Underworld – Beauitful Burnout
Underworld provided more than an ample share of the crooked, climbing and mystique oozing lounge style soundtrack to one of the indie films of 2006, “Breaking And Entering” starring Jude Law. Only to return a year later with a blistering forage through ambient, chill-out with an odd techno thrust through fifth studio album, “Oblivion With Bells”. From this album, the mysterious duo of Rick Smith and Karl Hyde choose to celebrate their epic building side with “Beautiful Burnout”. With creeping beat climbs and sinister asides, it is easy to see why this pair has become a soundtrack compiler’s dream.
Distorted vocals that do little more than quivering utterance of the song’s title, provides for brief pauses in this epic, digitally intoned ambient and light electro swerve. A Mark Knight remix, proves the pick of the alternate versions, mainly for its robustness and dance-friendly rises. Crescendos and tempo switches provide more bite and immediate appeal to appease the radio aspect of their listenership. Underworld has shown yet again, their ability produce a fresh and searching tune. They maintain that ability to expand their songs and generally create a bigger impact than many of their contemporaries.
By Dave Adair
Biffy Clyro – Who’s Got A Match?
Biffy Clyro since the release of their latest album “Puzzle” has enjoyed a much deserved wave of success. This is the 6th single off “Puzzle” if you count download only “Semi-mental” and it just seems like a bit of enough is enough on this album. Typically, you always go with your strongest material early on in the single releasing campaign so naturally “Who’s Got A Match?” is a fine album track and just ends right there. I would of rather of seen “Semi-mental” given the full single treatment as I have forgotten how good of a song this is. If you haven’t purchased “Puzzle” by now, no time like now and surely you can find it in some sale bins.
By John Siwicki
Paperlung – The Day That God Sold You
Paperlung are Sice (Vocals),Simon Gardiner (Bass),Ben Datlen (Guitar) and Guillaume Jambel (Drums). This new bunch formed in August of last year and the vocalist used to be the frontman of the one and only Boo Radleys. It is been released by the fine people at Shifty Disco Records as well. Musically, the track is pretty average your typical indie pop soundscape. But Sice’s vocal is what really makes the track pop out at you. It’s got a rather catchy hook but it doesn’t really add much new to the table. But that song title does crack me up.
By John Siwicki
Crash My Model Car – Maybe
I’ve never heard of Crash My Model Car. If I’m honest, I thought they’d be an emo band. The title is a giveaway, or not as it has turned out. Signed to My Dad Recordings, this Glasgow based four piece are seemingly a Snow Patrol inspired outfit, which is rather uninspiring for us. This, however, was my first impression.
It is the bold and rather generic guitar twanging, and then the archetypal soft and frankly boring numbers that make up this four track EP. It is not bad. It is just not very interesting. The best song on here is the opener