Release Reviews
Radiohead - Knives Out
“The moments passed... yeah, it’s gone“
What hath BritPop wrought?
By the mid-nineties ‘Indie’ turned turncoat and allowed itself to become assimilated into the chart mainstream. It had released its weary, yet once steadfast grip, and let itself be lulled, be pulled under and along by Pop’s soft but might»
R.E.M. - All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star)
R.E.M, like I said in my last review of theirs, are not the young guns they used to be in the same way Morrissey is. These men have aged. But, unlike Morrissey, R.E.M aren't going to let that get in their way. Reveal is not your average album. It was quietly released by a band that can no longer compete i»
Child-At-Mind - Demo 1
Child-At-Mind are currently a 3 piece band hailing from the Greater Manchester town of Ashton. However this demo, recorded in September 2000, was recorded as a solo demo by singer/songwriter Sean Waring, before he put together his band of Dave Hewitt (lead guitar) and Rick Vizard (drummer). »
Cosmic Rough Riders - Revolution (In The Summertime)
I dunno, I suppose the former Creation boss, Alan McGee, who once had the far-sighted good sense to sign the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Saint Etienne and the Boo Radleys, has, in a sense, bottled it. Pulling back from where anything that remotely sniffs of modernity is concerned, McGee now on»
Slipknot - Iowa
There’s something going on when moms and dads bring their kids to a night out. It ain’t a Steps or hear’say gig. It’s a slipknot playback. I don’t know about you, but there’s something disturbing about 9 year old kids in special kiddie size Linkin Park tops and spiked Red hair. Moshers shout out lyrics, huddled in a ci»
Brothomstates - Qtio EP
A debut release from a brand new Warp artist is always a greatly anticipated thing. Brothomstates is the name under which Finland’s Lassi Nikko produces the sort of mashed-up electronica which will sit nicely in the stable alongside the new Squarepusher and Autechre LPs and the forthcoming »
Various - Smoke
'Smoke' is a compilation of new Scottish bands, organised by McGazz from My Legendary Girlfriend (who naturally feature on said CD). With 19 tracks in total, obviously there is some shit, but there are several standout tunes for your listening pleasure. The running order sounds like it was picked ou»
Feeder - Swim
You may not believe this, but there once was a time when it was actually considered cool to listen to Feeder. Their first full album 'Polythene' was a huge indie success and even their second album, the less succesful 'Yesterday Went Too Soon' was greeted with wide open arms by the bands hardcore f»
Therapy? - Gimme Back My Brain
OK, only way to review a bands progression after 3 years is to listen to their back catalouge. With Irish rockers Therapy?, this is a pleasure. Songs such as 'Potato Junkie' & 'Screamager' haven't aged at all since their original releases back in the early-mid 90's. One thing that has happene»
Dark Lotus - Tales From The Lotus Pod
For those who think Slipknot's 'Iowa' or Slayer's latest disc are delayed, you should of tried waiting for this release. Over a year and a bit since it was first mentioned it's finally here. To the uninitiated Dark Lotus is basically ICP,Twiztid,Blaze Ya Dead Homie and Marz all »
Seafood - When Do We Start Fighting?
Despite being dismissed by some as being a Sonic Youth tribute band, to me Seafood's strength has always been their variety. Having said that I was a bit surprised when the band announced they were going to record this album in New York as surely this would act as more ammunition for the press. But now I'm glad they we»
David Axelrod - David Axelrod
It’s probably fair to say that quite a few of today’s music-making whippersnappers owe this old timer a drink or two. Less lenient souls may even suggest that DJ Shadow, Lauryn Hill, Dr Dre, Mos Def, and the many others who have recycled moments from his sumptuous back catalogue, owe Dav»
Mum And Dad - Black Sabbath limited 7"
Although I’ve read a lot of interesting reviews regarding Mum & Dad I feel ashamed to have not actually heard them before this. This is a rare limited edition 7” in a fetching mirrored sleeve with only 500 copies available only through the TN website. Although probably not the best introduction to M&D this does »
Dakota Oak - am Deister
Like Badly Drawn Boy, Dakota Oak consists mainly of just one chappy – Dave Tyack, although some of his mates have been roped in to contribute to some tracks. But unlike BDB there are hardly any vocals accompanying the laid back music that trundles along andante. The simplistic arrangements of Dakota Oak, usually consis»
Misty Dixon - Milk Money
This record is jus sooo relaxing. I’m starting to feel very lethargic just listening to Jane Weaver’s soft voice, caressing and massaging my shoulders, rubbing away all my conscious thoughts and sending me to a far off place in the clouds. [Or I could just be tired from one of my mate’s bangin illegal parties last nigh»
Ed Case - Who?
Mr Ed is better known as the guy who rapped on Gorillaz "Clint Eastwood". And don’t you just know it. "Who?", unashamedly takes the same vocal rhythm and drum pattern from said single. It’s a good slice of new-ish dance music but with "I’ve got sunshine in a bag…" constantly creeping around the back of your mind the ov»
Various - Snakebite City 10
"Now! That’s What I Call Indie Volume 10" is out at long last and the world cheers. Bluefire Records have been breaking new music and resuscitating missing - presumed dead careers for over five years now. An example of the second type appears on track one, Jims Super Stereoworld contribute a minimalist po»
Stanton Warriors - The Stanton Sessions
Another day another mix cd of other people’s music plus someone name checking themselves constantly. Stanton Warriors are allegedly great innovators in the UK dance scene. However, most of this cd recalls the better times for underground house using samples and loops common around 1990. Their remix of "Doomsnigh»
Carlos Campos - Barrio Latino II
As double cds of Latin American crossover music mixed by DJs called Carlos go this isn’t bad. What we have here is 30 tracks split between those to relax to and those to dance to. Convenient. Barrio Latino is a bar in Paris apparently, where "good food, beautiful people, and sultry summer evenings" are the order»
Travis - The Invisible Band
Is it a bad thing that the new Travis record sounds dangerously close to their last, "The Man Who"? With the success of "The Man Who" the Scottish quartet blend of poppy melodies mixed with that rock guitar sound helped them break into the commercial limelight. So this time around they »
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Take Me Home
"Oh not again dear, the bed is still on fire…" At this point, I wake up. And she is not there. Damn her and all that might ever sail near her. Yes, I think the very least I deserve in life is my own little Sophie Ellis-Bextor to play beneath my pillows, nibbling my ears as I sleep, turning into a Royal Doulton f»
The Beta Band - Hot Shots II
Then there’s the band that had an idea of creating a type of music that seems to have been forgotten: a raw, honest and heartfelt sounding music. The band - who seemed more like a gang of mates chancing their arm than any normal career-orientated band - whose early releases turned the heads of music journalists and fan»
Sum 41 - All Killer No Filler
In 1999, Blink 182 unleashed ‘Enema of the State’ on an unsuspecting world. It was just over half an hour of ‘pop-punk’ at it’s irritatingly infectious best, making them an overnight phenomenon on a world-wide scale. Fast forward to the year 2001 where every Tom, Dick and wannabe Mark Hoppus are flooding the world with»
Regular Fries - Blueprint For A Higher Civilisation
Was there or was there not a need to extend this once intended to be a single into a mini-album?
This was a question I kept asking myself song after song with every listen.
In Blueprint For A Higher Civilisationthe songs start off with a kick only to leave you waiting for the punch. The sad thing
thi»
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