Gold From Lead
Reviews by Alan Smith
Good Shoes - Never Meant To Hurt You
I'm still yet to distinguish Good Books from Good Shoes, which is proving
to be a problem when trying to remember if I like the bands. It turns
out that the Shoes produce one-more-2007 jittery indie tunes much the
same as everything else out at the moment. It slowly dawns on me whilst
listening to this 5 track single that the reason I find them hard to
remember is because there is nothing to remember. I can't even remember
how the title track went by track 2. There isn't really any substance
in terms of a unique song here, just a sort of general style of music
trundling along. It's perfectly enjoyable, but it just sounds
err
what did it sound like again?
Bromheads Jacket - What If's & Maybes
This is the amazingly catchy soon to be released single which has being
doing the rounds for a long time. It appeared on their album 'Dits From
The Commuter Belt' last year, and you can even download an older version
for free from their website. They emerged from the Sheffield scene last
year in the wake of the emergence of Arctic Monkeys. Their sound is
remarkably similar to the Monkeys, which initially helped them gain
some exposure but in the long run is likely to prove their downfall.
The Monkeys have success tied up, and there is little room for another
one. Which is a shame as their music is equally enjoyable, with the
same knack for anecdotal and humorous lyrics reeled off at tremendous
pace. Destined to live in Arctic Monkeys shadow, they provide a decent
fix for fans wanting more of the same.
Rotating Leslie - Radio/Stop
Next in my increasingly guitar-based pile of CDs comes a band who can
best be described as a combination of the sounds of the last two bands
combined, they have that similar 2007 "jerk" Good Shoes have
stolen for their own, as well as the frantic Monkeys/Jacket drums and
pace. Luckily their double A-side single(s) Radio/Stop are much catchier
than Good Shoes proved to be. However it's still not unique or forward-thinking,
but it is FUN. And isn't that all that matters?
Rotating Leslie
Pics by Julien Fauqueur http://jfauqueur.free.fr/photo/
Screaming Mimi - Dorothy Millette
Next up is something thankfully different (I'm running out of ways to
describe average indie), namely in the shape of some much needed female
vocals. And no, that doesn't mean it sounds like PJ Harvey. This is
delightfully dark and nightmarish, being release on the aptly named
Phantom Power records, as it has a ghostly quality with its lyrics containing
a murderous theme. The b-side Bumblebee is equally disturbing, in all
the right ways, with a weird circus style backing. Fantastic, but perhaps
not one for bedtime.
Buen Chico - Gold From Lead
From one extreme to the other, this is a simple slice of superb sunshine
summertime skiffle. How could anyone dislike something so upbeat and
happy with the world? Not I! "Again, again!" I find myself
thinking as I long to once more hear its enchanting Supergrass-gone-soft
happy beat. A delight.
The Oohlas - Small Parts
The Oohlas must really want me to like them; they've enclosed 2 copies
of their debut single in one case! Such value for money is to be applauded,
and cleverly allows you to disperse a copy onto anyone you feel might
enjoy the music. Said music is also to be applauded, a memorable female
fronted cross between the pop leanings of Weezer and the darker nature
of Bloc Party. The b-side "From Me To You" has male vocals
and creates the unlikely occurrence of The Jesus And Mary Chain on happy
pills. Like Buen Chico they have created the elusive "summer sound",
that is one that manages to be both light and happy but also deep and
creative, they are a band of genuine quality that retain their accessibility.
The Decades -
Hang on; sod the happiness of summer, hard-rocking winter is clearly
much more fun. Its old-fashioned rock'n'roll all round here with a singer
who has the unfortunate handicap of the voice of Richard Ashcroft, which
doesn't exactly lend itself to "proper dirty" music (in fact
the dreary b-side sounds very much like one of ego-mans recent efforts).
They try to keep things simple and let the quality of their songwriting
and musicianship shine through. Despite their efforts this really doesn't
quite have the balls they think it does and leaves me cold just as the
inexplicable Kasabian do.
The Mojo Fins - Pinata Face
It's time for the hometown moment, with yet another emergent Brighton
prospect. Although a band of 4, they are yet another band that really
ought to be unfairly but logically lumped in with the hundreds of other
worthy, talented and enchanting singer-songwriter types. Do I need to
name some similar sounding creators? No, you've heard this all before
and I'm pretty sure a bit of lazy generalising should just about do
the trick. But if there is room in your busy life for another Elliott
Smith (damn it! I've gone and done it now) then The Mojo Fins have much
to offer and immersing yourself in their lush and intense world will
prove immensely pleasurable.
Andrea Wilde - I'm In Love
This is a memorable but nauseating electronic song. But not a good kind
of electronic, a repetitive and Top 40 sort of electronic. It's a shame
as Andrea has a press release with some random writings on which make
far better lyrics than the unoriginal recurring title deployed approximately
every 3 seconds here. Perhaps she's just tried too hard to write a "single"
and as a result has suppressed any talent she has. But on its own merits
this is drivel of the highest order, and is as much of a good song as
a join the dots is a work of art. www.myspace.com/awildeone.
Men In Caves - Lost At Sea
Men In Caves are pinning their hopes on a grunge revival, which I think
is a little optimistic. Grunge surely isn't due a revival for another
three years; we haven't even had a baggy revival yet have we? To be
fair to them, it is a bit of a progression from the days of Nirvana,
with that word-of-the-decade "angular" effect, which only
means the guitars are a bit more stop/start than they might have been
10 years ago. The vocals are suitably nasal, and there is little variation
between the songs. The songs are simply too dreary though, without any
real emotional or dark edge, and my overall reaction is simply to let
out a large sigh and move on.
Passenger - Do What You Like
Personal Brighton favourites of mine Passenger go from strength to strength
with the release of this, their best single to date. They have always
been masters of delicate delightful gentle music, showing off singer
Mike Rosenberg's vocal talents. But here they progress with an excellent
upbeat catchy poppy number. Whereas before I've often thought that despite
great songwriting they'll struggle to find an audience, with this I
can see greater promise with a song that's very appealing to all. They're
at various festivals over the summer so if you're after something at
the Turin Brakes end of the rock'n'roll scale, which is not bad thing,
you could do worse than checking them out.
12 Stone Toddler - Twang
12 Stone Toddler are a fun, quirky outfit who seem to be able to knock
out twisted ad stomping pop songs with ease. This song is funky, groovy
and a great showcase from a carnival of a band. Its simple riffs and
crooning vocals make it an enthralling listen that I just can't get
out of my head. Oh wait, no it's just that I'm playing it over and over
again. Seriously, you can't fail to love this mischievous and colossal
lot.
By Alan Smith
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