Polarsets - Then a Girl Falls In Your Arms

Reviewed by Christian Allen

Recently I was lucky enough to gain work experience as an intern at 6music over the extended Uni Christmas holidays. Contrary to what you’d think it wasn’t all about making cups of tea and coffee either, granted I did excel at this. I got to spend most of my time working on the Tom Robinson’s Introducing Show and as a result feel more clued up on new music than ever. One of the main jobs was sifting through the recommendations we got sent, which contained an unusually high amount of North-East contributions. Amongst them were Newcastle’s very own Polarsets, which, after maybe 10 seconds of listening, I put through and with Tom’s seal of approval made it into the show last week.

Now, safely back in the North-East, NSR have been sent their new E.P, available for free at polarsets.bandcamp.com, 3 tracks which cement the band as one of the strongest in the region. ‘Just Don’t Open Your Eyes Yet’ and ‘Then a Girl Falls In Your Arms’ are strong, hook laden tracks you’d expect to hear on any daytime radio show, the latter as catchy a pop song I’ve heard all year.

Obvious similarities can be drawn between the band and fellow Tyne natives Little Comets, jangly guitar riffs, frantic drumming and high pitched vocals; complete with golden vocal harmonies is the closest thing the North-East has to a ‘sound’. Parallels can also been drawn to The Wombats, Go Faster and Hot Club De Paris, all with the ability to write a track to chant along to that isn’t necessarily seen as ‘Lad-Rock’. However, the fundamental connection these bands share, above all else, is that they sound like their enjoying themselves.

They’re apparently pioneering a genre they call ‘Deep Disco’, a sound which conjures up images of the Bee Gees and Kool and the Gang being banished to the sewers. But on this evidence, this is indie-pop at its catchiest. The E.P has a genuine sense of exuberance, optimism and energy hugely lacking from a host of ‘ones to watch’ acts and promises much for future releases. They’re playing a host of dates around the North-East, well worth investigating.

Rose Elinor Dougall - Fallen Over

Reviewed by Christian Allen

Rose Elinor Dougall must already be fed up of reviews linking her current project to her polkadot past as the lead member of the Pipettes, alas the transition from band to solo isn’t as easy as Phil Collins would make out. The Pipettes arguably were the first act of recent times to acknowledge and embody the sound of pre-rock/mid-60s girl-group pop which has now proved so fruitful for Duffy, Amy Winehouse and co. However Rose Elinor Dougall has successfully disassociated herself from this with her own work and this latest offering due out in November.

The first to go solo, I originally became aware of Dougall’s work with her previous single “Stop/Start/Synchro” and “Fallen Over” can only further her fan base. A nostalgic pop track, Dougall’s vocals float over the descending bassline and pacey drums perfectly as she sings of the difficulties that come with a relationship. How we often stumble, but these troubles are continually worth it.

Dougall has been careful to take her time with her return. Quietly making sure her sound grows organically with limited release singles, bedroom recordings and the like. She admits this single itself has gone through a few incarnations before its recording and right now she sounds like she's trying to find her own sound and style. But this single is encouraging stuff and with an album ‘Without Why’ due out next year, it seems Rose Elinor Dougall will dispel any notion of the difficulties that come with going solo.

Tom Williams & The Boat – Doing My Best E.P.

Tom Williams deserves more attention. He’s released 3 E.P's since late 2007, that’s already over 20 songs for everyone right? On top of this his promotion company have had the foresight and knowledge to send his newest E.P. to our little old student radio station which is usually only reserved for bigger record companies and local artists. The CD comes with free Polaroid’s which can’t be the most cost conscious but is always a nice touch. Also there is the typical ‘bands supported list’ which seems back to front; best leave The Wombats to the end…in a really small size, or better still, in the wingding’s font.

The E.P. itself is a progression from last year’s 8 track ‘Got Fuel’, with a bigger band sound and tracks which explore a wide range of emotions. From the upbeat, autobiographical ‘24’ to the more sorrowful ‘Voicemail’ the songs fit together perfectly. A constant theme throughout the E.P. is that of growing up and not being ‘cool’ a common subject matter but something easy to relate to. Title track ‘Doing My Best’ is catchy but tracks 1 and 2 show the band at their best. ‘24’ and ‘Concentrate’ highlight the strength of Tom Williams’ song writing and cement his place as one of the U.K’s most promising singer-songwriters and the added dimension of a band only strengthens this.

On this evidence, given the recent resurgence in the popularity of British anti-folk it won’t be long before Tom Williams and the Boat gain wider recognition, on a par with those they’ve supported.

Review by Christian Allen