Review: AMADOU & MIRIAM – Dougou Bada (Feat. Santigold)
A lost and lonesome acoustic trickle flows into a churning guitar grind paves the way for expressive, tribal vocals provided with equal measures of clarity, desperation and drama by Santi. They wrap around the instrumentals that builds in a thunderous percussion twist, ‘Dougou Badia’. A rich and well textured song is well conjured up, equalling the adventure and demonstrative tendencies of Nitin Sawhney, but outdoing him on the boldness of the rhythmic slant.
‘Dougou Badia Ft. Santi Gold (Kennie Takahashi Alternative Mix) ’, tones down the expressive vocals in order to give more emphasis to the rhythmically clattering, ambient percussive drive. AMADOU & MIRIAM continues to show the rousing, dramatic potential of world music.
Review: This Many Boyfriends – Starling
Striking, twisting guitar licks and rat-a-tat percussion combos threatens to morph, ‘Starling’ into a sickly “woe is me”, pop-punk throwaway of a track. That said, these Richard Boyfriend led northern upstarts soon turn the tables, using a laid back, yet worldly sounding vocal nudge to turn it into a mod spliced indie rouser. It’s helped along by wry, yet reflective lyrics, uncovering the woes of image conscious lovers:
“We both cut our hair short, to fit on your t-shirt.”
Alan Donohoe rehearsing for the lead in Oliver best depicts the vocal element of the laboured jangle-pop sojourn, ‘Just Saying’. Bold “ba ba ba baa” backing cushions this thinly veiled attack on the image conscious artists that act as a mole on the beloved face of our music industry. Richard’s vocals are let off the leash as the track unfolds, providing some bite to proceeding. It’s just a tad late to give the song the life you sense it wants to have. Commercial mysticism is what you sense this band will stay afloat on the back of.
Review: Sennen – Vultures
Driving indie builds from a chugging percussion shudder that walks hand-in-hand with a chiming guitar push, as the creeping, worrisome and quaintly haunted vocals of Larry Holmes gives ‘Vultures’,an endearing creepiness. This is contrasted by an increase in volume and tempo of the instrumentals, providing for some stirring mood mixing.
The Bell X1 spirited ‘Holding On For You’, filters in a key-led melody kick. It draws out the self-absorbent soul searching that’s given a chilling edge, by the brushing percussive touch of James Brown. The vocals carry a sincerity that prevents the number from falling completely into a sappy pit. There’s little indication that Sennen’s rapidly approaching third album, ‘Lost Harmony’ will have enough adventure to win over new fans, but old ones will definitely be getting into a state of brooding reflection in preparation for it.
Reviews: We Are Augustines – Chapel Song
Billy McCarthy’s vocals strain, as though he has been waiting for decades to get this particular point across. Then he falls silent while a clambering tambourine, rubbing drums and a twining digital lag, punctuates this pre-wedding jitter unfurling of a song, ‘Chapel Song’. A Hawk and a Hacksaw having a digital debate with The Morning After Girls, is the general feel you get. A lost horn bound is added to further fuel feelings of confusion. This, no doubt fulfils, the aims of the offering.
A colourful, spindling acoustic steer comfortingly caresses the sombre blues skirting vocals of McCarthy for a stirring, journeying effort, ‘Ohio’. Seeping, searching ambience prevails in this life-contemplating slow-burner. Indicating that We Are Augustines forthcoming UK released debut album, ‘Rise Ye Drunken Ships’ could be one to boil up the coffee and get yourself comfortable and in a thoughtful mood for.