Review: Avalanche Ammo at Whelan's

Anthony Boland took to the stage for a powerful debut performance of devastatingly instant melodic driven math-rock. So much so that Avalanche Ammo, could easily become a gateway drug, for a new generation of fans, into the post rock genre.   

Avalanche Ammo utilises samples and live looping to great effect whilst playing guitar and singing live. Boland pushes himself physically to produce these sounds. Diving from one electronic device to the next, controlling the constantly changing beats and loops he is creating. 

Avalanche Ammo avoids the weedier elements of the genre altogether by never letting the guitar deliver high-end guitar parts on its own. Instead he keeps the momentum constantly upbeat and throbbing with elements of At the Drive In and Deftones never far away from the rhythm figures. While the lead-lines are instant and poppy. Think Two Door Cinema Club and Franz Ferdinand. All these elements combine to create an explosive, if you will Deftones-disco sound.

Sparrow is the best example of this sound jumping from crunching metal riffs to Stereo Lab electronica and back again.  While "Panda Capture" sucked the audience in instantly with its summery, instrumental indie sound.  "Owl Speak" introduced metal elements mixed with Go Team sunshine. Closing track "Pony Up" was the highlight of the set however, delivering dance-floor metal at its finest.

Avalanche Amoo is an exciting new project and a welcome addition to Ireland's critically acclaimed Post-rock scene. His debut EP Animals is out now and available for free via bandcamp and we highly recommend you download it now.

http://avalancheammo.bandcamp.com/

Review: Lynchburg Mob at Whelan's

Lynchburg Mob are a for piece Noir-rock band from Dublin, heavily influenced by Interpol and Echo and The Bunnymen. The lyrics are stark and jagged containing many Ian McCullochesque couplets Ian Plunkett's voice is robust with flickers of McCulloch, Paul Banks and Harry McVeigh audible. The "We were built to last" chorus of Coattails is probably Plunkett's finest moment.

Despite obvious talent and moments of brilliance Lynchburg Mob, seem hell bent on sabotaging themselves, through overkill. With songs containing far too many changes and in several cases a double outro, which hampers the song, by not letting it end on a high.

El Mar is a case in point. It starts off life as a beautiful atmospheric track, with menacing horror movie effects.  However forty seconds in an amateurish Something Happens, style guitar link by Plunkett undoes all this good work, with 15 seconds of self-indulgence. Thankfully it returns to the slick atmosphere of the intro for the verse. Followed by a third bass heavy section which ads something to the composition.

Give any competent producers the multi-tracks and an hour in a studio and this song could easily fulfil its potential. Unfortunately for the Lynchburg Mob, this is a school boy error repeated time after time. 

A cover version of Interpol's "Evil" a perfectly weighted modern classic. Precise in every way, Really hammered the previous point home. Lynchburg Mob delivered the song perfectly however, and it was the highlight of their performance. While "The Importance of Remaining Earnest" is the groups best song. A high tempo Cult style stomper built on chugging bass and some nifty riffs by Darragh Lynch.

Lynchburg Mob are potentially a great band. Plunkett, is a good front man, Lynch, an inventive guitar player. They just need to get the balance right.

http://lynchburgmob.bandcamp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/thelynchburgmob

Review: Ellie Goulding Live at The Olympia 31/5/11

Not to be outdone by a little old band like Suede, royal wedding singer Ellie Goulding, embarked on her three night residency in the Olympia Theatre playing to a fervent capacity crowd, who she quickly and easily enthralled with songs such as "Under The Sheets", "Your Song" and "Starry Eyed".

The general public may view Goulding as a public-school folk singer. But nothing could be further from the truth, as she instrument hoped from drums to guitar and back again, several times over. 

While her light-show is more akin to what you may expect to see at a Klaxons gig. Indeed the gig comprised a large amount of Indie-electro rather than mid tempo folk.

Goulding appeared from nowhere mounting a drum kit for a dub version of her break through single "Under the Sheets" breaking all expectations from the off she bound down to the front off the stage dressed in a leather jacket and short-shorts for "Under The Sheets" proper. Where she played floor-tom centre stage ala Bat For Lashes and Radiohead. Her voice is much stronger than her slight frame suggests with flashes of Bjork on emotion laden "This Love" one of the highlights of the evening.

The crowd react wildly singing in unison to "Human" especially so when Goulding belts out "I would give my life" through the choruses. While she brought on chills as she sang a section from ballad "Wish I Stayed" acapella, in three part harmony with her backing singers.

Goulding's current hit Elton John, cover "Your Song" is given a "Let It Be" style Beatles makeover to great effect, with the backing singers once again delivering a great performance. This would appear to be the highlight of the night for many, its a hands in the air unifying moment. Goulding however has one final trick up her sleeve. The excellent "Starry Eyed" closes the show to rapturous applause. Judging by the closing section of the show. Goulding is only a few short steps away, from becoming a truly credible artist.

Album Review: Le Galaxie Laserdisc Nights 2

The truly long-awaited debut album from Le Galaxie "Laserdisc Nights 2" is an eleven track opus of air-punching dance magic.

Le Galaxie's sound is a mix of Zodiak Free Arts Centre era Berlin, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Bowie instrumentals and Devo. With more modern references to Daft Punk and Goose, combining to create a superb debut effort, by the electro-quartet.

The influence of science fiction films and literature (perhaps Phillip K. Dick) are also evident in the lyrics, but don't be fooled. This is anything but geek-rock, dance music. Its vivid and vital.

Single "Midnight Midnight" (video below) is top-notch synth-pop, dripping with Numanesque motifs and catchy refrains, set against wall shaking industrial sounds.

On "Powers Of Miami" soundbites and android vocals are intertwined with a riff, that's so good, It will have you reaching for your Air-synth (not an easy feat)  While on "This is Reality, Diane" and "Blood Beach" Le Galaxie, wander the Germanic landscapes of Bowie's infamous "Side B" collaborations with Brian Eno, with some aplomb.  
 
"Orion" one of the albums standout tracks, is reminiscent, to begin with, of the Sumner/Marr super-group Electronic. The live drums and bass are to the fore, delivering cool retro disco riffs.  Juxtaposed against, contemporary throaty synth sounds. The track closes with an unexpected, but welcome sprinkling of math rock.

When award season rolls around Le Galaxie, can expect to be nominated for album of the year. Laserdisc Nights 2, is the high-tide mark in Irish electronica thus far, in 2011. It sees Le Galaxie, become "The Rolling Stones" to Not Squares, "Beatles"  So let battle commence.

The Quicksand Band: Making The Album Video

One of Dublin's finest alt-country/rock bands The Quicksand Band, have released a behind the scenes video-teaser of their forthcoming debut album "Approaching Rain"  Produced by acclaimed Irish singer/songwriter Gavin Glass and set for release later this year..The album sounds very promising from the brief snatches of songs contained in the video. Keep an eye out for "Approaching Rain" it could be the surprise package of the year.

Review: Suede The Olympia Dublin 24-5-11

Suede kicked of their 3 night residency of reunion gigs in Dublin's Olympia Theatre by performing their genre defining, seminal, 1993 self-titled debut album "Suede" in its entirety. Eighteen years later, the songs are still fresh and authentic.  Although this is not the original line-up (with original guitarist turned super-producer Bernard Butler having refused the invitation to play. He instead opted to re-master tonight's material and follow up album Dog Man Star) their was a certain amount of romance, in the air as the band took to the stage

Dublin quartet Sweet Jane had the unenviable job of support act, on such an emotional occasion for Suede fans. But they steadily won the crowd over, with their dark ephemeral, wall of sound. Lydia Des Dolles voice is a cross between Hope Sandoval and Bilinda Butcher while guitarist Danda Paxton's voice adds a dark colour to the mist of grime   Their musical influences include The Jesus and Marychain, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Iggy Pop and The Ramones.

The crowd sing lustfully along to a Sex Pistols track, as the lights dim and Suede swagger onto the stage, dressed head-to-toe in black. Led by drummer Simon Gilbert who appears to have been in cryostasis, all these years. In fact most of the band seem to have preserved themselves remarkably well.  Brett Anderson strides onto the stage last, to thunderous applause.  The years have been, especially kind to Anderson, who is just as thin as he was in 1993.

From the first note of "So Young" its obvious that this is no mere, money collecting exercise, by a band riding this years nostalgia wave. Suede, clearly have a point to prove, and prove it they do. Anderson's voice is impeccable through the entire show, as he prances and pogo's nonstop. Fan favourite "Animal Nitrate" is the first of many songs to benefit from the addition of Neil Codling on guitar. Though the highlight for many seemed to be, being given "the finger" by Anderson.

However, the man with the most to prove is Richard Oakes, having replaced the architect of Suede's sound, Bernard Butler. Oakes has often been the fan's whipping boy for Butler's departure, rather than the rest of the band. By the time the band play the rousing "Moving" Oakes, has dispelled these misgivings totally, with precise renditions of the guitar parts. He is clearly enjoying himself, especially on songs like "Sleeping Pills" and "Metal Mickey". 

Anderson's voice goes Bowie on the outro of "Pantomime Horse" as he goes down on his knees and repeats "have you ever tried in that way..."  Anderson bounds the stage, like a man possessed, on "The Drowners" going into the crowd at one point. The fan's are also treated to Anderson's signature claps, on this track.

"Metal Mickey" and "Animal Lover" whip the crowd into a frenzy, before the band depart, leaving Anderson and Codling to deliver the albums closing track "The Next Life" This sparse piano balled perfectly suits the intimate surroundings of the Olympia.

After a short break, Suede return to play some fan-favourite B-sides "My Insatiable One" and "For The Birds" Disappointingly, the band opt to ignore calls to play "Killing of a Flash Boy" Opting instead to give fan's a taster of whats to come, in their "Coming Op" gig. Firstly with "Thrash" The crowd go manic as Anderson, once again throws himself into the crowd. They finish the night with "Beautiful One's" where Anderson encourages the crowd to "Sing it!" repeatedly. Once again Anderson bounds into the pit for the final bars, before the band disappear into the night. Just like the characters from their songs.

Keep Shelly in Athens "Remix Compilation"

Keep Shelly in Athens, have compiled a collection of their remixes to date. Including their fantastic re-imagining of tracks by two of Ireland's finest bands Solar Bears and Sacred Animals.

  Our remixes by Keep Shelly in Athens