March of Indifference
Alan Smith Takes Aims and Fires ...
from his seat on the Fence
Ghostlight Breathing Underwater
The cover of this self released debut single from Ghostlight features
the feet of a person making his way through some sort of blizzard. You
could say hes on a snow patrol
oh thats handy (and
in no way forced), what we happen to have here is potential pretenders
to the kings of radio themselves. In fact, if I told you it was the
car chasing lads themselves, you might believe me. Which is quite a
compliment, they have perfectly crafted instantly familiar pop songs
that many of their more successful peers struggle with. This is halfhearted
praise, as Ghostlight lack the bite required to make me actually want
to own, or in fact listen to, their music. And the lyrics arent
exactly original; they are not the first to sing about a faltering relationship
and thus seemingly not having enough air to breathe, which is the premise
of the song. But rarely do I listen to a new band with such a finished
product as this, and Ghostlight are well worth a punt as a genuine next
big thing.
www.ghostlighttheband.com.
The Brent Flood Katy McCain EP
While were in indie territory its worth a revisit to The
Brent Flood, who I reviewed back in January 2008. Back then I had similar
thoughts as for Ghostlight, good structure, accomplished production,
but not for me. I also declared them gifted with the power of complusifootappy,
a term which inexplicably has yet to catch on. This is their first EP
to actually be released, and provides more of the same, but a little
bit better. Its difficult to find something new to say about a
band that sounds so similar to the last, but perhaps thats the
point. Its a tough old music industry these days, and even for
two very solid new bands the levels of competition makes the prospect
of success seem to be down to little more than chance, there are only
so many bands of this nature that can be sustained at one time. There,
Ive completely contradicted my last review. To summarise; The
Brent Flood are undoubtedly very good at what they do and will definitely
definitely be a great success. Or disappear without a trace. Id
put money on it being one of the two. www.myspace.com/thebrentflood.
Stylusboy Fingerprint EP
This plods along nicely enough but with little progression and no change
of tempo. The lyrics dont really say anything, but at the same
time they are well structured. The lack of development during the songs,
or for that matter between the songs, is unquestionably what makes them
a little dull. He can write, he can sing, and he can play guitar, which
is a good starting point, but his intimate sound brings
problems. If Stylusboy wants to set hearts on fire perhaps its time
to mix it up a little. His voice is also too reserved, I keep waiting
for him to let go and really pour out the emotion, but it never happens.
www.myspace.com/stylusboy.
Onlookers Canterbury Tales
A bit more upbeat this one. Onlookers bring to mind early Supergrass,
with a sense of carefree fun injected into this, their debut single.
The singers voice is sort-of slurry and stretched-out, giving
a distinctive style, although it does make it nigh on impossible to
pick out exactly what hes saying. Repeat listening adds no clarity,
nor does it improve my enjoyment. Its certainly entertaining as
it bounces along jovially, but it still screams 6/10, albeit in a slightly
odd way.
www.myspace.com/theonlookers.
Take Aim Fire EP
Weve got a bit of a gem on our hand here in the shape on a mixed
sex three piece that manages to mix in many of my favourite elements
of quality bands. Firstly, the switching between male and female vocals
works well, and builds to charming overlaid vocals. Next, theyve
gone for the overused but never tiring Bloc Party jerky guitar sound.
This is mixed with traditional fast strumming as used by every decent
guitar band ever. Throw in some lyric imitating electronic sounds (by
which I mean where the keyboard follows the structure of the chorus
line), classic quiet/loud dynamics and youve got a charming package.
For a self produced effort it sounds remarkably professional (without
sounding over polished) and the fact it has picked up repeated 6 Music
airplay comes as no surprise. It certainly echoes a large number of
new bands that have come through recently, but they do what they do
just as well, if not better, than a lot of established acts. Highly
recommended.
www.myspace.com/takeaimfiremusic.
Witchers The Big Top EP
Witchers are a promising new young band from Norwich. This is their
first three-track recording as a band, although theyve since made
a proper EP. Muse are a clear influence, which, as Ive
said in reviews before, is a tough act to follow. They acquit themselves
admirably, managing to create the crazed guitar sound without
ever sounding out of control. Whilst you could argue they stick too
much to Muse in terms of song structure, instrument and vocal sound,
they are still developing their sound. With a solid base like this,
they can feel confident to try new things and develop their sound. Id
really like to see Witchers live, as Im sure they must create
a great atmosphere with such a crowd-pleasing (and moshable!) sound.
www.myspace.com/witchers.
Aviators Comatosed
To say I was apprehensive after reading they describe themselves as
a cross between Mcfly and The Foo Fighters would be an understatement.
But its actually pretty apt, theyve managed to combine the
Foos guitar riffs with the bland two-dimensional approach to music
of the Busted wannabees. Their band, EP and song names strike me as
trying too hard to be cool, third track Stagedrugs
being a case in point. Its bland, generic, populist, boring, and
forced. But then, I think thats what they were aiming for. So
A success of sorts.
www.myspace.com/aviatorsmusicuk
The Wookies Sparks
Winners of this months unofficial Best Packaging award, Rural
psychedelic rascals The Wookies are fantastically fabulous in
every way. Fun, fast, bonkers, and most definitely unique. Like if Arcade
Fire met Billy Bragg and decided to form a Gogol Bordello tribute act.
They mix in a wide variety of techniques, chanting, jazz, plinky-plonky
(official music term) piano, silly voices, and, somehow, actual tunes
as well. Opener In The Forest is classic Mystery Jets. Second track
How Good Dies If Feel sounds a bit like a prog version of the Red Dwarf
theme tune on acid. Every track is different and novel, The Wookies
are a much needed breathe of fresh air in an increasingly stagnant music
scene.
www.myspace.com/thewookiesuk
Alfonzo Blind As Faith
Although they are making their own music, Alfonzo are basically a 70s
tribute act, trying to write The Who songs decades after anyone wanted
them. Its exactly the sort of music I never really understood.
And if you did understand it, surely youd be happier listening
to the real thing. But I suppose if you want to go see a
band sounding like Stereophonics as their most retro, youd definitely
enjoy Alfonzo. I wouldnt.
www.mypsace.com/alfonzomusic
March Of Anger Age Of Hate EP
I love it when a band & CD name reviews itself. Yep, set guitars
to rock, set hair to either long or bald, set singing to angsty. Of
particular note is the centrefold image of the last supper, but with
images added of war, Coca Cola, McDonalds & Carlsberg added to really
say something. I say: cheer up lads!
www.moacide.com
Above Them For Those Who Paved The Way.
This is very slick by-the-numbers punk rock that Id have perhaps
loved about 10 years ago, but that I find irritating and sigh eliciting
today. Just me getting old? Possibly, but surely there is enough of
this kind of dirge around already? This is a bit on the Biffy Clyro
side of thing, which bores me, whereas Green Day excites me. I think
its something to do with the needlessly draaawwwwnnnn ooooooooout
lyrics, and the unnatural American sound that these Pontefract boys
have conditioned themselves to produce.
www.myspace.com/abovethem
By Alan Smith
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