Archive for April, 2006

Better late than never. Just a quick note to say the Indie Launchpad Podcast #13 was released on Friday. Direct Link here.

• Band / Artist : The 88
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : Amazon
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

My God it’s like the 1980’s kicking me up the arse and saying, hey remember me. I can still feel the bootprint long after I listen to the CD. Before you gloss over the review, as just another 80’s band, think back if you are old enough, at what you liked most about 80’s music, chances are this album has everything you can think of and a whole lot more. For sheer 3 minute, power pop songs, this is hard to beat and I mean really hard to beat.

With 12 songs, the album opens with the extremely infectious “Hide Another Mistake”, which for me is one of the best tracks. The next track is “All ‘Cause of You”, which reminds me of the very best in Oasis singalong songs, like “Look Back in Anger” and “Wonderwall”. I can just imagine a crowd singing this one in a boozer, or live at an outdoor concert. For sheer diversity, tracks 6, reminds me very much of Warren Zevons “Werewolves of London”, but without the howling. I also love “Haunt You”, which again is a classic example of the perfect pop song.

Littered across the whole album, is a cornupia of sounds and influences, including the Beachboys, Marc Bolan and even a bit of Led Zepplin, to name a few, but the overall sound and feel stands out a mile from anything currently around.

I’d like to make a special mention of the bands artwork and indeed website, which have a very distinctive and innovative look and feel, whilst also capturing the feel of the 80’s.

Conclusion : This is a really interesting album, with some extremely well crafted songs. I love “All ‘Cause of You” to death. It’s bands like this, that make reviewing albums a pleasure.

• Band / Artist : Art of Dying
• Genre : Rock / Metal / Pop
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : N/A
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

It’s not often that a single is reviewed on Indie Launchpad, but I just had to review this one, as it’s so damn good and I’m too impatient to wait for the release of the album. I came across this song as it’s used as the theme tune to the vidcast Port City P.D. Upon investigating further I found the song was available for purchase via iTunes.

Featuring a cracking mix of hard edge vocals, loud guitar and thumping drums, this is heavy rock at it’s finest. Almost sounding at time likes Nickleback or Creed, they are certainly in good company. For me the sure fire way of knowing a hit when I hear it, is if I find my self mumbling the chorus hours later. Well I do and not just hours, but days after.

Conclusion : Less than a beer and so much more fulfilling. If ever there was an excuse to find 11 on the volume control, this is it.

• Band / Artist : Winter Circle
• Genre : Rock / Pop
• Sample Track Download : Don’t Go
• Buy CD : Band Store
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

There are just so many unbelievably strong bands albums at the moment, that it’s hard to keep track. If this bands MySpace page is anything to go by (with over 10,000 friends), their first CD release is going to be huge and deservedly so, cos it’s 21 minutes of sheer infectious rock. It’s funny that a lot of bands are just referring to their physical releases as CDs whether they’re albums or EPs, but who cares when the CD in question will only set you back $6.00.

The EP opens very strongly with “Streetlight Flicker”, one of those songs that burrows it’s way deep into your brain and is an excellent example of the perfect pop song. But why stop there, the CD just continues along at the same furious pace. My kids often say the music I review, just isn’t their kind of music. I’m going to go home tonight though and defy them not to like the track “She Wants Me” and this to me, is every bit as good as songs from they’re current favorite bands, like Panic at the Disco and Fall Out Boy. Thank God for “Hold On” as a break in the frenetic pace of the EP is needed, certainly by this old duffer. OK, so maybe I’m not that old, but a change in pace, balances this EP nicely. “Dynamite” is again almost a formulaic perfect pop song, great vocals and drum beat, that just hook you up and reels you in. “Send Me a Wave” and “Don’t Go” round off the EP nicely.

Conclusion : This is a band that I would say are very much up there with Black Lab and The Profits to name but a few of the excellent bands reviewed here recently. I’m just hoping most of their MySpace friends translate to buying friends.

• Band / Artist : Gum
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : Bands Shop
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 8 out of 10

More of a mini album than an EP, Seven Feeble Alibis is Gum’s second release and I have to admit, I hadn’t heard much of them before my recent introduction via the Tartan and Bitjobs podcasts, but as always seems to be the way, I’ve been hearing them pop up more and more, which can only be a good thing.

The band hails from Glasgow, Scotland and combines the writing talents of Raymond Weir and Leigh Myles. Leigh is also responsible for the main vocals and what vocals they are. She has a voice that really reminds me a lot of Chrissie Hynde and Sam Brown rolled into one. Add to that a beautiful, almost angelic face and away you go.

The EP opens up with the track “Time Going By”. It’s funny this track was one I wasn’t too keen on to start with, but it has slowly grown on me. If I were to choose favorites they would have to be “Beyond the Horizon” which opens with an intense, almost breathless vocal that almost sends shivers down my spine. “Cross Your Heart, Hope to Die”, has all the earmarks of a Bond theme. I can just imagine this playing out to the credits. “Asleep at the Wheel” has very ethnic feel, which provides a nice contrast to the EP.

Conclusion : Certainly a great introduction to Gum for me and I’m sure many other people. I’m looking forward to a new album as I’d love to see a few more diverse tracks and something to really push Leigh’s vocals.

• Band / Artist : Comme un Homme Libre
• Genre : Pop / Rock / French
• Sample Track Download : Ricochet
• Buy CD : BonSound
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 8 out of 10

This EP is like reliving my youth all over again. Oh that wondrous female French accent, reminds me of youthful dreams. Of learning Vanessa Paradis French albums, even though I can’t speak a word of French. Yes well enough of my pathetic childhood.

Sometimes music just ignores language barriers and this is a case in point. Even though the album is entirely in French, bar a few lines here and there, it’s is still utterly raw, gritty and sexy, oh so very sexy. The band have a sound very much like early Stranglers, only with a female lead and yes, all in French. The music is very much to the bone, but this just makes the vocals come alive.

There’s 6 tracks on the EP. Even though there is a track that’s no stranger to many “Our Lips are Sealed” that is by no means the standout track, as there is very strong competition from the rest of the EP. I have to say, my personal favorites are “Swing Away” and “De Dire D

• Band / Artist : North Atlantic Explorers
• Genre : Electronic / Ambient / Rock
• Sample Track Download : Blue Moon on the Rise
• Buy CD : Scratch – Anniedale
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 8 out of 10

If ever there were an album that was designed to treat your ears to a bit of pampering, this is probably it. The album opens with “When My Ship Comes In”, which at first sounds very similar to Pink Floyd’s “Post War Dream”. Then slowly, but surely it slowly opens up like an unfolding dream sequence, with the help of some beautifully simple piano accompaniment. Weighing in at just over 8 minutes, this is long, but very rewarding track.

All through the album, different sounds surface which remind me at times of Pink Floyd, a more psychedelic Beatles and numerous other bands, but there’s something more buried deep beneath, something almost personal. With a lot of electronic music, it’s easy to feel a kind of detachment, as it often loses it’s personal touch with all the electronics. This hasn’t happened with this album, which goes towards a very welcoming listening experience.

With ten tracks on the album, 2 of which are over 8 minutes and another over 6 minutes, this is not an album you’ll want to put on for a quick music fix. This is one of those albums that you choose to play quite deliberately, when you just want to veg out on the sofa and let the music wash over you. Particular stand out tracks for me, are the opener “When My Ship Comes In” which is my favorite and “Anchors Away”.

Conclusion : If you just want to chill and relax, this is a great album. It’s also probably a great album to play when you have a long commute, as it would no doubt take the edge off the rush hour madness.

Just a quick note to say the Indie Launchpad Podcast #12 has been released. Direct Link here.