The Longcut – Transition
The Longcut are a new signing to the Deltasonic label which is home to the like of The Coral and The Zutons. The Longcut do not sound anything like them. “Transition” is a huge epic track. The instrumentation reminds of say Mogwai meets At the Drive In. The vocals immediately remind you of the blokes from Mars Volta. The track is very interesting blend of post-rock and post-hardcore influences.
By John Siwicki
Placebo – English Summer Rain
Now sometimes albums can justify four singles. Others should definitely stop at 2 or 3. English Summer Rain just seems like a little bit too much right now. My thoughts might have been different if Placebo had taken “Second Sight” or even “Sleeping With Ghosts” for a fourth single. It’s not a bad song by any means; it’s just so average it hurts.
By John Siwicki
The Flaming Lips – It Overtakes Me
It took me a long time to really appreciate “At War With The Mystics.” At first, it didn’t sit well with me but after some time it has aged nicely. Latest single from the album is “It Overtakes Me.” The tune gets shorten from its original nearly seven minute run time. The best part of the song is all the vocal manipulations; at one time you hear a monster and a something very “rat” like in there as well. It has all the necessary ingredients you would find a lips tune. Its what you would come to expect from the Lips, a zany, wacky good time.
By John Siwicki
White Rose Movement – Kick
White Rose Movement are Jasper Milton (guitar), Finn Vine (vocals/guitar), Taxxi (keyboards), Owen Dyke (bass) and Ed Harper (drums). “Kick” is their debut album and it was produced by the one and only Paul Epworth. The band fuses synths, keyboards, and guitars to make their sound, but not in a deeply cheesy way like some.
“Kick” starts off the album in a fiery way. It is not as dance-y as their previous single; it’s a bit of a dark and evil track. The back up vocals are simply gorgeous. “Girls In The Back” and “Love Is A Number” follow and are both solid dance pop songs that will get the kids moving. They have all the ingredients, silly lyrics and a very danceable sound. “Alsatian” is an interesting one, it’s very guitar oriented. It is one of the better tracks on here, the cheesy lyrics aren’t as blatant and its got some great power riffs. The first half of the album is rather strong, but things turn a little south on the second half. “Pig Heil Jam” and “Deborah Carne” do very little to ignite the listener. “Idiot Drugs” is saved because of the breakdown where Vine and Taxxi go back and forth rather provocatively.
“Kick” is a well produced album thanks to Paul Epworth’s touch. It starts off so strong, but that last half of the disc just loses it. But there is a soft spot for “Idiot Drugs” in me. If you were fans of the previous singles nothing should take you away from this. But others should tread carefully.
By John Siwicki