iTunes Single of the week #15

Hi,

This week the free download on iTunes was "A Lunar Veteran's guide to Re-entry" by Paul Thomas Saunders.

Paul Thomas Saunders is a physch and indie one man band from Leeds, England. He says he is influenced by people like Joe Meek, The Tornadoes, Emo Phillips and Lou Reed.

Review:
This is very much a phsych song, with haunting electro twirls and acoustic guitar twanging in an almost folky way. Although the music and vocals are most definitely not folk! The space age soundscape creates amazing effects, the vocals are distant and soft with mesmerizing tones and a mysterious edge. You need really good speakers or headphones to listen to this song because the surround sound and potential for a 3D sounding track are used to their full extent by Saunders. There is a fabulous soundscape created in this song which is great to relax and listen to.

Overall, this is a really well crafted piece of music 9/10

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!

George Ezra

Hi,

Today's post will be about an amazing guy who's getting big in the music circles and I think you should know about! You can listen HERE! Click HERE to get a FREE download of a couple of songs!

Background Info:
George Ezra is a 20 year old singer/songwriter from Bristol. He has one EP out called "Did you hear the rain?"

George Ezra's voice has a deep and mature tone that is really sexy, but as demonstrated in Did you hear the rain he can reach the high with confidence and beauty. Did you hear the rain sounds like it's from a western movie with it's desert like guitar chords. I love the end when he sings a wonderfuly gorgeous cadence ending after the backing does. Benjamin Twine is an upbeat bluesy song that lifts your spirits. The lyrics are great to this, they literally tell a story which hasn't properly been done since the 40s so good on him! Angry Hill is a more gentle and soft tune that makes you feel so calm and stress free, it's a great song to fall asleep to. I love the threatening chords and I think that this track really shows off his vocal talent. This one is my favourite! Budapest is his most famous, it's another blues track which is a great way to start the album. I think that you get the full Ezra song writing talent in this track, it's all so great! I love this guy and I hope you do too!

ACADEMIC_

Hi,

So today's post will be about an artist called "Academic". I'll be telling you about my favourite two songs of his: Bye Bye- HERE and Prelude to a dream- HERE

Background info:
His name is Tyler Matthews and he is a 28 year old electronic artist from Columbia, SC: home of Hootie and the Blowfish, Toro y Moi, & Washed Out. He left the finance world to focus on his music. He makes music for tv & movie soundtracks as well as commercials. He's planning to begin a regional tour in the Spring of 2014.

Review:
Bye Bye has nice strong intro beats, it's clean and sharp which is nice to hear. This is electronic, but not too poppy and in that respect  breath of fresh air. There are some really interesting changes throughout this track which give your ears something to hold onto. Some nice beats and added electro "twinkles" are a nice touch. Personally,  find this 4 minute track a bit boring for the whole thing, but that is my techno-resenting opinion. It is worth a listen.

Prelude to a dream has an interesting start. The short tapping beats are a nice addition and the far out noises are lovely. The added moving pitches give a nice effect, overall I like this one better.

So I hope you can all find time in your busy schedules to listen to "Academic Beats", it's worth it! HERE is his sound-cloud link so you can listen to more. There are a couple of free downloads on there if you want! Follow him on twitter @academicbeats. Thanks for reading!

Lux Lisbon- Get Some Scars

Hi,

First off I am so sorry I haven't posted for ages. I've been unbelievably busy over the Christmas period. I had some great Christmas music posts lined up as well which I'm gutted about! Is it too late? If you would like to see them anyway then let me know in the comments! Anyway, apology over on with the post.

So today I'm going to be reviewing the Lux Lisbon's free download: "get some scars". To get the free download click HERE .

Background info:
Lux Lisbon are a 5 piece indie-rock band from Nottingham University. They have one EP out "Get some scars" (which is worth a listen!). You can buy their EP for £4 or more HERE .

Review:
"Get some scars" is a catchy song with a great meaning. The video is great as well if you want to watch. I love the lyric "oh while we're young yeah, let's go out and get some scars. 'Cos when we're older we'll wear them to tell us apart". The song starts with one singer for a bar then a harmony sung by the band with only sparse guitar chords which works really well. They have boy/girl harmonies which sound great and we are hearing more of recently but still not enough in my opinion. We have too many one gender bands! Sorry, rant over! When they get into it they start to sound a bit like a barber shop choir, which isn't necessarily a bad thing just a bit weird at times. I recommend these guys if you like Dog is Dead or Fleetwood Mac. So, their track is definitely worth a download! Follow them on twitter @luxlisbonmusic!!