Video Ghost Estates - Album Promo

Ghost Estates have released an album promo video featuring a teaser of album track Dali. It looks like Ghost Estates debut album could live up to the considerable hype which surrounds the band.

Free Music: Goatboy - Chamber Sessions

In 2010 Goatboy wowed us with songs like New Moon and Japanese City Night since then Mark O'Sullivan and Co have been hard at work writing their debut album 'Chamber Sessions' which the band have chosen to give away for free via Bandcamp.  Listen via the link below and be sure to download it, if you like it.

Video: Last Days of 1984 - River's Edge

 River's Edge is the first video to be taken from electro pop duo Last Days of 1984's debut album 'Wake Up To The Waves' released May7th.

Free Music: Fall Far - Not Squares

Fall Far the first taste of Not Squares forthcoming second album is an unexpected treat. It would seem that Not Squares have subjected themselves to a major change in direction. The frantic fist pumping of their debut album has been replaced by a smoother and sleeker electro sound. It's always a brave and contentious move for any band to make such a bold move but we're glad to say, Not Squares have pulled it off.

Review: The Statics - Stags Head Raw

It's easy to see why merseybeat revivalists The Statics are attracting mainstream radio and media attention with their latest single Had It Too. The track is pitched somewhere between The La's and A Hard Days Night. Their Sunday night set at The Stags Head Raw proved that they can cut it live as well as in the studio. Singer Liam Gardner has the right blend of swagger and vocals prowess to captivate audiences while the bands other focal point Jacqueline Campion vigorously propels the accomplished rhythm section from behind her drum kit.

Plastic Days sucks the audience in straight away thanks to Liam Gardner's upbeat vocals and naturally over driven acoustic guitar. By the time The Statics are halfway through second song Down the audience are on their feet dancing. Clocking in at under 3 minutes Down continues the authentic '60's feel with memorable one word vocals lines like "Down, Down, Down". There's a Revolver era Beatles feel to probable single Alone, which has a feel good chorus of "It's no time to be alone". When Gardner moves to electric guitar the songs turn towards more contemporary references such as Milburn and Arctic Monkeys, with Hidden Pigeon being the most accomplished of these compositions. Current single Had It Too is the highlight of the night. It sees The Statics return to the classic merseybeat sound that they have perfected.

The Statics write damn fine melodic pop songs. No doubt they will be criticised -in certain circles- for not reinventing the wheel. But who cares, when the material is this good. We highly recommend you see this band live and defy you not to have a good time.

Video: Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard has dropped two videos from his upcoming solo album 'Rhythm and Repose'.

Philander is a tense downbeat love song featuring Hansard's signature speak sing vocals. However, Philander has a more mature sound with chaotic piano swells.

 
Love Don't Leave Me Waiting sees Hansard deliver a feelgood song with echoes of Van Morrison and Paddy Casey. 



'Rhythm and Repose' is out June 19th

Review: HAL - The Time The Hour

The Time The Hour, is the long-awaited sophomore album from Dublin outfit HAL.  Their seven-year hiatus has yielded an eclectic collection of sun drenched melodies, flanked by funky bass lines and expansive string and brass arrangements, combining to create one of the most ambitious albums ever recorded in Ireland. 

Dave Allen's voice is a silken chameleon, capable of delivering smooth sunshine falsetto, forlorn existential country, and herculean harmony parts, with unbelievable ease. Bass, is the albums lynchpin behind Allen's voice, switching between complex James Jamerson-esque riffs and subtle Rick Dankoisms.  The songs are laden with instrumentation. It would seem HAL spared no expense to achieve their sonic goals.

"You don't get all magnificent sitting on your own"  declares Dave Allen, on the radio-friendly, fuzz-bass fuelled Magnificent. Single Be With You, is a feel good melting pot of sunshine Casanova jazz, suitable for wooing a lady or two. The Romanticism continues through the dainty brush strokes of Going to the City, a track which pays homage to the likes of Harry Nilsson, and Glen Campbell.  Down in the Valley, is part rock opera, part Supergrass. Imagine four young turk's fleeing hell, on bicycles, with the damsel in distress getting a crossbar to safety.

Title track Time The Hour, is a tense, atmospheric, broken relationship ballad. It ticks like a bomb into deep piano chords and frazzled violins  Many of the songs, such as Time The Hour, and Hannah, would lend themselves wonderfully to a female vocal. Time The Hour's phrasing would have suited Shirley Bassey, in her prime, perfectly. Listening to Rockin' Chairs, one could be forgiven for thinking Neil Young, had drafted in Nile Rodgers as producer, as an intricate fiddle fest gives way to beefy bass riff driven stomper. Ingeniously this track segways into an extended orchestral Beatles meets sandbox outro.  The Jamerson-esque groves continue on Y Do You Come Here, a disco ditty with a huge Gibb like falsetto section.  While Close to Her, feels like a long-lost Wilson-McCartney collaboration in four-part harmony.

This is an album for people who are serious about music, who appreciate the sound and the skill required to make it, in equal measure. It may not appeal to the chart conscious masses but, you'll be hard pressed to find a better collection of songs released in 2012. It's the Irish album of the year to date.