The Black Angels announced overnight tht they will release their fourth studio album ‘Indigo Meadow‘ on April 1st 2013 in the UK. It’s no joke, we have the album here and it’s produced in such a fine way that you will be stoked on the results.
The band have unleashed the opening track “Don’t Play With Guns” from the record at theblackangels.com, press play for some sick new psych and look out for UK tour news soon.
It looks like the DECE video will just keep giving as this week, arguably the best week for skate videos in yonks. Watch Yaje Popson‘s section and get hyped on the snow clearing in the UK soon.
PURE LOVE
‘ANTHEMS’
(Vertigo/Mercury)
Listen without prejudice, as George Michael once said. After all, it’s tempting to view this record through a prism of ‘What Frank And Jim Did Next’, given their pedigree in Gallows and The Hope Conspiracy, and given Frank’s assertion that he’s “so sick of singing about hate” on first single ‘Bury My Bones’. That track is included here, and although it’s a decent tune with a great riff, there are more rewarding treasures to be found on ‘Anthems’.
Frank is blessed with a kind of cold croon that, when paired with Jim’s chiming, often Johnny Marr-esque guitars, creates a sound that will lodge in your consciousness whether you like it or not. The soaring choruses of ‘Handsome Devil’s Club’, ‘Riot Song’ and ‘The Hits’ will sound absolutely epic live, and they even manage to pull off a decent ballad in ‘Heavy Kind Of Chains’.
That’s not to say that all the duo’s rough edges have been smoothed over, though. Opening track ‘She’ rides in on a spiky riff reminiscent of early Manic Street Preachers, whilst ‘Scared To Death’ sees Frank howling away like in the days of old. “All’s fair in love and war/And I’m a soldier in both” he asserts, over a barrage of jagged power chords from Jim, to exhilarating effect.
Ultimately, ‘Anthems’ is an album brimming with addictive, unadulterated rock n’ roll songs and no little confidence. Only time will tell if that’s enough to gain Pure Love the same kind of rabidly devoted fanbase that the duo’s previous bands enjoy, but there’s definitely enough quality here to merit them being taken seriously as a band in their own right.
Alex Gosman
Black Flag’s guitar henchman Greg Ginn has joined forces with non-other than skateboard legend Mike Vallely and recorded some tracks. This new project, under the name of ‘Good for You’ sees Ginn screeching back to Loose Nut territory on the 11 track album we have here in the office recorded at at Ginn’s Casa Destroy Studios in Taylor, TX.
The long player titled ‘Life is Too Short to Not Hold a Grudge‘ will be released on February 26th, naturally on SST Records. Get a taste of one of the tracks ‘Hanging Around’ (Like a Fucking Piñata) that isn’t the strongest track on the album but a good introduction of this new project.
Bad Religion
‘True North’
(Epitaph)
I think pretty much every superlative to describe the uber-lengthy career of Bad Religion has by now been well exhausted. So, let’s cut to the chase; having dusted themselves down in the mid-Eighties, following a brief loss of direction (read; ‘Into The Unknown’) these guys have been going hard at it ever since, and gaining a rabid global following along the way. ‘True North’ is their 16th studio album, and a landmark in stubbornness and perseverance, if nothing else.
Recorded in summer 2012, the assembled 16 tracks pretty much tick every Bad Religion box, with intelligent satirical vocals played out to a 2 minute burst of concise guitar filled melodic exuberance, and layered with their by-now infamous backing vocals – “In Their Hearts is Right” particularly indicates opportunities in Barbershop, if all else fails.
Yes indeed, there is energy aplenty in these songs, and the impassioned social message they shout about is one I relate to; a world of money hungry bankers and corporations, lying politicians, and a bitter realization that humankind is slowly but surely destroying the planet that sustains us. I had “Land of Endless Greed” running thru my head earlier, listening to the latest developments on Goldman Sachs, and their attempts to take advantage of a fall in the top rate of income tax, and stuff their pockets with further millions in bonuses. Incidentally, the song smokes.
Funnily enough, one of the standout tracks for me, “Dharma and The Bomb”, is the least stereotypical Bad Religion sounding song on the album, a sun drenched, good time garage rock ‘n roller, that I could have done with at least another 60 seconds of. And those with a sharp ear will note references to The Adolescents, Germs, and Sham 69. I’ve had this album now for a few days, have spun it regularly, and can declare it a top notch Bad Religion album, a band that still do it for me, talk my language, sing my song.
Pete Craven
More offcuts from the filming of Pretty Sweet have been released for your viewing pleasure. Watch some footage of Jeron Wilson and Kenny Anderson here.
Mallory Knox
‘Signals’
A Wolf At Your Door Records
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The eagerly anticipated debut album of Cambridgeshire rock band Mallory Knox is almost here with a release date of 21st January. The album is being released through Wolf At Your Door Records.
Opening song ‘Beggars’ is easily one of the most catchy songs on the album, with a very upbeat tone to it, it is clear that Mallory Knox’s style is fitting into the new trend of upcoming rock bands such as Don Broco and Deaf Havana – but Mallory Knox are much heavier. It’s a fast paced and exciting album for sure.
Mikey Chapman’s easily recognisable and unique voice will make you remember who Mallory Knox are as he uses his lungs to their full capacity; some ‘singers’ scream and shout, but not Mikey, he can actually sing, which can sometimes be rare from a rock band nowadays. Bassist and backing vocalist Sam Douglas’ voice mixes in perfectly in all songs, it’s sort of like soft whispering in your ears.
Acoustic guitars and slow drum beats are proven to be a a new development from the band as we are introduced to songs such as ‘1949’ and ‘Bury Your Head’ which are a work of art. One thing a rock band can never go wrong on is having a slow intro to a song into full on headbanging with thrashing guitars.
Loud, uncompromising and bold is an easy way to describe this album. One outstanding song on Signals is ‘Bury Your Head’, this being the first ever “slow” song by Mallory Knox, it is sung with emotion and has is truly stunning. The soft piano is something new from the band that have never shown a calm side that is quite like this.
The only trouble to Mallory Knox is that some of their songs can sound very familiar, and that is because a lot of the songs sound the same, but that isn’t to say they aren’t fantastic. Signals is a difficult album to review as it clearly shows the band incredible development since filming ‘Resuscitate’, their second ever music video, in a potato warehouse in the middle of nowhere in early 2010.
Expect a lot more from Mallory Knox in 2013.
RATING: 10/10
FOR FANS OF: Young Guns, Don Broco, Deaf Havana, You Me At Six
Check out Mallory Knox’s latest single ‘Lighthouse’:
Sub Pop are about to unleash the brand new Pissed Jeans album Honey’s. The album has been produced by British producer and ex Fudge Tunnel founder Alex Newport, who once again has brought the carnage of the band’s live sound back onto a long playing format that is destined to bring aural delight.
Have a taste of what’s coming with ‘Bathroom Laughter’. The album Honeys is released on Feb 11th. Pre-order your copy here.
100s
Ice Cold Perm
(Free Download)
I love rap that talks about being a gangster, I love backpacker rap that talks about life and social consciousness, but sometimes, just sometimes, I get a need to listen to filth. Back in the day there was Too $hort delivering unutterable smut but what about the new generation? Well, thankfully it looks like there’s a new kid on the block that’s going to take that crown, get it drunk, lay down with it and do something most definitely X-rated to it.
100s is a 19 year old from Cali and has a mouth on him that would make even the most hardened pimps blush. His mixtape, Ice Cold Perm, is one of the best albums of the year without a doubt, showcasing both his lyrical talent and his ability to flow elegantly over the beat. The content is mostly about bedding ladies, but at no point does it get one-dimensional.
Whether he’s talking about Romeo and Juliet getting down or the difference between his old hood-dwelling flames and his new mink-coat wearing, expensive carpet having conquests, 100s is a rapper you’ll immediately be down with. He has character, swagger and let’s not forget that hairstyle of his. The record is free to download and you can get a sample in the video below – It’s not politically correct, you have been warned, but it is brilliant. Get involved.
Abjekt
With brand new album ‘Sempiternal’ scheduled for release on RCA Records on April 29th, Bring Me The Horizon have announced today that they will be playing at the following UK tour dates.
April
29th Manchester Academy 2
30th Newcastle University
May
1st Inverness Ironworks
2nd Glasgow ABC
4th Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
5th Cardiff Solus
6th Wolverhampton Wulfrun
7th London KoKo