Manic Street Preachers – Everything Must Go

In 1995 the Manic Street Preachers where preparing to go to America to a promional tour for their LP “The Holy Bible” But the night before guitarist and main lyrics Richey Edwards disappeared. After these terrible events they could have just split up and called it a day. They would have left us with three classic albums. But in May 1996 they came back with such emotion and beauty Everything Must Go. The album opens to water flowing and then it kicks into “Elvis impersonator Blackpool Pier” musically the track is very beautiful with a harp a good opener. “A Design For Life” follows it is the first single off the album and the manics have never sounded as good. The song has a great use of strings to help give this song a great powerful and epic feel to it. Simply brilliant stuff. Next is “Kevin Carter” which is one of the few tracks that they were working on with Richey before he disappeared. The song has some great trumpet work on it. Lyrically it tells the story of the photographer Kevin Carter. “Elona/Alone” is Nicky trying to cope with Richey leave “all I wanna do is leave no matter how miserable it is” and it comes with very pretty results. “Everything Must Go’ follows suite. This song is big it is the manics call to their fans saying this is the only thing they could have done after the disappearance. Beautiful track and one of the highlights of this album. Next does Richey write another song “Small Black Flowers That Grow In The Sky” great use of the harp here to give the lyrics such a beautiful backdrop James sounds beautiful here. “The Girl Who Wanted To Be God” comes up next and I have no clue what this song is about but you know what I love it and I sing along with it every time I hear it brilliant filler song. Next “Removables” which is another song written buy Richey that is a very haunting song lyrically it deals with Richey cutting himself. Next we have the lovely “Austrailla” this song is perfect. It’s just about wanting to go far away from everything around you. The song has a great feel it and I can see being used for film and TV. “Interiors” follows another one of those confused Nicky written songs that has a more upbeat feel it. Further Away is the next track and it is the manics love song. The closer No Surface and All Feeling is the sound of a band that feel so empty and drained and don’t really know what to do brilliant track. The Manics created on those great records that will never leave your head and each one of these songs could be singles without question. This album will stay with you for a long time. Must Have

By John Siwicki

The Moot – Demo

The Moot hail from Huddersfield and are not like your usually two piece from England. The Moot like reggae and R&B. You can hear influences such as Bob Marley, UB40 and The Specials in there just to name a few. The first song on the demo is “The Way It Is” its got a lovely little groove and bounce to it and quite frankly it won’t leave my head. I found myself a few days after first hearing the tune humming it along on the street. “Wired Up” has a more traditional reggae feel. If you enjoy a good laid back beat and are looking for something a bit different go for Moot. Also, Moot have loads of music to download on their website which, you can find by clicking here. There is even a Morrissey cover!!

By John Siwicki

Goldenboy – Underneath The Radio

Shon Sullivan was given the nickname “golden boy” by Elliott Smith on a European tour and it stuck. “Goldenboy” also carry over some sounds of Elliot Smith. At times the comparison are really rather in your face. Like for example on “Motorbike” vocally very Morrissey influenced and a dash of Neil Finn musically. Now, “Underneath The Radio” is not a bad record. The record is very well written and produced. The duo have crafted some very irresistible melodies. It is just that Shon vocal is so hard to over look.

By John Siwicki

Ike Reilly Assassination – The Last Demonstration

Even though I have been a fan of Ike Reilly since his debut release “Salesmen and Racists”, and I am secretly thrilled to be reviewing his latest online EP “The Last Demonstration”. I was a little sceptical at first about the fact they were releasing a new album with essentially only two “new” songs. It was reassuring however, to discover that throughout this record, of stripped down acoustic versions of old favourites as well as the new tracks, there are subtle lyrical changes and added verses hidden in amongst the songs that you may not notice on the first listen. Lyrically, Reilly has the gift of the gab and the words trip off his tongue like liquid poetry with ease and style.

There is no escaping the fact the that at times Ike Reilly sounds like Bob Dylan, and this could not be more apparent than on the first song and one of the previously unreleased tracks “Lust Song 78″. A snappy number at just over a minute and a half long with a speedy little riff and magnetic lyrics that seem to attach themselves to your memory, especially ” You got that, got that, got that, got that, got that, summer dress”. One of the songs I was not expecting to differ so much from the original is “Garbage Day”. Instead of being a lively rock track the acoustic version is a longer, and slower, with very clear lyrical pronunciation. This combined with an additional verse, dissolves my previous doubts that this is a collection of old songs re-branded to make a quick buck. “God and Money” has to be my favourite of the acoustic versions, it sent shivers down my spine the first time I heard it. It has gentle, guitars and vocals to match. The harmonica playing near the end of the song gives you another twang of Dylan, which, lets face it, is never a bad thing.

I would recommend “The Last Demonstration” to new and old fans alike. As the saying goes don’t judge a book by its cover because like me, you too might be pleasantly surprised.

By Alice Roth

Sol Seppy – The Bells Of 1 2

“The Bells Of 1 2

Youth Group – Shadowland

Shadowland is a bittersweet track if ever I heard one. It’s sweet electric guitar reminds of Bloc Party’s

Weevil – Drunk on Light

Weevil is any numerous beetles of the super family Curculionoidea. How interesting. Well Weevil the band is a London based group formed way back in 1999. Their influences are wide and vary from bands such as Ride, Red House Painters, and even some My Bloody Valiente just to name a few. It might not be the most accessible and friendly stuff… but sometimes that’s the best music. “Out of Time” has a spooky 43 second intro where there isn’t much going on then the syth drums kick in for pleasant tune. “Halfsmile” sounds like a post rock version of the Doves. A beautiful, epic vocal and the drums remind me a bit of Doves-Pounding. “Silver Rails” has a great intro full of brilliant electronic wizardry full of little noises. Then it kicks into a bit more of rockier number… and it’s catchy one as well. “Splinters” has an accordion in it. Yes, people an accordion a terribly under used instrument in my thoughts. Here it is woven beautifully with the piano and they really magnificently pull it off. A Million Things” follows, with a great creepy vocal haunting this song. It’s like a very scary late night tale. “On Wires” is a soft piano driven song that is oh so soothing and sublime. Weevil have a deserve set here. They are a talented group, they cross genres here, post rock, electronic, indie. It’s all here and surprisingly it works.

By John Siwicki

Angus & Julia Stone – A Book Like This

Recently comedian, Dave Gorman valiantly tried, but painstakingly failed to perform the laudable task of travelling through America using only the goods and services of the independent man or woman, completely shunning “The Man”. His next challenge, should he choose to accept it? Would be to tour the world, taking in only sincere, independent, honest, grafting and “in it for the love of it” musical acts. His quest would surely start with these roving, thought provoking, cushioning and prolific antipodeans who are brother and sister pairing of Angus and Julia Stone (or at the least they would be the stop just after The Fiery Furnaces).

This pair shares out the lead vocal duties almost as equally as they no doubt doled out sweets between them when they were younger? Angus opens up with a stirring and spirited folk vocal nudge featuring an endearingly laboured lag,

Paul Oakenfold – Faster Kill Pussycat Featuring Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy is the guest vocalist on the new Oakenfold single, the first taken from his forthcoming new album “Lively Mind.” Oakenfold has worked with the likes of U2 and Madonna in the past. Brittany Murphy star of such films as 8 Mile and Sin City, may sound like an odd choice but they do manage to pull something off. Brittany does manage to sound great; she provides a very sultry and sexy vocal. It is very catchy got some massive beat and will get the kids singing and dancing. It does leave a little beat to be desired it almost feels like we have done this all before. At times it sounds a little bit like Deep Dish’s Flashdance. Overall a fun pop song, could be better and could be a lot worse.

By John Siwicki