Archive for September, 2006

• Band / Artist : Arthur Loves Plastic – mySpace
• Genre : Electronica / Down-tempo / Ambient
• Sample Track Download : You May Think This is Love
• Buy CD : CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 8 out of 10

Now here’s a band that really made me prick up my ears. Fusing a combination of electro rock, pop and sassy vocals, I heard one track and couldn’t help but want to get the album in for review. Whilst not my usual taste in music, there’s something quite engaging that lulls you in like a siren and then grabs you round the throat.

Opening with “Alone Till the Day I Die”, the first thing you notice is the vocals. They have that sassy almost Ertha Kitt quality to them. In fact there’s a lot that reminds me of Shirley Bassey, specifically when she did the track “History Repeating” with the Propeller Heads, I think it was. The next track “Hypnotizin” sees the vocals morph into Madonna, to emulate a more Dance/pop combination. “Touch” has that thumping, rhythmic drum and bass sound, which makes for a very hypnotic, intense listening experience when played through headphones.

I’ve got many different favorites on this album, but for many different reasons. If I had to pick just a couple of standout tracks on this album, they would have to be “You May Think This is Love”, which is probably one of the most laid back tracks on the album and the previously mentioned “Alone Till the Day I Die”, which would probably make an excellent single.

I have to admit, I’m always at a bit of a loss when reviewing music like this. Whilst there is no denying it’s’ thumpingly good, when would you actually play it, other than a rave or private party. Actually thinking of it, whilst you would maybe not listen to the album in it’s entirety, you would no doubt have tracks included in playlists in iTunes or as part of a mix CD.

I always feel like such a grandad when I say how music makes you tap your toes, or cause you to move your head like some demented pigeon, but this does. It’s like waking up from the morning after and then putting this album on to give yourself a jolt of energy. And boy does it ever.

So anyway after contradicting myself in the previous two paragraphs, I have to say, of it’s genre, this is probably an example of some of the best that has so far been submitted to Indie Launchpad.

Conclusion : If you are into dance, club, electro, or what ever you want to call it, this should probably be a no brainer purchase. If you are not sure, it’s definitely a good starting place to investigate this genre.

• Band / Artist : Little Yellow Perfect – mySpace
• Genre : Rock / Alternative / New Wave
• Sample Track Download : Used as Directed
• Buy CD : CD Baby – Interpunk
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 8 out of 10

I first have to say, what a great way to open an EP, with the excellent track “Our House Would Make a Beautiful Bonfire”. It draws you in with some great instrumentation and then explodes with the great chorus. It’s one of those tracks that has you singing the chorus hours after. So you’re drawn in very quickly. My two daughters had a listen to the opening track and said they sound a bit like the Rasmus. They would know better than me on that one.

Whilst the opening track is definitely more pop than rock, the next track “Fireflies” is rockier and a tad darker in sound, offset with some sweeping synth to open the song. In fact the darker sound is prevalent throughout the rest of this 6 track EP, so whilst the opening track is the killer song on the EP, it’s a distinctly different sound, which is a shame as I can still hear the chorus for the first song in my head, while still listening to the rest of the EP. “Satellites” reminds me very much of 90’s rock, with the distorted vocals and heavy guitar sound. There’s also a relentless bass underpinning the whole track. Of the darker sounding tracks “Used as Directed” is probably my favorite.

Rounding off with “Sofaking”, this is a band to keep an eye on. If you are into a more darker rock, this is certainly the EP for you. But for my money the direction of the opening track would have made this a killer release.

Conclusion : A definite buy, even if it’s only for the opening track. But fortunately there’s a whole lot more, making this a quality EP.

• Band / Artist : Angeles Drake – mySpace
• Genre : Alternative / Rock
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

After listening to the album, you couldn’t have picked a better track than “Serpents” to start off the proceedings. With it’s wonderfully whimsical piano and gradual build up, it sets down a great underlay, on which to sit the rest of the album. This is a great relaxed album and reminds me greatly of the Alan Parsons Project, but not just the vocals and music, but the wonderful production of the album. I love an album that delivers ear candy and this one does by the bucket load.

This is an interesting album, that feels like you’re being taken on a journey, evolving before your ears, rather than unfolding. There’s a lot on this album that reminds me of early Pink Floyd, but with a much mellower, more subdued feel., not surprising given the previous comparison to Alan Parsons, who was also an engineer for Pink Floyd, overseeing some of the classic Floyd albums, like Atom Heart Mother.

Of the 10 tracks on the album, “Rabbit (The Hardest Days)” is one of the tracks that stands out, with some wonderful harmonies. “Bloodrise” is another track that has that wonderful feel to it. It’s also a rather mammoth track, running at just over 8 minutes, but it sits very well, as the track just washes over you, with an almost hypnotic quality. The final track “March”, again has a wonderful use of piano. It’s almost like a scene has been set and you are viewing it like some old movie. “Notwithstanding” is an unusual track that lasts all of a minute and a half. It has some great promise, but ends far too soon. However it does provide a nice segway to “March” the final track.

Conclusion : It’s great to find an album that gently caresses rather than bring around a full on assault. The gorgeous production, makes for a great album for those contemplative moments.

• Band / Artist : The Novaks – mySpace
• Genre : Rock / Pop
• Sample Track Download : I’ll Give You A Ring
• Buy CD : CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

Whenever I hear a good old fashioned rock band, my ears prick up and I can’t help but have pangs for the old days of rock. I’m not quite old enough to remember the Small Faces or Cream first time around, but I’ve more than made up for it with my record purchases in the years that followed. There’s still a few rock bands that have that chemistry and are still going all those years later. The Rolling Stones is a classic case in point, but then again maybe they’ve pushed the envelope a bit far. There are a few newer bands that have taken up the reins, Oasis being one of the great examples, but since their heady days of the late 90’s, they seem to have fizzled slightly.

So 3000 files from the home of some of those greats, hails The Novaks, from Newfoundland, Canada, a band more than capable of leading in the new wave of younger bands, looking to supersede the current greats, with their own brand of rock.

This debut album has a very consistent sound that runs though it like a artery. The lead singer has a very distinct sound, like a cross between Ray Davis of the Kinks, Steve Harley of the Cockney Rebel. There would be no mistaking any of the songs on the album, if played on the radio, which is always a good thing. The album opens with “No One Quite Like You”, which with it’s guitar riffs has a very strong Oasis sound, but as I said before, as soon as you hear the vocals you know this is going to be something quite special. This is a band that you can’t help but think has been influenced by some of the greats like The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and even to some degree David Bowie.

It’s just track after track of great music, which certainly has a few high points for me. Those would include the tracks “Doesn’t Anybody Hear It”, “Goodbye Rock and Roll Band” and my absolute favorite, “Man By the Door” . “Ann” is an interesting track as well, as it has a very interesting Fleetwood Mac vibe to it. The album rounds off with the suitable lengthy “You Don’t Have to Hang Around”, which acts as a sort of cool down after an aural work out.

Conclusion : A class album from a class act. Yes there’s certainly a selection of interesting influences, but they’re all given the Novak touch which gels all the tracks together nicely.

• Band / Artist : Chris Juergensen – mySpace
• Genre : Classic Rock / Blues / Roots Music
• Sample Track Download : Sweet Melissa
• Buy CD : CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

When I think of the rockier side of R&B, some of the immediate names that come to mind are Eric Clapton (of course), John Mayall and the recently reviewed Robert Farrell and Paul Rose. Not the widest selection of artists, but that’s due more to my lack of exposure, than to the lack of excellent musicians. Chris contacted me a few weeks back, with regard to reviewing his album and I had a quick listen and added him to the rotation. It wasn’t until I was listening to the Dark Compass podcast that I had the first receptive, frontal assault on my ear drums and man what a sound. Consequently here I am, on the same day, stuffing my ears full of Big Bad Sun and loving every minute.

Before I go into depth on the album itself, I have to say, Chris plays guitar like I always dreamed. I’ve had an acoustic for 20 years and have yet to progress any further than 5 or 6 basic chords, and even they are a bit crappy. To play like this takes time and dedication, but it also takes passion. Chris also has an excellent voice for this kind of music. All too often you get a musician who really wrings out ever last drop from their instrument, but as soon as they open their mouths, the whole illusion they’ve built is shattered, Not so here. Yes there is an element of roughness, or rather ruggedness to the vocals, but they mesh with the music incredibly well.

The 9 songs presented on this album are a real tour-de-force. They have that R&B authenticity that could have easily come from some of the greats in the 1970’s. The average track length is around the 6 minute mark, but there is one track that weighs in at nearly 9 minutes, not that that is a problem. At no time during the entire album, do you feel that any of the tracks are too long. The album opens with “Sweet Melissa”, a track that eases you into the album, like a shoehorn helps a feet into a comfy pair of slippers. Well yes, maybe not the best of analogies, but the best I can think of at the moment. It’s also a track that reminds me of another track, but I can’t for the life of me remember which one. “Come Out Baby” starts to liven things up a bit, with the more rocker, R&B sound. The title track “Big Bad Sun” has that slow, lazy feel that was synonymous with “John Lee Hooker”, I can just imagine him singing this. This track also has some amazing guitar work, as indeed does the rest of the album. My favorite track on the album would have to be “Some Sympathy”, which reminds me a lot of Booker T and the MG’s, in particular their track “Green Onions”. The album rounds off with “Bug Lips”, which while having a strange name, has an even stranger sound, when compared to the rest of the album. The only one track on the album that disagreed with me was “Revelation”. There’s nothing particularly bad about it, it just didn’t agree with me for some reason, in particular the vocals/lyrics.

Conclusion : Whether you are a fan of R&B or just appreciate music at it’s finest, this is an album for you. Sheer class.

• Band / Artist : Natives of the New Dawn – mySpace
• Genre : Soul / Classic Rock / Hip Hop
• Sample Track Download : People
• Buy CD : CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 8 out of 10

And now for something quite, quite different. This is one of those albums with a sound that gives the artist away within seconds of hearing it. Not only the distinctive music, but also the very distinctive vocals. I had to look up their mySpace page to see how they classify themselves, and it’s as “Soul / Classic Rock / Hip Hop”, in case you wanted to know. A very apt description actually, as the fusion of those different genres is seamless and very interesting, especially seeing as I’m not the greatest hip hop/rap fan.

I first came across Natives of the New Dawn via both the Daily Source Code and Accident Hash podcasts. Like a radio show, they covered them quite extensively for a period, which certainly raised awareness with me and I’m sure many new fans.

The album opens with the in your face “Flashback (Remember That)” which has the Native hallmark of the hip hop/rap style, rapid fire lyric delivery and when I say in your face, I mean straight up and personal, within seconds of starting. “Good Day” has a much lighter, more relaxed feel, and is one of the two tracks that’s been featured quite extensively on many podcasts, along with “People”. I actually much prefer the lighter side of the Natives tracks, rather than the all out verbal assault, but that’s not to say this is an album of two halves, it’s a quality assortment of tracks, that form an impressive debut outing.

A review often feels sort of empty, if I can’t identify at least a couple of standout tracks and here’s it’s pretty easy. “Wonderful Wonderment” is a great soulful, mellow track, along with “Don’t Deny”, which reminds me a lot of the famous track “Dust in the Wind” I think it’s called. The previously mentioned “People” and “Good Day” also get a special mention, as they are indeed fabulous tracks.

Conclusion : Quite a different sound from the norm, but all the more refreshing for it. An interesting marriage of styles, pulled off very successfully.

• Band / Artist : Adrienne Pierce – mySpace
• Genre : Pop / Alternative
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : N/A
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

I’ve heard the name Adrienne Pierce a few times before on various podcasts, but it wasn’t until I received this EP in the mail, that I actually got to sit down and listen to her wonderful voice. The first thing that struck me, when I heard the first track, was the similarities to Leigh Nash, formerly of Sixpence None the Richer. That similarity is even more apt, when you consider they are both on the same record label, Nettwerk.

I found it strange that a song that appears as the first track, is labeled demo version, as it is with “Fools Gold (Demo Version), which doesn’t sound like a demo song to me. Whilst showcasing Adrienne’s voice, there is a strangely emotional and almost childlike quality to the vocals. This is a quality that shines through, even in a track that is fairly laid back. Track 2, “Lost and Found”, increases the tempo a little, and has that jaunty, bouncing rhythm that brings on bouts of infectious toe tapping. The EP rounds off with “Perfect Day” again with that perfect pop formula of gorgeous vocals, catchy music and wonderful production.

As I often find with EP’s of this caliber, there is a dark cloud, which is not all too surprising. Yes, the thing that disappoints me most about an EP like this, is it’s oh too short. Yes I know it’s an EP, I know it’s not meant to be the length of an album. I know I’m unreasonable and greedy for more, but then you knew that already.

Conclusion : Yes it’s only 3 tracks, but it’s 3 tracks that deserves a place in every stereo and iPod. I shall be contacting Nettwerk post haste to find out when an album is available.

Just a quick note to say the Indie Launchpad Podcast #35 was just released. Direct Link here.

Just a quick note to say the Indie Launchpad Podcast #34 was just released. Direct Link here.