Music News, Reviews and Interviews from South of England » Album Reviews

review: The Thermals – Desperate Ground

Chris Morley — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:44:37 +0000

Feel a chill run up your spine once again as The Thermals re-enter your earspace. Now six albums into their quest for meaning (politics and religion never far from the service), having been tipped as artistes to watch at the South by Southwest Festival, join us as we follow them onto Desperate Ground. Garage scuzz is [...]

review: The Strokes – Comedown Machine

Andy Lloyd-Williams — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:20:07 +0000

It’s really upsetting when one of your favourite bands releases something below par. The Strokes‘ 2011 album ‘Angles‘ was about as awkward, forced and unpleasant as one of Gordon Brown’s smiles. Lead singer Julian Casablancas had recorded his parts completely separately from the rest of the band, and it really showed. They rose to fame [...]

Review: Black Anchor- ‘ Black Anchor’ EP

Chris Morley — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:55:40 +0000

Set sail, and prepare to go under the sign of the Black Anchor! Clearly possessed by the spirits of both Mercyful Fate and the Misfits, these Pompey punks clearly aren’t afraid to have a little fun with the template laid down by the terrifying trio of King Diamond & Glenn Danzig…… And it shows, from [...]

Your Reviews: Flicker- How Much Are You Willing To Forget

Simon Howe — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:56:06 +0000

Let’s be honest, the British music scene needs a much needed kick in the gonads. So imagine my surprise at being handed, or rather kicked in my nether-regions by some sonic-shaped steel-toe-capped boot, an exceptional album with all the hallmarks of a British classic. Flicker are a treasure to be discovered by the discerning lover [...]

Review: Bastille – Bad Blood

Dave Dwyer — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:24:35 +0000

As anticipated albums go, it’s difficult to imagine there will be much released this year that will top the excitement levels created by Bad Blood, Bastille’s début full release. Built on a relentless touring schedule that touched on all four corners of the British Isles and slots at any number of festivals, Bastille’s reputation has [...]

Review: Johnny Marr – The Messenger

Chris Morley — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:20:51 +0000

Recently crowned this year’s NME ‘ Godlike Genius’, Johnny Marr would appear to be riding high- the message getting through, And about time too, given that his career has spanned Te Smiths, Electronic, The The, the Pretenders, the Cribs, Modest Mouse…the list probably goes on. He’s even worked with Hans Zimmer on parts of the [...]

Review: Darwin Deez- Songs For Imaginative People

Chris Morley — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:05:28 +0000

Rejoice, for the lovechild of Prince and Julian Barratt of the Mighty Boosh returns. Darwin Deez, every bit as evolved as his near namesake Charles’s theory suggests following 2010′s self-titled maiden outing- with most of the family Deez still in tow. And he’s got something on his mind, clearly; (800) Human billed as an ‘ anthem [...]

Review: My Bloody Valentine- mbv

Chris Morley — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:49:50 +0000

It’s the record that everybody was talking about earlier this week, the new My Bloody Valentine album – their first release in 20 years. Chris Morely had a listen: Find a quiet corner and get into a shoegazing state of mind- My Bloody Valentine have a new album out (at least in online form from [...]

Your Reviews: Laura Comfort ‘Don’t Ignore Me’

Ruby Cassidy — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:59:46 +0000

I have to be honest I didn’t have high hopes for an album labelled as ‘folk-pop’ but I should be punished for being so ignorant as the amazing album ‘Don’t Ignore Me’ by the gorgeous Laura Comfort has had me hooked. Despite being compared to artists such as Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift, Laura manages [...]

Your Reviews: Carousels and Limousines ‘Home to Andy’s’ Album Review

Ruby Cassidy — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:23:51 +0000

After previous failed attempts to be the name on all our lips the band formerly known as ‘Grace’ have hit upon a winning formula. Drafting in drummer Martyn James and producer Richard Causon (Kings of Leon, Black Crowes, Tom Jones) seems to have done the trick. Certainly, Carousels and Limousines début effort in ‘Home To Andy’s’ contains [...]

review: Accrington Stanley – Exactly

Ged Babey — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:56:59 +0000

Their seventh album since 1988, Southamptons very own Peel faves and purveyors of properly independent Indie-Pop, Accrington Stanley are the sound of the C86 Generation reaching middle-age but making their best ever music, says Ged Babey. Do you remember the first time you heard REM’s Out of Time album and how great it sounded? Full [...]

Beard Of Wolves- My Father Drives The Death Star

Chris Morley — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:58:20 +0000

Beard Of Wolves- My Father Drives The Death Star EP First thought on hearing this- what a cool job to have! Being the lucky person in control of one of the most fearsome vehicles in the galaxy, answerable only to Darth Vader. But this is about as far from John Williams’s legendary musical score for [...]

review: Beans on Toast – Fishing For a Thank You

Chris Morley — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 12:09:29 +0000

It’s the little things in life that count, right? Beans On Toast’s unique brand of social commentary is once again in evidence on Fishing For A Thank You. Tackling the big issues from soulless modern-day pubs in Beer And A Burger to Angry Birds where he compares the addictive computer game to lairy women. He even has [...]

review: Bat For Lashes – The Haunted Man

Chris Morley — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:11:59 +0000

Winter is coming, and doesn’t Bat For Lashes (Natasha Khan)- know it. The Haunted Man is the ideal soundtrack to a cold night indoors- she’s come a long way from the girl who by her own admission would bunk off school and listen to Nirvana tapes all day. Anything she learned from Kurt Cobain and [...]