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APRIL 2009 REVIEWS
If you want your material reviewed please send all Press Packs to:
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PLEASE NOTE
This site will be updated throughout April. Please do keep coming back.
REVIEWS
AMANDA DROSTE - Unfazed: When I first heard this lady on My Space I was impressed and when her album 'Unfazed' arrived I can safely say I'm in love with Amanda Droste. This ten track album has hardly been out my player and when you hear this baby you'll know why I love it so much. 'Unfazed' opens up with my favourite song of the album 'I Wont Know' which is a great catchy pop song and from then on there's other great songs such as 'American Idle', 'A Thousand Miles', the title track 'Unfazed' and 'Too Late to Learn'. Amanda has been vocally compared to Alanis Morisette but you can also hear Cerys Mathews style vocals on here too. However it's fair to say while Amanda has these comparisons all ten songs on this album are original songs in their own right and really deserve to be heard. Amanda Droste is one of the best things to come out of America and really does deserve to be a huge star. 9.5/10
Self Released
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THE ASHAMED - S/T: This fourteen track album is an energetic and angry punk rock release with a bit of rockabilly thrown in here and there. The Ashamed have been compared to the likes of Dead Kennedy's which I think is a little off mark ass their sound is far heavier. I'd say a more likely comparison is Final Conflict to be honest. Still that's just nit picking as others will find other comparisons. What you do get is something cool musically and with it straight to the point lyrics which are delivered with passion. There's some decent songs on here which include 'Accomplice', 'On The Take' and 'Patty Melted'. Fans of hard edged American punk will like this as these are certainly one of the better bands in that region playing this style of punk rock. 8/10
Unrepentant Records
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ASSERT - Laser Tattoo Removal Service: It's been a while since Assert put out an album and after listening to this eighteen track album it's certainly been worth the wait. From start to finish you're treated to some great HC tunes with very un-predictable socially aware lyrics that are delivered with sincerity from front man Britt. While many HC bands shy away from telling it how it is Assert are the opposite. Just check out songs like 'When A Mother Dies', 'England Belongs To Them', 'Patriotic Masterbation' and 'Anti Nazi'. After hearing those songs you'll soon realise Assert don't sit on the fence. Aside from Britt's well written lyrics and excellent vocal delivery credit also has to be given to Ben and Ryan on guitars who make such a great team. Not forgetting some great bass lines from Mike and keeping it all in time is Frank on drums. Between the five of them they make Assert the band they are and it's fair to say they're the best HC in the UK. The proof of this lies in this album. 9/10
Anfibio Records
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DOGFLESH - Vision Of Hell: If you're into 80's UK punk Exploited/Discharge style then you'll pretty much enjoy this release. It does help when some of the band were around back then as they've got the sound pretty spot on with a modern day touch. There's twelve tracks in all and they're not bad numbers at all though 'Fuck All', 'Last Renegades', 'Dogflesh' and 'Yesterdays Heroes' did it for me. Maybe the lyrics are a tad predictable but hey there's not much original stuff out there these days as it's all been done before. Packaging and production aren't bad. 7/10
Unrepentant Records
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DUNCAN REDMONDS - Bubble And Squeak (Collaborations 2004 – 2008): Monsieur Redmonds for the past 20 years has been the driving force behind UK Punk legends SNUFF as well as Billy No Mates and Guns N Wankers. Now he's back with an album that has taken 4 years to make. This is a solo album which features 22 songs with collaborations from the likes of Frankie Stubbs(Leatherface), Hardskin, Nomeansno and Fat Mike from NOFX. This is a great catchy DIY punk rock album that is really cool and I don't say that lightly either. There's nothing complicated on here at all and every song is great fun. This is something that has been missing from the UK Punk in ages – FUN! Listen to this album and you'll realise that life doesn't have to be just about being a miserable bastard. Great production and mad as fuck cover that compliments the music and words that you hear on this album. 9/10
Boss Tuneage
Release Date: 4th May 2009
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ELLA MONTCLARE - Between The Islands: This is the limited edition debut single from UK Trip Hop artist Ella Montclare. After listening to this song I can understand why Ella spent a year at the top of the UK My Space Trip Hop Chart. There's more to this lady than the average Trip Hop artist as she adds more of an alternative sound to her music giving you something rather cool. What's more this song is about Ella's mixed race heritage and the conflicting freedoms and sense of alienation nation she experienced growing up in the North East of England. It's wicked that an artist can write songs that are meaningful instead of the brain numbing rubbish that many mainstream artists come out with. Ella Montclare is one artists we should be hearing more of if 'Between The Islands' is anything to go by. 8.5/10
Seawater Records
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ERIKA ROSE - Rosegarden Album: Erika Rose is something of a genius and this album is all the proof you need. For years this lady was Alicia Keys tour manager and looking after her needs but her real passion is what you hear within this thirteen track release. Erika Rose creates some great songs and her play incorporating Rock, Soul and Pop works so well with her amazing voice. Not only that but Erika can write sexual songs without the need to degrade or cheapen. The title track 'Rosegarden' is one such song and many artists should take a leaf out this young lady's book. Other great tracks include 'The Darkness', 'Why', 'Backstabbaz Bounce' and 'Fairy Tales'. You can't get anything better than this release. Erika Rose is beautiful, her voice is amazing and her words are some of the most creative I've read in years. And to compliment such a fine release is a spot DVD, top quality packaging and a top production too. I love this release to bits and so will you! 10/10
Self Released
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ERIKA ROSE - Rosegarden EP: For those who've yet to check out the amazing Erika Rose then this release is a must for you. All of the tracks are taken from the Rosegarden album but that isn't a bad thing as these tracks will give you a taster of what to expect. This release is worth picking up for the Rosegarden track alone. There's so much I can write about this lady but you need to hear Erika for yourselves. 9/10
Self Released
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FIGHTSTAR - Be Human: This is the first time I've sat down and listened to an album from Fightstar and what I'm hearing is something very cool. There's been plenty of great ideas put into this recording and this is sure going to be a hit. There's twelve tracks on this release which range the very catchy 'The English Way' right through to the screamo influenced 'Damocies'. In fact there's also a 16-piece orchestra and school choir that are featured on this release too! Fightstar really have put their heart and soul into this release and when you hear the finished results you'll agree with my thoughts of 'Be Human'. In fact it's releases like this that restore my faith in the British music scene as there's not been a UK band that has written something of such high quality in a while now! Listen to this album with an open mind and you'll enjoy this baby so much. 9.5/10
Search And Destroy
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HEARTBREAK STEREO - Inspiration (Back From The Dead): It's very rare that my partner and I agree on what is good music but we both agreed this Finnish outfit are the nuts. In fact the last time we actually agreed on what makes a good band was when our tight fisted mate actually bought a round in the boozer! This eleven track album is the nuts from start to finish and if you're a fan of bands like Rancid, Social Distortion, The Clash and Bombshell Rocks then you're going to love this baby. The energy that you get from this album is second to none. In fact this has hardly been off my player – Hence the late review! It's really hard to pick out the best numbers 9on this release as they're all great songs but I must confess I did really go mental and start jumping up and down to 'A Sinking Ship'. It's very rare that young bands put out catchy Rock N Roll albums like 'Inspiration' these days and it would be sheer criminal to miss out on this cracking release. It's the nuts. 10/10
Boss Tuneage
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IONA LEIGH - Beside The Waves Of Time: Iona Leigh is a new name to me but on listening to this Celtic/Folk inspired album I was left feeling very impressed. There's twelve tracks on this album and not one filler. All the songs on 'Beside The Waves Of Time' have been given the same love and attention which leaves you wondering why this woman isn't signed!! Nothing has been left out – Even the packaging is of high quality and the artwork is amazing. Iona Leigh not only is a good looking lady but she's very creative with a voice that most people would kill for! Her gorgeous sounding vocals fit in so well with the music and the proof of this lies throughout this album. However some of the tracks that left me feeling great were the opening number 'Peaches In The Summertime', 'Let Erin Remember', 'White Dove', 'I Let You Go' and 'Blow The Candle Out'. Iona Leigh and her album really do deserve to be heard and this is one album that shouldn't be ignored. 9.5/10
Self Released
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JENNIFER LOGUE - The Pretty EP: I came across Jennifer Logue on My Space and what I heard on her page I liked and when this seven track release was in my hands I knew there was something special about this lady. Jennifer's music incorporates Pop, Rock and Folk and with her unique vocal style everything works so well together. While I haven't a track listing for this release all seven tracks were pleasantly enjoyed and I'm positive that you will get something from this lady's music. There's a lot of great stuff coming out of America at the moment and Jennifer is part of that. I just wish she was English as I'd love to see her play these great tunes live. 9/10
Self Released
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KICK JONESES - True Freaks Union: The Kick Joneses are a band that captures the best of Pop-Punk and Brit Pop with a touch of Rock thrown . Taking all those different influences this German outfit have written a cracking album that many of you will enjoy. This eleven track album has plenty of balls but what stands out for me the most is the guitar and bass work That's not taking away from the other band members but I really do like the guitarists and bass player on this release. From start to finish you're treated to some great up-beat tunes and the proof of that lies with tracks such as 'No One Likes Us We Don't Care', 'Daz Holzeme Mannlien', 'Milky Way Bar' and 'Froschmann' which really are great songs. The Kick Joneses certainly do things with style but the only way you'll find that out is by picking up 'True Freaks Union'. 8.5/10
Boss Tuneage
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SECTION 13 - A Demonstration: It was a nice surprise getting this through the door as I realised that Ian Murphy of Depraved/Visions Of Change fame is the front man behind this wicked band. I Hadn't seen this guy in years – In fact it was a pub in Digbeth where Visions Of Change were playing many moons ago. Despite heading more into a HC direction I have to say that you can still hear touches of the Depraved/V.O.C. but that isn't a bad thing as both bands were great. It was just a shame there are only nine tracks on this release as you're left feeling short. I hope Section 13 can rectify this as the tunes that you hear on this release are spot on both musically and vocally. When so many bands have taken the HC sound to an extreme it's cool to hear a band that has stayed true to the roots of HC. Go on give this a listen. 7.5/10
Boss Tuneage
Release Date: 4th May 2009
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TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN - Deflowered: For some Tom's Midnight Garden will be a blast from the past as they contain members of Anarcho band 'Flowers In The Dustbin'. This twenty track release is a compilation made up of tracks from a past release, live tracks, rehearsal tracks and a couple of covers from the likes of the Buzzcocks and Soft Cell. I guess this is a fans only release and for those who were and still are into the better elements Anarcho Punk especially those who liked Rubella Ballet. Also there's elements of Siouxsie And The Banshees that can be heard on this release too! All in all not a bad package to be fair and better than what others are doing with their compilations. 7/10
Self Released
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