Justice @ Matter, London 25.10.08
November 9, 2008 by Charlie Wolfgang-Boyd · Leave a Comment
Whilst making my way to London, via various “Rail Replacement” buses, some thoughts occurred. Firstly, two hours sleep was probably a bad idea. Secondly, if I had wanted to catch a bus, I would have booked one. The reason for the sleep deprivation wasn’t my fault, Erol Alkan tearing up a set in a one hundred and fifty person club in your rather small hometown, is not a spectacle to miss. Read more
The Nearly Men: Bedhead
August 14, 2008 by Simon Catling · Leave a Comment
It takes a pair to cover a Smiths song; only a select few have really ever managed to pull it off, and The Nearly Men are probably well aware of this. But we’ll get to that in a minute. The opening, title track, of this EP is a jaunty jangle fest of acoustic guitars, organs and 60s beat percussion; sounding pretty promising no? Read more
Lapels: Painted Skeletons
August 5, 2008 by Simon Catling · Leave a Comment
For those first few seconds of ‘Painted Skeletons’ the heart wishes that the band were about to break into Virginia Plane by Roxy Music as the piano intro promises something big. What we get is a tired sounding guitar hook and some pretty loose musicianship. Shame. Read more
The Ryes: How Come Loretta?
July 17, 2008 by Andrew Hill · Leave a Comment
Some bands strive to push boundaries. They experiment with new sounds, edgy lyrics and attempt to make something a bit different. Following in the footsteps of this tradition, come The Ryes who indeed push the boundaries. Unfortunately, these boundaries are just how much longer sub-par Libertines meets Arctic Monkeys guitar ‘indie’ (and I use this term loosely given the overtly commercial feel of this band) can survive. Read more
Levellers: Burn America Burn
July 1, 2008 by Mark Rowden · Leave a Comment
Brighton’s alt-rock stalwarts Levellers return with a download-only single from their forthcoming 11th studio album, ‘Letters from the Underground’, to the sound of faint praise and general disinterest. Read more
Last Man Down: Killing Time
June 20, 2008 by Philip Bollen · Leave a Comment
Is there a Busted record lurking in your CD collection? This is an amnesty, there\’s no shame here. Maybe you just liked the Thunderbirds single? What about some New Found Glory? Ah, I thought as much. Try as many might, there\’s something irresistibly sugar sweet about pop \’punk\’. Musically, it\’s the equivalent of eating a whole bag of Skittles. Only now, the Skittles have made a cavity and ache against your jaw with a wincing pain that makes you curse their existence with ulcer bloody swearwords half-gargled. Read more
Nine Black Alps - Love/Hate
October 1, 2007 by Martin Kendrick · Leave a Comment
Well the Manchurian rockers are coming back with a second album, ‘Love / Hate’, soon to be unleashed on us unsuspecting lot. Read more
Tokyo Police Club @ Night And Day, Manchester
August 23, 2007 by Amie Kimpton · Leave a Comment
Fucking fantastic, I’ve woken up with one excruciatingly painful deaf ear, again. After a brief meeting with the doctor I’m informed that if I insist on listening to loud repetitive music on a frequent basis I’m sure to go deaf permanently. I’m advised to ‘take it easy’. I don’t. As an alternative to this ridiculous request I cart my spazzy hindrance of an ear to Night and Day where T.P.C are playing. Read more
Biffy Clyro - Puzzle
June 4, 2007 by Jack Stewart · Leave a Comment
For years now Biffy have been on the verge of massive success. Possibly the most dedicated fan base in music, fantastic albums and some of the mightiest riffs this side of Metallica has given them a massive launch pad. The question is, have Biffy chosen to ignore this launch pad, continuing to make abstract, original, and quite frankly maniacal rock music, or has it all gone a bit Snow Patrol? Sadly, the answer is the latter, rather than the former. Read more
Biffy Clyro - Puzzle
June 4, 2007 by Jack Stewart · Leave a Comment
For years now Biffy have been on the verge of massive success. Possibly the most dedicated fan base in music, fantastic albums and some of the mightiest riffs this side of Metallica has given them a massive launch pad. The question is, have Biffy chosen to ignore this launch pad, continuing to make abstract, original, and quite frankly maniacal rock music, or has it all gone a bit Snow Patrol? Sadly, the answer is the latter, rather than the former. Read more
