Category: Reviews

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J Mascis

J_Mascis_Tied_To_A_StarJ Mascis
Tied To A Star
Sub Pop

Some were shocked when J Mascis used a synth on the opener to recent Dinosaur Jr album I Bet On Sky. Some were more surprised that the man behind the ear-bleeding band had released a (whisper it) “folky solo album”. Many were amused to see J dressed as a cult leader in the video for lead single ‘Every Morning’ from his second solo album Tied To A Star on Funny Or Die. Those people didn’t know the might of Mascis, but it’s been obvious all along to those who’ve looked close enough.

This album may be solo but it doesn’t lack punch, just like the adventures in synth didn’t turn Dinosaur into Depeche Mode. J’s always been able to craft a great song, ranging from the pop-like ‘Freak Scene’ to emo-ish ‘Out There’, it’s just that where it was once wrapped in a maelstrom of noise, here it’s more exposed, and, (without sounding wet) more beautiful. He’s also always had a sense of humour – think of that great Spike Jonze directed ‘Feel The Pain’ video with its urban golf and J’s plus fours and Pringles. And just look at that white beard which he wears so well. J was made to be a cult leader if ever I saw one.

There’s some real stand out moments on Tied To A Star, including opener ‘Me Again’ (lest we could ever forget) which displays his trademark vocal range which has aged like an oak-smoked whisky, and the aforementioned ‘Every Morning’ featuring Chan “the greatest” Marshall from Cat Power. There’s also the appealing Shangri-la-la-land of ‘Heal The Star’ and the poignant ‘Wide Awake’ – two ends of a phone call between lovers from a more innocent pre-Snapchat era. J Mascis’ star in rock music is assured, but it’s still shining brightly, even with the amp turned down below 5, and I’m still happy to hitch myself to it.

Nick Hutchings

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Buzz Chart Reviews Single Reviews

King Tuff

KingTuff
Black Moon Spell
Sub Pop

kingtuff

King Tuff’s new video for the Black Moon Spell is an epicly shot, dark, psychedelic dream machine, perfectly matching the mesmerising rock n’roll that frontman Kyle Thomas conducts underneath his swinging hair and garage persona. Director Jared Eberhardt (who also made the Band of Horses ‘Knock Knock’ video) has mixed every rock n’ roll cliche in the book from Marshall amps to skulls, snakes and gravestones to form a kaleidoscope of fun for King Tuff’s lead album track.

Plug in, press play and enjoy this.

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Cloud Castle Lake

Cloud_Castle_LakeCloud Castle Lake
‘A Wolf Howling’
Happy Valley Records

Dublin is kicking out some fine new music this year. With acts like Girl Band and The Number Ones pricking everyone’s ears with their grinding guitar noise, it’s both unexpected and refreshing to hear such elegant and wistful sonics hailing from the city right now.

Cloud Castle Lake set a misleading tone with their hypnotic, tribal rhythms. The deep opening beats and bass blend could easily erupt into a wall of sound or a clatter of fuzz’d riffs yet for once, none of the above applies.

‘A Wolf Howling’ is what some could describe as a slow builder, and what most should deem epic. Over six mesmerising minutes, Cloud Castle Lake mold layers of luscious instrumentation into otherworldly textures and timbres. The creeping bass line, cosmic synthesisers and eerie electronics set a dark and introspective mood, while singer Daniel McAuley steals the show with his haunting vocal. Delicate as it is afflicting, McAuley throws his voice to Thom Yorke levels of wailing, hitting near violin-like frequencies.

With their debut EP, Dandelion, out now on Happy Valley Records, Cloud Castle Lake are surely one’s to watch for 2015. Stream it below.

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Hookworms

on_leavingHookworms
‘On Leaving’
Weird World

Easing in at a slightly more relaxed pace than raucous album opener ‘The Impasse’, Hookworms build a laidback kraut-infused jam in their new track ‘On Leaving’.

An intoxicated organ tone and hypnotic guitar riff motor along in tandem, flowing smooth underneath MJ’s commanding vocal. The cycling bass line acts as a magnet, drawing you in close while new drummer JN creates tight, repetitive tension.

Locked in steady groove throughout, this six-minute mesmeriser can’t hold back. As soon as Hookworms hit the 5 minute mark they step on the fuzz and bring full on four-to-the-floor noise as this monster of sound swallows you whole.

Hookworms second LP The Hum is due November 10th on Weird World records.

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Album Of The Week Album Reviews Buzz Chart

GOAT

GOAT_CommuneGOAT
Commune
Rocket Recordings

Fans of GOAT’s 2012 debut album will know that this band exist in higher sonic realms than to be branded as just ‘psych-rock’. World Music wasn’t your typical Pink Floyd homage, Nuggets era tribute or shrine to Roky Erickson and Commune sees these masked, mystic soothsayers still standing alone in their own sonic territory. Even more mind-bending than the first, GOAT’s sophomore album is a geographical journey. You could even liken this record to a small musical quest.

Fading into ‘Talk To God’, GOAT fuse Hindustani ragas with a vocal line that sounds like a banshee who found melody. Next thing you know they’re caught in a Zulu drumming circle. But just as the final tremolo’d chords of ‘Words’ ring out, ‘To Travel The Path Unknown’ sees GOAT veering far off the beaten track. The shimmering lead lines and rattle snake shakers scale across the desert sands of the Wild West, until ‘Goatslaves’ picks up the bongos and leads the charge deep into the jungle. Layering complex rhythms and percussion, a phased out guitar solo erupts conjuring a pandemonium of parrots to filter into the mix.

Lead single ‘Hide From The Sun’ rockets to a dangerously high sonic altitude, with penultimate track ‘Bondye’ drawing its namesake from ancient monotheistic Voodoo religion, literally translating as “the good god”. If that wasn’t enough to blow your mind, Commune’s closing track ‘Gathering of Ancient Tribes’ will. A whirlwind of an exit, boasting GOAT’s genre and culture-spanning influences. This band turn the world’s most primitive sounds into something utterly cosmic, be sure to catch them live at the Camden Roundhouse on October 3rd.

Commune is due for relase September 22nd via Rocket Recordings.

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Broken Arm

Broken_Arm

Broken Arm
‘Life Is Short’
Gringo Records

Leeds mob Broken Arm have just dropped a grizzly new music video for ‘Life Is Short’, taken from their recent Gringo Records debut LP of the same name.

Defining themselves as agro-party punk, Broken Arm smear any hint of melody with sludge. In a quest to deliver nothing short of bowl-shaking bass tones, ‘Life Is Short’ is a furious noise rock fest with a sinister sentiment. Check out their own low-budget horror movie inspired video to match, featuring all the hammer deaths and bin bag murders you like.

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Buzz Chart Reviews Single Reviews

Run The Jewels

Run The Jewels - Oh My Darling Don't Cry

The dastardly duo of EL-P and Killer Mike are back! Fresh off the bat following their genius debut album with a new Run The Jewels track that features Michael Winslow from fucking Police Academy! You remember that dude with the killer beeps and techno voices? Genius moves lads.

Oh My Darling Don’t Cry boasts their unique cyber hop sound that carries a deadly bass-line and a break that the likes of Oscar Pistorius can’t even pay to own right now.

Feel the workhorses on these two ram even more filthy beats and slap-your-face rap. Keep it coming.

Download it for free and look out for Run The Jewels 2 available for FREE on October 27! Pre-order the vinyl here.

Yeah baby!

winslow

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Dilated Peoples

DILATEDPEOPLES_DIRECTORS_OF_PHOTOGRAPHYDilated Peoples
Directors of Photography
Rhymesayers Entertainment

Dilated Peoples are back and to mark their 5th collaboration, the West coast’s finest Hip Hop crew have linked up with Rhymesayers Entertainment, offering new freedom for emcee’s Rakaa, Evidence and DJ Babu.

Dilated have hit the ground running with opening track ‘Directors’. The deep piano loop of which is more akin to early Mobb Deep drops big hints at what to expect from Directors of Photography. ‘Cut My Teeth’ is a homage to where this crew came from, with ‘Good As Gone’ proving that Dilated are still standing tall. Featuring beats from 9th Wonder, Diamond D and DJ Premier, the album holds serious depth and texture, but Aloe Blacc’s guest vocal appearance on radio friendly single ‘Show Me The Way’ is a sure wild card.

Evidence leads on the mic on the majority of the record and Rakaa is happy to let him shine. It’s clear Evidence has had room to grow as an artist after his solo album and the Lord Steppington release and Directors of Photography shows he’s massively upped the ante as an OG on the mic. Where the real harmony of Directors of Photography lays though, is with Babu’s seasoning of Hip Hop authenticity on the 1200s, providing a seamless link between all the tracks on the record.

Although this is a summer release, this feels like a winter album. The cold beats that ice over ‘The Dark Room’ frame the story telling with a a paranoid edge. This album also holds a constant photographic theme, inspiring the writing, scratches and samples to timecode their development and underline where Dilated are at in their lives and careers. Directors of Photography wont disappoint at any level – this is Dilated Peoples moment of truth, a must own for fans of any era of Hip Hop.

Philip Procter

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Allah-Las

allah-las_no_werewolfAllah-Las
‘No Werewolf’
Innovative Leisure

Allah-Las have a superb new album out on September 15th. ‘No Werewolf’ doesn’t even feature on the new record, yet it has been filling our ears on repeat all weekend.

How could anyone resist music so achingly cool? Allah-Las’ dark, yet dulcet tones concoct a serving of garage surf-rock so aurally delicious, that Roky Erikson himself surely couldn’t do anything but grin and lick his chops as this triumphant instrumental brews.

Some might say ‘No Werewolf’ is monotonous, maybe even predictable, but I’d argue the opposite. This is utterly hypnotic, often indulgent, garage rock to make your head spin. Maybe there’s even a hint of primitive psychedelia in there too, or, dare I say it, some rock ‘n’ roll? After all, this is a cover version of The Frantics’ 1960 single, ‘Werewolf’.

Regardless of comparison and influence, ‘No Werewolf’ feels like the fastest two minutes and twenty nine seconds of your life. With each additional play, you just don’t want this song to end, genuinely living in fear of the last chord. Surely the most essential cover version of the year, it’s an understatement to say Allah-Las have outdone themselves.

Dave Palmer

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The Number Ones

The_Number_OnesThe Number Ones
The Number Ones
Static Shock Records / Deranged Records

Ever since the hardest, meanest band ever, Crowd Control, played their last show, the members have been extremely busy. Going on to play in bands such as Strong Boys and Disguise as well as others, the most interesting post-Crowd Control band is definitely The Number Ones, a punk band taking influence from late seventies / early eighties power pop. This LP serves as a collection of all their work up to this point and is vital to anyone with even an iota of interest.

Current fans of the band may be disappointed to find that there are only two new songs, Favourite Game and Heartsmash, however both keep the extremely strong form seen in their previous records. Whilst I understand the disappointment, the demo tracks and ‘I Wish I Was Lonely’ single have been re-recorded and sound all the better for it, while ‘Tell Me Why’ is now one of the strongest songs on the record because of this. The Sharon 7” they released late last year was probably my favourite record of the year so it’s no surprise to say that they are the stand out of the whole LP, ‘Girl’ especially, with the four way harmonies on the final chorus are as brilliant as anything you will hear this year.

Lyrically is where this record really stands above its contemporaries. With ‘Boy’ features the lyrics “That boy crosses my mind a lot, cause he’s more hard than he is soft” and “He’s got six other brothers, they’re expecting and another and then they’ll be happy with their lot”. Lyrics made even more wonderful when sung in their charming Irish lilt, their verse is so brilliantly simple and easy to relate to, I really hope more and more people take note of this band.

The Dublin punk and hardcore scene is something that is very close to my heart. I find myself falling back in love with the scene’s wide range of bands so often, from the grungey, hardcore influenced Nibiru to the Lockin’ Out worshipping Bang Bros, The Number Ones are yet another brilliant and totally different band to what has come before. To have a collection of ten songs on one LP and for it all to be utterly brilliant puts them ahead of any other band attempting this style of music. An album thoroughly recommended to anyone who gets off to The Exploding Hearts, Buzzcocks or even fellow countrymen, The Undertones. Utterly essential.

Tim Lewis