Black Soul Strangers – Animate

As I struggled through the cellophane that almost ended this review the cover let little go relating to what the CD would actually sound like. With a switched off lamp face on adorning the front and a multi coloured segmented circle the back it could be dance, rock, or folk. It is rock.

Falling somewhere between YouMeAtSix and Snow Patrol it makes me wonder why they are not signed to a major label. Then I spotted the independent label and the Google Mail email address doing nothing to hide self-management. The fact they have not been picked up is no surprise. They claim reverence from big names on radio such as Dermot O’Leary and Jo Whiley but this clearly rubbish.

Not chart friendly enough to satisfy the twelve-year olds that determine it and need to hire some management to sort a tour that will garner older support. This is by far and away the ‘should have been a success’ of the year. There are creative flourishes and the stand out tracks: The Haunting, Leave, Gallows and Wichita are gems among a pretty shiny rough. The kind of rock the current rock generation would enjoy as background listening at their dinner parties in their 30’s this album is 10 years too early. It is however wonderful to hear some well produced new rock music that isn’t over produced, preachy, overhyped, over considered but there lacks the bombastic ambition needed to get noticed or create an impact. The largest sparkle came in the last sixty seconds but that was evidently not the start point.

Max Beavis

Stromae – Alors on Danse

The Belgian has created a track targeted directly at our very own trebled up students... and what is not to like about this track apart from its repetitive nature. Punctuated by French and a deceptively catchy beat this track must be on every DJs playlist by now.

Verdict on the ‘feat. Erik Hassle version’ however: NO! Just no. The lyrics are do hilariously awful and shows that having versions of dance tracks with rappers is becoming apparently essential as having 6 remixes used to be. Just stop it! You had a perfectly good dance track and ruined it with unnecessary backing vocals and a completely superfluous rap!

Max Beavis

Linkin Park - Blackout

They should have stopped while they were ahead. Showing mastery only learnt by experience in places, yet total desperation in others and utter naivety in the vocals. A shame, as if he didn’t scream and they removed the centre breakdown (in so many senses of the term), it would an excellent return to form.

Max Beavis

Klaxons - Twin Flames

It took them long enough to record the second album, but what they have returned with is pleasingly more of the same. Yes, the album's now a long time ago and this track lacks the spark to take it from good to awesome, but it’s good to have them back. It is carried by the vocal, so the inclusion of the instrumental on the B-side is baffling.

Max Beavis

The Great Statesman – One Way Street

This band are Placebo-lite with airs of Lostprohpets also. Solid production and clear controlled guitar with clear lyrics make for a rock track away from the generic vein of indie. There are probably loads of bands out there doing this, but these guys are doing it right.

Max Beavis

Chase the Sun – Nights Like These

Bands with talented guitarists and singer who choose to overdrive the amps and scream into the mic annoy me. This is no different. Fans of Korn and possibly on the extreme end of Enter Shikari on account of the guitar melody may like this.

Max Beavis

The Quails - Fever

Party pop rock with echoes of the Strokes and Orson throughout. Ultimately a boring post indie wave track. I can imagine they’d be a fun live act to see but this won’t be bothering the radio waves anytime soon. Also why on earth did they feel it necessary to include an instrumental of the track?

Max Beavis

The Quails - Fever

Party pop rock with echoes of the Strokes and Orson throughout. Ultimately a boring post indie wave track. I can imagine they’d be a fun live act to see but this won’t be bothering the radio waves anytime soon. Also why on earth did they feel it necessary to include an instrumental of the track?

Max Beavis

Everything Everything - Schoolin'

A perfectly pleasant piece of indie-pop following the same formula we hear every week of jaunty construction aiming for unique and hitting generic. This one has some not so novel whistle melody thrown in alongside the seemingly compulsory falsetto vocals. Some of their other tracks are half-decent but all lack longevity - and this is no different.
I can’t help thinking they are going down the same route as the Twang. Couple of good tracks, make a small impact through a few high profile people hyping them then disappearing for too long and coming back with a lacklustre second attempt considering the break. Bit early to call that? Maybe but just in case best book them for some desperate comeback attempt at Newcastle freshers week 2014 then.

Max Beavis

The Parlotones - Push Me to the Floor

Take The Script, add a bit of Snow Patrol (the not so good stuff) and make the result South African. What you are left with is something pleasant but bland and utterly forgettable. As good as it was to have a local band play the World Cup concert I would be very surprised to encounter them again.

Max Beavis

The Xcerts - Slackerpop

Signed to Xtra Mile, home to Frank Turner and Fake Problems, The Xcerts are in good company producing punk for the modern music landscape. Fast pace and simple melodies make a palatable record. It won’t be playlisting any radio stations but if you like Xtra Mile’s roster it’s worth a look.

Max Beavis