noize makes enemies.co.uk | online music magazine

JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN - TO AMERICA

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:30 -0800

After stepping out of Rufus Wainwright's shadow (once a member of his band), this song on her second album sees them reunited once more.
Her soft sensual voice is laid out over a simple, repetitive piano melody. Its simplicity and beauty combined, seductive in its approach, with the power of the track coming oozing out of every word sung. Rufus threatens to steal the show half way through. Equally as engaging and soothing, the tone remains the same, though you feel conflicted within yourself to try and find a preference between the two.

This is soon dispelled with an upsurge of trumpets and drum, uniting of the two voices in a wonderful final crescendo that fades away with the sound of fireworks like a wonderful dream that has strayed through your mind.

A beautiful piece of work, not improved, but merely accompanied by Rufus.

By Justin Parry

Rating: 8/10
Format: Single
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Reveal

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=JOAN+AS+POLICE+WOMAN&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

WE HAVE BAND - OH!

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:29 -0800

Launching head-first into a dark, heavy synth beat, this three-piece London debut single, then settle into a cross of Hot Chip / Fisherspooner. It flows effortlessly, a repetition of "oh/oh/oh" gliding over the music. The contrast of vocals though keeps you on edge, the gruffer vocals or the chorus keeping a somewhat darker, brooding tone against the light, airy verses.
It plays out as a catchy, lively, inventive dance track but soon loses it appeal towards its end. It sets its stall out early with little to inspire the last half of the track. It's good, don't get me wrong, there's obvious talent. But it feels like it just can't make its mind up whether or not to be a big dance tune or laid-back chillout. It's played effortlessly somewhere in between. The remix is a more defined piece of work. Heavy bass lines and a more disjointed approach make it that darker, dance tune that it seems to have always wanted to be.

Defiantly a band to keep your eye on.

By Justin Parry

Rating: 5/10
Format: Single
Release Date: Out Now
Label: 50 Bones
www.myspace.com/wehaveband

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=WE+HAVE+BAND&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

IRVINE - RAISING WEATHERED SAILS

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:29 -0800

It's true that brothers Bob and Chris Thorpe have a certain fervour for rock music and they clearly put their heart and soul into their new EP but it's all rather...generic. If you've heard Incubus, Lost Prophets, Funeral For A Friend or any other band that falls into the emo / rock / metal genre then you've pretty much heard Irvine.
They are a band who, for me, bring back memories of being involuntarily caught up in sweaty mosh-pits between teenagers whose spiked chokers and black nail varnish made them feel invincible.

Behind the facade, Irvine are obviously talented guys making music in a style about which they feel passionate,but after fighting my way through the distortion, progressions and general noise I was too exhausted to try and work out what any of it meant.

By Devon Bianchi

Rating: 5/10
Format: EP
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Unsigned
www.myspace.com/irvineband

THE BACKYARD FLAMES + ALAN BONNER + LIGHTHOUSES @ THE WATER RATS, LONDON 08/02/09

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:28 -0800

First of all a few words about the venue: it's great, with a spot on sound system and reasonably priced drinks. The Water Rats boasts an enviably eclectic variety of guests, which throughout the years have alternated between Ash and more recently Black Kids.
Of lesser fame were the acts performing last night, however the atmosphere was amazingly involving and the experience turned out to be one of the most memorable. I was particularly impressed by some of the bands.

The Backyard Flames put the enthusiastic crowd into a sonic vortex of non apologetic loud indie beats, which often indulged into an everything but timid flirt with metal. It was well received by the young animated listeners.

Alan Bonner came to create a sort of poetic oasis amongst the more vivacious and aggressive guitar based bands. His music was an onomatopoetic melange of sounds, where the melodic piano meets the melancholic violoncello and the softly stroked guitar. All instruments were then embraced by Alan's gritty yet mellifluous vocals and the sound of it was interesting. Pieces like Narcissists Wet Dream and Talia stood out as possible singles, both reminiscent of Tory Amos evocative airs and with decadent themes

SAXON - INTO THE LABYRINTH

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:27 -0800

While almost old enough to recall the glory days of the NWOBHM and grudgingly recognise the contribution of Biff and co to the movement, I didn't really 'get' Saxon, even at the time they were meant to be 'got'.
Not wishing to hide in the sub-basement and take pot-shots at elder statesmen of British rock either, Into the Labyrinth is by no means the worst record that will buzz low over our rock tower this month. Given a modern sounding sheen by German knob-twiddler Charlie Bauerfeind, some of this is epic and perfectly acceptable power rock roared along by Barnsley's best known metal throat. Battalions of Steel- yes, it's their favourite alloy- kicks off with that metal clich

JUSTICE FEAT. UFFIE - TTHHEE PPAARRTTYY

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:27 -0800

Justice have never been ones to fit the mould and this epic track, taken from their new live album 'A Cross The Universe' is certainly no different.
Projected over a background of screams, cheers and frantic applause, 'Tthhee Ppaarrttyy' is a glittering montage of excitement, electricity and sheer elation.

With regards to effort put into a live performance, Justice never fail to delight their fans. From the second the synths kick in to the moment they cease, Justice clearly have the crowd in the palm of their hands.

Undoubtedly a track that will go down a storm on any dance floor, 'Tthhee Ppaarrttyy (Live)' will make you wish you were amongst the crowd after just one listen. Another hit from the Parisian duo.

By Devon Bianchi

Rating: 7/10
Format: Single
Release Date: 09/02/09
Label: Ed Banger / Because Music
www.myspace.com/etjusticeppourtous

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=JUSTICE&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

ROYAL TREATMENT PLANT - HALF AS MUCH

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:26 -0800

Royal Treatment Plant really are a treat to listen to. With vocals that sound like a mixture of Tegan and Sara and The Cardigans, and a feisty female presence dominating this release, what's not to love?
The peaks and lows of 'Half As Much' meld beautifully, coming from a subdued, almost whispered verse, like an afterthought gaining momentum slowly and surely, until the band burst into motion with the infectious chorus and proceed to rock your world. A winning track if nothing else. The whole track is dripping with energy and charisma.

Happily for me, the vocals are just as good on the second live acoustic track 'Hope Is Not Enough' as they are recorded. PP (guitarist and lead singer) is very talented. The band are just as delightful in this toned down mode as they are at their most raucous. This is a stellar release.

By Vanessa Banks.

Rating: 8/10
Release date: 16/02/09
Format: Single
Label: Universal
www.myspace.com/royaltreatmentplant

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=ROYAL+TREATMENT+PLANT&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

SAVE YOUR BREATH - NOTHING WORTH HAVING COMES EASY

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:26 -0800

For those who like to ease their punk rock down with a spoonful of sugar, recovery from the commercial heyday of the late 90s (and the ensuing saturation point) has been a long and protracted process.
Ten years on, we're still very much talking about genre mainstays Lifetime and New Found Glory, but bands bringing something fresh to the table have been about as common as an upwards turning arrow at the London Stock Exchange.

Newport's Save Your Breath, already with support slots for The Loved Ones and Kids in Glass Houses to their name, are part of the most recent collection of merry men to march unashamedly under the banner of pop-punk, wearing their influences firmly on their sleeve and lacing their punchy melodies with just the tiniest hint of hardcore,

SKY LARKIN - BEELINE

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:25 -0800

As Katie Harkin's vocals, reminiscent of Ida Maria meets Bjork, burst through your speakers at the start of 'Beeline', over guitars that make it impossible for your body not to react, it is clear that Sky Larkin are onto a winning formula.
Made up of two men and one girl, the Leeds three-piece has attributes similar to their label mates Those Dancing Days and Los Campensinos! with their charismatic female lead vocalist, simplified lyrics and demanding guitar chords.

The new single 'Beeline' embodies all the above characteristics and is the perfect taster for what their new album 'The Golden Spike', out Monday 9th February, has to offer. But squeezing into the already populated female Indie niche - bustling with the likes of Lykelli and Florence and The Machine - will be the biggest test for Sky Larkin as Harkin's striking similarity to the likes of Ida Maria and the band's rather nostalgic structure will have a lot to compete with.

Yet touring in SXSW around Texas in March and having already appeared with bands as renowned as Broken Social Scene, the Northern lovelies seem to already have a lot of the fight that they're going to need in them.

By Laura Routledge

Rating: 7/10
Format: Single
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Wichita
www.myspace.com/skylarkinskylarkin

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=SKY+LARKIN&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

SARA LOV - THE YOUNG EYES EP

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:24 -0800

It's not surprising that a girl who was kidnapped by her own father at the age of five and taken to Israel has inspiration showering her from all angles. Describing her work as 'simple and sad with a shot of scotch', Sara Lov has produced this magnificent debut EP after previously fronting American band, Devics.
The Hawaiian-born artist has clearly fulfilled her wishes to 'test' and 'challenge' herself in her new solo pursuit and the end result is this stunning collection of five dreamy ballads. Haunting yet angelic opener 'New York' juxtaposes soothing guitar and piano tinklings with lulling vocal harmonies that reveal Lov's raw musical talent.

The EP also includes a cover of Beck's 'Timebomb' which Lov adapts dramatically to make it a dazzling track of her own. Her cover of Arcade Fire's 'My Body Is A Cage' is equally beautiful and perfectly suited to her mellow and melodious tone of voice. Lov definitely has a magnificent gift for music that is excellently demonstrated in her debut solo release.

By Devon Bianchi

Rating: 8/10
Format: EP
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Nettwerk
www.myspace.com/saralov

KIDS LOVE LIES - SWITCH OFF

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:24 -0800

It's hard to put a price on certain elements that will make people stand up and take notice of a band. With such a distinguished voice backed by driving guitar riffs, Kids Love Lies have everything to win over the hearts of the nation. This post-punk / indie / riotous 5 piece for London are going to brew up a storm.
Vocalist Ellen Murphy has a voice to rival Karen O in its assertiveness and ferocity. It hypnotises you and embeds itself into your mind, niggling at you, satisfied only by another fix. It almost makes you forget how good the music itself actually is. It's more that the song is unleashed rather than played.

The song itself if a well pitched rant about our celeb culture, berating celeb TV shows, WAG's and the media itself for allowing such garbage to happen. As Ellen said herself "in fact I think I wrote it after seeing an episode of that Kerry Katona reality show...I couldn't actually believe MTV had decided to make a program about it when they used to be known for their fresh and exciting programming!"

Chimera, the second track on the single, displays a subtler, sweeter side of Ellen voice, but equally addictive. Hex, the 'rock club dance number', rounds of this perfect taster package.

A solid band, with a wonderful vocal talent. A true, dominant stand-out act of the current mediocrity.

By Justin Parry

Rating: 9/10
Format: Single
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Pretty
www.kidslovelies.com

NICKEL EYE - THE TIME OF THE ASSASSINS

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:23 -0800

With scratchy vocals in the league of Shane MacGowan and Kurt Cobain and a debut which spans every genre from rock to folk with a tinge of reggae thrown in along the way, you would never guess that this band is the side project of The Strokes' bassist, Nikolai Fraiture (unless, of course, you looked at the name first.)
Composed of numerous poems and scribblings from Fraiture's younger days which he then set to music, 'The Time Of The Assassins' demonstrates the bassist's ability to take centre stage. The album exploits a vast range of musical techniques, for example, the infectious, incessant bassline of 'Intro (Every Time)', the whistles and plodding beat of 'This Is The End' and the heavily distorted guitars of 'Dying Star'.

The diversity of 'The Time Of The Assassins' is jaw-dropping. On one hand, 'Brandy Of The Damned' is a cross between the Specials and Bob Marley with its funky syncopated beat, whereas, on the other hand, 'Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye' is reminiscent of the ballads of one of Fraiture's favourite artists - Leonard Cohen. An excellent debut from one fifth of one of the most influential American bands.

By Devon Bianchi

Rating: 8/10
Format: Album
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Rykodisc / ADA Global
www.myspace.com/officialnickeleye

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:22 -0800

Step into the world of Animal Collective. A sort of psychedelic mammal mishmash that conjures images of an Alice In Wonderland inspired paradise. The eleven tracks of their new album engulf and transfer the listener into a refreshingly different place in a way that makes it hard to step back into reality.
The four-piece, all school friends hailing from Baltimore, are as innovative and unique as their take on music. Their adopted pseudonyms; Geologist, Panda Bear, Avey Tare and Deakin (or Brian, Noah, David and Josh..) connote that, much like the likes of Florence Welsh, the band really live and breathe this fantasy noise rock haven - as opposed to it being some fickle and cynical marketing ploy.

The album is the band's fourth release since 2000 and typically unconventionally, each track may have been made of any combination of the four members. Tracks like ' My Girls', first release from the album, and 'In the Flowers' stand out, with their trademark style- as with most of the album - sounding like the endearing vocals and electro persuasions of bands like Hot Chip and MGMT, had they been remixed by dark electronica songwriter Leila.

With tracks about lions in comas and lyrics like /I'm getting lost in your curls/ the bands experimental take on electro and bubble of creativity is difficult not to be intoxicated by. Similarly, Merriweather Post Pavilion's description as 'Best Album of 2009' from many critics, whilst seemingly premature as we're only one month in to the New Year, seems well deserved.

As Animal Collective embark on an intense tour across the US, UK and Europe from the end of February right up to headlining New York's All Tomorrow's Parties Festival in September, their unusual whirlwind world will no doubt bring a welcomed dose of unreality to the rest of us.

By Laura Routledge

Rating: 9/10

...........................................................................................................

"I'm dancing, I'm dancing, I'm dancing, I'm dancing...." so go the vocodered vocals at the beginning of In the Flowers, the opening track from Merriweather Post Pavillion. By the end of its five minutes and twenty-one seconds we've wandered through a field on the way to some festival with a blue-from-being-on-the-road Animal Collective, taken some ecstasy, entered the dance tent just as a carnival of drums explodes over some pulsing techno, spent a night not just forgetting our problems, but that problems were even possible, danced until dawn and went home with snapshots of the night fading, but those of our loved ones rising with the sun. It sets the bar very high for an album, which for the rest of its duration sees the Animal Collective come up with their most definitive, fully realised album to date.

The disappearance of the more wilfully self-destructive moments of previous albums and this has led some to see Merriweather Post Pavillion as a move towards the mainstream. Earlier material was often filled with moments of melody that were peppered with bursts of clattering, nigh-on unlistenable noise, primed to detonate at the height of blissful moments, which felt like they were playing pranks. These moments are all but gone though this is less about mainstream acceptance than the effects of fatherhood. Existential concerns about growing up and conforming are ousted by more considerable demands of looking after the kids. It is the sound of a group who have suddenly realised that they have reached adulthood without sacrificing themselves. This is apparent in particular on the dreamy, dubstep influenced Also Frightened with its telling refrain "no-one should ever call you a dreamer".

Whilst they may have tempered the more tempestuous moments, everything else has been brought to the fore, so much so that it is hard to pick a favourite track. Apart from the already mentioned tracks, there is the wistful romp Summertime Clothes, which starts off indoors in the throbbing, oppressive summer heat and ends up running around outdoors in the sun. Lion In a Coma suggests MIA has been on their stereo. Then there is the chiming lullaby of No More Runnin' or the swirling 8-bit anti-consumerist paean Taste. Not forgetting the epic, Chicago house flavoured single My Girls, which has the band trying to reconcile buying a house with their non-conformist tendencies.

Yet, for all the ideas and originality they possess, it is impossible to separate the sound of the Animal Collective from the harmonious innocence of the Beach Boys. Their influence is all over Merriweather Post Pavillion, but perhaps most evident on Bluish: the album's most beautiful moment. It is a swooning, hazy love song, which has them proclaiming "I'm getting lost in your curls/ drawing pictures on your skin.." longing for "..a time when we we're green". It is the sound of Brian Wilson finally getting an apartment with his girlfriend from Wouldn't it be Nice, locking the door and refusing to leave.

By Patrick McFadden

Rating: 9/10

Format: Album
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Domino
www.myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=ANIMAL+COLLECTIVE&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

ASOBI SEKSU - FAMILIAR LIGHT

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:21 -0800

Bands from New York don't have to try very hard to become critically acclaimed. All it takes is either an off kilter sound, a line-up which differs slightly from the norm (i.e.; 17 bass players + a bag piper) or indeed any sort of quirk at all, and the band will be championed by a small corner of the underground scene.
Duo Asobi Seksu are no different successfully playing a Japanese / American hybrid angle that has seen them establish a growing worldwide fan base and have a couple of tracks feature in TV shows.

This single off their new album Hush (released 16th Feb) is so dominated by the vocals that you could be listening to a solo artist. Yuki Chokudate has a great voice which I resolutely refuse to compare with Tori Amos/Kate Bush. But the melody just isn't quite strong enough to make the track memorable. And apart from some fantastic crashing drums the music is an unremarkable three minutes and twenty three seconds.

Overall, it's an ok song but quickly forgettable and not quite the sweeping beautiful track the band had in mind (and maybe one day will write?).

By Alex Telfer

Rating: 4/10
Format: Single
Release Date: 09/02/09
Label: One Little Indian
www.myspace.com/asobiseksu

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=ASOBI+SEKSU&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

THE DO - ON MY SHOULDERS

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:20 -0800

Apparently eighteen long years have passed since London last felt the icy grip of winter bite quite so. The snow fell and for one day the city ground to a halt. Covered in an icy blanket the likes of which kids have never seen.
For one day the child in us all came out and I for one can't say I didn't throw a snowball or two, mainly from the safety of my third floor flat at local marauding youth. 'Why can't it be like this all the time'... 'Cos its bloody freezing that's why. Braving the baron wastes in search for food, only to find the supermarket closed isn't how modern man survives best.

So if you're flicking through those travel magazines once more beckoning the summer on maybe the Do can help relieve those blues. On My Shoulders is the first UK release from the band's debut album A Mouthful and is a sure fire way to pick yourself up during the big freeze.

The band consists of Olivia B Merilahtin who sings and Dan Levy who doesn't.
Keeping with the vocals of singer Merilahtin for a moment, many will immediately hear similarities with Nina Persson of Cardigans notoriety. And there is indeed a comparison to be made especially with early works. But with the Do's there's more bite. This is true no more than in Merilahtin's voice itself which quivers and quakes when reaching high notes, emphasising the occasionally pain and angst of the lyrics. Even in these melancholy moments the band is never depressing however, mixing as they do so well, the melancholy with the upbeat.

The Do's second member is the multi-instrumentalist Dan Levy who originally hooked up with Olivia to work on the soundtrack to a feature film. After proving a formidable duo the pair worked on yet another two films before taking the band more seriously. It didn't take long for the pair to become touted as the freshest faces in French music and have already received airplay on UK radio. Without a doubt one of the reasons behind this is their creativity and willingness to experiment. In this regard they remind us of a cited influence, Bjork. Album tracks include flute intros, rock anthems(ish), and hip-hop flavours to treat you to but a few.

This is where On My Shoulders isn't entirely representative of the scope and creativity of the band as a whole. This track is a more conventional pop record. And enjoyable as it is, it's only a mere taster of what is to come from The Do.

By James Green

Rating: 6/10
Format: Single
Release Date: 09/02/09
Label: Get Down
www.myspace.com/thedoband

BAD BOYS AND WONDER GIRLS: THE NEW KOREAN POP SENSATIONS

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:20 -0800

If Korean pop Music (or K-Pop as it is commonly abbreviated) is treated as a window into Korean Pop culture on a wider scale the first thing that may spring to the less generously minded are the words 'plastic' and 'shit', yet on closer scrutiny the music can act as a crystal ball to what's going on in the little peninsula stuck between China and Japan, otherwise known as Korea to the rest of the world.
(Disclaimer: this is piece is only going to deal with the manufactured Pop groups of South Korea. There is no denying that there are more credible Korean bands such as No Brain and the YB Band, but that's another story, as is why people choose Pop music over more credible forms such as Art Rock or Jazz.)

South Korea, where cabbage that's been fermenting under the ground for a year is considered a dietary staple, diluted ethanol is considered quite a sensible beverage and people refuse to sleep with their electric fans on for fear they will suffocate due to the blades cutting all the oxygen molecules in half.

K-Pop itself bears similarities to its cousin across the Japanese ocean, J-Pop. For the most part this is comprised of 'Idol' groups: management agencies hold numerous auditions, many of the hopefuls being mere children, from this auditions they pick those who can sing, dance and most importantly be packaged and manufactured into cute little parcels of bubble gum Pop music. Market potential is the key factor: will they sell and how much for? The mark of hyper consumerism is the minimal shelf life of such acts, whom rarely staying in the limelight for more than a few years, in some cases merely a few months, before their management agency replaces them with younger and more consumable 'models'(the whole industry of the 'Idol' group was described by Karl Taro Greenfeld in his seminal 'Speed Tribes', though the chapter in question is usually eclipsed on the first read due to the raw excitement and energy that the chapters dealing with knock off drug dealers, porn stars and motor cycle gangs offer).

Sure enough as these words pour onto your computer screen about 50 million Koreans will be obsessing over their own 'Idols', in the form of the K-Pop stars of today. Before going any further it's probably worth sketching out whom some of the major players are in this tournament of plasticity and cuteness:

THE WONDERGIRLS currently consist of Sunye, Ye-eun, Sunmi, Sohee, Yoobin and formerly Hyuna, the oldest being 20 years old, the youngest 16.They are a manufactured girl group, in fact about as manufactured as you can get without resorting to cyborbnetic and genetic enchantments: each member was selected through auditions for the JYP Entertainment talent agency (run by Korean singer songwriter and well, basically the Richard Branson of Asian pop music, Park Jin-Young, whose mission is "not to make music but rather to make stars").Debuting in early 2007, they became popular in the fall of that year with the song "Tell Me". Despite a minor reshuffling of members, borrowing another pretty Korean girl in a short skirt from another talent agency, viral remarketing over a short space of time and the accentuation of their carnal sex appeal to its extremes further fueled their candy coloured flame, making it brighter than ever. Then "Nobody" happened in 2008.The song itself is a mess of cheap Casio synth, predictable verses that fall into a refrained chorus, the whole constantly inviting the listener to sing and clap along. Which they do. Far too often.

What was created one of those #1 bubble gum Pop songs that just seems to get bigger and bigger off its own momentum, going beyond a mere catchy tune, to a clich

WOODPIGEON - TREASURY LIBRARY CANADA

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:19 -0800

Upon first listen Treasury Library Canada admittedly seems pretty pedestrian. It's really easy for the record just to slide into the background. One track merging with the next leaving only a vague recollection of particulars.
Particulars such as a catchy piano intro or swooning harmony - track two and seven being particularly creditable is this regard - the wandering acoustic guitar and plonky banjo are a real joy. But perhaps possibly it's this subtlety combined with the particular which is indeed the albums greatest strength, wrapping itself around your subconscious like it does; enveloping one in a blanket of skilfully woven memories, emotions, and sentiments. Both your own and those of vocalist Hamilton. Indeed, after numerous listens this album grows and grows on the listener. Those intricate amalgamations, hardly noticeable before, becoming more and more admirable.

Considering the band's intricacies it's hard to believe that Woodpigeon consist of sometimes at least eight members at times including contributors. Despite this their sound remains an ethereal well-grounded collection of sweeping orchestral movements, chirpy guitars, enchanting bells, innocent lyrics. The band retains a cool understatedness a lot of artists try all too hard to find. The way layers upon layers of instruments - collated in such a way as to remind of other maestros of multifaceted folk pop - Zach Condon of Beirut fame and Sufjan Stevens - build and build until, more often than not, dropping away to close on just Hamilton's wispy vocals leaves a bitterness in the mouth before the whole process starts over. It's this blend of textures and catchy chorus' that make sure, in comparison to their past records, Treasury Library Canada has far more pop potential than predecessors.

But to simply label Woodpigeon as 'twee' or 'Belle and Sebastian like' would be all too easy and do the band a grave disservice - for all the summery qualities they share with the likes of the aforementioned; Sufjan Stevens; the Thrills et al. - all in all it's a beautifully crafted, haunting album even if for all its fragile beauty there's still something missing. It feels a little unremarkable. It's true there are a lot of similar records out there. That said if you're a fan of poppy folk in the vain of bands such as those mentioned above definitely give Woodpigeons new one a listen as it has enough to it to set it apart form the competition.

By James Green

Rating: 7/10
Format: Album
Release Date: 09/02/09
Label: End of the Road
www.myspace.com/woodpigeon

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTIST

src="http://api.gigsta.co.uk/7digital/7digital_widget.php?artist_name=WOODPIGEON&width=585&partner_id=0&affiliateID=105050" type="text/javascript">>

FIRST AID KIT - YOU'RE NOT COMING OUT TONIGHT / TANGERINE

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:18 -0800

So, they chose the narrow door, through essentialness and rigour instead of some usual, insipid easy-pop filled with tiresome glittering images. Johanna and Klara Soderbergh form an astonishing swedish duo, able to absorb so much precious essence from the great tradition of the American songwriting and storytelling, adapting it to their needs.
'You're not coming home tonight' and 'Tangerine' are two shining examples of grace and freshness translated into folk music. Something is still unripe inside these very young voices, of course, but I am truly amazed by the whole quality of the music, lyrics and the rich in pathos interpretation of this double A single.

This is not music for a quick-listening, these sisters give us not only dusty-trails guitars and passionate melodies but also more than one fragment of their soul.

By Sergio Manghina

Rating: 9/10
Format: Double A-Side Single
Release Date: 09/02/09
Label: Wichita
www.myspace.com/thisisfirstaidkit

SPENCER MCGARRY SEASON - EPISODE 1

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:18 -0800

Spencer McGarry Season is a Welsh trio with a rather different approach to music. Infused with a sort of amateur dramatics and in the same way that a stage school child can be spotted a mile off - doing star jumps and striving for attention - Spencer McGarry's background in theatrics prevails in his band's music, and indeed with their innovative style to creating music.
'Episode 1' is exactly what it says on the tin, the first episode of a six part series of albums from the three-piece, all with a different inspiration and theme. Their re-released new album pays homage to all of McGarry's favourite Rock bands from the 1960s,1970s and 1980s. McGarry's fundamental influences from these eras including The Who, Talking Heads and The Kinks are effortlessly portrayed in each guitar chord sequence and throughout the twelve tracks.

Hailed unofficially by Wales Online as the best album of the week, the band's maturity and somewhat Hard Fi-esque social awareness, with lines like /I thought about saving but it never rains/ and /Success is always measured by stress/ You know my body loves stress/ will always appeal to audiences who find the words that they fail to articulate in the band's lyrics.

Whilst the album is unlikely to stir up a musical frenzy with its seen-before style lacking any real current relevance to the music industry, Spencer McGarry Season's top secret and innovative Star Wars-inspired approach to album production makes them one to watch throughout 2009.

By Laura Routledge

Rating: 7/10
Format: Album
Release Date: Out Now
Label: Businessman
www.myspace.com/spencermcgarry

SUNNY DAY SETS FIRE - ADRENALINE

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:49:16 -0800

After hearing that they chose their name from an internet band name generator, any hopes that Sunny Day Sets Fire would be something innovative and different to pin your lugholes back for may have been dashed. Yet, what's in a name? Not a lot it would appear, as you delve deeper into the bands biography and music.
Like a poster child for greater ethnic diversity, the band bring together four different countries; Canada, Hong Kong, Italy and the UK, but the result is not a confused and over-compensated-for sound, instead, this multi-cultural angle appears to add depth to their musical style.

Their EP, released Monday, a fortnight before their debut UK album 'Summer Place', has qualities of bands such as Those Dancing Days, with a contagious combination of up-tempo beats, childlike claps and endearingly simplified lyrics in tracks like 'Adrenaline' such as /I always walk very fast, if you don't like it you can rest.

Whilst 'The Rescue' and 'Lack of View' showcases Onyee's vocal similarity to Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and the more electro strand to the band's variety, the tracks fail to conjure a trademark sound that often a new band need in order to render a sturdy fanbase. Yet, hard to judge a band on three tracks and a remix, this is something the band's debut album could further demonstrate, particularly as the band's talent; playing around seven instruments between them, is not in dispute.

Watching bands develop and find a sound that categorically embodies what they're about is often one of the best things about finding new music, so if you're into eclectic bands or those aforementioned, keep an eye out for the Sunny Day Sets Fire debut album at the end of the month as their EP 'Adrenaline' shows the band's deep-rooted capability and potential.

By Laura Routledge

Rating: 7/10
Format: EP
Release Date: 09/02/09
Label: Wonderboat
www.sunnydaysetsfire.com