Villagers have dropped an early Christmas present in the form of new track Passing A Message which gives us another sneak peak into their forthcoming second album {Awayland}released January 11th 2013. Villagers play The Blackbox, Belfast
(Nov 11th) and Whelans, Dublin (Nov 13th, sold out). But fear not, they will return to Dublin on March 21st to play the Olympia Theatre.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Review: Windings - I Am Not The Crow
In the early 2000's Stephen Ryan needed an alternative creative outlet from his critically acclaimed band Giveamanakick. The outstanding results eventually found their way on to 2005's self titled début 'Windings.' Since then
Ryan has seen his secondary creative outlet become his main focus,
moving from solo project to a fully formed entity in its own right. Fast
forward to 2012 as Windings release their finest set of material to
date 'I Am Not The Crow.' An eclectic 8 track collection of bittersweet
sunshine pop and undulating indie rock rhythms, with a melodic alt
country twist.
'I Am Not The Crow' begins bravely with the sparkling Sun In My Bones. A beautiful happy/sad creation in the tradition of Teenage Fanclub and Wilco. It builds beautifully across the duration of its eight minutes culminating in a stunning virtuoso guitar solo that Nels Cline (Wilco) would surely approve of. Stephen Ryan's self-destructive, self-deprecating lyrics sit effortlessly above the delicately unfolding musical arrangement. Sun In My Bones is undoubtedly one of the finest opening statements of an Irish album this year.
Something Outnumbered continues the albums happy/sad feel however, this time the soundscape is darker, thanks to Brian Meaney's military drumbeat. Ryan's vocals are magnificent, once again capturing the atmosphere of the track perfectly "There's not much hope of changing and this place is becoming me So keep all the good stuff to yourself and hope all your hopes so secretly" concedes Ryan in the verse, whilst defiantly stating "they could light a fire but I'd burn if i could just stay by your side" through the chorus.
Alkaterian Are Alright signals a major change in approach by Windings. The melancholy of the opening tracks is replaced by a defiant upbeat rock and roll rebellion wall of sound. This track is reminiscent of early Foo Fighters material, with supercharged power chords belting forth, yet still retaining their melodic stability. Ryan has conjured up a memorable chorus of "Breathe in, Slow Down, Sleep in, but they won't wait for us all that long." Which ties the composition together wonderfully.
Windings turbocharged approach to songwriting continues on single This Is Conversation which begins life as an indie disco dance floor filler, with bouncy bass and cowbell pangs. Before building into a giant soundscape of distorted guitar stabs, as Ryan delivers a lyrical trifecta of chorus lines, which he rotates and again and again, before the albums second guitar solo closes the track on a twisty flourish.
Cleaner seems somewhat meek following the uptempo bombast of the previous three tracks and is perhaps, by default, the albums lowest point. While, In Need Of Some Repair is an enjoyable, spooky reprise of opening track Sun In My Bones. But the only real disappointment is that Windings have chose not to include 2011's sublime standalone single Embury Greenway on 'I Am Not The Crow.'
'I Am Not The Crow' begins bravely with the sparkling Sun In My Bones. A beautiful happy/sad creation in the tradition of Teenage Fanclub and Wilco. It builds beautifully across the duration of its eight minutes culminating in a stunning virtuoso guitar solo that Nels Cline (Wilco) would surely approve of. Stephen Ryan's self-destructive, self-deprecating lyrics sit effortlessly above the delicately unfolding musical arrangement. Sun In My Bones is undoubtedly one of the finest opening statements of an Irish album this year.
Something Outnumbered continues the albums happy/sad feel however, this time the soundscape is darker, thanks to Brian Meaney's military drumbeat. Ryan's vocals are magnificent, once again capturing the atmosphere of the track perfectly "There's not much hope of changing and this place is becoming me So keep all the good stuff to yourself and hope all your hopes so secretly" concedes Ryan in the verse, whilst defiantly stating "they could light a fire but I'd burn if i could just stay by your side" through the chorus.
Alkaterian Are Alright signals a major change in approach by Windings. The melancholy of the opening tracks is replaced by a defiant upbeat rock and roll rebellion wall of sound. This track is reminiscent of early Foo Fighters material, with supercharged power chords belting forth, yet still retaining their melodic stability. Ryan has conjured up a memorable chorus of "Breathe in, Slow Down, Sleep in, but they won't wait for us all that long." Which ties the composition together wonderfully.
Windings turbocharged approach to songwriting continues on single This Is Conversation which begins life as an indie disco dance floor filler, with bouncy bass and cowbell pangs. Before building into a giant soundscape of distorted guitar stabs, as Ryan delivers a lyrical trifecta of chorus lines, which he rotates and again and again, before the albums second guitar solo closes the track on a twisty flourish.
Cleaner seems somewhat meek following the uptempo bombast of the previous three tracks and is perhaps, by default, the albums lowest point. While, In Need Of Some Repair is an enjoyable, spooky reprise of opening track Sun In My Bones. But the only real disappointment is that Windings have chose not to include 2011's sublime standalone single Embury Greenway on 'I Am Not The Crow.'
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Review: Jogging - Take Courage
Despite their excellent DIY début 'Minutes' and stunning live shows Jogging have failed to garner the plaudits they deserve, being somewhat overlooked in the Richter Collective stable of bands by Irish critics. Following the demise of the Richter Collective, Jogging moved to Out On A Limb Records
with their sophomore album 'Take Courage' in tow. Indeed, much credit
must go to their former label for ensuring that many of their acts left
with their next batch of songs recorded and ready for release. Proving
once and for all that Richter Collective was always about the music and
never the Benjamins.
'Take Courage' includes all the elements that made 'Minutes' a potent Molotov cocktail of prog-punk. However, it also displays growth in terms of both songwriting and production. The songs are more focused, direct and compact with every note hitting hard and purposefully. The major flaw of 'Minutes' was the standard of production on the drums, which failed to realise the true power and density of the lines being performed. Thankfully this has been rectified and now drummer Peter Lee's patterns and fills can finally be appreciated outside a live setting.
Deadweight kicks things off with one of Jogging's signature twisty melodic guitar lines, before bursting into a hardcore chorus matched by the bleak and anguished lyrical content. But no surprise there, Jogging's disaffected lyrical content is one of the most intriguing aspects of their music. Stand Still and Horse Sense explode forth like world war two artillery fire, creating dense apocalyptic soundscapes. With Horse Sense in particular displaying how Jogging have matured as sonic arrangers.
Good Gold, is an early standout thanks to its multifaceted arrangement and killer put downs, such as "What you don't know is worth its weight in gold" it builds slowly from intertwining math-rock and hardcore riffs. before bursting into, yet another, memorable melodic guitar hook, seemingly out of nowhere. It's a bold move which pays instant dividends, as all the elements combine perfectly for the outro. Every Bristle A Bayonet is almost a ballad in comparison to the material which proceeds it. But even at their lightest moments Jogging blast most others bands out of the water with their precision angst. Skeletons, Inc. may even sneak on to mainstream rock radio thanks to its almost straightforward arrangement Whilst the melodic stylings of Piecemeal may open the doors further still.
Winter In The Theatre closes this impressive album with one last cannon blast. Building slowly from an overdriven bass riff it gradually builds over 5 minutes into a hailing crescendo as Ronan Jackson belts "I grow weary". But while the band themselves may be disaffected the listener certainly won't be. 'Take Courage' is one of the finest albums of the year, bristling with energy, grit and determination.
'Take Courage' includes all the elements that made 'Minutes' a potent Molotov cocktail of prog-punk. However, it also displays growth in terms of both songwriting and production. The songs are more focused, direct and compact with every note hitting hard and purposefully. The major flaw of 'Minutes' was the standard of production on the drums, which failed to realise the true power and density of the lines being performed. Thankfully this has been rectified and now drummer Peter Lee's patterns and fills can finally be appreciated outside a live setting.
Deadweight kicks things off with one of Jogging's signature twisty melodic guitar lines, before bursting into a hardcore chorus matched by the bleak and anguished lyrical content. But no surprise there, Jogging's disaffected lyrical content is one of the most intriguing aspects of their music. Stand Still and Horse Sense explode forth like world war two artillery fire, creating dense apocalyptic soundscapes. With Horse Sense in particular displaying how Jogging have matured as sonic arrangers.
Good Gold, is an early standout thanks to its multifaceted arrangement and killer put downs, such as "What you don't know is worth its weight in gold" it builds slowly from intertwining math-rock and hardcore riffs. before bursting into, yet another, memorable melodic guitar hook, seemingly out of nowhere. It's a bold move which pays instant dividends, as all the elements combine perfectly for the outro. Every Bristle A Bayonet is almost a ballad in comparison to the material which proceeds it. But even at their lightest moments Jogging blast most others bands out of the water with their precision angst. Skeletons, Inc. may even sneak on to mainstream rock radio thanks to its almost straightforward arrangement Whilst the melodic stylings of Piecemeal may open the doors further still.
Winter In The Theatre closes this impressive album with one last cannon blast. Building slowly from an overdriven bass riff it gradually builds over 5 minutes into a hailing crescendo as Ronan Jackson belts "I grow weary". But while the band themselves may be disaffected the listener certainly won't be. 'Take Courage' is one of the finest albums of the year, bristling with energy, grit and determination.
Video: Runaway GO - Jump Start
Jump Start is the latest single to be released by Belfast popsters Runaway Go. The band undertake a nine date tour of Ireland in support of Jump Start starting November 2nd in The Workman's Club Dublin. If you like what you hear check out http://runawaygo.com for more details and live dates.
Video: Sweet Jane - I Wanna Be In Love
I Wanna Be In Love is the first single to be taken from Sweet Jane's second album. It's also the first indication of how the band will fair since lead singer Lydia Des Dolles left the group to be replaced from within by Danda Paxton.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Video: The Fallen Drakes - Treatment
The Fallen Drakes have released a cover of Treatment by Labrinth to tied over their devoted fan base while they record their debut album. The track even received Labrinth's approval via twitter with the composer citing it as "a very honest rendition of my song". The band have utilised Twitter to gain a massive fan base and are constantly in the Top 5 Follow Friday chart for Ireland, even picking up star admirers such as Gary Barlow along the way.
Video: Little Green Cars - John Wayne
We first came across Little Green Cars at last summers Forbidden Fruit festival where they gave one of the standout performances of the weekend. Since then the band have signed to Guillermo Ramos, subsidiary of Major label Island, and have recorded their debut album 'Absolute Zero' with Markus Dravs (Bjork, Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons).Fan favourite John Wayne is the lead single to be taken from the album watch the video below. Catch Little Green Cars in Whelans on November 8th.
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