Review: Windings - It's Never Night

Initially a Giveamanakick side project Windings has grown into a fully fledged entity in its own right and roared into life with the release of debut album 'It's Never Night.' A mix of quizzical sun-pop laments and stony grey fables.

Lil' Hands is a beautiful thought provoking Super Furry Animals meets Nick Drake finger picked ballad. Opening lyric "Its my time,I don't want to be someone who regrets spending their life, looking forward to it." Is a moment in the mirror and a platonic call to arms for generation T. 

Perhaps the best song you never heard last year Brain Fluid, was the first single to be taken from the album. Brain Fluid is a pop gem, perfect summer listening. Imagine Nada Surf covering Teenage Fanclub or Belle and Sebastian with Steve's voice a haunting gentle rocket. The guitar work is top notch and the solo is exquisite. This will take some beating. 

There's more than a hint of 'The Colour and the Shape' era Foo Fighters on new single Poor In The Mouth its an uptempo post grunge distorted bass bastard of a song, with excellent guitar work on display with echoes of Weezer and Dinosaur Jnr.  Its just like a Biffy Clyro song with the shit cut out. Apologia is a funeral march by comparison like Spiritualized on a serious acoustic comedown. While the lyrics ponder the existence of the number 42. The self loathing is only broken by the 'Blue Album' style guitar solo which comes, out of the blue.

Pull Me In is a much more palatable dose of down in the dumps, aided extensively by the female backing vocals and the strangely comforting twiddly guitar parts.  Opening lyric"Whats happening now is enough to do me in. I replayed your voice, but it just didn't sound the same. I wanna hear you for real." Delivers an emotion many of us know only too well, wrapped in a blanket of sorrow.

These Horses Also Ran is a summer surrender for fans of Scottish happy/sad specialists and Brit Pop elements such as Blur and Gene. Once again a subtle breeze of backing vocals does just enough to pull you in and keep you glued. An unforeseen extended outro slowly builds into a crescendo, as layered guitars finally achieve overload.

Its back to uptempo guitar frolicking on You Did.  A groovy bassline leads us through a track reminiscent of OkGo and (bizarrely enough), long forgotten androgynous 90's combo Menswear..The classic mathematics of quiet verse/loud chorus see Windings move from a classic jingle jangle sound through to a Jay Mascis wall of sound, with ease. A pretty good bet for single number 3.

Another well executed and thoroughly believable travelogue of a crumbling relationship I can't breathe is underpinned by a repetitious fingerpicked riff.  Steve's voice, is at its gentle best and every word is heartfelt.  Timely and topical, Song of the Doomed is a storybook of emotions a job seeker goes through while reading a rejection letter. It features some truly Irish lyrical wit "Sometimes I feel like life has me beaten, like a redheaded stepchild." 

Final track Old like J sees Windings deliver their last blast of atmospheric folk rock with touches of Nick Drake the song bleeds into an extended guitar melody break which brings 'It's Never Night' to close.

'It's Never Night' is a record with a split personality. On one hand its well groomed swaggering Adonis, on the other hand a manic depressive, who looks in the mirror and see's nothing worthwhile. Men will identify with personality A, while girls will swoon over its grumpy foil, not that he'll notice mind.  Windings is a very rare entity a sideproject with the possibility of surpassing its defunct and fabled forefathers.

Review: Richter Collective Christmas Party at The Button Factory

The belated 2nd annual Richter Collective Christmas party was more like a one day festival than a record company showcase. The evening was tinged with regret at the original date being rescheduled, due to the snow and the general consensus inside The Button Factory was that, out of all the postponed shows, this was the one that laid heaviest on the heart. Alas the Christmas atmosphere was nowhere to be seen but the large crowd that gathered were eager.  Free Cd's, vinyl and posters were gratefully squeezed into bags, jackets and purses.  There was a steady line at the merch stand all evening, purchasing the Not Squares album on 12" seemed almost mandatory.as the evening progressed.

First up on the night where Belfast post punk fruity loops The Continuous Battle of Order. This duo create an enormous sound with just one guitar, drums and the help of a loop station. Guitarist Hornby is technically proficient delivering crunchy Kyuss style riffs and Yngwie Malmsteen style finger tapping. Add to this the continuous looping of riff upon riff and it creates a unique sound.  The highlight of their set came when guitarist Hornby put down the guitar and played drums on his amp and cymbal stands before eventually joining drummer Craig Kearney on drums full stop, Wowing the crowd in the process. With the crowd now fully on board The Continuous Battle of Order hammered out some big riffs before ending with stand out track Pattern Seeker the title track from their debut album.

Next up was hotly tipped Dublin quartet Logikparty who have built up a cult following over the last year and on the basis of tonight's performance its easy to see why. In lead singer Benni Logikparty have Ireland's answer to Karen O and Siouxsie rolled into one. She strides the stage like a skipping nymphet, sexy and slender. While this is sure to win them legions of male followers Benni's voice is her real weapon, powerful, raw and broken-glass dirty. While her lyrics are dark political voyeurism. The music is a brooding dark re-imagining of Ant Music and Bow Wow Wow with elements of Sonic Youth, Talking Heads and Joy Division also thrown into the mixer.

Jogging one of the best punk bands you are ever likely to see, brought things to a new level with their high energy performance. Their debut album 'Minutes' is nominated in several categories in the upcoming Digital Socket Awards and its easy to see why. Jogging are a powerful punk trio their music is a speed ball of intellect and anger, technique and raw energy. Tables are discarded as the intro for Cleft Chin Good Heart kicks things off and the moshing begins. Their sound is a cross between The Mars Volta and Black Flag. Songs such as Threadbare and Shape Up Shakedown are even better live, as the bands stage presence drags you in. Jogging will surely occupy one of the headlining slots at the next Christmas party.

Next up we have another Digital Socket nominated band and post rock poster boys Enemies. Enemies are propelled by two drummers and intricate layered guitar parts, which swarm at you from all sides. The tightest band of the night so far. They make the Foals look like they are still being collected from kinder garden by their Mommies. In a scene that has become over saturated and bland Enemies remain fresh, because their compositions are entrenched in melody. Each song is intelligent, multifaceted, purposeful and individual. They do not try and hoodwink the audience by going over the same ground repeatedly, like many of their peers. Instead they try to build intense and varied soundscapes.

Cult heroes Bats are like Marmite they cause an intense emotional response from people who either love them or hate them, in equal measure. There genre spanning, defying and destroying rock, is not for the faint hearted. Part Cannibal Corpse, part indie disco, part Frank Zappa, part Placebo, add any band you like to that list and you'd be no closer to accurately describing the musical blender that is Bats. Their live show is ferocious, uncompromising and unforgiving. If Aleister Crowley was backstage I wouldn't be surprised, such is the level of superhuman creativity on display.

Filling the Orbital slot on this one night stand is Belfast trio Not Square currently riding a critical wave of affinity with their excellent debut album 'Yeah OK' and catchy single Asylum. Their lively mix of synths, catchy bass guitar riffs and hummable refrains make them one of the most exciting bands around at present. Their live show does not disappoint. If anything, it makes them more human to their audience. It's great to see they can actually play the songs live and not wholly rely on backing tracks, computer wizardry and pantomime. Instead they choose to work hard for their audience, who duly show their appreciation by singing along en mass to such tracks as Asylum and Don't Do Nothing.

Not Squares capped off a thoroughly enjoyable night of music sans Santa. The Richter Collective should be proud of themselves, they have created their own little empire of song. Becoming a label that consistently releases thought provoking music of the highest quality, whatever the genre, in the process. The Richter Collective stamp is fast becoming a Q mark like Creation Records once was.

Listen: Sacred Animals - Castles In The Snow

One of Ireland's most promising new bands Sacred Animals have announced the relaese of their latest single a cover of the Twin Shadow track Castles in the Snow on the 27th of January. The single will be available to dawnload from http://quarterinchcollective.com/ hear the track on soundcloud before you buy it.   Castles In The Snow (Twin Shadow Cover) by sacredanimals

Review: Eric McGrath - My Demo

The first line of the first song on Eric McGrath's 'My Demo' is "I hope not to offend" and he does just that, he does not offend but he does not inspire either. McGrath presents a collection of skiffle and barbershop style songs with elements of Nick Drake, and Je N'nen Connais Pas Le Fin.

He has the classic trained sounding voice technically proficient capable of making pleasant multi part harmonies, but struggles with emotion, intensity and believability, often overselling the song. On the other hand his classical finger picking guitar is proficient and his lyrics offer moments of brilliance. While the classical elements and piano parts are excellent throughout.

However, the stars have aligned on standout tracks Ripples and Waves and Before You Left as McGrath's performance is just right, especially on the intense Before You Left. The mix of duelling pianos and shimmering white noise are the perfect base for this lonesome barbershop moment, While Ripples and Waves, by contrast, is a breezy mid tempo summer pop song with excellent 60's style harmony parts.

'My Demo' is a mixed bag, it no doubt showcases Eric McGrath's wide ranging abilities, but it also demonstrates that he has overstretched himself.  More time spent on fewer songs would have yielded more comprehensive results. None the less a fine effort 'My Demo' will certainly get Eric McGrath noticed.

http://ericmcgrath.bandcamp.com/

Review: Nick Howard - Falling For You

When we heard Nick Howard's Falling For You our initial reaction was. This is the kind of bland, barrel scraping, tuppenny bit, vomit inducing, bubblegum, that graces the credits of such highbrow television as The Hills. A quick glance at the press release proves us right-god bless our spidey senses. It would seem that Howard's averageness has graced some truly groundbreaking TV series like The Hills,Jersey Shore and 90210. Falling For You is designed for one purpose only, to tug on the heartstrings of fifteen year old vajayjays. It's enough to make you pray that your sperm never gestates XY. Howard's future no doubt includes writing forget-them-as-soon-as-you-hear-em numero uno's for the likes of Westlife and Simon Cowell's zombie glitterati. Critically acclaimed no doubt, but only by those whose opinions are for sale on a daily basis. To be avoided at all costs.

Review: Not Squares - Yeah Ok

'Oh Yeah' the latest album from Ireland's fastest growing record label Richter Collective sees Belfast trio Not Squares firmly establish themselves as one of, if not the best dance band in the country today. 'Oh Yeah' is a throbbing & intricate stimulation of the senses ambitious, fulfilling and essential as cocaine in the Ryan diet.

A chopper of white noise demands attention as Release The Bees unfurls a raft of old school Out Of Control style Chemical Brothers beats. Following a 'heavenly father' style voiceover the live drums take over and an "oh oh oh" vocal hook chips the lock of our primal senses. A butterfly keyboard riff and a Goosey bass line set up DE NA NA perfectly. Quirky vocals and high grade syncopated funky riffs are jam packed into this 3 minute wonder. While In Front is a strangely pleasing mix of Muse, 8bit squawk box and homoerotic Flawless vamping.

No doubt simple arty types will compare the staccato guitar riffs of Smith & Carlos to (the) Foals and other putrid modernisms. However, it undoubtedly pays homage to originators like Talking Heads. This bouncy track features an excellent catchy 8 bit keyboard line. Quirky anthem Asylum, one of the singles of the year intros with a Cochise style drumbeat. The guitar is rockabilly with QOTSA grit and the main vocal "I wanna live in an Asylum" burrows into your brain and screams "joy." If all this wasn't enough the best is yet to come. It's group therapy time folks, open up and say Aaaaghh!!! Asylum's highlight comes as a wall of voices let out a primal roar of melody, backed by a flock of guitars in unison.

Feel Good Hit of the Summer meets Another Brick in the Wall word play on Don't Do Nothing; its at its best when the bass is doubled. A Stonehenge sub bass intro leads us nicely into Yeah! Not squares have delved into gothic dance on this track, which in large part is a drum expo. Hurray for the distorted bass swagger of stand out track Ojos Para Volar part Gorillaz, part Rapture, 100% indie diso dance floor filler. It's almost enough to make you go out and by decks yourself. On Bi Kan Na sibling to earlier track De Na Na, Not Squares return to up tempo Belgian dance gods Goose influenced throaty key bass.

'Oh Yeah' concludes with the romping 53 led by a snappy snare, dirty funk bass and grinding guitar. 53 picks up pace adding keyboards and extra bass, melding Yeah Yeah Yeahs with The Go Team in the process. A reprise of the excellent bass melody break draws the album to a close.

'Oh yeah' will probably miss the seasonal best of lists due to its end of year release. However, it deserves to place high-up on these lists, such is the level of content within. We expect 2011 to be a breakthrough year for Not Squares.

Review: Quakers on Probation - Every Living Thing

Seattle's Quakers on Probation consist of father and son songwriting team Daniel A. Craig and Daniel F. Craig and studio owner and musician Graig Markel. Benefiting from this unusual creative dynamic, their debut album 'Every Living Thing' is an eclectic collection of Lo-Fi alt country rock. This dynamic allows them to create a believable mix of wisdom and youthful idealism.

Imagine Simon and Garfunkel in their pomp vamping out Like a Rolling Stone and your in the same head-space as opening track Pay it Froward. The track features the organ swirls of legendary Grammy award winning Wrecking Crew member Larry Knechtel (Bread,The Doors, Simon and Garfunkel)

The mid tempo shuffle brushed drums and percussion of Your Favourite Song make for the perfect road trip movie soundtrack. A more traditional country sound of slide and acoustic guitars mixed with some excellent lead guitar make this an early highlight.

Happy-sad, love on the run ballad Sun Country Inn is melody laden with beautiful orchestral style interplay between banjo, piano, slide guitar and electric guitar. While I Know a Woman is a strange concoction of 'White Album' era Beatles and country superstar Neil Diamond. Stabbing pianos are joined by trumpets for the simple but effectic chorus of "I know a woman, I know a woman." This highly radio friendly track has hit single stamped all over it in capital letters.

A track straight from the WJAZ play list, title track Every Living Thing dances between the raindrops like Donald Fagan and Burt Bacharach and the obligatory piano solo does not disappoint. In Yard Sale, Craig examines the success and failures of his life through the contents of a yard sale. But can he really let go of his past and part with his "Elvis tapestry" The concept of this song is more pleasing than the musical content, a slight blip on the road.

Things go back up the gears with Marysville a breezy Eagles meets The Travelling Wilburys style number with a dark twist. The lead guitar is the perfect companion for "The same hotel room in forty different towns" and "drinking up the darkness."

Hollywood Walk of Fame See's 'Every Living Thing' take an unexpected but welcome Lo-Fi detour through Synthtown. The electronic instruments move to the fore and a more modern sound permeates the album from here on in. Keyboard stabs and a repetitive drum machine loop form the heartbeat of Hollywood Walk of Fame; a daydream fantasy about making it big in moving pictures.

The influence of Simon and Garfunkel is replaced by Linkin Park and French pop geniuses Air on G.I. Joes. The lyrics also undergo a modern metamorphosis "There's goes my credit and my girl" and "You can take my things, dont take my G.I. Joes" become repeated intersections where earlier songs would have entered verse 3 or four. Perhaps this less wordy modern approach has yielded the most dividend, for G.I. Joes is the very unexpected highlight of the album.

Lament for the Aging Rocker is a firmly tongue in cheek lambast of Axl Rose and his Rock N' Roll peers. The track bares more than a passing resemblance to California folk-rock revivalists Blind Melon's 1993 hit No Rain most famous for its video featuring "Bee Girl" Heather DeLoach. The vocal resemblance between Craig and the now deceased Shannon Hoon is uncanny on this fun hootenanny.

'Every Living Thing' wont disappoint fans of folk-rock country with the emphasis on choruses and melody, rather than 12 verse soliloquy. The musicianship is equisite throughout, especially on the live drums and lead guitar which really make the album what it is. Craig's voice is authentic from first to last, especially when his native Seattle timbre shines through.