Reviews

Some things need living in, rolling about on, abusing, scuffing up, stretching, to feel right. Like that clingy, itchy, static-riddled jumper. Or starchy cold, freshly-laundered bed-sheets. Or a droning repetitive paean to the hypnotism of hard drug addiction. There are four, you count ‘em (why not, you’ve got plenty of time), variations on ’91 single and ‘Medication’ EP track ‘Feel So Sad’ included on this rarities retrospective. Three of them back to back. It’s like he’s sprinkling seasoning of such Continue Reading

So finally, out rolls this season’s ultimate must-have fashion thing. And if you were even thinking about pressing play whilst wearing those comfy slacks, that nondescript baggy t-shirt and those Star Wars socks you got for Christmas, just take a moment would you! If you were a religious vegan would you stand proud in the house of God wearing a Cradle of Filth long-sleeve tee and real-leather posing pouch? Absurd comparison maybe, this is not a religious experience by any Continue Reading

You know the drill by now. Foreign (preferably Scandinavian) band, practical legends back home (or so we’re told and are wont to believe), an arm-full of albums to their name, precision rock ‘n’ roll butts and cheekbones, sounds to match the curves, coordinated clobber, the lot, bagged up and rolled out as an instant freeze-dried ornament-ready quirk-laden pop group for the UK. We have it so good, no? Well y’know, sometimes we do, yes. For your lazier moments of musical Continue Reading

Perhaps the smartest thing Trent Reznor ever did was sign Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids to his label Nothing/Interscope as nobody has stirred up more controversy than this self proclaimed Antichrist Superstar.  Not even the bat/bird biting Ozzy Osborne has pissed off as many conservative politicians and concerned parents as much as Manson.    In the case of Marilyn Manson, words speak louder than actions as he uses his platform to write songs that are politically incorrect.  He has attacked Continue Reading

Long time keyboard player for Buffalo Tom, Phil Aiken has just released his first solo album “Don’t Look Down“. Recruiting a host of musicians (including members of Blake Babies, American HI-Fi, Juliana Hatfield and Buffalo Tom) to play on various tracks, Aiken has produced a collection of songs that mix soft grunge and rough hewn ballads, resulting in a low key but attractive debut. The album has a punchy opening provided by the tracks ‘Lose Yourself’ and ‘Rear View’ – Continue Reading

Formed in 1981 in Brussels Belgium by programmers Patrick Codenys and Dirk Bergen, Front 242 have been credited for popularizing Industrial Dance along with bands such as Skinny Puppy, Severed Heads, and Ministry.  Taking the robot pop beats from Kraftwork and fusing them with a thunderous cacophony of mechanical noise, tape loops, extremist anti-melodies and bludgeoning beats of Throbbing Gristle, Front 242 successfully carved out a groove and an ambiance that would become mainstream in the 1990’s.  While the band Continue Reading

Laziness is clearly the catalyst to ultimate satisfaction. Or sumptuousness at least, lovely gorgeous lazy sumptuousness. The stuff Sunday afternoons, late nights in the company of cable TV and lifestyles punctuated by unwashed jeans, unpaid bills and mould growing in coffee-mugs are made of. It’s a beautiful thing. And despite what the battery-powered gym-addicted executive brigade may think it does feel great, and that they can’t take away from you. Reach your Zen and slob around a bit, it’s your Continue Reading

While using as much reverb as Hendrix ever did and a jam band ease of Faces, the Black Keys play a minimalist style of bluesy-rock.  The duo – Dan Aurebach, vocals and guitar and Patrick Carney, drums and production- are another band rewriting the rules of blues for the 21st century.  Like the North Mississippi All-Stars, 20 Miles, or the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, the Black Keys draw from the influences of Junior Kimbrough, Fred McDowell and R.L. Burnside to Continue Reading

When we said something new for the dancefloor was blossoming oop north when Grandadbob released their single ‘Mmmmnn’  in March, we weren’t whistling dixie, and whether or not that release really saw the pair get the kind of  attention they deserve, ‘City Approach’ could be just the right fix.   Supporting underground future heroes, Mint Royale on a tour in April, Grandadbob – Dave Johnson (music) and Vanessa Robinson (vocals) build on the frothy cream of pop-Bjorksters, ‘Frou Frou’ and the provocative schizo-chic of ‘Moloko’ that Continue Reading

“THE GAY POLYPHONIC SPREE!” scream the giddy majority of press mentions of Toronto’s ever more gushed-over Hidden Cameras. Hell, look, we just did it too. We couldn’t help ourselves. And as frustrating as it may be for superficial similarities to be blown up millstone-esque, y’know, you need a starting point you can understand. And glance at the actual facts – a numerically unspecific morphing band of up to 15 musicians, a swelling backing choir and an excitable gaggle of male Continue Reading