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.
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.
Review: Scarlette Fever – The Great Expectations EP
An eerily ambient hand clapping accompaniment paves the way for the Regina Spektor being interrupted by Sheryl Crow vocals, as the expressive Scarlette Fever ponders the meaning of significant others, ‘Hour Of Sunshine (Remix by Cenzo Townsend)’. The versatility of the vocals is celebrated proudly here. They can take on a low-key pleading touch when needed and, then build up to a full frontal pop push when the twinning guitar led and rustling percussion instrumentals increase in volume and heart.
‘Cheatin’ Man (Live Mix By Ashley Howes)’, shows an ability to lean in a more blues country direction, possessing the vocal clarity of a Thea Gilmore. Scarlette Fever bears out her bleeding heart well enough, without appearing too self-pitying. Striding guitar backing and a shattering percussion touch that’s trodden over by a rumbling bass edge sets the scene perfectly, for some reassuringly assertive gospel backing. ‘Good Day (Live Mix by Ash Howes)’ , oozes with peaceful serenity as Fever hovers her vocals to deliver a romance backing ode that coasts along, on top of a trickling key-led instrumental.
In revisiting songs that have raised her profile and stripping them down to bear out the lyrical punch that may have previously, not been fully appreciated. This ranging songstress, ironically, illuminates the point that there is a lot left in this locker and fans will have to keep guessing about her future direction. It could go anyway!
CasioKids – Golden Years
Chiming orchestral pondering with a playful pop backdrop and the sincere low-key cry of Ketil Kinden Endresen sets the scene for a reflective glide, ‘Golden Years’. Nordic nostalgia contrasts with a rumbling rhythm base, allowing part of the mind to wander and the other bit to focus on a pressing matter.
More bass is added to and an almost lounge vibe takes hold of the ‘Bathers Remix’, before morphing into a rhythmically rousing samba skirting sojourn. This release, as a whole, is more focused and less incongruous than the previous pop distorting foray, ‘Det Haster’. Seen together, these tracks highlight the potential spice, variety and adventure of this instrumentally nimble outfit.