The Rumble Strips- Girls and Weather

Hi,

Today's post will be about a band that you probably know some of their songs but may not have heard of before. I'll be introducing you to their album "Girls and Weather". This is definitely my album of the month!

Background Info:
The Rumble Strips were a 5 piece indie-pop/rock, soul English band from Tavistock, Devon. The band took their name from rumble strips, which are small, continuous lines of bumps along the edge of a road. They went their separate ways in 2009. You can buy their album on iTunes HERE for £5.99 and other album "Welcome to the walk alone" HERE for £5.99. You can stream some of their music HERE

This album is a gorgeous blend of indie-pop and rock with soul and jazz managing to worm its way in there too. Their catchy rhythms and wonderful story-telling lyrics paired with the infectious, lyrical melodies make all the tracks so hard to get out of your head. Their music is full of funky brass and jazzy saxophone with exploding electric guitars and fabulous piano bringing it all together. Vocalist, Charlie Waller has an '80s alternative feel about him. He really gets to show off his amazing range and unpredictability in songs like Time and Building a boat. The style is kind of similar to Peace's Harrison Kossier. Great sounding lyrics are spat out by the bucket load and fit so well with the style of music and Waller's powerful, closed throat, grunge-y, scuzzy vocals. The whole of the album sounds so full of life and human that it'll all stick in your head for a long time.

Favourite Track: Clouds HERE

If you listen to girls and boys in love I bet you'll recognise it even if you don't know where from!! Its played in loads of films and TV shows. You can listen to it HERE

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed and take the time to listen to their music!

iTunes Single of the week #14

Hi,

This week's free download was "Feel of love" by Tensnake & Jacques Lu Cont ft. Jamie Lidell.

Tensnake is a 38 year-old house and electronica music producer and DJ from Germany. Jacques Lu Cont is a 36 year-old electronic, synthpop, house and electroclash DJ, songwriter and record producer from North Yorkshire, England. Jamie Lidell is a 40 year-old soul, funk and electronica artist from Cambridgeshire, England.

Review:
This funky, electronica track is constructed with layers, adding on more slowly but surely. The steamy beats with electronic 'noises' behind the start off, then adding electric bass bringing more melody and variation. The alternative-techno vocals are brought in next. The tone of them are not to my taste as they are too high pitched, undefined and warble-y. They don't sound like they are quite right, or like thy have found their proper style yet. As there isn't much vocal melody, they aren't the main attraction which is fine when you have a strong backing to fill out the spaces and cushion the lyrics. This track doesn't have either. This is very much a '90s techno-pop track which doesn't really appeal to me.

Overall, I think this song hasn't got much cop but isn't un-listeninable. 5/10

Scruff of the Neck Records: Free Mix Tape review

Hi,

Today's post is my review of Scruff of the neck record's first mix tape which is FREE to download HERE

Tracklisting:
1. Out in the cold- Matt Fryers
2. I couldn't fall on you- Mercury field
3. St. Louis- Skinny Roller
4. Afterglow- The Reveurs
5. The Stealer- The High Nines
6. Rabbit Hole- Matt Fryers
7. Bumblebee- Mercury Field
8. Blue Dove- Skinny Roller
9. Hide & Seek- The Reveurs
10. Paupers & Kings- The High Nines

Background Info:
Scruff of the neck records are a Manchester based record company who have signed artists such as The Naughtys and Go Native. You can see more of them and download some of their bands' music HERE

Review:
1. Out in the cold- This is an indie-pop, acoustic track by 22 year old Manchester lad Matt Fryers. His vocals are raspy and sounds like they're struggling to get to the higher pitches. He is quite talented but not very unique. 5/10

2. I couldn't fall on you- Mercury field are a 5 piece rock band who are influenced by Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd among many others. This track is undoubtedly a classic rock and roll song, the first few electric chords are a give away at the first listen. A good track but again nothing too special 6.5/10.

3. St Louis- This indie/indie-rock song is by Skinny Roller who are a 4 piece indie band from Manchester. Mark Nangle's grunge-y, raspy, distressed, low pitched vocals fit perfectly with the electric minor chords, jumpy bass and light drums of this creative track! 8/10

4. Afterglow- This track is indie/indie-rock and by The Reveurs who are a 4 piece indie/rock band. The loud, powerful, full on indie-rock backing seems to drown out Gary Nelson's nasal, wobbly vocals. The vocals are undefined and not very confident even though the backing is just that. 4/10

5. The Stealer- The High Nines are a 5 piece rock and roll/ alternative rock band who have infectious guitar riffs and the alternative, indie-rock vocals of Steve Cornell make this track a great listen which will stay in your head for a long time! 9/10

6. Rabbit Hole- This song is a piano and acoustic guitar ballad sung by Matt fryers, the intro music is beautiful and haunting with long lasting effects. Fryers' vocals cut through the hypnotizing effects suddenly with their raspy pop tones. This beginning would be much better if the vocals worked their way in gently and softly. After this, though, the song becomes a gorgeous melody again. 7/10

7. Bumblebee- Another rock and roll song by Mercury Field, I prefer this one. I feel it has more vocal variation and more diverse music behind Josh Jones' classic rock voice. This is a much more innovative track. 8/10

8. Blue Dove- This Skinny Roller song is a slower and more melodic track than St Louis. The vocals are more varied in pitch, they sound more comfortable in themselves and in the higher pitches than in St Louis. The track isn't as catchy and infectious, but still a really good, original bit of music. 9/10

9. Hide & Seek- Another indie-rock song with much less backing and more vocals, although the vocals still can't seem to match up to the heavy rock backing. There are some nice and inventive interludes within the track though. 6/10

10. Paupers & Kings- Another alternative-rock song by The High Nines. This one is almost as catchy but not quite, although it still has its own merits with the grunge-y, casual vocals and their talented, fast moving twangy electric backing. 8/10


Thanks for reading! Don't forget to download the mix tape HERE and let me know what you think of the tracks!

iTunes Single of the week #13

Hi,

This week iTunes' free single was "Walk this way" by MØ.

MØ is a Danish soul, pop, electronica, R&B and alternative dance singer/songwriter who is rapidly making herself known for the right reasons. She is from Odense in Denmark and is 25 years old. She has one EP out called bikini daze and one LP called no mythologies to follow, which came out on March 10th this year.

Review:

This track is electronica but cleverly constructed with fast up-tempo choruses and slowed down more relaxing verses that are similar to '90s pop. MØ's voice is high pitched and a has youthful tone but the techniques she uses sound mature and skilled. Almost all the way through she has recorded at least one more track of her vocals on top of the main lyrics. This effect is often not used very well but MØ uses it to it's full potential in my opinion with great outcomes! The track starts straight away with street party like beats and her main vocals cushioned in the echoed effect which sounds great. This song is so catchy with quite simple and popp-y lyrics but with really effective hooks! 

Overall I think this song is really pretty good, so I will give it 8/10.

Tall Ships

Hi,

Today's post is on "Tall Ships".

Background Info:
Tall Ships are an experimental band based in Brighton, originally from Falmouth, Cornwall. They play mainly indie and alternative rock, with a bit of indie-grunge-pop. They have 3 albums, 3 EPs and a few singles out on iTunes HERE and their soundcloud page is HERE

They have a very alternative indie-rock, indie-grunge sound. Although their style changes throughout their music, the the basic indie-rock sound and rounded, slightly nasal vocals stay constant. They have a very unique sound and can be recognised in a crowd which is a good skill in the ever-growing world of music culture. Their electric, classic rock sounds and shouting, fuzzy lyrics in "Hit the floor" are a great example of what can be done with layered fast moving chords over very prominent drum beats and a ground melody keeping the song recognisable with the heavy bass towards the end and sharp electric chords in the middle. "Plate Tectonics" is heading towards the more popp-y end of the spectrum with the less roughed up vocals and more predictable chords and drums towards the beginning. Although the middle takes us away from the familiar melody and into a wonderful intermission with gorgeous guitar work! A whole lot of fun! This band is great!

iTunes Single of the week #12

Hi,

So, it's that time of the week again. This week's free single was "Thinkin Aboutchu" by Dan Croll.

Dan Croll is a 23 year old indie-rock/pop, folktronica, pop-rock artist from Newcastle. He has one album out called Sweet Disarray which came out on March 10th this year.

Review:
So I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but my immediate response when I first saw the title was: this is either going to be an awful, generic electro-pop track or it's an ironic name and a really fun original piece of music. To be honest it's neither of these. This is indie-electro-pop with prominent but simple bass guitar at the beginning leaving space for the vocals to grow, but they really don't. The vocals are very simple and reserved which can be good, but in this case are boring. There are times when you feel the vocals should stretch out and show full potential but just stay on one level throughout. The backing music is quite catchy but nothing very special or unique.

Overall, this track has some good points but it's boring and not a song that you can listen to very often without wanting to rip off your headphones. I think it deserves 3/10!

The Honey Trees- Wake the Earth

Hi,

Today's post will be about "The honey trees" and their EP Wake the Earth.

Background Info:
A dream-pop, indie-folk duo from Sacramento, California. They, Jacob Wick and Becky Flip, have a full length album called Bright Fire coming out on April 8th.

Review:
The gorgeous acoustic music fits with Becky's gentle, rounded vocals. Her voice rings out with clarity and her airy tone floats above the backing with an angelic beauty. Her folk-y twangs bring interest to the lyrics and fit with the soft, acoustic backing with a pure, harmonising symmetry. Really great band worth a listen!  

iTunes Single of the week #11

Hi,

I haven't done one of these for a while but here we go....
This week's was "Rockstar" by A great big world.

A great big world are an indie-pop/ indie rock duo from New York. They have one album out called "is there anybody put there?".

Review:
This indie-pop/rock song is catchy and gets you dancing. The lyrics are great and really well written. The piano is a jazzy and it helps keep a steady tune all the way through which is missing in a lot songs like this. The electric guitar fits nicely with the lyrics and is cleverly put in at the right times to give us the person's dream. The singer is very talented, sounding comfortable with the fast moving tune but not keeping the melody safe. I really love this track with the texture changing rapidly, the vocals adapting to this all the way through and the amazing piano and guitar work. A really great song! Definitely should be downloaded while it still can be!

Overall, I really love this song so 8/10!

The Edmondsons

Hi,

Just a short one for today!

Background Info:
The Edmondsons are three sisters from North London. They say they are influenced by Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Kate Bush, Bon Iver and Jessie Ware. All I can find of them is two demo songs on soundcloud HERE but I'll add more links if I find any.

These girls are similar to First aid kit and K T Tunstall but still have their own stamp on things. Their beautiful acoustic, fresh, open melodies and utterly gorgeous and clear cut harmonies work wonderfully. Brave Heart starts with vocals that sound almost exactly like K T Tunstall but is still gorgeous and California is a lot less similar. Even though they do sound similar to a lot of indie-folk artists already around you can still appreciate the beauty and professionalism and clear tightness of their harmonies. These girls will have a great career in front of them!