Single reviews – Low, Gallops, Hey Sholay! and Mazes
Ahoy, you peons dear readers, here’s a round up of lovely tunes we’ve been listening to. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Single Reviews – Smashing Pumpkins, Yonderboy, The Strange Death of Liberal England
The Strange Death of Liberal England – ‘Come on you young philosophers! /Sometimes I just need you’
Club 60 singles launch
After a few years of effort, Club 60 is now releasing a series of singles, starting with two 7″ vinyls. The aim of the label is to put some Sheffield acts on the limelight.
Singles – The Smashing Pumpkins, The Violet May, Bromheads, Gaoler’s Daughter, The Cubical
A veritable all mix this week, as we get an alt-legend strutting their stuff, a raucous band known for their intense live shows, a Liverpudlian gang who probably sleep in a beer freezer, a garage duo with a smashing garage sound and a group dabbling in a suave type of indie.
Hopefully, these songs will cheer you if the freezing weather is doing your mood in! As always, all links to the bands are at the end of the post.
The Battle of the free releases
Sp pic from hipstersunited.com. Bromheads pic from Reverbnation.
So, it has come to my attention as co-editor in chief in this pocilga that there’s two bands devotedly loved by our staff. One is The Ones led by Uncle Fester (The Smashing Pumpkins) and The Dynamic aural range Duo from Sheffield (Bromheads). Even stranger is the fact that both bands have been unleashing a free download unto the Internet since last year.
Is this a direct bout or just the zeitgeist (see what i did there?) of our current music delivery sensibilities? Who cares? I smelled a box match and, well, let’s weigh the last singles each band have released.
Singles: Violet May and The Monicans
A couple of songs doing the rounds here at the site…
The Monicans – My Love
Without pulling any punches, My Love, starts fast, meanders slightly but then decides to go for a rocking finale. Seriously, that last moment begs for a few jumps during a live show or at least a spot of headbobbing.
The Monicans – Into The Rows
The second half of the double A-side released by The Monicans starts with a constant, cheeky drumming and a nesh guitar figure that irrevocably goes into the dark zones of reverb. Pretty classy single, sounding a bit familiar, but impossible to say from where and when. More the power to its trippiness then.
Violet May – Bright or better
Nifty, fast and effective. The continuous bass line is great too. The track mixes some of that disco rock (hi hat attack!) with a cool guitar tone and a somewhat 80′s synth from time to time. The voice is a bit buried but guess it’s what the band was aiming for and can’t say anything bad about that cool solo at the end. Check the video but be warned, it’s NSFW (link)
Violet May – This crowd is overcrowded
A pretty aggressive song (nowt wrong with that) which might feel a tad on the repetitive side (hence being the b-side to Bright or better) but making up that with a gloomy guitar lick that adds to the atmosphere. The mid-section is pretty cool, though. Video of a live version (link)
Links:
The Monicans
Myspace. Facebook. Last.Fm. Reverbnation (free songs!!).
Violet May
Slow Club, Chips for the Poor and Is I cinema, oh my!
Slow club
Giving up on love
A quickie song that never lets down with a cool video to boot (just click on our wake up song tomorrow, you’ll recognise somebody). Simple but effective, can’t go wrong with a song this happy and this earworm-y. Maybe there will be some sun if this one gets played a lot?
No, really, check the video. It’s a hoot. 7/10
Willow Tree
A slower b-side to Giving up on love, it takes a bit of time to take flight, but once it does, well, I personally enjoyed it more, but it’s as introspective as my current mood. The perfect moody complement for the raucous mood of the a-side. 8/10
Is I cinema
Apocrypha
Already talked about how much I enjoyed this song live, with its flip-flopping between dream and nightmare (check that creepy “shhhhh!”-brrr!). Continuing that Is I cinema tradition of making something akin to the soundtrack of an unseen film, this is a song that staggers between good and evil. 9/10
San
Less dreamy and more urgent, San sounds like a blast from the past. It deceives . A slow song that goes to all the places the band wants to go (and maybe some it doesn’t)
Chips for the poor – Tell your mum Bolan’s back (EP)
I am a warrior
Announced as the “radio edit of a the 22 minute live crusade” (!!!), the song is a drone with a few bits of singing & grunting. Can’t really say I’d do it justice as it’s an edit. Kinda sticky and would like to listen to the whole beast. Knowing meself, I’ll bump it up a few notches! 6/10
CCPTBTT
Hey, a bit of tourette (the song is called Cock, Cunt, Penis, Tony Blair, Tina Turner) never did any harm. The song is only a minute long and it’s not really my cup of tea, but why don’t you check them out nonetheless? 5/10
Weather Channel
More leftfield stuff. It’s strangely ritualistic, though, and it feels like a rousing yell to throw a spear at the weatherman that ruined my weekend. Great bass line and my fave of all three songs. 7/10
—Sam
Links:
Slow Club
Is I cinema
Chips for the poor
Not just a pretty package
The singles (so far) of Just Handshakes (We’re British)
(Editors’ note: From time to time we have to deal with our writers’ overzealousness with a band (or a specific band by a band). We decided to finally let our reviewer gets his stinky paws (garlic-ey, though) on these special singles. Q & M.)
A while ago (November), I had the luck of watching Just Handshakes (We’re British) at Bungalows and Bears twice. Got a couple of extremely well packaged singles from them and after a bit of procrastination, I get to review them.
Foals
Foals are set to release their new album Total Life Forever in May of this year and if latest single ‘Spanish Sahara’ is anything to go by I think we can assume that a bit of a direction change is on the cards. It seems like the band have stripped back a lot of the gritty disjointedness that somehow failed to transfer from intensely good live shows to recording on their debut album Antidotes, in favour of a bit of moodiness and some falsetto thrown in for good measure.
Listen to some of Antidotes
I’m not entirely sure I’m buying it yet but I’m glad that they’ve chucked some of the cheesier production that was heard on their last record…ok so the new stuff is slick but it doesn’t have those grating trumpets ruining perfectly good songs (you know what I’m talking about!). I can see a rawness here, which I can only hope the band have built upon in the rest of the new album because it’s exciting and interesting to listen to.
Mostly though, I just really like the video as it’s shot so beautifully and it is quite captivating. I’m a bit perplexed as to why only Yannis Philippakis (the ’Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ wagon-jumper of a lead singer) features in this video but his beard looks cool so I’ll have to forgive him somehow. I can only hope he doesn’t ‘pull a Corgan’ on the rest of his bandmates by tryin’a steal the show, because there’s some seriously tight drumming going on on ’Spanish Sahara’. Keep a firm hold on that ego Yannis, you can do it!
PM
Singles reviews – 4
(Editor’s note: This column is so late that’s becoming a joke! – Q)
Ahoooy there, mateys! It’s Sam with tidings of good music. The battle of bands releasing a song per month (that’d be Bromheads vs. Corgan Simpson!) is heating up. Who will win? Well, the audience, of course!!!
Bromheads – Snow
Cheeky voice? Check. Catchy chorus? A-yup. A sweet tune to ignore the fact that you are not made for a snowy weather and you might have a fissure in your elbow? Sure thing. Another cracking song from Bromheads, one that can’t wait to hear live to get that warm feeling of live music. A bit short, but hey, the video is pretty sweet and if you can’t be bothered to go to www.bromheads.tv to get your free download, well, you could, I dunno, download it from here? Thanks to the lovely Tim and Dan (and the lamp) for the mp3. 8/10
Download Bromheads – Snow
Titus Andronicus – A more perfect union
The New Jersey shoegazers/somestrangegenrers come along for this seven minute romp that starts and ends with a speech. It’s the first track from their new album (out on March 9th) and don’t let the large length steer you away from it. It’s enjoyable and can’t go wrong with having a short irish dance jig break in the middle, eh? Click here to be taken to Stereogum and check it out! 7/10
Minus the Bear – My time
Ooh, the ugly duckling this month, I’m afraid. Not really liking it at all, but Dave Knudson (the wonderful guitar player of Mtb) said that the album will have several styles going for. Here’s hoping. And is it me, or there’s times when the vocals sound like the first lines of Tears for fears’ ‘Everybody wants to rule the world’. It’s not a disaster, it’s just not my cuppa. But hey, check it out for yourself at spinner. 5/10
Ortolan – Sticky situation
Going for a choon-tah-tah rhythm, this extremely contagious song is both twee AND capable of wishing away for days of malt shops, greasy hair and cool cars (the nineties!). It’s the sound of spring a few days earlier, here’s hoping for the rest of the stuff to deliver. The new album by this lovable quartet drops in March 9th, ‘Sticky situation’ is available for free download at the always amazing rcrdlbl.com 8/10
(The) Smashing Pumpkins – A stitch in time
Whoa, Momma! Now THIS is a much better change. Whereas with the previous single I wasn’t impressed with the reworking, this complete transmogrification changed a folkey stomp into a mish mash between folk, shoegaze and some truly psychedelic stuff. Love how that sitar is doing what the mandolin did on live versions. Get your bong out for this one (or some strong gin). Really getting a cool vibe from the project (dunno if i’ll shell out 30 dollars for the obelisk laden EP, though) and now can’t wait for Astral Planes. This is a great one from Mistah Corgan. 8/10
Hole – Skinny Bitch
JEBUS ALMIGHTY - SAVE US!!!!
Hey, it’s a homage to Nirvana’s breed. No, thanks. Seriously, it’s plain lazy. 4/10.
Drive-by Truckers – Birthday boy
Slightly more of a slowburner than the previous single (that’d be ‘This fucking job’), ‘Birthday boy‘ goes for the heartfelt, depressing themes that Drive-by Truckers are known to go for. For all the glitz about the American way of life, along they come with another look at the darker side of the USA. Alt-country like God himself (or Jeff Tweedy) demands. Gotta love the sustain in the solo. 7/10.
Single reviews – 3
(or a inconsistent excuse of a column – Q)
Reviewed by: Sam.
Gorillaz – Stylo
These animated fiends managed to unearth class act Bobby Womack (who needs to remind the world that ‘Across a 110th street’ is a bonafide classic) and even themselves after 5 years (I feel old now) and do an okay(ish) song that feels a bit flat but nevertheless is still entertaining. 6/10
Franz Ferdinand (with Marion Cotillard) – The eyes of Mars
Making either a quick trip to the nearest bank or a strange postmodern statement, the Glasgow rockers pair with ubergorgeous Marion Cotillard and make a pretty strong song (stronger than anything from their tepid last album, really). Lyrics are a bit “uh” but it’s good. Let’s hope the group becomes a quintet a goes for this route. 7/10
(The) Smashing Pumpkins – Widow Wake My Mind
Although it’s suffering from what really is hurting the Pumpkins these days (what’s with the “oh-oh-OHS!”, dude?). Not really sure about the ascending bit either, but the mix is slightly more subdued than in Song for a Son. Still, it’s number 2 out of the first batch of 4 free songs for their first EP (out of eleven) so in 44 tracks there’s bound to be some filler. Just didn’t expect one so soon. 5/10
Drive-by Truckers – This Fucking Job
Yeee-haaaw! The ol’ faithful from Athens, Georgia (R.E.M.’s hometown represent!) knock a new anthem, hopefully referring to my old job in Mexico (the one that left me a scar in my left forearm, ouchie). But enough navel-gazing, this anthem to frustration has an excellent hook, a cracking distorted solo (that never goes into blowing its own trumpet) and frankly, if you are stressed by your shoddy job, open a cold one and crank the stereo up. Haunting ending, like only they can do it. 8/10
Bromheads - Dedicated to the one I love
Boo yah! As previously stated in this very blog, it washes away the memories of the stomach churning Bitty McLean version, going more for a “romantic dance/mad pogo!” mixture that on paper just doesn’t work, but on audio it simply rocks, oh yeah. File under “how to use a HOG pedal live!. 8/10
Xiu Xiu – Gray Death
Another haunting, tortuous song from Jamie Stewart and cohorts. It’s not as glitchy as any of their previous stuff but that never detracts from being another honest (if painful) trip through Jamie’s mind. Approach with care and if by the end you feel a bit depressed, rock out with any of the other two previous singles I just reviewed. 7/10. (Hosted by Stereogum, lovely chaps!).
Wake up song for today – 34
Good ol’ Bromheads, they rocked DQ last saturday and now they are rockin’ this ultracool song (original version by The “5″ Royales here). Thank you, dear Bromheads, for making me forget that horrid version by Bitty McLean (trust me, don’t search for it, some stuff can’t be unseen).
By the way, get your FREE copy of this massively nice cover right here!
PS: The favourite Bromhead member according to our insane web-techie/editor Orestes? The Lamp!!!
-Quinto
Single Reviews – 2
Reviewed by: Sam.
We were promised jetpacks – Ships with holes will sink
After a not very promising start (hey, why is this sounding like a Scottish Isaac Brock) the single manages to gain back some ground but it still doesn’t deliver, but then again, they set the bar highly, so a misstep is understandable. 5/10
The Depreciation Guild – Because
A reinterpretation of the Beatles classic piece of plagiarism (Beethoven wants Moonlight Sonata back, you Scousers), it starts like a “game over” scene from Castlevania. It’s an anti-cover and I for one am grateful for it. 7/10
Liars – Scissor
Liars go back to the well one more time. Fair enough, it’s a good cartesian well filled with holy water for the funeral procession you’ve just scored, but please, just don’t exploit too much, as there’s some silt on that fresh water, fellas. 6/10
Retribution Gospel Choir -Hide it away
Low with distortion, back again into the foil. Alan Sparhawk knows that the delicate balance between introspection and shoegaze lies one notch away and keeps it together here. 7/10
Bromheads - Magic Number
Cracking sweet number (check the handclaps!) from Bromheads, the fourth in a string of six free singles. Pretty hummable and sure to stay around for a while. Do check the video, when the Holiday lights get a last whirl before getting thrown back into the closet. 7/10
Single reviews – 1
Reviewed by: Sam.
Codeine Velvet Club – I am the resurrection
Results may vary. It depends on how much you are addicted (or not) to original version by Stone Roses. As a cover version it works, as CVC just reshapes it into its image (60s british pop, where’s the flowers, yo?). A decent interpretation of the solo too, so again, it depends how much you like a cover version. As for me, it’s pretty much a very good reworking and deserves a bronze star. 7/10
Jónsi – Boy Lilikoi
It would’ve been easier to just keep the Sigur Rós moniker for this. The slow beginning yields into a very happy, uncharacteristic mix of various instruments which, let’s face it, it’s a nice change of pace and hopefully this solo album will give the Sigur Rós frontman some space to breathe and flex those creative muscles that felt a bit strained on his last group efforts. A tad too happy, but, hey, what’s wrong with that? 7/10
The Smashing Pumpkins – A song for a son
After many a delay, speculation and just plain madness, the first of 44 free songs arrives to the Superinformation Highway. Branded already as “Stairway to Heaven 2″ (which is either a very cheap shot or a backhanded compliment), the song might go into Led Zeppelin sensibilities, mixing some Santana and maybe just some Eagles.
But then again, Billy Corgan always loved the sounds of the seventies and the delicate production of the piece (courtesy of all around nice guy Kerry Brown) makes it sound spacey, amazing and simply rocking (they recorded on tape = HARDCORE!!!!).
Some of the lyrics might be strange (space invaders?) but taking lyrics literally can always lead to misunderstandings. As it is right now, it’s a cracking song, it sports a sweet solo and it’s mind-numbingly free (no email lists, yay!!!). The drums are a little buried, but it might have been intentional. Might. 9/10
Bromheads – Edey
The garage rockers (and all around top fellas) from Bromheads drop another free song on us, unsuspecting people who in this sea of protools and autotunes look for musicians who actually, you know, play some music. With a very infectious hook (“she’s so pretty, oh, she’s so pretty”) and enough “sha la la lalas” to make a pub tremble in fear (inside joke, sorry), this is the Bromheads at their rocking best. 8/10
