Category: Reviews

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Buzz Chart Single Reviews

Arrows of Love

‘Honey’
Released on Superdark/Handspun Records
July 9th

Rediscovering edgy music from the early 90s is no bad thing in 2012 especially if one is able to also smell the sweat that drips from the toil that goes into high energy live sets aligned with the crunch of distorted guitar chords. That is exactly what you can expect from seeing, hearing and being part of an Arrows of Love show. This London 5 piece made up of two girls and three guys can make a serious racket, yet seem to pull it off with a subtle ease that makes you want more once the guitars are launched into the amps and the drums have come crashing down at the end of the set.

On July 9th, this East London noise fest will release a new single called Honey, a track that starts like the story of the 3 pigs. It huffs, it puffs and then it blows your house down. Recorded in singer Nima Teranchi’s basement with assistance from Rory Attwell (Test Icicles, S.C.U.M, Male Bonding) and Richard Warren (Spiritualized), Honey takes you back to where punk and indie rock collide to form a DIY sound only found in a basement. It’s also justice that Bob Weston from Shellac mastered Nima’s mixes, again, once he had downloaded a ‘Teach yourself how to mix’ manual.

If this is the first offering from their forthcoming debut album this year then get get hyped and go see them live soon.

24th May – The Macbeth pt III – ‘Honey’ Cassette Release, London
15th June – Buffalo Bar – with Antlered Man
9th July – The Kasbah – Coventry
17-19th Aug – Strummer of Love Festival
1st Sept – 1234 Festival, Shoreditch Park

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Cancer Bats

‘Dead Set On Living’
(Hassle)

cancerbats_deadsetonlivingWhilst it’s debatable as to whether Cancer Bats have improved with age (mainly because they’ve yet to release a less-than-great record), ‘Dead Set On Living’ shows that they certainly haven’t mellowed out. It’s amazing that they found time to record the damn thing, given their notoriously long and punishing tour schedules, but it seems that for these guys, there are no difficulties or problems – just challenges to be relished.

It seems appropriate that the Canadian quartet now moonlight as a Black Sabbath tribute band (‘Bat Sabbath’), as this record is stuffed with the kind of thunderous riff action that would surely win Tony Iommi’s approval. Opener ‘R.A.T.S.’ is a prime example; vocalist Liam Cormier unleashing the fury over a groove of seismic proportions, and it sets the tone for much of the album. In contrast, the hardcore influence is less prominent, although ‘Road Sick’ and ‘Old Blood’ would make great soundtracks to a raging circle-pit.

Would a comparison to Pantera be considered blasphemy? In terms of creating a record that’s both catchy as hell and heavy as hell, this is probably the closest that Cancer Bats have come to their own ‘Vulgar Display Of Power’. A step-up to rock’s big league surely beckons, and on this form, they’ll take it in their stride.

Alex Gosman

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Schoolboy Q

Habits & Contradictions
(Top Dawg Entertainment)

Schoolboyq_HabitsnContradicWith all the hype surrounding rappers from Danny Brown to A$AP Rocky to Mr Muthafuckin’ eXquire, it seems one has been criminally bumped to one side. Schoolboy Q is an LA rapper and part of the Black Hippy group with Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock, having already released one album last year to some small acclaim.

But it’s with his new album that heads have been turning. A number of people were made aware of him with his stellar guest spot on A$AP Rocky’s mixtape on the track Brand New Guy but on his own album, he really comes into his own over a fantastic variety of beats, allowing him to show fun sides of his personality as well as the straight up gangster flex.

Whether rapping over Lissie samples [Hands on the Wheel], Portishead samples [Raymond 1969], alongside female R&B singers [a brilliant cameo from Jhene Aiko on Sex Drive] or the undeniable thumping Druggys Wit Hoes Again with his crew made Ab-Soul, Q showcases his ability to perform over laid back beats, bangers and everything inbetween. Whilst he might not be the greatest rapper in the world, he is definitely one to give time too.

It’s an album that might not instantly soar up any “must listen” lists, but given time, it’ll embed itself in your mind and demand attention time and again without you even realising it. Schoolboy Q, get to know about him, this dude has talent.

Abjekt

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Buzz Chart Music Reviews Single Reviews

Total Slacker

Crystal Necklace
(Marshall Teller Records-London)

Brooklyn is long established in delivery amazing indie acts worth shouting about. From The Strokes, LCD Sound System, Dirty Projectors to TV On The Radio, we’ve got a band to tout in the form of Total Slacker. A garage indie outfit with lazy, psychedelic, riff-laden melodies, this is a band that will have a cult following in the years to come.

You may already come across them as their  the single Video Store Rental Guy was featured in Kai Neville’s surf film Lost Atlas and their single Crystal Necklace reached #36 on Pitchfork readers poll.

All references aside, we know you’re going to love this, so point your mouse to the video below and press that play button. Do it!

Nazlee Jannoo.

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Album Of The Week Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music Reviews

Sharks

No Gods
(Rise Records)

In Sharks’ debut full-length, they’ve married an old-school punk spirit with a love of bands like Joy Division and Nick Cave. Creating an aesthetic steeped in punk rock influences like The Clash and The Buzzcocks but with a lighter more radio friendly feel, Sharks are definitely going to be winning over more fans this year. The band have been busy working the US hard on tour with the likes of Social Distortion. But in the UK they’ll be hitting the road with indie darlings Tribes. Their touring partners certainly reflect the flexibility of their sound and the ability for their rousing working class anthems to fit into numerous scenes and genres. Sharks also have ground in common with the likes of The Gaslight Anthem as they purvey a similarly accessible punk-infused brand of simple rock songs.

James Mattock’s earnest vocals are endearing and take turns with some pure rocking guitar riffs which are simple but wholly encompass the band’s approach – straightforward songwriting with catchy tunes and subtle instrumentation. Lead single ‘Arcane Effigies’ is a lilting number with minimal lyrical content but a charm that draws you in. ‘Luck’ features some beautiful-sounding guitar patterns that although they’re very prominent, blend perfectly into the texture of the music and exhilarate the listener in what is otherwise a fairly downbeat track.

Somewhat of an anomaly on US label Rise Records’ roster (primarily known for its championing of various metalcore bands), there is definitely something retro about Sharks. But in the best possible way. They’ll definitely have your feet tapping and before you know it you’ll be singing along with as much heart as is present in this debut from the band.

Winegums.

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Buzz Chart Music Single Reviews

Life Size Maps

‘Weird Luck’ EP
Free Download

lifesizemaps_weirdluck_epWeird luck is when you are on the web doing stuff and then the next thing you know, you are listening to a new band from Brooklyn who are blowing your ears off within seconds of pressing the play button. That’s how we discovered Life Size Maps here who release a 3 track EP this month.

This trio have some quality noise on offer that sits above some fantastic pop melodies fueled by Mike McKeever’s brash guitars and warming vocals, Jordyn Blakely’s powerful drums and some amazing cello playing from Rob Karpay. Now, the cello may sound like an odd call, but the production on opening track Weird Luck is a masterful mix of noisy indie rock led by a fantastic synth piece that swirls and drives its anthemic chords into a very welcome sonic explosion!

The melodies within these 3 tracks are irresistably catchy. When Wind In The Furnace breaks into its uplifting chorus, euphoria is unleashed on an epic scale accompanied by another heavy pounding of noise. No change here for third track Copper Mirror that ends this listening experience on yet another musical high with stabbing guitars, psych synth and yet another huge chorus. It’s addictive, it’s loud but it’s also beautifully crafted, so let’s hope that this band are able to drive by map and appear in London sometime soon.

Download this EP for free from here and watch this clip of the band playing in Williamsburg, NYC to get the full picture.

For fans of Dinosaur Jr, Superchunk, Flaming Lips and Trail of Dead.

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Nonagon

People Live Everywhere EP

nonagonWe like it when bands reach out to us direct. No PR company spamming out releases, just straight up, direct contact to say ‘listen to this fucking record, we are putting it out ourselves’. Most bands by choice have to take this route thesedays. With major labels no longer taking risks or even knowing about how scenes develop because their A&R departments are still looking at Myspace for new artists, your average band is forced to get off it’s backside and do the right thing. Do it yourself people and knock on that door.

With Chicago being 3948.26 miles from where our office is in West London, 3-piece punks, Nonagon probably thought we were an American mag but knowing we grew up on Washington Hardcore releases and that we do have a knack of listening to everything that hits our contact page, Nonagon came to the right place this week for a review.

Made up of Tony Aimone (whose previous bands include The Blue Meanies and Taylor), Robert Gomez (Der Lugomen/Martian Law) and John Hastie (Jumpknuckle), Nonagon’s brand new EP kicks off with a crunching bassline, smashing guitars and shouty vocals remiscent of J.Robbins from Jawbox in a fight with the musicians of Bluetip. Thankfully there are no trumpets anywhere near this opening track Vikings, a-la Blue Meanies- only a look back to the good old days of the 90’s when Dischord were on fire with every release they put out. Second track Fresnal Lens offers off-beat drum prowess that slughtly touches on what Tanner were knocking out on ‘Ill Gotten Gains’ all those years back, followed by the spikyness of The Swifts which is where Nonagon’s punk spirit really lets itself loose from the chains. The tempo and winding basslines are stripped back for instrumental number Fadeout before the EP comes to a close just how this People Live Everywhere EP started, with crashing blocks of guitar and a healthy dose of frustration with a meandering crunch close to that of Barkmarket.

If you love the days of Fugazi, Girls Against Boys, Jawbox and The Holy Rollers, then this EP recorded by Justin Foley of The Austerity Program might just be a catalyst to make you get off your fat arse and re-live some of your favourite bands. Stream it in that player below and support these punks and buy the EP for just $5 from nonagonchicago.bandcamp.com

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Buzz Chart Reviews Single Reviews

Årabrot

‘Solaranus’
Fysisk Format

It’s not often that a music video stops you in your tracks, but today we bring you one of the best seen this year. Norwegian Metal band Årabrot are made up of duo Kjetil Nernes and Vidar Evensen based in Oslo, who since 2001 have been pushing their own boundaries of black metal and leading their scene with releases that have received critical acclaim.

Produced by Steve Albini, Årabrot’s latest album Solar Anus is a work of art made up from stripped down drums, a baritone guitar and various vocal techniques from Kjetil Nernes. The end result is a dark soundscape that is relentlessly brutal and mesmeric to the ear touched by the electronic work of touring member Concept Virus, whose production adds even more depth to a broth of some of the deepest riffs out there.

The video, written and directed by Fredrik Hana is a work of art, depicting the solemn existence of Nernes and Evensen, mirthless from the annihilation of their surroundings. When speaking about the video, Hana says: “We have all seen movies where the world goes under and various Charlton Heston’s and Will Smith’s hang out and collect expensive art and drive fancy cars. In this video, we explore what happens when the only survivors are two white trash assholes who are only interested in destroying what is allready destroyed.”

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Buzz Chart Music Reviews Single Reviews

Trouble Andrew

Adorable

trouble_andrewSkaters may remember Trouble Andrew from his various deck collabs or even his reputable cover version of Eight Dayz’ classic track What’s So Strange About Me. That version lurked on the end of his last album and was originally featured on the 80’s Santa Cruz video ‘Wheels Of Fire‘ where Natas took skating to a whole new level.

For those that didn’t know that or are wondering what the hell I’m talking about here, Trouble Andrew used to be pretty tasty on a snowboard until he injured himself and turned to making music. After hooking up with artists and producers such as Lil Jon, Amanda Blank and Diplo to name a few, Trevor Andrew made an album of electro/indie pop that has been played on the Crossfire Sound System playlist since it dropped, namely the tune Bang Bang which featured Santigold.

This week, the Canadian born musician has released a video for new tune Adorable that is a dose of infectious 80’s pop that mixes influences from Billy Idol, New Order to The Faint. Watch the video here and look out for album Dreams of A Troubled Man album that is coming soon.

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fun.

Some Nights
(Fueled By Ramen)

Although not slated for UK release just yet, we couldn’t help but post something about indie-pop renegades fun.’s new album, especially as it’s streaming in its entirety now for all to hear (check it out in the player below).

Some Nights is the band’s second album following the dissolution of singer Nat Ruess’ much-loved former band The Format. Whilst he Format developed somewhat of a cult following in their day, fun. look set for bigger things as the lead-up to the release of this album has come to demonstrate. Lead track from the album We Are Young (featuring none other than Janelle Monae) was performed on pop culture phenomenon Glee a few weeks back, and the same track was featured on a Chevy advert screened during a Superbowl commercial break.

The album’s producer Jeff Bhasker appears to be the link to the world of the likes of Monae, having worked with artists so massively popular as Alicia Keys, Adam Lambert and Kanye West. Hopefully it stands to reason that fun. will follow in the footsteps of such artists and hit the heady heights of immense commercial success.

Some Nights is supremely poppy. However, it appeals to pop sensibilities in the most quirky of ways as title track Some Nights and its intro demonstrate. Bombastic choral flourishes juxtaposed with pulsating electronic interjections, vocoder effects and the purest of melodic vocals from Ruess, make for an eclectic and unusual album to say the least. One Foot is another standout track, with its “woooahs” punctuated by synthesized brass being particularly inviting to the listener. A jarring key-change midway through is also aurally inspiring. Despite a lot of the instrumental backing being of synthetic origin on this album, everything feels very organic and, above all, musical. Some Nights is clearly an investigation into unconventional sounds but at the end of it all, there are some massive tunes on the album. Potentially huge pop songs abound.

Winegums.

Fun. – Some Nights by Fueled By Ramen