In Depth by Lianne Steinberg
With his new solo album District Line Hüsker Dü and Sugar mainman Bob Mould seems to have finally become comfortable in his own skin. DiS finds out what's currently inspiring the indie-rock legend»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
David Brewis’ Field Music seemed to unfairly miss some rightful acclaim, but some of the greatest music isn’t for the ears of the masses. Now, without the aid of his former bandmates, Brewis’ School Of Language project boldly continues in the same experimental, engaging vein»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Put four lads in a room and tell them to write a modern indie rock record, No Fighting in the War Room would probably be the result. The Harrisons pour nostalgia and frustration into a solid package, but fail to rise above a narrow set of influences»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
No matter how big The Hives have become and how many Tesco clubcard points you can earn by picking up their new album with a packet of bran flakes, there’s something eternally compelling about their energy and commitment on stage»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Bordeaux math-rock power trio Sincabeza are Souvaris’ touring partners and they instantly command the respect of the audience thanks to their mesmerizing, loose-limbed drummer»
In Depth by Lianne Steinberg
"You’ve got to accept that when you make the kind of music we make, we can’t expect a living." Future Of The Left's Andy Falkous is in an upbeat mood as DiS's Lianne Steinberg questions the frontman on his band's debut album Curses - "we didn’t make a record that was an eight" - and the future that lies beyond it...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Evidently the main advantage that teen siblings Ivan and Ada have as Tiny Masters of Today is that they’re creating from pure instinct because they haven’t had time to be over-exposed to music...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
There is no romance around Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Among the estimated 50k punters there are plenty of scummy men, making wanking motions as they gesticulate at the VIPs up in the seated pavilion. Red-faced and pissed out of their heads, they spill beer over themselves because they’re no longer able to control their own limbs. Occasionally, a glance around the chaotic arena even reveals some blokes unashamedly relieving themselves into the paper beer cups because the queue for the toilet is too unbearable. All this and it’s still broad daylight.»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Beginning with some foot-stomps and handclaps before singer Michael Trent starts sleazing into a radio mic, Don’t Dance Rattlesnake is so far, so Orson...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
If Tim Wheeler was going to have a solo career, he would have done it by now. Rather than leaving good old Rick and Mark behind, Ash’s songs have become a vehicle to display their frontman’s songwriting maturity...»
In Depth by Lianne Steinberg
It’s been two years since Nine Black Alps arrived, seemingly from nowhere, to a flurry of anticipation and expectation with their debut album, Everything Is. Now, as they prepare to release its follow-up, singer Sam Forrest is keen to distance the band from all those Nirvana comparisons...
"I don’t want to be seen as being Mr Grunge Lite in 30 years’ time..."»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
By now it’s been proven by Brighton duo Blood Red Shoes that having only guitar, vocals and drums between you doesn’t mean you have to sound like half a band shouting in a vacuum...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
What’s outstanding about this release is not the dramatic vibrancy of Hush The Many’s sound, but the fact that the song with the most elegiac beauty, ‘In Bloom’, is the B-side...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
I’ve never met the man, but I’m convinced that Rough Trade A&R guru and Libertines signer James Endeacott – now at the helm of 1965 Records – hasn’t been eating the same cereal for the past five years...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Dorp are one of those bands that are made for European MTV or worse, Eurovision...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
There’s something about American indie that can still knock blocks off what we produce over here and Philadelphia’s Creeping Weeds are more than aware of the power of understated pop hooks...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
No one is left in any doubt that, in the flesh, Hot Club de Paris can surpass the energy and passion of their amazing debut album...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Admittedly, I audibly sighed when I discovered that I was to review this re-release. Musically, my summer was blighted by the ubiquitous 'Monster' as well as the nails-squeaking-down-a-board backing vocals of their diminutive keyboardist, Alex Pennie...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
It’s generally accepted within Manchester at the moment that if you want to see a band who have no qualms about confronting you with hacksaw searing tunes while making you want to dance, then Stranger Son of WB are the ones to do it. Having changed their rhythm section this year, each member now functions as an equal quarter of the same vile monster. »
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Banish all those terrible memories of The Wonderstuff’s Miles Hunt wearing check shorts, because for once a band can thank their lucky stars they’re from the Midlands. As NME moves its finger of fortune away from (ahem) ‘New Yorkshire’ to Wolverhampton and Coventry, it’s supposedly time for a new movement in 2007...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
The fantastically named Patch Lagunas sings of the joys of getting nicked for violent boredom-induced behaviour in a manner that The Ordinary Boys’ Preston would give his right kidney for...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
When Mark Lanegan joined Greg Dulli’s Twilight Singers on stage during their recent European tour, he would sheepishly peep out from beyond the backstage curtains before taking on a three-song collaboration mid-set...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
So retro their tan cords probably bear the stains from several nights dominating the local pub circuit...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
It may be by default but ex-Libertine John Hassall has assumed a sense of quiet dignity in his present musical dealings. By existing in the outer ring of the Doherty-Barat drama, Yeti has been allowed to develop just under the radar. With only two well-received singles under their belts, they’ve begun to carve out their niche without falling prey to the whims of the music press...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
Jesus, if I wanted to hear Jeremy Paxman fronting a band, then surely I’d be able to get my kicks during Comic Relief? He could get what’s-his-face Hislop on drums and re-christen Paul Merton ‘House of Lords’ and the end result would be the same as this pile of tosh. »
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
It’s a pain in the arse trying to think of a name for a band, especially when you hope to capture the essence of something so intrinsically intangible. Fortunately for Belfast musician Peter Wilson, he hit the nail on the head with the moniker Duke Special. With the rusty air of vaudeville, it’s as though he’s emerged from the yellowing pages of a children’s fairytale...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
If this Canadian six-piece want to distance themselves from the numerous Smiths comparisons that have been thrown at them, then this isn’t really going to help. But what the hell – this is The Smiths and then some...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
It’s an old cliché that when handed the golden opportunity, you put a lifetime of thoughts, creativity and heart into your debut album. Bypassing obvious comparisons with their famous fellow Yorkshiremen, Milburn now have the opportunity to step up, supposedly brimming with attitude and something to say...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
There’s something quite special about Aim’s Andy Turner. Occupying the strange, solitary terrain of label boss, multi-musician and devoted dad, Flight 602 has made its way into the world after plenty of twists and tweaks...»
Review
by Lianne Steinberg
There are two things that save this track from falling into typical introspective folk fodder – the high spun harmony of Emmy the Great on backing vocals and the trip and cut of the music three-quarters of the way through the track...»