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FEBRUARY 2009 REVIEWS PAGE 2
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REVIEWS
COMBAT 77 – 100% Oi!: It makes a change to hear an Oi! band outside the UK who don't play badly played Heavy Metal or try to mimic Condemned 84. Combat 77 have a sound more akin to the spirit of Oi! both lyrically and musically. It’s great to see a band where they get what Oi! was all about and put to shame many people/bands who've missed the point over the past 3 decades. There's fourteen tracks in all and not one filler either! Some of my faves include 'Out On Parole', 'When We Were Young', 'Rock This Town' and 'Weekend Warriors'. It's also great to see a female singer as Oi! has become so male dominated over the years band wise. I like what Combat 77 are about and it's been cool listening to what the youngsters have to offer. If you like Oi!/Street Punk without all the dodgy politics, pointless flag waving and all that then check out this band. 8/10
Sunny Bastards Records
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CORY LEE – Sinful Innocence: Cory Lee is one sensational looking lady that the world has to thank her parents for. They really do need to be thanked. This Eurasian beauty grabbed my attention the first time I saw her photo of her and as a result I came across Cory's My Space page where I checked her tunes out. This lady's voice is as remarkable as a her beauty and it's been a pleasure listening to this fourteen track Pop album. Canada has produced some cool artists over the years and this album provides you with proof of that. Opening up this baby is a 36 second intro before heading into an array of great songs such as 'Ovaload', 'Sex Me Slow' (Don’t tempt meJ), 'No Space Between Us' and 'You Wish'. If Pop music is your poison then you really should give Cory Lee a listen. Her awesome voice really does make this album. I love what Cory Lee is all about and I can't wait to hear more! 9/10
Self Released
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ICE, SEA, DEAD PEOPLE – My Twin Brother's A Brother: What a strange name for a band and a single?!! This is either going to put you off or leave you feeling intrigued. For me it was the latter and I'm glad I listened to this single as the two offerings on here are very catchy and more importantly they rock hard. It's good to see a young band come through with taking their influences from their favourite bands but adding their own ideas to bring you something a little creative. Both tracks on this release leave you wanting to hear more and that dear people is a sign of a good band. Ice, Sea, Dead People should be checked out and I promise you'll love this two track release. 8.5/10
Buy Yourself Records
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IRENE RAE – End Of Nothing, Beginning Of Something: I've had the pleasure of following Irene's musical output for the past four years and it has been such a pleasure. This latest offering ' End Of Nothing, Beginning Of Something' is the long awaited album and you know it's certainly been worth the wait! It's up there with fine wine and love making. It really is! Once you hear this eleven track baby you'll be blown away like I was. Irene Rae has one of those voices that you can never get tired of listening to and her guitar work is spot on too! The baking musicians have really gone out their way to help Irene to write and record the album I knew she was capable of making. There's some great tracks on here including 'Broken Girl', 'The Hero', 'Cold Convenience' and 'Able To Breathe'. As well as having a great music on here this also comes well produced and well packaged. 10/10
Self Released
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LEIGH EVIN MCCULLOUGH & THE LOWDOWN – Workin': This twelve track album is one of the best things I've had the pleasure of hearing lately. When so much music tends to be bland the same can't be said about Leigh Evin McCUllough. She's more than just a pretty face. This lady is very talented both musically and vocally. Armed with an acoustic guitar, great lyrics and an amazing voice sees Leigh treat us to some wicked songs which incorporate Blues, Pop and Rock. Adding to this charm are the Lowdown which consists of Mike Marsden on bass and Chuck Sansone on drums who really compliment Leigh's guitar work. This twelve track album is something that every music lover should hear for it's rawness and incredible way that Leigh writes her songs. For me songs like 'Mind Over Matter', 'Masterbating', 'I' and 'Breathe' really do need to be heard. Certainly not an artist to ignore. 9/10
On Edge Records
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LOS SALVADORES – Excerpt From A Ward: Los Salvadores are one of the better bands to come out of Kent and if you've not heard them before then I suggest you pick up this release. They're certainly not a band that are predictable and there's many different sounds in here to bring you something original though you can still here the Folky/Punk sound this band are known for. There's three tracks in all and I wish there were more as I found this EP over too quickly. Still never mind as the tracks on here are great though I must say track two 'Seasons' is my favourite number on here. Comes with a decent production and well packaged too! 8/10
Self Released
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THE MISSION – The First Chapter (Live Shepherd's Bush Empire Wednesday 27th February 2008): In early 2008 the Mission take to the stage to play four live shows which included the First Chapter live in it’s entirety and what a show it was. This live shows why the Mission went on to become one of the best bands Britain has ever had. Their own brand of Gothic Rock just blew many away and to play a show of this calibre almost faultlessly just has to be heard. The Mission played fourteen tracks at this show including 'Tomorrow Never Knows', 'Garden Of Delight', 'The Crystal Ocean' and 'Like A Hurricane'. Any fan of the Mission should pick up this first Live CD which is part of a four CD series. This release comes well packaged with sleeve notes from Wayne Hussey himself. 8.5/10
Cherry Red Records
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THE MISSION – God's Own Medicine (Live Shepherd's Bush Empire Thursday 28th February 2008): This is the second release which is part of the four CD release which saw the Mission take on four consecutive live shows in London. God's Own Medicine is played in it's entirety which was originally released in 1986 and includes the singles 'Stay With Me' and 'Severina'. This album originally hit No 4 in the album charts and this live offering shows how refreshing this band actually were and more importantly proves that some albums still stand the test of time. Again comes with sleeve notes from Wayne Hussey. My only criticism is the same sleeve notes appear on all four CD's. 9/10
Cherry Red Records
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THE MISSION – Children (Live Shepherd's Bush Empire Friday 29th February 2008): Continuing on in this four CD epic is the album that took the Mission to a completely new level and brought them many more fans. Children was originally released in 1998 with the Tower Of Strength single being given huge amounts of air play. This fifteen track album is played in it’s entirety and again shows what a top band the Mission were and still are. Anyone at this show would have been blown away by Wayne Hussey and Co and rightfully show as that night the band put on what I consider the best show in this series. Like the other CDs in this collection this comes well packaged and the production is on top form. 9.5/10
Cherry Red Records
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THE MISSION – Carved in Sand (Live Shepherd's Bush Empire Saturday 1st March 2008): Bringing this collection to an end is the third Mission album originally released in 1990 which contained the hit singles Butterfly On A Wheel and Serpent's Kiss. Again a quality live recording which in all honesty needs to be sat aside the other three releases in this collection to make this feel complete. Again Wayne Hussey and the band do the business and I for one am glad they did this as I've enjoyed this part of the collection as I have the other three discs. Top stuff! 8/10
Cherry Red Records
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REIGN LEE – Holding Back The Beast: This digital only release sees Reign Lee take a less commercial route in favour of the slightly commercial route she took with her last release 'Broken Skylines'. I'm really enjoying this six track release as Reign really has gone out to write something that is both memorable and a sure sign that it wont end up in a peoples CD collections collecting dust. All six tracks on this disc are so deserving to be on here and when you hear them I know there'll be only one conclusion – You'll love them! For me my favourite songs are 'Echoes', 'Weaker States' and 'Built To Last' though the other three aren't far behind. In fact the quality of this release will see people picking their own favourites. Reign rocks and I'm surprised this lady isn't huge going on this release. 9.5/10
Self Released
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REIGN LEE – BROKEN SKYLINES: Reign Lee is one of the most beautiful women in rock music today and looks every part the rock star. However there's more to come from this lady as her vocals and music are as equally stunning as her looks. This ten track album may have a slight commercial feel to it but it's real and that's what counts. Taking influences from the likes of Garbage right through to Nirvana and adding many of her own influences Reign Lee has written an album that will blow the average music lover away. From the opening moments of 'Summer Faded' you know you're listening to some one special. Yes there's more to come as there's other wicked songs such as 'Don't Close Your Eyes', 'Helena', 'Everything Changes' and 'Don't Walk Away'. Lyrically, musically and vocally this album is one of the best I've heard in ages. Reign Lee rocks and I love what she's doing. I'm so pleased I came across her on the internet as this album really has made my day. 9/10
Self Released
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RIFLE FIRE RIFLE – The Doppler Effect: I really like this Dublin band going on what I've heard on this three tracks single which I have in my hands. All three numbers are worthy of release and I'm surprised no ones signed this band up!! They remind me of early Fugazi crossed with a catchy guitar band such as the Senseless Things and that what makes this release so damn enjoyable. For a three piece they've got the sound spot on and when you listen to songs such as the title track 'The Doppler Effect' and 'Rio De Janeiro' then you'll understand why I'm raving about this band so much. 8/10
Self Released
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SUZY & LOS QUATTRO – Stick With It: This female fronted four-piece Spanish Rock N Roll band are one of the best things I've heard in ages. Not only is vocalist Suzy Chain one of the prettiest women you'll ever set your eyes on but she has a voice that fits so well with this genre of music. In fact she's one of the best female vocalists I've heard on the Rock N Roll scene in years. It also helps having a band who can play their instruments and they play them in true Rock N Roll style. There's some great guitaring from Johnny Quattro and Robbie Rist. Not forgetting the wicked bass lines from BB Quattro and on drums Yuri Quattro keeps it all together. There's eleven tracks in all and not one filler but tunes that stood out for me included 'Crazy On The Phone', 'Rock Boys', 'Hate!' and 'Comeback Superstar'. Suzy & Los Quattro rock and this album is all the proof I need. I love it. 9.5/10
Wild Punk Records
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THE TELEGRAPHS – I Don't Navigate By You: The Telegraphs are a new band to me but this single which is the second release from their forthcoming album has won me over. The catchy rock melodies throughout was enough for me but there's more with a Darcy who delivers the words in style. It's been ages since I've heard a new UK band coming through with confidence and some bloody conviction too! Too many bands go for the watered down version of what they're about in search of that record deal but the Telegraphs deliver their music how it should be delivered. It's real and to me that's what makes a great band. If like me you've never heard this band then this single is a great place to start. 8.5/10
Self Released
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WITHOUT THOUGHT – Get Down And Give Me Infinity: These guys aren't a bad band but for me as I prefer the old styled HC. However I can see plenty of youngsters getting into this band as this modern style of HC finds itself being supported them. The catchy but hard style guitars are there with a front person with plenty of personality who's vocals range from the hard delivery that you'd expect from this genre of music right through to the melodic sound that breaks the more harder sound up. I'm actually surprised this band aren't much bigger than they are but maybe this album will change that. There's twelve tracks in all and my favourites are 'Standing On The Edge', 'Discipline', 'Who Killed Laura Palmer' and the closing number 'There's Knowing It And Then There's Feeling It'. 7/10
IRL / Regretamine Records
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V/A – Soul Family Volume 1: I wouldn't come have come across this release if I hadn't had bumped into Natalie Williams on the net. What you have a here is British Soul artists who are part of the 'Soul Family' being brought together on one album as a showcase. On this compilation there's fifteen artists with fifteen songs and it's fair to say there are no fillers. That's very rare for a compilation as you always tend to get the odd duff songs on them but not here. It's also cool to see that this release isn't male dominated either and many female artists get to show their talent. My favourite song on here is from Natalie Williams who's unique blend of R&B, Jazz and Soul really blows you away. 'Lil Wiser' really does need to be heard and show people within the British music industry what class is all about. Other artists certainly worth a mention are 'Brotherly' who are male/female duo breaking all the rules and in doing so have written a great track on this release. Other artists worth a mention are Nate James and Laura Vane. When you hear Laura's offering Crash And Burn' you really do wonder why this lady isn't huge? Something is going wrong with British music when this lady is still a big secret outside of certain circles. In fact this release is a gold mine full of talent and no doubt you'll pick your own favourite artists but one thing is for sure this release needs to be heard! 9/10
East Side Records