XCX Music
![Charli XCX - Emelline/Art Bitch [DOUBLE A SIDE] Author rating: 59%](http://hangout.altsounds.com/images/rating/gars_6.gif "Charli XCX - Emelline/Art Bitch [DOUBLE A SIDE] Author rating: 59%") 
Charli XCX sports clothes her dad probably ain't proud of. Charli XCX squirms through lyrics her mum probably ain't proud of. Charli XCX too has had a love affair with all things synth, and she’s even bought the trashy wigs(!) just so we don’t skim past her in the crowd... all, it seems, in an attempt to pump through the current red-hot yet irritatingly exclusive alternative dance scene with her latest double A-side, “Emelline”/”Art Bitch”.
I wouldn’t say that this record pushes the boundaries of her self-written and self-sufficient dance track niche, but Charli XCX flaunts all the trends: cranky bass, jerky drumming and impulsive arm-flinging accompany a squelchy yet capable vocal squeak, polished off by that unshakeable fashion of singing every single syllable in the most Brrritish way. Reading the single’s blurb put me in negative stead and I was prepared for same-old try-hard DIY dance. But the tracks are growing on me.
The 16-year-old Londoner’s talent is showcased we  |
Kitsune Maison
Big Face are a five piece band who hail from Glasgow. 'I Wanna Be A Style Crusader' is a fairly straightforward indie electro-pop record which is fun and extremely catchy. The bass is the backbone of 'I Wanna Be A Style Crusader' and bassist, Chet, does an excellent job of creating a funky groove perfect for the dance floor. This is enhanced by the simple, no-nonsense approach of drummer, D Miller. My only complaint with the drumming is that it sounds a little sterile at times but this is a minor issue. 'Funny how you change your sense of style' is the hook from singer, Marvin. It's repeated frequently throughout 'I Wanna Be A Style Crusader' and is highly catchy (it's been stuck in my head for about a week now). An electro keyboard solo from Mr Wiggy adds a welcome break from the singing though and this progresses into a darker section with distorted rhythm guitar from Crag, which complements the dirty-sounding electro snyth very effectively. This works towards a den |
Indie Four Piece Pop Band - 17th October
This gig flew by so quickly, and that’s a good thing. The Preston based indie four piece got off to a great start with what I assumed was their intro to their set, rather than an actual song. The intro was different, progressive and catchy, then they started playing actual songs. This set was like a sandwich with no filling. As the end song/outro was brilliant.
A lot of the songs sounded like theme tunes for children’s television series, and the only emotion I could get from this set was laughter. I found myself asking, ‘Are they serious?’ The only way to describe their music is Pop for children. I guess it’s extremely lucky that a lot of venues are now allowing 14+ gigs, as this is Team Water Polo’s target market. The on-stage performance was very good, harmonies and musicianship was very tight. Maybe they just lack the so called X-factor?
The venue was quiet, better than their last set though, according to lead singer Fred Davis, playing to 4 people last time they ventured on |
Angular Recording Corporation
 
Being a self-confessed Long Blondes fan i'm delighted to finally get all those early singles on one CD i hate having to play my vinyl so for me this is good. However, i will try and be unbiased in my review for all those that are new to The Long Blondes (shame on you!).
So '"Singles"' is a collection of those early 7" singles released on Angular and Good & Evil and as such the first thing you will notice is that the quality is'nt exactly top dollar but then who releases 100% quality products first time around these are somewhere between demo and album in production. But don't let that put you off as there are some gems to be found here (as well as some clearly for the cutting room floor).
First up we get the double A-side of 'New Idols' and 'Long Blonde' with the former given that 60's humming guitar sound you can tell it's a Ronettes track and as for the latter it's gentle intro gives away to a more up-tempo stomp with Kate Jackson bitching about the local wannabe 'i know you wa  |
Search and Destroy
The debut single from the Northern Irish rockers In Case of Fire is both refreshing and raging at the same time. 'This Time We Stand' features brilliant vocals from lead singer/guitarist Steve Robinson, and the drum riffs from Colin Robinson are near on superb!
The thing I like about this song, is that it hardly ever follows the typical 8-beat riffs that many rock songs do, particularly those that are debut singles. It is different, and this make In Case of Fire somewhat unique. Let's just hope In Case of Fire can continue this standard with future releases.
Being a reasonably unknown band, In Case of Fire are still playing at small venues, but with emphatic tracks like this one, it shouldn't be long before they're playing the bigger stages. Having recently supported Funeral For a Friend, In Case of Fire are also currently on their first headline tour. This shows how successful In Case of Fire have been in their early days, and it comes down to them creating songs li |
Epitaph
![Farewell – Eighty Eights [Single] Author rating: 83%](http://hangout.altsounds.com/images/rating/gars_8.gif "Farewell – Eighty Eights [Single] Author rating: 83%") 
To begin with, the first time I listened to the track, I had no expression, it felt like there was nothing to it, and it was another synth lead pop song. I was wrong. Fifteen minutes after listening to the track, I found myself singing a song; I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was. Turns out it was this track! I listened again and again, and each time, it got better and got my feet tapping a little bit more, and five play counts later I was playing the whole song on my desk drums with my pens (using an empty box of Haribo as a snare drum, I might add!).
The impact of the beginning floor tom to present the song is awesome, it provides a quick snap to begin the main riff. Although I’m not a fan of using synth in music that should be guitar and vocal based, this synth line is ridiculously catching and smooth flowing, a great start to the track. As vocals begin, they seem some what out of place, but it comes to attention that this is exactly what the song need |
SIXSEVENINE
 
The new release by New Zealand foursome Cut Off Your Hands opens with a beat that builds quickly to produce the kind of music that instantly makes you feel happy. A promising start to the EP which only gets better when the second song ‘Happy As Can Be’ hits you straight in the face and tells you to sit down, listen and appreciate what good music should sound like. ‘Happy As Can Be’ is without doubt the stand out track. While the others are good this is just spectacular, sounding a little like Glasvegas if they had moved to New Zealand when they were younger and had a happier upbringing. I can only imagine, having never seen Cut Off Your Hands live, that this song would produce one hell of a reaction from the crowd, with everyone singing along to every word.
Tracks 3 (Shorelines) and 4 (Nostalgia) aren’t as catchy but are brilliant in their own way, slowly growing on you as you listen to them more and more. These two songs bring you back down from the high you’ve just experienc |
Island Records
 
This is the follow up to his debut Indianaand pretty much picks up where he left off. The American ‘Singer/Songwriter’ has apparently gone through a transformation since appearing in a Disney film and launching his career from that moment. Even though the entirety of his press releases suggest just that, it is not the case, he is still a rather commercial artist (to put it nicely).
The album itself has a nice pop sound with your typical range of styles and influences for an artist of this variety. You’ve got your classic teen-rock with a Van Halen feel on Beating my Heart, quirky vocal touches on You Can Never Go Back, the soulful Why I’m Talking To You, and the ambient We All Need Saving. Which is by far and away the best song on the album, a crying shame bearing in mind it’s the last track but its subtle, flows nicely and is pleasant in an Enya kind of way.
The whole thing is over-produced, predictable and generic. This is just another Gavin Degraw, Mark Morrison, Sara Bareill |
A truly legendary album
The Buena Vista Social Club is an institution of Cuban Music. It started when Juan de Marcos González and Ry Cooder got together to record with veteran Cuban musicians and gave it this title. Since then a documentary, filmed by the German film-maker Wim Wenders, has brought it to international attention. Subsequently there have been two concerts and the second held in July 1998 at Carnegie Hall, New York, is this recording.
The project has launched successful solo careers for several of the musicians including Orlando ‘Cachaito’ Lopez and Ibrahim Ferrer and most importantly brought traditional Latin music back to world attention. It has made its way into many a DJ’s bag and restaurant.
Its not just an album, it’s a who’s who of the 1960’s onwards Havanna club scene.
Now, I am already a lover of Latin music so I found this really easy to listen to however for the outsider this is definitely the first step along the way to appreciating the genre. The overall sound is excellen |
Sunday 12th October, Gonzo Tour 2008
MTV2’s Gonzo Tour is renowned for showcasing the best of the established and upcoming bands that the UK has to offer, and this year was no exception. There was however, a slightly odd combination of Kaiser Chiefs and Late of the Pier to be witnessed on the second night of the tour at the intimate ULU.
One band over-commercialised and known nation-wide for their anthemic sing-along indie, the other, owners of a large alternative following but unlikely to be known by the types of fans that the Kaisers attract. This was confirmed by a charming man who, pre-LOTP, questioned “who the hell are LOTP anyway?”, during, commented “they’re a bit young aren’t they?”, and after remarked something along the lines of “let’s hear some proper music now”. So, needless to say, there was a somewhat awkward atmosphere at the beginning of the gig.
The random man may not have noticed, but LOTP are quite simply outstanding live. Their quirky, eighties-led, electro-indie style music is one thing on recor |
Sony BMG, RCA, Columbia
![Kings of Leon - Only by the night [Album] Author rating: 36%](http://hangout.altsounds.com/images/rating/gars_4.gif "Kings of Leon - Only by the night [Album] Author rating: 36%") 
Southern fried Leon.
“Screech, Screech…” sings lead singer Caleb Followill, as the soft rock guitar chugs behind him.
This album is not only whiny and high pitched, it’s also whiny and high pitched. Is there anything you need to know about the album? Has this description not already caused you to throw up your arms in disgust and vow never to buy this album?
Well, other than that, it’s pretty solid as an album, the quite mild tempered nature of the music causes me to be quite forgiving of the self-obsessed and pompous singer. Like a big floppy dog, that’s just done a poo in the middle of your floor, but looks really sorry about it, the music seems to apologise for the over the top nature of the lyrics. It’s like when your friend is far too drunk and is making a fool of himself in public, and you spend your whole time apologising to everyone and trying to usher your friend into the nearest taxi and tell the driver to dump him on his doorstep.
I really want the singer to have |
Feat. Jesca Hoop
Sunday is for drinking with the Seldom Seen Kid indeed and not a nicer band could you wish to spent the evening in the company of and sink a few cold ones. Elbow are currently riding the crest of a wave with the Mercury Award winning 'The Seldom Seen Kid' and it's no more than they deserve as no band has been as consistently brilliant as Elbow continue to be. And so to tonight's gig.
The room erupts in cheers as Guy Garvey walks onstage to introduce the warm-up he admits that due to being 'a tight bastard' they couldn't afford to pay for a backing band so we'll be getting a solo acoustic performance tonight so all keep quiet and embrace Jesca Hoop. Miss Hoop arrives suitably dressed for this bloody freezing Scottish weather in a huge polar bear hat looking and sounding kind of like Katie Melua now hold on it's not as bad as it sounds. Admitedly her songs could do with a band to bring them fully to life but she holds her own well tonight on songs like 'Enemy' and 'Seed Of Wonder' b |
It's Bananas Music
![Skew - Skew [Album] Author rating: 27%](http://hangout.altsounds.com/images/rating/gars_3.gif "Skew - Skew [Album] Author rating: 27%") 
I live for electro music so I was delighted when I popped this CD in to the computer and iTunes pops up electronic as its genre. The delight however was pretty short lived.
Kicking off with ‘Stadiums are OK too’ things sounded promising, it saw me nodding my head to what is a pretty nice dirty synth riff. I was getting excited about the big fat juicy beat that was surely on its way. Nope. The beat is has is an 8 bit old drum machine sound. It’s far from energetic and lends little to the track. This combined with the repetitive synth gets tiring to the ear rather quickly. Maybe if there were a few breaks in the noise things would improve?
For me this is sadly the story of the entire album, and it’s a great shame because I think there’s potentially some good stuff on there. Track two starts with a really nice bit of synth which reminds me of Doctor Who, back in the day, when everything was done on tape loops, and this album does well to capture that analogue sound. With t |
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