Reviewed by Helen Stephenson
Mindflow's track 'Switched' is a superb dubstep track, once again revealing dubstep as one of the most exciting genres of the 21st century. It is a genre that is rapidly expanding its boundaries and innovating its sound, not only making it more accessible but also more interesting. 'Switched' is a fine example of this, mixing dubstep with faster beats and piano riffs reminiscent of old house music.
There is also a killer remix from Cutline. I have no doubt that both versions will be mashing up dance floors across the country in no time at all.
The only small issue is that the track offers nothing we haven’t heard before. This does not detract from it being a good piece of music, but this remix gives off an air of being the sound of the moment, not the sound of the future of dance music.
4/5
Monday, 26 April 2010
Groove Armada - Look Me in the Eye Sister
Reviewed by James Fairfield
Whether you want to use this track to dance to or to just chill out it works well on both fronts, like a lot of Groove Armada’s material. Slickly combining their synthetic grooves and beats with decent vocals makes this single evidence that there is still much to come from the electronic group.
Whether you want to use this track to dance to or to just chill out it works well on both fronts, like a lot of Groove Armada’s material. Slickly combining their synthetic grooves and beats with decent vocals makes this single evidence that there is still much to come from the electronic group.
Mister Jack - My Girl Sharon
Reviewed by James Fairfield
Combining the vocal cheekiness of Madness with a heavier rock/reggaeish sound, Mister Jack’s single My Girl Sharon is a fairly amusing track to listen to, a guy informing the world about how proud he is that his girlfriend is a bit of a slag, but not hilarious enough for repeated listening.
Combining the vocal cheekiness of Madness with a heavier rock/reggaeish sound, Mister Jack’s single My Girl Sharon is a fairly amusing track to listen to, a guy informing the world about how proud he is that his girlfriend is a bit of a slag, but not hilarious enough for repeated listening.
Mirrorkicks - Podium
Reviewed by James Fairfield
Podium is another typical rock/indie single from London band Mirrorkicks that is likely to see them supporting many success full bands of the genre however it offers us nothing new and isn’t catchy or fun enough to become a guilty pleasure or even easy listening. Which can also be said of the B side track, Stand Up which may be a little more energetic that the title track however it suffers from all the same problems.
Podium is another typical rock/indie single from London band Mirrorkicks that is likely to see them supporting many success full bands of the genre however it offers us nothing new and isn’t catchy or fun enough to become a guilty pleasure or even easy listening. Which can also be said of the B side track, Stand Up which may be a little more energetic that the title track however it suffers from all the same problems.
Band of Skulls - Death by Diamonds and Pearls
Reviewed by James Fairfield
After itunes gave them their initial exposure by picking their song I Know What I Am as the free single for the week, Southampton alternative rock trio Band Of Skulls’s latest single Death By Diamonds and Pearls from their excellent album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey is another quality dose of old school sounding rock. Guitarist Russell Marsden and bassist Emma Richardson vocal duets are tender and the instrumental is raw and brilliant. Making the second album an eagerly awaited release.
After itunes gave them their initial exposure by picking their song I Know What I Am as the free single for the week, Southampton alternative rock trio Band Of Skulls’s latest single Death By Diamonds and Pearls from their excellent album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey is another quality dose of old school sounding rock. Guitarist Russell Marsden and bassist Emma Richardson vocal duets are tender and the instrumental is raw and brilliant. Making the second album an eagerly awaited release.
The Pretty Reckless - Make Me Wanna Die
Reviewed by James Fairfield
While you may approach The Pretty Reckless with caution as the band’s fronted by Gossip Girl star, Cindy Lou. Their single ‘Make Me Wanna Die’, featured on the Kick Ass soundtrack, is a decent and ballsy offering from the band that demonstrates that they’re more than a tv starlet’s failed attempt at music. In fact Cindy Lou’s vocals are top notch and the instrumental core of the group is powerful enough to leave us wanting more.
While you may approach The Pretty Reckless with caution as the band’s fronted by Gossip Girl star, Cindy Lou. Their single ‘Make Me Wanna Die’, featured on the Kick Ass soundtrack, is a decent and ballsy offering from the band that demonstrates that they’re more than a tv starlet’s failed attempt at music. In fact Cindy Lou’s vocals are top notch and the instrumental core of the group is powerful enough to leave us wanting more.
Audio Bullys - Only Man
Reviewed by James Fairfield
The electronic duo Audio Bullys return with their new single Only Man, which is slickly packed full of dynamic beats and breaks that sees them on top form and is most likely going to become a regular track heard on nights out, especially the superior remix from Jakwob.
The only problem is that even though the CD comes with three remixes it’s missing the best version of the song, which is the Rok remix that can be found on their new album, Higher Than Eiffel.
But overall a great single with a edge that becomes sharper the more you listen to it.
The electronic duo Audio Bullys return with their new single Only Man, which is slickly packed full of dynamic beats and breaks that sees them on top form and is most likely going to become a regular track heard on nights out, especially the superior remix from Jakwob.
The only problem is that even though the CD comes with three remixes it’s missing the best version of the song, which is the Rok remix that can be found on their new album, Higher Than Eiffel.
But overall a great single with a edge that becomes sharper the more you listen to it.
The Keyz - Overcomplicated
Reviewed by Tim Thackray
I wasn’t aware people still put wrote names stuff like ‘Keyz’ apart from 5 year olds and N-Dubz of course but this band obviously thought it would add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to proceedings. It doesn’t. Singing like a man with pinecones in his mouth over a backing track that even Keane would get a bit bored at, this song drifts makes you shudder like a Gordon Brown smile. It’s another painfully dull reminder of the state of mainstream rock of the moment which insists on ‘soaring’ choruses which have a about enough emotion in them as a Gordon Brown smile, oh wait I’ve already said that. Like a Gordon Brown smile (three times a charmer) this song will definitely not be remembered by the end of 2010.
I wasn’t aware people still put wrote names stuff like ‘Keyz’ apart from 5 year olds and N-Dubz of course but this band obviously thought it would add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to proceedings. It doesn’t. Singing like a man with pinecones in his mouth over a backing track that even Keane would get a bit bored at, this song drifts makes you shudder like a Gordon Brown smile. It’s another painfully dull reminder of the state of mainstream rock of the moment which insists on ‘soaring’ choruses which have a about enough emotion in them as a Gordon Brown smile, oh wait I’ve already said that. Like a Gordon Brown smile (three times a charmer) this song will definitely not be remembered by the end of 2010.
Jimmy and the Sounds - Sounds
Reviewed by Tim Thackray
If this music is razor sharp indie then the razor is well and truly blunted, rusting a bit on the side with a slight tinge of dry blood. Sounding like a bloated Reverend and the Makers, this lad rock affair about dancing at a disco leads to some pretty uninspiring lyrics which actually ruin the only positive aspect of the song, the melody of the chorus. Maybe I’m being too harsh though, while this may not be ‘quirky indie’ they strive too, the band definitely has the knack of writing a catchy melody so the potential is there for development, and that means never using an underwater vocal affect in a song ever again, hear me?
If this music is razor sharp indie then the razor is well and truly blunted, rusting a bit on the side with a slight tinge of dry blood. Sounding like a bloated Reverend and the Makers, this lad rock affair about dancing at a disco leads to some pretty uninspiring lyrics which actually ruin the only positive aspect of the song, the melody of the chorus. Maybe I’m being too harsh though, while this may not be ‘quirky indie’ they strive too, the band definitely has the knack of writing a catchy melody so the potential is there for development, and that means never using an underwater vocal affect in a song ever again, hear me?
Blackgold - Shine
Reviewed by Tim Thackray
Apparently this song appeared in the soundtrack for the movie “Valentine’s Day” – The American attempt to recreate the magic of Love Actually by piling in as many stars as possible and letting the drivel commence. It is easy therefore to imagine such Hollywood’s darlings as Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Alba showing their emotional side, wind blowing through their hair, a single tear in the eye as this pop rock blasts out. The track itself is stuck in generic ‘anthemic’ pop of the moment, like ‘Take That’ with added guitars. With lyrics such as “Wont you shine tonight, in the face of the light” this will undoubtedly be a radio 1 daytime hit but this is just uninspiring poppycock to attempt to add emotions to actors who can’t act.
Apparently this song appeared in the soundtrack for the movie “Valentine’s Day” – The American attempt to recreate the magic of Love Actually by piling in as many stars as possible and letting the drivel commence. It is easy therefore to imagine such Hollywood’s darlings as Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Alba showing their emotional side, wind blowing through their hair, a single tear in the eye as this pop rock blasts out. The track itself is stuck in generic ‘anthemic’ pop of the moment, like ‘Take That’ with added guitars. With lyrics such as “Wont you shine tonight, in the face of the light” this will undoubtedly be a radio 1 daytime hit but this is just uninspiring poppycock to attempt to add emotions to actors who can’t act.
Faithless - Not Going Home
Reviewed by Helen Stephenson
Faithless have done it again with ‘Not Going Home’. Once more they have produced a dance classic that just sounds effortless. The hook is catchy, the song builds beautifully and, as with all Faithless music, I found myself blown away by their unforced ability to produce a hit dance track. The remixes included are also stellar, particularly Hervé’s distinctive, eardrum destroying, bassy mix. If you’re already a fan you won’t be disappointed. If you’re not a fan yet, get listening.
5/5
Faithless have done it again with ‘Not Going Home’. Once more they have produced a dance classic that just sounds effortless. The hook is catchy, the song builds beautifully and, as with all Faithless music, I found myself blown away by their unforced ability to produce a hit dance track. The remixes included are also stellar, particularly Hervé’s distinctive, eardrum destroying, bassy mix. If you’re already a fan you won’t be disappointed. If you’re not a fan yet, get listening.
5/5
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