White Comic - This Nightmare (EP)

This Nightmare is a big EP. Only 3 tracks are contained on this album however the quality of recording and song writing is perfect for this slightly more punk than pop quartet. The latest bands trying out this sound (Deaf Havana, 4 Year Strong) have gained a strong following in recent years and there’s no wonder; the sound is epic however the songs don’t drag, big appeal across many styles of music.

            The vocals have a strong presence on the recording; the lyrics are delivered passionately and the odd screaming here and there balances perfectly with the ‘super clean’ vocals. The whole rhythm section blends brilliantly with each other. The drums use the double bass pedal just enough in the songs and it’s not overpowering.

            Each song has a strong chorus both lyrically and melodically. ‘This ain’t the End of Me’ is delivered perfectly. It contains one hell of a breakdown, as well as a brilliant “sing-a-long” chorus.

            White Comic look set to make a big name for themselves in a scene which is enjoying great success at this moment in time. The 3 songs on this EP are refreshing to listen to and can be listened to by a wide range of musical interests.

http://www.whitecomic.co.uk/

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Fat Henry - Breeding Ground For A Guinea Pig

A two-track single, Fat Henry have incorporated aggressive doom punk sounds with some great progressive points. ‘This Town is a Breeding Ground’ is relentless and powerful, punching out a heavy rhythm and some inspired riffs.

            ‘Guinea Pig’ owes very much to a Josh Homme style of writing. Another high energy track with a bouncy riff, Fat Henry have written two incredibly enjoyable songs which should come with a caution of ‘Might contain uncontrollable arm flailing'.

http://www.facebook.com/FatHenryUK

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Small Print - Small Print (EP)

As you might well imagine, writing reviews involves you having to sit down for the majority of time (apart from the odd forage into the kitchen for caffeine based drinks). It also involves, for me, having the subject music blaring out of my laptop speakers at near full volume. Small Print’s EP is a high energy offering from the outset, and the first feeling this reviewer got was the urge to start jumping ferociously around the room.

            The effect of making people jump around in their heads is a very positive thing to include in a recording. This eponymous effort from the band is full of high energy songs that create an alternative party atmosphere. The sound is infused with influences such as Arctic Monkeys, early punk sounds as well as a hint of Nirvana.

            The singer has a very clear sounding voice, but doesn’t compromise on personality either which benefits the 5 tracks found on this EP. ‘Raise The Roof’ is a highlight of this album with tight pauses as well as some great lyrics. The guitars in this song (and indeed all of the songs) have an aggressive tone which compliments the drums perfectly. ‘Rivalry’ is also a fantastic offering, short in length but powerful and thrashy.

            Small Print has a sound which doesn’t relent, focussing the listener’s energy into an explosion of dancing and jumping. I can imagine live this band would be a great addition to a set as just the sound alone would push an audience all the way to the roof.

http://www.small-print.webs.com/

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Toba Caldera - Untitled (EP)

            Let’s throw it out there and say many mainstream music listeners are afraid of darkness. By darkness I mean certain musical tones, the lyrical concepts picked by the songwriter, a feeling you get when you listen to a song and a shudder controls your whole body. Darkness has been associated with solitude and, unquestionably, evil for centuries. Even spaghetti westerns would dress the antagonist in a black costume to symbolize his intentions in a film.

            Darkness can also be a place to redefine your existence, balancing out the “ying”, as well as a way of appreciating the positivity experienced in life to its fullest. Underground music has always had strong characters as its followers; people who would argue to death about a band they love that hardly anyone knows about. What I love about Toba Caldera is that they seem to embrace the darkness within music to create beautiful pieces. The songs found on this EP are paradoxically uplifting and tinted with a slight depression.

            Strong influences heard in their work include The Stone Roses, Kasabian, Oasis and Nirvana. With such a great collection of bands to draw ideas from, there’s no wonder these songs grab your hand and clench it all the way through the 6 journeys. The effort starts off with a minimalist approach on the song ‘The Devil In Me’, with a beautifully written guitar riff. The track builds up slowly into a very emotional middle with a great use of two vocals. “I can’t escape just for the day. There you lay,” is a great piece of lyric writing; delivered with a sombre tone, the singing is very powerful.

            The next track, ‘Still’, is another dark adventure for the listener and experiments greatly with more guitar work. There is a small hint of Pink Floyd in this piece. It is a beautiful song to experience and again the vocals are immensely powerful. Later on in the EP you will find some incredible punchy riffs that give a big energy in the last half and lifts it up another level. ‘Desolation brings the journey to a close with a steady build up in volume and tone. The song ends and the hand that held you all the way through is finally released, but you can still feel the print for a long while afterwards.

            Toba Caldera need to keep making songs like this, if not only to give it’s listeners a feeling of solitude where they can reflect, and then work their way out of darkness. This is surely what writing melancholy songs is about and each track in this fantastic EP is perfectly written to appeal to our inner darkness. All I can say to end, and forgive me for being philosophical, but we need darkness to find a light. Thank you, Toba Caldera.

http://www.facebook.com/tobacalderauk

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Stay The Night - Young Forever (EP)

To some people, pop punk is the most important thing that has ever happened in their lives. Stay The Night are another band that join a plethora of other artists, who play an important part in shaping a ‘kid’ into a fully fledged ‘teen’…and beyond. All the way back to The Buzzcocks from the original punk era, through to blink 182 and more recently Fall Out Boy, pop punk is a perennial fixture in the alternative scene.

            These are songs that you can jump around and have a party to, discover who you are, as well as be comforted. ‘Young Forever’ is every bit a 4 song party that has you in the spirit from the first beat, albeit with sometimes anxious lyrics. The drive from the rhythm section is well delivered and perfectly blends the aggressive nature of punk with brilliant major chord progressions. The tone of the singers voice is perfect for this genre; a tinge of an American accent with a strong delivery and not afraid to use the full range of notes.

‘Too Tall For The World’ is an immensely enjoyable track. Punching rhythms is standard to the genre, something that is a great success to its sound. However these guys are not afraid to put in the high end melody, as well as experiment with the impact of high octave riffs and well timed pauses. The drummer pounds the skins with a great energy and is fully aware of the importance in varying the beats. Another prevailing feature is the chorus in this song; lyrically powerful in its message, as well as being a great part to sing along to. With lyrics like “I will never forget all the things you said”, we’re guaranteed an all round great pop punk song.

Stay The Night will be an important band to the people that take a notice early enough, because of how lyrically and musically they are important to the teenager that lurks inside us. We all need songs like Stay The Night’s  perfectly written EP, because of the importance they will hold for a high percentage of today’s music listeners.

http://www.facebook.com/StayTheNightUk

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Dirty Jeans - Dirty Jeans (EP)

Dirty Jeans – Dirty Jeans

Back in the early noughties, a new contemporary style of British Indie exploded into mainstream culture. Drawing inspiration from late original punk bands as well as previous Britpop sounds, bands such as Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs made a stamp on the ears of anyone who possessed them. This modern sound was fast yet clean, with lyrics that mirrored a standard situation of today e.g. (I bet you look good on the dancefloor). However previous to this was a slightly grittier and punchy sounding Indie without having to speed along.

            Dirty Jeans’ eponymous effort is a sound which precedes it’s current offerings with great effect. The songs in this EP remind of the first run of The Verve, great guitar lines which pump out the odd riff and then lay back on a beautiful melody. Each track is a journey within itself and is backed by some great synthesized sounds which creates a unique atmosphere. The bass is comparable to the lines played by Mani; not just there to mimic the chords but to have a part within itself.

            Highlight song out of the four has to be Serenity For The Dying Race. After the slightly mysterious beginning, the track lifts into passion filled spectacle. The vocals being from both male and female compliment each other perfectly, and the driving percussion behind the track is strong and consistent. There is not one point in the song where you need to step back for a pause because it simply won’t let you.

            This album really does lift the genre to a different plateau because of the unique factors it contains. The British Indie sound needs to still have these types of bands, who can blend beautiful melodies and punchy guitar riffs without having to race along and be lyrically simplistic (no negativity implied). Dirty Jeans have an incredible sound and will hopefully be the new contemporaries to this scene.

http://www.facebook.com/dirtyjeansband

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Kayla Kavanagh - Stranger Than Fiction (Album)

This is a time where the radio seems to regurgitate songs that celebrate human consumerism, the search for a quick fix of pleasure and pouring out lyrics that flaunt an artists possessions that the average radio listener might dream to have. An almost machine like quality to the way these songs are written, produced and subsequently performed has left out a deep, human passion; a feeling exerts itself through love, hate, melancholy and maybe even regret.
Stranger Than Fiction, the debut album from Kayla Kavanagh completely defies the mechanics of popular music presented through radios and lays on the table a platter of pure human emotion. This exquisite album displays those feelings that are distinctly present in human (whether we like it or not). It plays them out with great lyrics, strong musicality and a unique use of technology.
The opening song (Colour Me In) draws you in straight away. The power of the lyrics in the verses is complimented by a stunning chorus which draws on your heartstrings with every note. The use of a vocoder effect on Hold On (To The Future) shows Kayla is unafraid of mixing in a little bit of technology to not only appeal the electronic age, but also to smartly bring a sense of hope to this deep album.
It’s great to hear an extensive range of influences brought together in this album; Eva Cassidy, Imogen Heap, Tatu and even a small nod towards Lady Gaga every so often. Other ear-catching songs include the brilliantly powerful Scared of the Dark and the bouncy Love You, which even with its major tones balances perfectly with the melancholy of other songs found on this album.
Kayla Kavanagh has brought in a deep, heartfelt approach to the pop scene which has not been heard for a long time. With her soft toned voice and extensive range of instruments (which she can play), this is an artist who will definitely provide some great listening in the coming years. Her next album is being realised and if it is anything like Stranger Than Fiction, the radio machine will hopefully be replaced by a beautiful, beating, human heart.

http://www.kaylakavanagh.com/

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Thirteen16 - Prepare to Meet Thy God (Single)

An epic song in length and sound, the blistering riffs in this song are played with such energy it's hard not to ignore. Supported by strong blasts on the drums, a chant worthy chorus and a facemelter of a solo, this could well be a crowd favourite! A hit to pit to!

http://www.thirteen16.co.uk/

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