Claire Writes Music

I've Moved

2010-03-28T14:12:00.000+01:00

The time has come to say goodbye to Blogger, it has served me well but I eventually had to admit that I just had far too much to say to keep it in blog format. You can now see everything written on this blog so far and all of my future scribblings at my newly built and launched website: www.writtenbyclaire.com I'll see you there!

Crystal Viper - Metal Nation (Karthago Records)

2010-02-27T11:03:00.000Z

Published By: Metal As Fuck - February 2010 Poland's Crystal Viper pull out the stops and prove that they are a Metal Nation with their second album. I'm a strong believer that there are just not enough female-fronted metal bands, and Crystal Viper is a new one on my radar. Hailing from Poland, this band has a pure power metal sound. Throughout Metal Nation, Marta Gabriel proves that she has a

Evarest - Fear (Farvahar Records)

2010-02-27T10:53:00.002Z

Published By: Metal As Fuck - February 2010 Evarest's debut album is an overdose of speed metal: mixed with speed solos and clear precise vocals. Evarest are a speed metal group from the Czech Republic, and is comprised of band members Eva on vocals, Olaf on bass and backing vocals, Pepa and Tom on guitar and Libor on drums. The band's debut album Fear is a treat for the ears. Eva has a

Great Awakening - Thrash Till You Die (independent)

2010-02-27T10:46:00.000Z

Published By: Metal As Fuck - February 2010 Three brothers and their high school friend vow to thrash till they die, and if their debut album is anything to go by, they're off to a flying start. Great Awakening is a thrash metal band from Florida, and Thrash Till You Die is their aptly titled debut release. They've aimed to reinvent the original sound of thrash, and you could be forgiven for

Black Velvet Magazine - Issue 62

2010-02-25T10:58:00.002Z

Published By: Black Velvet Magazine - February 2010 Check out the latest copy of Black Velvet Magazine to see my: - CD Review: The Idol Dead - The Shooting Star EP - CD Review: S.E.X. Department - Rock 'N' Roll Suicide - CD Review: We Are The Ocean - Cutting Our Teeth - Book Review: Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone You can buy this and past/future copies of Black

KEEL - The Right to Rock: 25th Anniversary Edition (Frontiers/Riot)

2010-01-30T08:46:00.000Z

Published By: Metal As Fuck - January 2010 I sure as hell wish this is what my parents were playing for me 25 years ago instead of what they actually made me endure! OK, so I'm not going to pretend that I was familiar withThe Right To Rock on its first time round the block. I think I can be forgiven for that, I was a mere five-year-old at the time being made to suffer my parent's rather scary

KEEL - Streets Of Rock & Roll (Frontiers/Riot)

2010-01-29T08:44:00.001Z

Published By: Metal As Fuck - January 2010 If they had released this 25 years ago maybe KEEL would have followed in the footsteps of the great hair metal gods we all know and love! This is KEEL's first studio album since reuniting in 2008, and it's going to have fans of hair metal bowing on their knees, Wayne's World style, and thanking the metal Gods for bringing this band back together. Ron

Killswitch Engage Interview

2009-12-01T12:41:00.002Z

Published By: Save A Scream - November 2009 On Saturday 28th November, I met up with Mike D'Angelo on the Killswitch Engage tour bus whilst they were in Bristol on the Taste of Chaos Tour on a dual-headline slot with In Flames. Go visit Save A Scream to see the interview in full. -------------------- Killswitch Engage Links: Website MySpace Facebook Twitter ---------------------

Magneta Lane - Gambling With God

2009-11-17T16:13:00.003Z

Published By: Wears The Trousers - 19th October 2009 Three years on from their debut full-length, Torontonian power-pop trio Magneta Lane return with their risky-sounding second album Gambling With God, only to show that they have taken no such chances with the actual music. Exhibiting little in the way of artistic growth from 2006’s Dancing With Daggers, these 10 tracks suffer a similar fate to

Kittie - In The Black

2009-11-16T15:55:00.003Z

Published By: Wears The Trousers - 19th October 2009 A very Metallica-styled instrumental intro by way of ‘Kingdom Come’ is Kittie’s way of introducing us to their latest and arguably best album In The Black. One of the rare all-female progressive metal bands, the Canadian quartet continue to hold their place in the canon with pride and skill. Infamous for their continuously shuffling lineup,

Black Velvet Magazine - Issue 62

2009-10-30T09:10:00.015Z

Published By: Black Velvet Magazine - November 2009 Check out the latest copy of Black Velvet Magazine to see my: - Interview with V For Volume - CD Review: The Worldonfire - ...Sail The Rough Sea - CD Review: Johnny Lima - Livin' Out Loud - CD Review: InMe - Herald Moth - CD Review: Trigger - Furious Times - CD Review: Lust Under Virgo - Both Sides Of The Dime - CD Review: Helsinki Seven -

Jaded Heart - Perfect Insanity

2009-10-29T15:31:00.004Z

Published By: Metal As Fuck - September 2009 The tenth album from these rockers, is showing signs that things are starting to become a tad too well-formed. Release Date: 16 Oct 2009 (All day) Perfect Insanity is the tenth album by rockers Jaded Heart. This is a band that is new to me though; I've managed to miss their previous nine albums somewhere along the way - so listening to Perfect

Evergreen Terrace - Almost Home

2009-10-28T15:24:00.000Z

Published By: Thrash Hits - September 29th 2009 Ten years in and five albums deep, Evergreen Terrace have continued their blistering combination of melodic hardcore and metal on their latest album, Almost Home. After a disappointing show on Wolfbiker, their last studio effort, which seriously lacked the more melodic aspects of their sound, Evergreen Terrace have gone all out to wipe the slate

Wisdom Tooth - Cathedral Park

2009-10-08T19:01:00.002+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - September 10th 2009Wisdom Tooth is the latest music project from Meagan Day, a lo-fi folk pixie from Ohio who has previously recorded as Laughing Owls and as one half of Skelecopter. Debut full-length Cathedral Park follows on from last year’s EP The Ice Sculpture At The Heart Of Me [download for free here], and, for the time being at least, is another generous

Starnes&Shah - Pink White Blue Green

2009-10-08T18:57:00.003+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - September 10th 2009Now here’s an interesting cultural collision. Zilpha Starnes, a former choirgirl from Texas, and Dania Abu-Shaheen, a rock music loving Lebanese expat, established themselves as a “vocal folk duo” in 2005 after sharing a New York apartment together for a year or so. Already a veteran of the city’s coffeehouse circuit with a solo album to her

Ember Schrag - A Cruel, Cruel Woman

2009-10-08T18:51:00.002+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - September 10th 2009After eleven (!) self-released efforts, Ember Schrag’s latest album is coming at us through a record deal with Lone Prairie Records, a Nebraskan-faithful imprint that’s slowly building a roster to rival that of local champions Saddle Creek. At just 24 years old, Schrag has certainly been busy. Between writing songs, she’s a mum to an 18-month

Catie Curtis - Hello, Stranger

2009-10-08T18:44:00.002+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - September 10th 2009Over the last 15 years, Boston-based singer-songwriter Catie Curtis has produced a string of solid studio albums largely restricted to coffehouse folk and Lilith Fair-style songwriting. For Hello, Stranger, her eleventh studio album, Curtis detours slightly from her well-worn path, turning in a surprisingly compelling string band album.

All The Fires - The Map EP

2009-10-08T18:35:00.002+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - September 10th 2009Orchestral folk-pop may not be one of music’s most recognisably innovative forms, but don’t equate that with an inability to stir and provoke. Mirroring the famous Korzybski philosophy from which this EP derives its name – “the map is not the territory” – this six-piece band from Falmouth in Cornwall arrive with this debut release to prove

Album: SOiL - Picture Perfect

2009-09-19T00:27:00.003+01:00

Published By: Thrash Hits - September 17th 2009When SOiL burst onto the world metal scene in 2001, their huge single ‘Halo’ become something of an anthem that pretty much every metal head on the planet knows word for word. Since then, things have become pretty stagnant for the Illinois four-piece, with albums flopping, vocalist Ryan McCombs leaving to join Drowning Pool, and the recruitment of

Firenote - Firenote (Sound Pollution/Riot)

2009-09-14T13:20:00.003+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - September 2009Melodic Rock, Stadium Rock, AOR... whatever you want to call it, this is an album at the top of its game. A huge welcome to these Finnish rockers and their debut album.Release Date:24 Sep 2009 - 3:30pmFirenote is the self-titled debut album from this Finnish band with attitude. Producing an album, with the help of former Urban Tale member, Erkka

The Order - Rockwolf (Dockyard 1/Riot)

2009-09-13T13:36:00.003+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - September 2009A blast from the past with recognisable themes, sounds and vocals. The Order are a Swiss band who are heavily influnced by all the favourites from the 80s.Release Date:24 Sep 2009 - 3:30pmThe Order is a band made up of guitarist Bruno Spring, Andrej Abplanalp on bass and Tschibu Casciero on drums. These guys have been playing together in various bands

Dreamland - Exit 49

2009-09-12T17:43:00.004+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - September 2009Another of example of how the 80s are kicking us up the arse and reminding us why we loved and still love 80s metal so much. Even if it is 'uncool' to admit it.Release Date:25 Sep 2009 (All day)I admit that I've not made a secret of the fact that I've great respect for all metal that makes its way out of Scandinavia! Dreamland, being Swedish,

Minsk - With Echoes In The Movement Of Stone (Relapse/Riot)

2009-09-11T09:27:00.005+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - September 2009Chicago’s Minsk have returned with their third album of psychedelic, Neurosis-inspired metal. Following the critically-acclaimed albums, Out Of a Center, Which Is Neither Dead Nor Alive, and The Ritual Fires Of Abandonment, With Echoes In The Movement Of Stone is a dark journey into the sonic post-apocalyptica. It is one that will leave you reeling from

Stryper - Murder By Pride

2009-09-10T18:22:00.004+01:00

Christian and Metal are not two words that commonly sit together, despite this though there are a huge number of Christian Metal Heads, and a few Christian Metal Bands just to keep the balance. Stryper is one of the front-runners of Christian Metal and have been working their way around the block since 1983. After splitting, like most good metal bands do, in 1992 they returned from an eleven year

Voivod - Infini (Relapse/Riot)

2009-09-04T20:45:00.003+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - August 2009When founding Voivod member and guitarist, Denis 'Piggy' D'Amour, died from cancer in 2005, he requested that the band make one last album using songs he had already laid down. Their last album Katorz was part one and Infini is the final part of this request. After a few years spent building full songs around Piggy's recordings, Infini is now ready for

Lisa Papineau - Red Trees

2009-09-01T19:25:00.003+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - August 4th 2009Having worked with the likes of Tori Amos and getting a song featured on ‘The Crow: City Of Angels’ soundtrack with her former band Pet, Lisa Papineau quit New England and moved to Paris where she wrote her debut solo album Night Moves. Three years on, Red Trees takes Papineau’s vision to the next level. Far more experimental vocally than Night

Miss Li - Dancing The Whole Way Home

2009-09-01T19:21:00.001+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - August 4th 2009Unlike her first three albums, which were all released in quick succession, Swedish curio Miss Li (aka Linda Carlsson) has taken her time with Dancing The Whole Way Home. Or at least relatively so; it still comes less than 18 months after Songs Of A Rag Doll. It stands out, too, as being her longest album to date – the first to break the 35-minute

Alisha Mann - Always With You EP

2009-09-01T19:18:00.001+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - August 4th 2009Harmonious, inspirational, expressive and celestial are words that come to mind when listening to this debut EP from Canadian singer-songwriter Alisha Mann. So it’s hardly a surprise to find out that Mann is a practicing Christian who believes that spreading god’s word via her music is her purpose in life. Whether or not we ourselves are into all

Bird Talk - No Bird Left Behind

2009-09-01T19:11:00.001+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - August 4th 2009Formed in 2007, Bird Talk are two girls and two boys who play indie-rock that draws on new wave, punk and lo-fi dance styles to create a sound that bears a passing similarity to the likes of Los Campesinos! and the harder-edged side of Tilly & The Wall. Available at a price of your own choosing, their debut album No Bird Left Behind shows great

All Of Your Friends - All Of Your Friends Are Dead

2009-09-01T19:01:00.001+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - August 4th 2009All Of Your Friends are a group of five pals from Winnipeg who have gathered together once a week since 2006 to play music. All Of Your Friends Are Dead is the product of these meet ups, a self-recorded album of songs that simply tell stories of being and having friends. They’re calling it “sociopop”. And just like real friends, they’re giving the

Crimson Cult - self-titled (Dockyard 1/Riot)

2009-08-23T14:29:00.003+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - August 2009Take a pinch of Dragonforce, a shake of Iron Maiden, and mix in some, at times, disturbing lyrics on the subjects of blood, demons and the undead, and you've just baked yourself a cake of Crimson Cult.Two years after the demise of Stygma IV, Günter Maier and Alex Hilzensauer met vocalist Walter Stuefew and drummer Peter "Beda" Bachmayer and the four

Zero Illusions - Enter Eternity (Soundpollution/Riot)

2009-08-23T14:15:00.003+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - August 2009Zero Illusions release their debut album but maybe needed a bit more time to tie up some loose ends.Having formed in 2004, Enter Eternity is Zero Illusion's first full length release. Plugged as progressive metal, the only thing which really supports this in the first half of the album is the grinding guitar work. There's a lack of screamo or growling

Defueld - Defueld (SoundPollution/Riot)

2009-08-18T19:20:00.004+01:00

Published By: Metal As Fuck - 18th August 2009Defueld offer their debut album full of classic heavy metal with a fresh twist that will have you wanting more.I have a strong belief that the Scandinavian water holds some special ability to bring out the power of metal to the bands that form there. The best thing about these bands is that they so often sound so different to each other. Sweden’s

Sarah Fimm – White Birds EP

2009-08-03T15:50:00.001+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - July 6th 2009Originally released as a free download for a limited time through her website late last year, the White Birds EP marks the return of New York’s Sarah Fimm after an absence of four years. Shedding the harder-edged electronica and general murkiness of 2004’s Nexus, these six songs cast Fimm in a slightly warmer light with production that focuses on

Laura Jansen – Single Girls EP

2009-08-03T15:37:00.001+01:00

Published By: Wears The Trousers - July 6th 2009One for the more sensitive sisters of Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’, half-Dutch singer-songwriter Laura Jansen makes sweetly dispositioned piano-pop that has seen her star lurch fully into the ascendant among the Hotel Café scene in Hollywood where she more than holds her own with the likes of Ingrid Michaelson and the similarly good-natured Meiko.

Arrica Rose – Pretend I’m Fur EP

2009-08-03T15:26:00.001+01:00

Published: Wears The Trousers - July 6th 2009 While experimenting with beats, instruments and a Bee Gees cover, Arrica Rose and producer Dan Garcia (Christina Aguilera, Leonard Cohen) accidentally came up with the musical concepts behind this seven-song EP. The result is a very different sound to anything Rose has previously conjured up with her band, the dot dot dot’s. Where their 2008 debut

Dawn Smithson – Earth Machine

2009-08-03T15:14:00.001+01:00

Published: Wears The Trousers - July 6th 2009Former bassist and vocalist with mid-Nineties Kranky recording artists Jessamine, Dawn Smithson’s second solo album Earth Machine is a mysterious combination of plucked strings, synths and downbeat vocals. The album feels as though it is telling a story as each song runs into the next with no sense of hesitation, almost like the wind blowing through

None The Less - The Way To Save Our Lives

2009-07-28T18:38:00.000+01:00

Published: Thrash Hits - July 27 2009Hailing from the same part of the UK as Gallows and Enter Shikari, None The Less have offered up a mini-album of post-hardcore which is likely to have The Blackout shaking in their boots. You’re left to wonder exactly what it is they’re putting in the water in Hertfordshire to keep churning out talented bands.The Way To Save Ourselves is full of momentous

Jamie Lynn Noon

2009-07-02T11:49:00.004+01:00

As promised when I published her EP review last month I spent some time interviewing Jamie Lynn Noon to find out a bit more about what makes her tick, what inspires her music, how she feels about social networking and if she’ll be visiting us English anytime soon. Here in all its glory is the result of this interview:Tell me a bit about you, what made you want to write & perform?Jamie Lynn Noon:

Papa Roach @ O2 Academy Bristol 15th June 2009

2009-06-16T12:33:00.009+01:00

After, what I hear, was a stonking set on the second stage at Download on Sunday Papa Roach geared up and hit the West Country for a gig at the O2 Academy in Bristol. The gig got off to a great start when Jacoby Shaddix decided he wanted to get out and meet the fans, walking along the queue with his phone taking a video stating that he was “taking pictures of you, taking pictures of me”.By the

Jamie Lynn Noon - A Moment To Break EP

2009-06-05T21:45:00.006+01:00

Jamie Lynn Noon is a singer/songwriter from and based in Los Angeles. Her debut EP A Moment To Break was released worldwide in January. She had some well-known names helping with the production of this EP co-producing with her was Kevin Harris and the EP was mastered by Brian Gardner. This gives you high hopes for the music. I'm pleased to say that it doesn't disappoint.What captures me most

Barbara J Hunt - Play My Heart

2009-04-13T12:55:00.008+01:00

I first encountered Barbara J Hunt in the cinema when I went to see Confetti on it's release in 2006. She appears at the end of the film playing her song 'King of My Heart' (on the album) at the nudist wedding. About a year later I saw Barbara J Hunt play live and thoroughly enjoyed her set. She reminded me of Paula Cole and Joni Mitchell. With a haunting voice and bewitching songs which are so

Jacanda – Skimming Stones

2009-03-08T14:12:00.004Z

Skimming Stones is the latest offering from Bristol-based band Jacanda. The album is complete heart and soul from beginning to end. The use of acoustic guitar, rich vocals and melodic sax throughout the album all contribute to a wonderful 40 minutes of listening time. There’s a definite feel of Crowded House and Pete Yorn about this album.Opening song ‘Ashes’ is one of those vocal pieces that

Transition – Three Bridges

2008-04-08T20:39:00.001+01:00

Transition is a three-piece band based in Bristol, already popular in Asia. Three Bridges is their second album (they also have a third acoustic album available on limited edition).The CD has a great sound, is really catchy and good upbeat pop-rock. They cite U2 as one of their influences on their MySpace page and this is reflected in the music, although they are, quite refreshingly, not a

Run and Hide EP – The Goodness

2007-11-06T20:55:00.002Z

The Goodness are one of the bands who have grown out of Remix, the Council’s scheme to encourage young musicians. They’re part of this year’s Teenage Rampage Tour which means that someone out there likes them, this annual tour tends to have what is considered the crème de la crème of young bands touring to build attention among the single buying posse, being kids their own age!The EP starts with

Alfie Kingston – Creatures & People’s Ways

2007-10-25T20:54:00.001+01:00

Alfie Kingston is one of the names that is well known on the Bristol music scene, most who know Alfie know his passion for music, especially his own! Alfie’s debut album Creatures & People’s Ways is about to be released on iTunes not only here in the UK but also in the good ol’ USA! I start my review as I do with all reviews...I press play! Straight away getting hit with an Indian feeling rhythm

Two Thousand Trees Festival 2007

2007-07-15T15:01:00.001+01:00

After doing the interview with James, one of the organisers of Two Thousand Trees it was just too tempting not to go and see the festival with my own eyes. So I packed up the tent and drove to Upcote Farm in Cheltenham to experience the first ever Two Thousand Trees Festival.On arrival the weather sucked…it rained, it was muddy, it was

2000 Trees Festival – An Interview

2007-07-01T19:12:00.002+01:00

Another festival hits the South West this month but this one’s a little different to the more mainstream ones we’re used to seeing and going to. The 2000 Trees Festival is a non-commercial, environmentally focussed and all about the music. I’ve been speaking with one of the organisers, James, who’s told me a bit about why they decided to set up this festival:There are a few reasons for starting

Fortune Drive at Download

2007-06-21T21:45:00.002+01:00

This year's Download was a must for me and there are so many bands I saw that I could write about for hours just based on their Download performances but the one band who deserve a Bristol Rocks mention are our own local lads Fortune Drive.I've seen Fortune Drive play most of Bristol and Bath's venues in the four or five years since I first saw them play and they never fail to impress me. Finding

Download Festival 2007

2007-06-21T21:27:00.001+01:00

June saw rock music lovers from all over the country descend on Donington Park for three days of bands playing the fifth Download Festival. This year saw bands such as Iron Maiden, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Papa Roach and Evanescence as well as regular demonstrations from the Red Bull X-Riders.Bristol band Fortune Drive also played. They put on an awesome performance and proved why they had

Bloody Tourists – KINK

2007-06-06T13:49:00.002+01:00

Bloody Tourists are a Bath based band who formed in 2005 and aside from being signed a year later are making waves in Europe and the States. KINK is their debut album and is completely what you’d expect from a band with record company and promoter backing.They describe themselves on MySpace as Pop Punk and I think that quite nicely

Famous Bristol Musicians – Onslaught

2007-06-05T23:59:00.003+01:00

Pretty much anybody in Bristol who likes thrash will have heard of Onslaught. Formed in 1983 they were signed 1984, by 1988 they had three albums some line-up changes behind them and in 1991 it looked like the end of Onslaught for good. Almost 15 years later, they find out one of the albums was re-released without their knowledge and decide it’s time for a come-back

Phil King & Julia Biel at The Fleece

2007-06-05T23:57:00.002+01:00

Julia Biel made a trip out of London to come do this gig at The Fleece. Julia won the Perrier Vocalist of the Year Award in 2000 and her reputation definitely preceded her to Bristol for being an act not to miss. Her sound is one of mixed genre’s a gritty soul voice put against soft jazz sounds produce an eclectic mix of sounds that fell upon a silent crowd. She brought along a drummer as well as

The Phonemes – There’s Something We’ve Been Meaning To Do

2007-06-05T23:55:00.007+01:00

Hailing from Toronto and full of acoustic harmonies and beautiful sounds The Phonemes have released this album, their first full-length CD, There’s Something We’ve Been Meaning To Do. The album is reminiscent of an indie film soundtrack. The Phonemes have produced an album which enchants and ensnares it’s listener.“Oh I met a man, who thought he was a tree…” these

Sahara Hotnights – What Is Leaving Is A Loving Thing

2007-06-05T23:55:00.006+01:00

The fourth album from Swedish band Sahara Hotnights is a mix of genres, a melodic, tantalising taste of what this band is capable of. They’ve not written for a certain audience, or with a certain genre in mind but mixed and matched with what their song writing can give them. Visit To Vienna opens the album with a classic pop-rock melody that sets the scene for the rest of the album, the song

Clumsy – Gig @ Mr Wolf’s – 17 March 2007

2007-06-05T23:47:00.002+01:00

This is the first time I’ve been to Mr Wolf’s for a gig, I’m normally one of those pop in at lunch times to grab some of their great noodles type person! Knowing that Clumsy were playing gave me good reason to head down and experience my first Mr Wolf’s gig. Clumsy were performing with their

JinxRemover - 'Spitfire'

2007-06-05T23:44:00.002+01:00

This is the second album from Jinxremover. A band that were previously known under the guise of Airbus. The CD cover is professional as is the recording and the whole thing smacks of a band who are pushing themselves onwards and upwards. The album starts with some great guitar riffs on Intro To

Decoys Limited edition CD

2007-06-05T23:43:00.002+01:00

The first thing that struck me when I listened to this CD was how Oasis-like the sound was. The sound is raw like early-Oasis, although the production on the CD is left wanting a little something extra, I didn’t feel it was quite up to scratch, hopefully this is something that will be remedied on their next effort! The CD cover has been kept simple with a photo of the band

Famous Bristol Musicians - Portishead

2007-06-05T23:42:00.002+01:00

I would make a guess that there are very few people anywhere who haven’t heard of Portishead…even my poor, ignorant to all things music, Mum, has heard of them (I did test this theory and was right!). This is the first of the ‘famous’ profiles I’ve been given to write and to say I was excited at the prospect of getting Portishead

UTM - Mutagenesis

2007-06-05T23:40:00.002+01:00

Better known as Ultimate Trigger Mechanism this is a band who really knows what they want from their music. With three years under their belts and a new fifth member to the band they’re growing, improving and have now recorded a new CD. Mutagenesis is a good example of what they have to offer and the artwork is outstanding and

Lastwind - Monster Trucks

2007-06-05T23:39:00.002+01:00

Lastwind is essentially a one man band. He works mainly on musical samples for TV adverts and the like and with other bands/artists either on their tracks or developing his own. The CD up for review is Monster Trucks. This isn’t the normal run of the mill CD I’d expect. Initially the artwork gave me the impression of something along the lines of Slipknot

Panic Number CD Review - From the Low

2007-06-05T23:36:00.002+01:00

Panic Number formed about a year ago previously having been seen in a different carnation known as Submatrix. From The Low is their debut album and the band have engineered, produced and mixed the whole thing themselves…and quite impressively too. The album starts with the very electric sounding

Metamorphis CD Review

2007-06-05T23:34:00.002+01:00

Metamorphis are a band from Clevedon, despite their tender ages they’ve already been together 4 years first forming when they were only 11 and joining comprehensive school. They’ve worked hard on putting this self-titled CD together and it shows. The artwork is well-designed and looks extremely professional, and I felt that it really reflects the tone of the CD

Benita Johnson - Stars & Fireflies

2007-06-05T23:32:00.002+01:00

When I saw that I had a CD by Benita Johnson to review I was dead happy! I’ve seen Benita play several times and always thoroughly enjoy her sets. As a result I had high hopes for this CD. Unfortunately the CD doesn’t do Benita justice. In all honesty it’s a shame because Benita truly is a talent to be reckoned with. Track 2 Firefly is my favourite of her tracks, it’s beautiful and impossible

MySpace Valentine's Party - 17 February 2007

2007-06-05T23:32:00.000+01:00

Last night we trekked over to Bath for the MySpace Valentine's Party. This is a concept for musicians who have met through MySpace to play together. I have to say it's a great concept and a great way to see new local acts! When we arrived the main room hadn't started so we headed downstairs to the acoustic lounge to see some of the more laid-back acts that were playing. The music down here

Jacanda - Back To The Sky

2007-06-05T23:31:00.001+01:00

I find it hard to believe that Jacanda have only formed 13 months ago. The quality of songs on this CD is just amazing for a band formed for such a short time. There is very little I can say about the album other than beautiful. It’s full of beautiful songs, beautiful musical arrangements and beautiful saxophone playing! I would recommend paying particular attention to Ghost of a Smile the

The Brent Flood - EP

2007-06-05T23:29:00.001+01:00

This self-titled EP is a great introduction to this London based indie-rock band. From the opening lyrics of Heavy Petting through to the closing lyrics of Beverley the addictive voice of lead singer Jay Marsh keeps you wanting more. Heavy Petting is just one of those songs that everybody is going to love. If this song doesn’t get airplay then I don’t know what will. With quality lyrics and

Apes Pigs and Spacemen - Simple Simian EP

2007-06-05T23:03:00.001+01:00

A welcome return to the music scene Apes Pigs and Spacemen bring us this EP four years on from their last offering. Simple Simian is one of the catchiest CD’s I’ve listened to in a while and I see the first song on the CD The Best Thing becoming a bit of an anthem, especially to those of us who love to find the repeat button when we like a new song! The Best Thing has one of the best lyrics I’ve