Washington Design Consultants - Graphic Design, Agency, Corporate Branding, Advertising, Direct Mail, Exhibitions, New Media, Print - Penarth, Cardiff, South Wales, UK

This debut album, whilst it sits in the upbeat folk genre, cannot be compared to Mumford & Sons mass produced Magners offering. This is a carefully crafted artisan brew utilising local organic ingredients. It explores the life youngsters find themselves slotting into. ‘We Are The Battery Human’ is pretty scary career option that many graduates face in a call centre. The album builds upon whimsy, nods to folk clues and the choral anthems of Arcade Fire.

Gosh more low-fi! This time with a tilt towards the Associates of Billy MacKenzie. Using high pitched vocals mixed with grab melodies and intriguing lyrics. Wild Beasts create a landscape of night-life that perhaps one would prefer not to remember. ‘We Still Got The Taste Dancin’ On Our Tongues’ is a particularly fine example of times best forgotten until one silently admits a guilt pleasure!

Low-fi indie sound that sneaks into the category of memorable sounds of the last year or so. Paired back vocals contrast with cool pop hooks. VCR stands out as the first track to penetrate and stay with you all day.

James Murphy third album contains a mixture of 70’s Eno and Bowie, smatterings of Krautrock and NY disco….but hey that’s some heritage. Through bouncy pop to spaced out electro via some good hard grooves that never fails to grab, it’s all there. My daughter’s boyfriend was listening to the album last night and seem happy enough that an older generation appreciates this effort. Murphy is 40 though!

The latest album from Southern Country rockers continues their exploration of the demons of drink, drugs and growing up in the south. ‘Birthday Boy’ celebrates with a visit to the ‘whore-house’ whilst ‘Drag the Lake Charlie’ is the outcome of yet another good night out or possibly the result of ‘The Forth Night of My Drinking’. The songs offer no recrimination or blame but rather a simple matter of factness – this is life! Great stuff.

The most restful and charming collection of songs that I have heard in a long time. All sung in Spanish so you don’t have to listen too hard – just get swept along with haunting melodies and the emotion expressed in the vocals. The album tracks the happenings of the week ‘Lunes’ through to ‘Domingo’ with an extra ‘Noches Dia’.

The nine songs of seasonal celebration rightly mark Thea Gilmore out as a talented songwriter and excellent vocalist. She is ably supported by partner and producer Nigel Stonier and fiddle player, Fluff!

From the hymnal ‘Sol Invictus’ to the baldy ‘St Stephens Day Murders’ Thea demonstrates a considerable range on inventiveness. She even professes to have written a Christmas pop song ‘That’ll be Christmas’, the song has made Radcliffe & Maconie’s daily playlist. That is because of its quality not because Mark Radcliffe features on the Poguish ‘St Stephens Day Murders’! Buy the album or better still catch Thea on her winter tour. I did both!

After more years than I care to remember Deaf School returned to play a few gigs in the UK. My little brother, who introduced me to the music at Liverpool University, obtained tickets for the 11/09 gig at ‘the garage’, Highbury.

After visiting the ‘Star of Jerusalem’ for three pints, we made our way to Clerkenwell for food, then onto the gig. We jumped the queue by virtue of having tickets or being senior citizens, take your pick, and made our way to the bar. Three pints of Guinness £11.70! The bloke next to me was also buying a round, when he handed the drinks back they went straight into Mr Bette Bright’s hand ie Suggs.

According to the website the crowd included Glen Matlock, Holly Johnson, Mr Suggs, Charlie Higson, Kevin Rowlands and us!

The band did not disappoint they played with verve, passion and lots of fun and of course, style. Too many highlights but 2nd Honeymoon, Capaldi’s Cafe, Darling, Knock Knock Knocking, What a Way to End it All and of course Bette’s Final Act were all sublime.

We left with huge grins on our faces, just as all the younger adults who made up 2/3 of the audience, did. It was 1976 all over again!!

More songs from Bob delving into the ‘American Songbook’ for themes, tunes and nuances but without the vitality of his last offering, ‘Modern Times’. More often than not the songs are swamped by accordian which grates after a while. There lies the problem, a song stands out alone but listening to the whole album or even a few tracks, it ain’t easy on the ear.

Fun, fun, fun all the way with this rockabilly songstress! I dare you to sit still when you listen to her!! Fantastic backing musicians led by her ‘Big Bad Handsome Man’. If you get the opportunity to see her play live ‘grab it’ and you will not be disappointed.