Category: Buzz Chart

Limited 7″ vinyl pressings are one fo the best inventions that us music lovers can have on offer but it’s especially satisfying when the tunes are fresh and wild like this one.

The Vitamins are a 4-piece, London based band that have the rhythm and blues behind them joined at the hip with lead singer Rebecca’s exquisite voice and soulful songwriting. The outcome is a filthy, well produced stomp put together by Daniel Lindegren and mixed by Jon Gray (The Coral, The Subways, The Zutons) that literally has you singing along after the first verse.

But the beauty of the 7″ is the fact that you can flip it and on the flipside of this little gem you will find “Medicine” and this b-side is a cutting edge punk fuelled explosion that you have to have more of once it slices you open.

This single overall is catchy, dirty and a must have, so stop reading this dribble and go buy one. Out on 25th September.

Loughborough four piece The Voom Blooms have found time in their incessant touring schedule to bring us their new single ‘Anna‘, a lovely little slice of indie pie. Still sailing on the success of their debut single ‘Politics and Cigarettes’ the band have produced a track which can’t fail to hit the mark.

Raw but slick, ‘Anna‘ tinkers along, the beat never dropping, the aching bass pushing the track on – you can’t help but tap your toes to this little gem. Frontman George Guildford has an endearing break to his voice, a rawness that suits the tone of the track.

With an all-enveloping chorus and a triumphant beat, The Voom Blooms have managed to capture raw emotion in a tidy little streamlined package, this is what the countless other indie bands are aiming for, but few seem to get to grips with. Anna reconfirms our suspicions from their debut single ‘Politics and Cigarettes’, The Voom Blooms really are the ones to watch.

Out now.

Having served over two decades as the frontman for legendary NYC hardcore heroes Agnostic Front, Roger Miret formed the Disasters a few years ago, to provide an outlet for his more rock n’ roll influenced material. ‘My Riot’, the band’s third album, will no doubt appeal to those who loved the street-punk sound of Agnostic Front’s late 90s Epitaph releases; especially given that AF themselves have recently moved back into heavier territory.

Quite simply, this is a raw and brutally honest rock n’ roll record that sees Roger and co. combining the influence of their fellow New Yorkers the Ramones with that of streetwise UK punk luminaries like Sham 69 and The Business. Unsurprisingly, there’s an abundance of instantly addictive tunes and fists-in-the-air choruses, topped off with Roger’s brutally honest tales of harsh lessons learnt on the streets of NYC. There’s also the touching tribute of ‘Ramones’, which is sure to bring a smile to any fan of da bruddas.

If you’ve become disillusioned with the shallow, watered-down pop rock that is so often passed off as punk these days, then you seriously need to cop an earful of ‘My Riot’. In the words of the band themselves: “RIOT! RIOT! RIOT! C’MON LET’S GO!”

The Texas based six-piece Sound Team step up to the plate with their debut single ‘Born To Please’, taken from their forthcoming album ‘Movie Monster’. Recorded at their own Big Orange studio, ‘Born To Please’ has a relentless beat, throbbing away as the track waltzes and meanders, blissfully chilled out at times, with passion searing through sporadically.

Charmingly familiar riffs and a multi textured sound combine to create a track that’s immediately likeable; the laid back Texan vibe combines with their indie sensibilities to produce a single that never quite grabs your attention with any one particular thing, but is a absolute gem of a track.

One listen simply isn’t enough, and whilst you can’t pinpoint what’s so captivating about it – it simply curls its way into your memory. Frontman Matt Oliver’s vocals are engaging and sincere, backed up by his ‘team’ of friends, this is just the first offering off a debut album that could well be the surprise indie classic of the year. Close your eyes and let yourself be charmed.

On the evidence of their debut album, you wouldn’t want to meet Gallows late at night in a dark alley. ‘Orchestra Of Wolves’ is a brilliantly twisted hybrid of hardcore energy, metallic bludgeon and all-out noise warfare, topped off with vocalist Frank Carter’s deranged howl.

The band overcame countless mishaps to make this album; and this is reflected in every track, with the likes of ‘Abandon Ship’ and ‘Six Years’ infused with a sense of urgency and malevolent rage. All you oh-so-trendy metalcore types take note: bands like Gallows will eventually destroy you. One of the best debuts of 2006, no less.

Chicago’s latest rap export is skateboard fan Lupe Fiasco, who rode into the public eye with his debut single Kick Push. And if you dug that track, then you’ll definitely be feeling his follow up, Daydreamin’.

The smooth beat revolves around the use of the sample taken from I Monster’s rendition of the track [which was itself a cover] and the catchy hook will have you singing along immediately. Coupled with the sample is the laid back beat which serves to let Lupe sound as chilled as possible.

Fiasco, whose debut album Food & Liquor is out soon, has also enlisted the help of sultry songstress Jill Scott who brings more melody with her sweetly sung take on the sample. This track is guaranteed to get you humming along whilst nodding your head and will no doubt be doing some damage on the charts too. Check out the video above as well for some skate shop goodness!

You can check him on his tour dates at the following venues in September:

23rd – Birmingham SECC
24th – London Wembley
25th – London Scala
26th – Dublin

The internet seems to be the most powerful tool in securing a record deal nowdays, and Cute Is What We Aim For hit the nail on the head, with Pure Volume and My Space hype leading to their deal with Fueled By Ramen. Ramen have built up a formidable reputation for unearthing some hidden gems in the US indie pop punk scene, and with the irrepressible ‘Cute is What We Aim For’ they’ve struck gold.

The New York based four piece came together only 2 years ago, but with over 2 million plays on Pure Volume and over 100,000 friends on My Space falling for their boyish charm, they’ve been fast tracked to their first album. Their debut ‘ Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch’ is a tight, exciting little bundle of well written, intelligent power pop. Maintaining that familiar pop punk twinges, the Matt Squire produced album is bright and slick – the first single ‘There’s a Class For This’, has echoes of Panic! At The Disco (another Squire production) but has more attitude, delivered with panache and swagger, as it meanders from aggressive guitars to catchy chorus lines, ‘Risque’ and ‘Sweat The Battle Before The Battle’ are stand out tracks on the album – the biting lyrics sugar coated by the upbeat guitars in ‘Risque‘ “grammatically speaking you’re adorable and from what I hear you’re quite affordable.”

‘Teasing to Please’ jumps from a full layered guitar wave to stripped down bare vocals. Some of the lyrics and melodies aren’t hugely mature(“This is a seasonal affair, so be there or be square”) but then – the oldest guy in the band is only 19, and bearing that in mind, this debut is miles ahead of so many of their contemporaries. ‘The Fourth Drink Instinct’ brings together the best of the band, borderline acoustic, with poignant lyrics, it reinforces just how talented these guys are. Cute is What We Aim For’s debut is a slice of well written power pop, unbelievably catchy hooks and slick production, give it a listen and watch this space, these guys are going to fly.

OK, light one up and then press the ‘play track‘ button on this page as you need to read this whilst tuning into the music for it to have the best effects.

Comets on Fire are back with a new album on Sub Pop records that needs your attention, especially if you like vegging out to psychedelic rock under the influence. ‘Avatar‘ is a 7 track LP that boasts 70’s rock and blues from start to finish reminding you that stoner rock never ages, it just matures. And if maturity is waht you are looking for in your quest for the unltimate bong load then look no further as tracks such as the opener ‘Dogwood Rust’ is a psychedelic trainride plummetting into an abyss of continuous dirty basslines and snazzy guitar noodling – a real winner to kick start such a wonderful journey.

But this is just 7 minutes of 45 merging into ‘Jaybird’ that builds into chaos and then allows your heart beat to calm down whilst birds sing out the mellow jams that follow. Fuzzy guitars are not all what this album is about though as the delightful piano come-down of ‘Lucifer’s Memory‘ clears the air. This is a temporary lull though as the rolling drums of ‘The Swallows Eye‘ builds towards the rip roaring ‘Holy Teeth‘ where the band go mental with screaming vocals and solo’s that could shave a mans balls. Avatar then ducks out with the meandering ‘Sour Smoke‘ and the rock filled ‘Hatched Upon the Age‘ completing this trip with magnitude and style.

This album is out right now and has a bit of everything, from the golden years of the 70’s acid rock to the early 80’s rocking warlords of metal, go find it and have a night in with the devil…

Live dates:

06-Oct London ICA
07-Oct Nottingham TBC
08-Oct Glasgow Mono
10-Oct Galway Roisin Dubh
11-Oct Belfast, Auntie Annie’s
12-Oct Dublin, Whelans

Snakes On A Plane starring Samuel L. Jackson – is it a hit or miss? That is what the critics are saying but what about the soundtrack?

We can tell you that it’s not an average crappy soundtrack featuring Celine Dion and Whitney Houston (who is alleged to have a fan in Osama Bin Laden thesedays!) but it is made up of many Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen acts that you may well of heard of by now.

Cobra Starship, fronted by former Midtown member Gabe Saporta, was asked to write the title song to this inevitably smash hit movie and invited friends William Beckett (from The Academy Is…), Travis McCoy (from Gym Class Heroes) and Maja Ivarsson (from The Sounds) to help him out. The result is completely catchy, aided by a belting chorus from Saporta, divided by bridges and verses from his guest stars, who all add their individual characteristics to the tempo of the tune.

As well as featured remixes from Fall Out Boy, The Academy Is…, Panic! At The Disco, Gym Class Heroes and The Hush Sound, other tracks come from The Bronx, Armor For Sleep, the All-American Rejects, Jack’s Mannequin and Coheed and Cambria among other lesser known artists.

Check out the track list below, this record is out now.

Tracklisting:

1. Cobra Starship (with The Academy Is…, Gym Class Heroes and the Sounds) – “Snakes On A Plane (Bring It)” – play the video on this page
2. Panic! at the Disco – “The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage” (Tommie Sunshine Brooklyn Fire Remix)
3. The Academy Is… – “Black Mamba” (Teddybears Remix)
4. Cee-Lo Green and Organized Noize – “Ophidiophobia”
5. All-American Rejects – “Can’t Take It” (El Camino Prom Wagon Mix)
6. The Sounds – “Queen Of Apology” (Patrick Stump Remix)
7. Fall Out Boy – “Of All The Gin Joints In All The World” (Tommie Sunshine’s Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
8. Gym Class Heroes – “New Friend Request” (Hi-Tek Remix)
9. The Bronx – “Around The Horn” (Louis XIV Remix) – play this track on this page
10. Armor For Sleep – “Remember To Feel Real” (Machine Shop Remix)
11. The Hush Sound – “Wine Red” (Tommie Sunshine’s Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
12. Jack’s Mannequin – “Bruised” (Remix)
13. Coheed And Cambria – “Wake Up” (Acoustic)
14. Donavon Frankenreiter – “Lovely Day”
15. Michael Franti & Spearhead – “Hey Now Now”
16. Trevor Rabin – “Snakes on a Plane – the Theme” (Score)

The Decaydance/Fuelled By Ramen record label is becoming a new buzz phrase these days with artists such as Panic! At The Disco leading the line of fire, but the headlines could be re-written this month with New York quartet Gym Class Heroes stepping up with the release of their debut album ‘As Cruel As School Children‘.

Essentially this is a pop record with many twists and turns delivering a blend of hip hop, rock and even R&B into the aural blender showcasing the talents of singer songwriter Travis McCoy and his band who play live as opposed to a pre-programmed approach. The result is very well produced album that should acheive much more than your average alternative release due to it’s diverse nature.

The single ‘The Queen and I‘ released on August 28th is built with an upbeat salsa-esque vibe and shows one side of the many musical angles that this band are capable of pulling out of the bag.

McCoy says “It’s a personal song about girls who fancy alcoholic beverages, girls who like to have too much of a good time. I have weird underlying issues with females and alcohol. If you’re not paying attention, you think it’s just another radio ditty that sticks in your head, but then when you really listen you see it’s a whole lot more.”

The production comes from S*A*M, aka Sam Hollander who has previously been responsible for producing records for Method Man, and Earth, Wind and Fire so it gives you an idea of how big this record sounds overall.

If you are down with the sounds and songwriting of Prince, Talib Kweli, Black Eyed Peas, and Skeelo then you are probably gonna love it when it’s released on September 4th.