Dinosaur Pile-Up - Traynor

There was a time when a certain band named Nirvana proved that you didn’t need to spend every spare second of your life in your bedroom working out each note that Metallica struck on their discography to become rock gods. All that was required was a pair of hands and a dose of angst. Now years on since grunge’s heyday, the next generation are ready and willing to pile walls of distortion and an angry sneer back into the spotlight.
So arrive Dinosaur Pile-Up, a band that has the hype machine frothing at the mouth. Unlike debut single My Rock n Roll in which they actually cared about things like dynamics, Traynor is a full on release of pent up aggression. From beginning to end, your ears are pounded by unapologetic, grating guitars. In an age where bands are all trying to get an alternative and intelligent edge, it’s a wave of refreshment. I’ve no idea what they’re singing about, but it’s probably not a thesis on Plato’s republic, and thank goodness. These guys are a necessary two fingers to any band who think they’re more intelligent than they are; so keep piling it up Dinosaurs, and we’ll carry on loving it.

Review by Gordon Bruce

Passion Pit- Chunk of Change

I must first apologise for sounding like a middle-aged grumpy man, but in the times we live, swathes of bands are making mediocre music. Young whippersnappers think it sufficient to construct the simplest of pop songs and then toss the odd bit of synth over the top. Then they have the cheek- the sheer cheek- to call themselves dance-crossover. So what do the ragamuffins that make up Passion Pit have to arrest my attention before I return to alphabetically arranging my record collection?
The answer, thank golly-gosh, is decent songs. From the paralytic static and chipmunk melodies that introduce you to Sleepyhead to the heartfelt squealing and Friendly Fires funk of I’ve Got Your Number, Passion Pit have memorable and original songs that recall the pop sensibilities of the eighties. When they do pile on the unneeded synth, you can forgive their excesses for the fact that the song is never swallowed. Chunk of Change does everything a good EP should- it showcases a powerful statement of intent, and gets grumpy old men like me to stop and take notice. Now that’s an achievement.

Review by Gordon Bruce

Young Rival - Young Rival EP

As Canada seems to be the now official home of indie, its unsurprising that Young Rival should hail from the land of the Maple Leaf. And with a hint of the Tokyo Police Club wave under their belts, they now come to Britain to prove their mettle. At first glance, Young Rival fit snugly into their indie cubby-hole: achingly short songs, swift riffage and swooning geek-chic vocals. Yet delve deeper and these boys show they have hair on their chests though their pencil-ties and crisp shirts. Another Nobody sneers with Black Lips debauchery, and Poisonous Moves is as gruff as the Vines’ Craig Nicholls wading through his alcohol collection. In short, Young Rival have venom, so hold on tight to your skinny jeans, you’re in for a ride.

Review by Gordon Bruce

Van She - Cat & Eye

Van She have been all over the Hype Machine like that token drunk that always features at every house party. They come in, trash the place like they own it, try to lure anyone in the near vicinity with a few lewd clichés, and all you want is for them to leave as soon as possible with all their possessions preferably into exile. The exact same applies to new single Cat & Eye, which sounds like Embrace dressed up in the badly smeared slap of a few whooshes to make it “dance-crossover”. Seriously guys, just admit you come from the same school of thought as Alphabeat, and we may well like you. If you continue to take yourselves seriously, you’ll just end up a laughing stock.

Review by Gordon Bruce