ears start to prick up. Yes it again has the drum and bass I loathe, but bugger me if I don’t just love this track. Which just goes to show, that musical taste is a complex thing. The EP rounds things off with “Everybody Loves A Lot (Nonplus Copenhagen Interpretation)” which is probably my least favorite track on the EP, but that’s not bad going. As Meatloaf said “5 out of 6 ain’t bad”, or something along those lines anyway.

Conclusion : For SFR fans everywhere, you are not going to be disappointed with this release. For anyone not familiar with SFR, the first two tracks are excellent introductions to the SFR sound, but the remixes may not be to everyones tastes, so suck it and see.

• Band / Artist : The Profits
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : Atlantic
• Buy CD : AwareStore – CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 9 out of 10

The Profits are a band out of Madison, Wisconsin, who seem to be gaining an excellent following and rightly so. This their second release, “Far From You and Your Everyday Noise” is an absolute cracker. I can just imagine this band as the next Coldplay, but with much more interesting music.

The album opens up with the track “Life’s Worth Living”, which bares a striking resemblance to something Paul Weller or the Style Council would do. Even they borrowed a lot of their sound from that soul legend “Curtis Mayfield”, but this isn’t soul here, this is well crafted pop/rock with great melodies and great lyrics, but there is a definite influence there.

My favorite track on is “Atlantic”, which is just a classic song waiting for a legion of fans. Everything about the song cries out polished, well produced music. Other standout tracks are “Carry the Weight”, “London Rain”, “Underdog” and “Portland” with it’s excellent bongo solo. A special mention has to also go to “Sex at Six” which is the first time I’ve heard a song about a guy who likes to get his nookie at six in the morning. Wonderful stuff.

There’s quite a diverse mix of styles and influences present in each of the 11 songs. It’s only once I checked out the writing credits did it click, when I noticed that of the 11 songs, the breakdown was 5 songs were by John Paul Roney, 4 were by Mike Drohomyreky, 1 by Scott Lamps one collaboration between Roney and Drohomyreky. This is great to see an means the album as a whole has a great freshness about it.

Conclusion : This is such a great album, from a band with some incredible talent. I thoroughly enjoyed the album and can’t wait to find out what comes next.

Just a quick note to say the Indie Launchpad Podcast #9 has been released. Direct Link here.

• Band / Artist : Rob Costlow
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD :
• Buy Digital Download :
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

Every time I think of pianists, I think of that little pianist joke, I’m sure you know the one. Anyway, that’s got nothing to do with this review, but at least it’s put a smile on my face.

I’m a big classical music fan, my only downfall is, I don’t know half the music I come across. I can tell you Beethoven’s 9th from his 6th and I know Wagner has a good ride with some Vikings, but once I step off the beaten track, I’m lost. However stepping off the beaten track also opens your mind and your ears to music you would never normally come across. Rob Costlow is a case in point.

I first heard one of Rob’s compositions on the Podcastpaul podcast. This wasn’t a usual composition though, it was a mashup with a Martin Luther King speech, if I remember correctly. It was very well done, as it left a lasting impression and got me interested enough to discover more. What I ended up with was the Woods of Chaos album and what an amazing album it is.

I constantly see Rob’s music referred to as new age, which in my mind brings images of druids and Stonehenge, I much prefer the description melodic piano, but even this is a bit vague. However you classify it, it’s bloody good, make no mistake.

I can just imagine having one of those days where everything gets on top of you. Work has been a trial and don’t talk about the journey home, where it started to rain heavily, as you got off the bus and just begun the 10 minute walk home. Once that front door slammed behind you though and you put this album on, you can feel the tension ease and a semblance of normality return. And I’m not just spouting forth, I’ve actually done something along those lines a couple of times and managed to unwind to this album.

When reviewing an album like this, it’s hard to compare tracks and highlight a favorite. I’ve said before that some albums are like a body of work, and just hang together and this is a case in point. With 10 tracks of just sheer enjoyable, relaxing music, I can thoroughly recommend this to anyone who enjoys something a bit special.

Conclusion : An incredible album, from an incredible artist. I can just imagine Rob writing a songtrack to some big Hollywood movie and wouldn’t be surprised if this indeed happened. Remember to watch out for the name.

• Band / Artist : Mother
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : Love and Truth
• Buy CD : Buy
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 7 out of 10

One of Monty Python’s famous phrases was “And now for something completely different”, I think they’d just heard the Mother album when they thought of it. OK, pardon the pun, but when I first heard this album, I was a bit flummoxed as to what to think and believe you me, I don’t use the word flummoxed very often in casual conversation, is that even the right spelling?

Let me get the conventional things nailed down. The vocals are extremely magnetic and command attention. The female vocals especially exude a breathless sexiness, when depoloyed to that effect, which is certainly the case on track 2 “Love and Truth” and also through a few other tracks on the album. Musically, this is all very creative and well executed, but there is a lingering doubt at the back of my mind. Whilst there is no doubt that everyone within Mother has incredible talent, I wonder what was the driving force behind this album, as I don’t know whether this is meant to be a tongue in cheek album, as nothing on this album is what it appears.

I have to confess to laughing when I first heard the album, skipping though the tracks to get a feel for the album and then setting it aside as it struck me as something even Frank Zappa would have found weird. My setting aside usually results in the album entering the bitbucket in the sky, or redeeming itself. So which side of the fence is it?

Two weeks after first skipping though the album, I decided to play it again and for some reason I heard the album in a totally different light. Whether it was my mood when first playing the album or something else, I don’t know, but upon actually listening to the album, I have to say I love it. It’s quirky upbeatness and interesting lyrics, combined with the rest of the musical package, gives the cobwebs in my brain a gently rearrange. Then the word came to me, eccentric. That’s what it is, eccentricity to the nth degree.

There’s many different standout tracks on this album, but they stand out for different reasons. My favorite tracks would have to be “Love and Truth”, “Oh Ana” and “Polynesia”. I’d love to hear what Mother could do with a more conventional album, but then again that would probably be, err just another album, so maybe not.

Conclusion : I don’t think words can quite convey what I think about this album, as I’m still not quite sure myself. One thing for sure, this is an album of pure invention and deserves to be heard at least once, even if this is not your usual fare. I’m well passed the single play of this album and will no doubt play it quite a few times more.

I love the quote on the Mother site, from CBC radio, who said “Mother’s pure ear candy”, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

• Band / Artist : The Old Soul
• Genre : Rock / Pop
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : CD Plus–Amazon
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

When I receive a new EP or album, I prefer not to read any literature provided, as I don’t like to prejudice myself toward the music, before I’ve even listened to it.

On first listening to this album, I made some notes and by the time I got to the end of the album, I put a big line through my notes and write two words “Pet Sounds”. Now this will either be a blessing or a huge cross to bare, but I hope it’s the former as this is an incredible body of work.

So Why “Pet Sounds”?. It’s hard to pinpoint, but I think it’s the production of this album and the smorgasbord of different sounds. There’s a real sense of anticipation for each track as you just don’t know what’s coming next and I thoroughly enjoyed that. I first came across the band via the CBC Radio 3 podcast, where track 2, “River of Daughters” caught my attention. I loved that track, with it’s eccentric lyrics and approached the band to review the album.

Although the bands name alludes to some kind of soul heritage, I really didn’t hear that much. Yes there’s the odd brass overtones, often heard in Otis Reading tracks, but it’s really like finding the soul needle in a haystack. I can hear a lot of the experimental 60’s influences, like the previously mentioned Beach Boys and the Beatles and Stones, but the band has managed to stamp their own unique sound on this album and I think that really helps to make this an album that stands on it’s own two feet, without having to resort to comparisons.

So apart from “River of Daughters”, the other tracks that stand out for me are “P is for Protein” , with it’s excellent xylophone intro and excellent vocals, “Boobie Trap”, yes you read that right and “Take Care and Brush Your Hair”. I’m sure you’re probably thinking, their pretty interesting titles for tracks, they are and you haven’t heard the music yet.

Conclusion : Yes this is something that’s distinctly different from the mainstream, and that takes real balls to release. However it works, and works very well.

Just a quick note to say the Indie Launchpad Podcast #8 has been released. Direct Link here.

• Band / Artist : Rayko/KRB
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Listen Online : Listen
• Buy CD : Buy
• Buy Digital Download : Buy
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

I’ve heard a few Rayko/KRB tracks, but never really listened to them that well. I think it was the Accident Hash podcast where I first heard them and then again on the Binary Starcast podcast, which also happens to be the bands label. It was only a week or so ago that I heard “Idea Gone” again and actually listened to it properly. Everything then clicked into place. I’ve listened to the EP a few times now and I have to say, although this isn’t to my usual taste in music, it is now.

I’ve seen Rayko/KRB, a collaboration between Rayko and the Kenny Ryan Band, labelled usually as pop and rock, but there’s quite a few other influences, that really enrich the overall sound. There’s a soulful groove, with an occasional R&B thing happening, not forgetting the occasional rap infusion (although I would have to admit I wish they would).

The first two tracks, “Shady” and “Idea Gone” are the tracks I’ve heard most on various podcasts and prove a great introduction to the bands sound. The fourth track “Miss Marianne” really takes things up another notch. “Reality TV” takes a more laid back, rap turn and it’s actually not that bad, and that coming from someone that’s not a big rap fan. I think the nearest I ever got to liking rap was with De La Soul, now that was a band that knew how to take rap to a whole different level.

I think the one driving force behind this EP is attitude. Yes there’s a few things your granny probably wouldn’t appreciate, but you can just make her a cup of tea and plug your cans in and pump up the volume. Seriously though, there’s a parental advisory on the CD for a reason, but for us grown ups, there’s nothing on here that’s going to shock.

The production on this EP is excellent, not at all getting in the way, allowing you to concerntrate on the music. That being said however, there’s still a raw energy to the EP, which is what makes it.

Track 6, “Equanimity” for me is the standout track, but I have no doubt nearly everyone who buys this EP, is going to have a different favorite. I also have to say I have a bit of a soft spot for Track 7, Flicker… or is it Track 8? *smile* A big nod to GH wherever you are.

Conclusion : The more I play this EP, the more I am blown away. I keep discovering new sounds and influences and it does the cockles of my heart the world of good, to hear such great music from new bands/artists.