Review: Catfish & The Bottlemen // The Ride

Catfish & The Bottlemen’s 2014 debut ‘The Balcony’ made an absolute storm, it’s an album that has propelled them to within touching distance of festival headline status. Their latest outing, ‘The Ride’, could be what puts them their.

‘7’ opens the album and it epitomises the step they’ve made between albums – a very small one. Other than polishing up the sound from the first album it’s difficult to see how the band has changed. Lyrically not a huge amount has changed with songs about girls, partying and regrets. Musically not a huge amount has changed either other than a slightly less frantic and fuller sound.

The most glaring thing missing from this album and Catfish & The Bottlemsn’s discography is a ‘Wonderwall’, a ‘Mr Brightside’, a song that will launch them from a good band to a great one. ‘Soundcheck’, their first single from the album, is the one that comes closest. With a sing-along chorus and a theme reflecting the difficulties of love and touring it’s an absolute hit with fans of the band, but not one that’s going to convert people that aren’t.

With all this said ‘The Ride’ is an excellent album, it improves and develops the band from their raw debut, however second albums are always difficult, especially if your first one is as successful as ‘The Balcony’ was. However it’s hard not to look at this album as a disappointment because it could have been so much more.

(8/10)

-Luke

Review: Lonely The Brave // Thing Will Matter

Lonely The Brave burst onto the scene in 2014 with 'The Day's War' and now they're back with a second album 'Things Will Matter'. David Jake's soft deep vocals still seep through the whole album and with the songs still heavily guitar, at a glance it doesn't look as if much as changed

It's difficult to put your finger on initially, however the more you listen the more you realise something has changed. In Black Mire, the second song on the album, its the most clear with the vocals becoming faint and at times overshadowed by the roaring guitar riffs creating a darker feel to the album.

Most importantly, however, this album shows the development of a band set to go to the top of alternative musics hierarchy. It's not the finished article just yet but its yet another step forward in this bands career. (8/10)

-Luke

Review: The Broadcasts // The Broadcasts

If you've spent enough time going to gigs in Cardiff you'll have inevitably stumbled across The Broadcasts. In only the last few months they've supported the likes of October Drift, The People The Poet and more, and if you were lucky enough to catch them, you'll know their first album could be a force to be reckoned with.

Their self-titled debut opens with the energetic and catchy blues rock of Down The Line and The Future. Both songs get the blood pumping before the album takes a breather on Western Lands; the first 3 songs on the album demonstrating The Broadcasts ability to write songs at any pace not only with a common sound but with an infectious one too. The simple but interesting style to their music will have you singing along by the second or third listen.

The fourth song on the LP - 'This Is Life' - is the lead single of the album and it carries a more country feel and demonstrates further the bands ability to write an infectious and yet a musically sound song. With the kind of chorus' that you would happily shout along to throughout the album, almost any song could have taken the lead single slot.

However The Broadcasts are not a one dimensional band and are not just about those sing a long catchy tunes. In 'The Road Goes On', 'What It Meant To Me' and the closing song 'What We've Become', the band shows a more delicate and polished touch to their music. 'What We've Become', in particular, shows a more sombre sound to the band - a sound you here in glimpses throughout the rest of the album - and is really developed in the closing song. It's by no means a stretch to call the closing to the album an epic, with delicate piano parts building into an anthemic chorus it brings the bands sounds together and ties up the album brilliantly.

An exciting and well-rounded debut from the Cardiff band; catchy, thoughtful and epic all at once. (8.5/10)

- Luke

You can catch The Broadcasts at their album release show at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on 17th June

Review: Modern Baseball // Holy Ghost

Modern Baseball are affectionately called MoBo by fans

A lot of people treat pop punk as blanket term for generic songs about hating your home town and missing your girl/boyfriend. It's the term people associate with 'Teenage Dirtbag', Blink-182, 'In Too Deep' and scrawny guys wearing tank tops and snap-backs. It's even a phrase which has become synonymous with pizza....

"He's been haunting my dreams at night....."; Modern Baseball's new record 'Holy Ghost' opens with a slow, sombre title track which band member Jake Ewald wrote about the death of his grandfather - not your typical 'Pop Punk' song. That's what initially strikes you about this record, it's pop punk but not as we know it, the sound and style is there but gone is the generic lyrics and strong themes designed to help the listener connect. Instead this is a very personal album from the boys from across the pond, not dealing in the vague and relatable but instead in the specifics.

With the LP split in two with the first half written by Jake Ewalds and the second half by Brendan Lukens each portion has its own unique qualities and personal touches and yet comes together brilliantly as a whole.

In songs 1 to 6, Jake takes the reigns steering the album through the style synonymous with the bands first 2 albums but a lyrical style that comes across as more personal than reflected on previous outings. The song 'Holy Ghost' feeds into 'Wedding Singer' which is what one would call a 'classic' MoBo song. The subject of the first music video of the album, the song (and video) reflects one part of the theme for Ewalds half of the album - finding someone. The rest of Ewalds half follows suit with building on a sound which the band had previously cemented as their own.

On the B-side Lukens takes over and introduces a slightly 'thrashier' sound to the band which has only been seen in glimpses on the previous albums. Each song is a short burst of a dark room, lonely night shout along. Last year MoBo cancelled a series of dates so that Brendan could go to rehab having being diagnosed with bipolar disorder - a subject which is covered in their documentary 'Tripping In The Dark' - and the struggles he has faced are covered in the second half of this album. This comes through clearly in the last song 'Just Another Face' which attacks the subject in a refreshingly honest and frank way - opening with "I'm a waste of time and space / Drifting through my selfish ways" - the song reflects how difficult it was for Lukens to open up about the subject and how facing his problems effected him and the band.

Despite Lukens and Ewalds attacking different themes in each side of the record, it somehow comes together as a whole and becomes a musical biography for the band since the release of 'You're Gonna Miss It All'. Each personal touch on this record dispels the theory that something must be generic to be relatable and will, without a doubt, grow Modern Baseball's already substantial following.  - (9/10)

-Luke

Review: In Requiem // In Requiem

Alt-Rock is currently a very strange scene, metal-heads and rock fans are notoriously difficult to please and have their old school favourites and generally stick to them. People still flock in their droves to see bands like Black Sabbath, Rammestein and Iron Maiden who as a trio people still flock to see despite their almost complete irrelevance to the modern alt-rock music scene.

Pontypridd based In Requiem, in February, released their debut self-titled EP and it shows how a band can reflect those legends of old but still be there own band. 

;In Requiem; was released on 14/02/2016

The 4-piece combine elements of that classic rock sound with synth in a 5 track EP that doesn't break musical boundaries but hints that there is more in this band that meets the eye.

The opening track 'Shelter (Save Me)' opens with a melodic guitar rift before dropping into a quieter synth sequence. At points in the song and the album as a whole the music, at times, reflects the music of Linkin Park. At the same time, In Requiem seem to develop their style throughout the EP, seeming to have found a comfortable sound for them and one that echos through the record. Unfortunately those stubborn rock fans may need a little more convincing than that.

'In Requiem' is a solid debut and an entertaining listen, however it hints that if the band develop certain elements in their music it can push them on to bigger things. 7/10

-Luke

Radiohead Release "Burn The Witch"

After deleting all social media presence the other day, Radiohead confirm what everyone expected by releasing new song "Burn The Witch".

The interesting new song is accompanied by a disturbing music video which you can see below.

This development and the addition of a strange new profile leads us to believe a new album is on its way! "Burn The Witch" will be available to buy digitally from tomorrow.

Radioheads new profile picture on social media has raised eyebrows

Artist Spotlight // Frightened Rabbit

Members:
Scott Hitchison, Grant Hutchison, Billy Kennedy, Andy Monaghan, Simon Liddel, Gordon Skene (Past Member)

Location:
Selkirk, Scotland

Description:
Depressing Scottish indie rock.

Songs To Get You Started:
Poke (2008), Woke Up Hurting (2016), The Greys (2006), Nitrous Gas (2013), The Woodpile (2013), Modern Leper (2008)

Discography:
Studio Albums:

1. Sings The Greys (2006)
2. The Midnight Organ Fight (2008) - Stereo Brain Rating: 10/10
3. The Winter Of Mixed Drinks (2010)
4. Pedestrian Verse (2013) - Stereo Brain Rating: 9/10
5. Painting Of A Panic Attack (2016) - Stereo Brain Rating: 9.5/10

EP's & Singles:

1. Be Less Rude (2007)
2. The Greys (2007)
3. It's Christmas So We'll Stop (2007)
4. Heads Roll Off (2008)
5. Fast Blood (2008)
6. I Feel Better (2008)
7. Quietly Now! (Live Album) (2008)
8. Swim Until You Can't See Land (2009)
9. Nothing Like You (2010)
10. Living In Colour (2010)
11. The Loneliness And The Scream (2010)
12. A Frightened Rabbit EP (2011)
13. State Hospital EP (2012)
14. The Woodpile (2013)
15. Backyard Skulls (2013)
16. Late March, Death March (2013)
17. Live From Criminal Records (2014)
18. Get Out (2016)

Interesting Facts:

• Lead Singer Scott Hutchison has a solo project called 'Owl John' from which he released a self titled debut in 2014
• Scott has an art degree from Glasgow School of Art which was also the location of the bands first gig under the name Frightened Rabbit
• The name Frightened Rabbit comes from a pet tame Scott & Grant's mum had for Scott due to his extreme shyness when young
• The ban were once victims of a twitter troll but responded by printing the hurtful phrases on a shirt and selling it for charity. It read: "Furry brick built men. Ugly, hairy and built like cruise ships sinc 2006"

Social Media:
Frightened Rabbit Twitter
Frightened Rabbit Facebook

Find more articles on Frightened Rabbit HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Artist Spotlight // Frank Turner

Members:
Frank Turner

Location:
Winchester, Wessex

Description:
Former punk band front man who's found a home in meaningful acoustic songwriting

Songs To Get You Started:
Get Better (2015), Recovery (2013), A Ballad Of Me and My Friends (2007), Dan's Song (2009), I Still Believe (2011)

Discography:
Studio Albums:

1. Sleep Is For The Week (2007)
2. Love, Ire & Song (2008)
3. The First Three Years (2008)
4. Poetry Of The Deed (2009)
5. England Keep My Bones (2011)
6. The Second Three Years (2011)
7. Last Minutes & Lost Evenings (2012)
8. Tape Deck Heart (2013)
9. The Third Three Years (2014)
10. Postive Songs For Negative People (2015)
11. Ten For Ten (2016)

EP's & Singles:

1. Vital Signs (2006)
2. Campfire Punkrock (2006)
3. The Real Damage (2007)
4. Photosynthesis (2008)
5. Reasons Not to Be an Idiot (2008)
6. Long Live The Queen (2008)
7. The Road (2009)
8. Poetry Of The Deed (2009)
9. Isabel (2010)
10. Try This At Home (2010)
11. I Still Believe (2010)
12. Rock & Roll (2010)
13. Peggy Sang The Blues (2011)
14. If I Ever Stray (2011)
15. Wessex Boy (2011)
16. Recovery (2013)
17. The Way I Tend To Be (2013)
18. Losing Days (2013)
19. Oh Brother (2013)
20. Losing Days - EP (2013)
21. Polaroid Picture - EP (2014)
22. Polaroid Picture (2014)
23. The Next Storm
24. Mittens - EP (2016)

Interesting Facts:

• Frank used to front the critically acclaimed UK punk band Million Dead
• In 2016 Frank will play Reading & Leeds Festival for the 10th year in a row - a new record
• Xtra Mile - the record company Frank is on - intended on 'Positive Songs For Negative People' to reach number 1, unfortunately that same week Dr. Dre surprised the world with his first record for 16 years
• (Proceeding the above incident) The week of the album release Frank played a song in dedication to Dr. Dre at a tiny intimate show in his home town of Winchester
• Frank is known for never not being on tour and is approaching nearly 2000 live shows!

Social Media:

Frank Turner Twitter
Frank Turner Facebook

Find more articles on Frank Turner HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Artist Spotlight // Hacktivist

Members:
Tim Beazley, J Hurley, Ben Marvin, Josh Gurner, Richard Hawking

Location:
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Description:
Nu-metal or grime punk, whichever you prefer, but aggressive and in your face with a message that needs to be heard.

Songs To Get You Started:
N****s in Paris (2013), Elevate (2013), Hacktivist (2012), Taken (feat. Rou Reyenolds) (2016), Hate (2016)

Discography:
Studio Albums:

1. Outside The Box (2016)

EP's & Singles:

1. Hacktivist EP (2012)
2. Elevate (2013)
3. N****s In Paris (2013)
4. False Idols (2014)
5. Decieve and Defy (2014)

Social Media:

Hacktivist Twitter
Hacktivist Facebook

Find more articles on Hacktivist HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Artist Spotlight // Enter Shikari

Enter Shikari @ The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff - 26.02.16

Members:
Rou Reyenolds, Chris Batten, Rob Rolfe, Rob Clewlow

Location:
St Albans, Hertfordshire

Description:
Hectic electronic infused post hardcore

Songs To Get You Started:
Redshift (2016), Sorry You're Not A Winner (2004), Anaesthetist (2015), Gandhi Mate Gandhi (2012), Mothership (2007)

Discography:
Studio Albums:

1. Take To The Skies (2004)
2. Common Dreads (2009)
3. A Flash Flood Of Colour (2012)
4. The Mindsweep (2015)
5. The Mindsweep: Hospitalised (2015)

EP's & Singles:

1. Nodding Acquaintance (2003)
2. Sorry You're Not A Winner (2003)
3. Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour (2004)
4. Mothership (2006)
5. Sorry You're Not A Winner/OK Time for Plan B (2006)
6. The Zone (2007)
7. Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour (2007)
8. Johnny Sniper (2007)
9. We Can Breathe In Space, They Just Don't Want Us To Escape (2008)
10. Juggernauts (2009)
11. No Sleep Tonight (2009)
12. Live at Milton Keynes - Bootleg Series Volume 1 (2009)
13. Tribalism (2010)
14. Thumper (2010)
15. Destabilise (2010)
16. Live at Rock City - Bootleg Series Volume 2 (2010)
17. Live from Planet Earth - Bootleg Series Volume 3 (2011)
18. Quelle Surprise (2011)
19. Sssnakepit (2011)
20. Gandhi Mate, Gandhi (2011)
21. Live in London NW5 2012. EP (2012)
22. Live In London. W6. March 2012. - Bootleg Series Volume 4 (2012)
23. Arguing With Thermometers (2012)
24. Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here (2012)
25. Live in the Barrowland - Bootleg Series Volume 5 (2013)
26. The Paddington Frisk (2013)
27. Rat Race (2013)
28. Radiate (2013)
29. Rat Race EP (2013)
30. The Last Garrison (2014)
31. Anaesthetist (2015)
32. Slipshod (Urbandawn Remix) (2015)
33. Covers (2015)
34. Live & Acoustic at Alexandra Palace (2016)
35. Redshift (2016)

Social Media:
Enter Shikari Twitter
Enter Shikari Facebook

Find more articles on Enter Shikari HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Artist Spotlight // The Lion and The Wolf

Members:
Thomas George

Location:
Ventnor, Isle Of Wight

Description:
Brilliant, beautiful and depressing melancholy

Songs To Get You Started:
My Fathers Eyes (2015), The Lion and The Wolf (2011), Ink and Skin (2014), Colour (2014), Bar Stools (2015)

Discography:
Studio Albums:

1. Symptoms (2014)

EP's & Singles:

1. The Lion & The Wolf EP (2011)
2. Time On My Hands EP (2014)
3. My Fathers Eyes (2015)

Social Media:
The Lion and The Wolf Twitter
The Lion and The Wolf Facebook

Find more articles on The Lion and The Wolf HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Artist Spotlight // Slaves

Members:
Laurie Vincent, Isaac Holman

Location:
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Description:
Aggressive hard hitting catchy punk

Songs To Get You Started:
The Hunter (2014), White Knuckle Ride (2012), Where's Your Car Debbie (2014), Shutdown (2015), Cheer Up London (2015), Girl Fight (2012)

Discography:
Studio Albums:

1. Are You Satisfied? (2015) - Stereo Brain Rating: 10/10, Stereo Brain Album Of The Year 2015

EP's & Singles:

1. Sugar Coated Bitter Truth (2012)
2. Where's Your Car Debbie (2014)
3. Hey (2014)
4. The Hunter (2014)
5. Are You Satisfied (2015)
6. Cheer Up London (2015)

Social Media:
Slaves Twitter
Slaves Facebook

Find more articles on Slaves HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Artist Spotlight // Rusty Shackle

Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club, Cardiff - 15/04/16

Members:

Liam Collins, Scott McKeon, James McKeon, Ryan Williams, Baz Barwick, Owen Emmanuel

Location:

Monmouth, Wales

Description:

Self proclaimed "Dirty bluegrass folk 'n' rollers" 

Songs To Get You Started:

3AM (2011), Lucinda Returned (2016), The Bones (2011), When The Morning Comes (2016), DOwn To The Valley (2016)

Discography:

Studio Albums:

1. Wash Away These Nights (2012)
2. The Bones (2013)
3. Dusk (2016) - Stereo Brain Rating: 7.5/10

EP's & SIngles

1. Hounds Of Justice EP (2010)
2. Bandit Down (2011)
3. 3AM (2011)
4. The Bones (2013)
5. Tommy's Letter (Never Forget Your Welsh Heroes) (2014)
6. When The Morning Comes (2016)
7. Down To The Valley (2016)

Social Media:

Rusty Shackle Twitter

Rusty Shackle Facebook

Find more articles on Rusty Shackle HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Rusty Shackle // The Moon Club, Cardiff // 15.04.16

Having released their 3rd studio album 'Dusk' earlier this year, Rusty Shackle embarked on a UK wide tour and the penultimate night was a sold out show in Cardiff. The upstairs bar was packed to the rafters with people struggling to fit into the room, perching on the stairs just to be able to see the tiny stage, a stage made to look even smaller with a six-piece alt-folk band filling it.

Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club

Opening with the first single from 'Dusk' - 'When The Morning Comes' - the atmosphere was instantly electric. The crowd bounced and sung to every tune creating a carnival of perspiration and happy faces. The band fed off this energy, seemingly enjoying every minute of their show and getting the crowd involved at any possible moment.

Midway through the set the band broke into 'Bonkers' - a cover of Dizzee Rascal's hit song. It's difficult to cover songs of such popularity at the best of times, but with a complete change in genre required from the original, it made it even more impressive that Rusty Shackle executed it perfectly. Certainly worth seeing the band just for this interesting and unique take on the popular song that had the whole room ecstatic.

Trumpeter & Bassist Ryan during 'Bonkers'
Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club

With the room reduced to a dancing mess, they broke into 'Lucinda Returned' which, despite being relatively new song, appeared to be a huge hit with everyone in the room. By the end the crowd were singing the chorus back to the band with such glee lead singer Liam had to clarify "We're not doing a reprise!". The band then closed with two of their older more popular songs - 'Bones' and '3am' - both of which are clearly well established in the bands set-list and known by all in the room. It was an incredible atmosphere to have at a gig for any band, let alone a lesser known one.

Rusty Shackle @ The Moon Club

The band left the stage and the fans filtered out the room, everyone sweaty but smiling staggering off into the cold april night. After creating such an atmosphere and such a hype, a gig like that can be a catalyst for any band, launching them to bigger and better things and it certainly looks like that's a huge possibility for Rusty Shackle.

-Luke

October Drift // The Louisiana, Bristol // 09.04.16

As fans are already established at the front of the room, October Drift needed no introduction here in this intimate space. A venue already quite acquainted with hosting for bands who just bleed talent and radiate a future for themselves such as Placebo, The Chemical Brothers and Muse. However, this charismatic entity of a musical group is hard to place in any one section of a spectrum as they play to a mere ghost of Interpol, the lead vocals as haunting and welcome as Paul Banks himself. Each individual member gave off an energy that was dying to burst out of the room, which is the only explanation I can give to the lead vocalist seeking refuge in the crowd for a few songs. All humans gave way, soaking in the act from every division of space that there was. This just added to the intimacy and closeness of all involved. I had come to this gig audibly blind since I always enjoy the element of musical surprise, especially bands I’ve already heard so much about from trusted friends, and I was not at all disappointed.

The giddiness of the inevitable ‘I have a crush on all of you’ girls at the front did not spoil the night as the drummer’s more than impressive harmonies resonated through every ear hole. Granted, it had to be pointed out to me that these were coming from him as I’ve always been in awe of being able to keep a rhythm and hold a note at the same time, but this was spot on. There is no doubt that these boys are performers, dabbling with Dutch courage in the form of a bottle, be it lager or wine. That isn’t to say they weren’t naturally bubbling over with confidence and esteem. Egos are there to be stroked, but the sense of being grounded peered through every soul that was present on stage. No efforts were needed in forming a slight pit as the crowd were already fixing one up themselves ending up with half joining the band in their sacred bubble. Bubble or not, they didn’t mind. This crowd was theirs, they owned these fans and in that moment it was realised that October Drift are going to be huge.

Check out some of their videos over at http://www.octoberdrift.co.uk/index.php/videos. Browse the tour dates and most definitely catch them if you can.

-Little Bubbles

You can check out Little Bubbles own blog HERE

October Drift // Undertone, Cardiff // 07.04.16

There's always something special about experiencing an exciting young band in a tiny sweaty basement. That's exactly what fans of October Drift were treated to on a cold Thursday night in Cardiff.

The Fused @ Undertone

First up where local indie-rockers The Fused; a Cardiff band with a lot of energy and an exciting sound. Within seconds a mosh pit broke out in the venue, the ceiling only centimetres from the bouncing fans heads. The band say they're influenced by the likes of Catfish & The Bottlemen and The Libertines and you can certainly hear that indie style come through there music, however the band had moments of delving into a rockier style which kept the crowd bouncing. The Fused have a very current sound and with the energy they portrayed in their performance could move on to bigger things.

The Broadcasts @ Undertone

The Broadcasts came to the stage a man down with their guitarist at home recovering from an illness. Nonetheless the band still gave an exciting performances. They fed off the energy created by The Fused, reducing the fans into a sweaty mess. The alt rock/acoustic band from south Wales have an album out soon which will be a great listen if their live performance is anything to go by.

October Drift @Undertone

With the crowd buzzing and excitement brewing October Drift took the stage. Due to the bands recent social media storm through issues with Facebook's swear filter while trying to promote a gig in Scunthorpe and an ever increasing hype around the band, the show was nearly packed to capacity. The band bounced of the energy created by the two supports with crowd surfers and mosh pits a common place throughout the set. The band not only musically were fantastic but also interacted with the crowd incredibly; climbing amps, bouncing with the crowd and at one point getting the whole room to crouch down in a circle during the opening part of 'Lost'.

October Drift @ Undertone

These sort of displays from the Somerset band won't go unnoticed and will propel them to bigger and better things in the near future.

-Luke

10 Years On: Frightened Rabbit // Sings the Greys

In 2004 two brothers started a band. Scott and Grant Hutchison had no idea at the time the success this band would achieve. The name of the band originated from a pet name given to Scott by his mother due to his shyness and they first performed under Frightened Rabbit for a show at Scott’s former art college. The band now have a large fan base and are going on to release their 5th LP ‘Painting of a Panic Attack’.

This journey had to start somewhere and that somewhere is 'Sings The Greys': first released on May 1st 2006 on independent label 'Hit The Fan Records' the LP was initially limited to 1000 copies. The album itself feels musically stripped down, raw and unpolished but with mature and thoughtful lyrics.

The first song on the LP 'The Greys', which was one of the singles, tackles depression and reflects on how it affects a person and is very much different from just feeling sad - "What's the blues when you've got the greys". You find throughout the LP Scott, who is the primary song writer of the band, covers a range of topics – most of which personal. ‘Snake’ talks about missing or longing for a partner, whereas ‘Yawns’ and ‘Square 9’ talk about the breakdown of a relationship. There are also some songs with wider views, for example ‘Music Now’ covers Scott’s opinion on popular music. The overall feeling you get from 'Sings the Greys' is a dark one; grumpy and miserable. The thudding drums and slowly building layered tracks are atmospheric and occasionally feel like a live recording which adds to raw sound of the LP.

However this is an album that has to be looked at as a whole rather than a sum of individual parts; with three little 1-minute instrumentals breaking up the album into four bite-size chunks; linking from one part to the next using similar melodies to those in the songs. These linking-style songs become a common place in the bands future albums and help build this feeling of the LP being a whole.

‘Sings the Greys’ is important in the back catalogue of the band as it is often seen as the foundations for their later work. In the following album ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ the band develop this stripped down sound by adding depth and a more polished feel. After this they began to develop a bigger sound in their subsequent 2 albums with the acoustic guitar becoming less prominent. Despite this evolution of musical style, the lyrical style and themes displayed in ‘Sings the Greys’ are carried through each album and can be seen as the escence of Frightened Rabbit.

Their 5th studio album 'Painting of a Panic Attack' is to be released on 8th April 2016 and was produced by The National's Aaron Dessner. The release will be followed by a short series of in-store and venue shows in the UK before and extensive tour of the US.

Review: Rusty Shackle // Dusk

Almost 3 years after the release of their second studio album, Rusty Shackle are back with 'Dusk'. From the hard-hitting and powerful 'When The Morning Comes' to the subtle and heartfelt 'Ellidaey Island' the LP covers every angle of musical style within the band.

Rusty Shackle have been floating around in the alternative folk scene for a good while and have an enthusiastic and loyal following with the first single from the album - incidently the first song on the new LP - reaching as high as #3 in the iTunes singer/songwriter charts and #80 in the iTunes singles chart. A fantastic achievement for an independent band releasing under their own label.

'Dusk' is by no means an album which can be viewed as a whole; listening to it is like a roller-coaster ride of musical styles  with songs varying between exquisite and intricate to the simple and catchy, The variance in sound means there is no doubt a song for everyone to enjoy on the album. Each song can be viewed on it's own as a very different part of the same whole. However the band maintains a theme flowing through the album that ties it all together.

'When The Morning Comes' is a brilliant example, it opens the album hard hitting and in your face. It's the sort of song that finds a little nook inside your mind and stays there; an earworm. In complete contrast is 'Moving On', a duet between between lead singer Liam and Remy Beasley (a talented young welsh singer/songwriter) which, due to the sound of the pairs voices, could be a folked-up Of Monsters & Men song. This continues throughout the LP from the pop-folk and almost 'Disney' sounding ''Lion In Winter' to the quietly plucked 'Lonely Lighthouse Life' and the stunning hook-driven 'Lucinda Returned', Rusty Shackle take you on a journey through the variety that can be achieved within alternative folk.

With each listen this album becomes stronger and stronger and after the 3rd or 4th listen you'll be belting out the lyrics and jigging around your kitchen with it on full blast. A lot of people can be put off by an artist being labelled as alternative folk thinking it's just a Mumford & Sons rip-off, Rusty Shackle are far from that, their sound is much deeper and more musically interesting. They might not reach the heady heights of number one albums but the lads from Monmouth have produced an interesting and engrossing album.

The LP is released on the 25th March under Get Folked Records - the bands own label. Rusty Shackle have a series of headline dates in April/May to promote the release of 'Dusk':

7.5/10

-Luke

Tour dates for Rusty Shackle

Frightened Rabbit Release New Song & Music Video

Having already teased the new album with the opening song 'Death Dreams', Scottish indie band Frightened Rabbit released the second song from the album 'Get Out' on the 2nd March.

The band called it their "first 'proper' single" from the album along with posting the lyrics on their twitter. The video was premièred on the NME website for UK fans before becoming available on YouTube.

The song is one which reflects on young love and loss, portrayed in the music video with a surreal dance between 2 young girls, telling a story similar to that reflected in the lyric of the song.. The tune itself sounds very different from the ghostly sombre mood of 'Death Dream'; strong lyrics, a thumping sound and a lot more like the singles off their 4th studio album 'Pedestrian Verse'.



Frightened Rabbit's 5th Studio Album 'Painting Of A Panic Attack' is out on the 8th April 2016 on Atlantic Records and was produced by Aaron Dessner of The National.

Enter Shikari // Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff // 23.02.16

It was a cold quiet February Tuesday night in Cardiff and the Motorpoint Arena opened it's doors at 6. Hoards of gig goers flocked in for a show many of them had been anticipating for months. The excitement building, a buzz in the air as 7pm ticked closer and closer.The lights dimmed bringing the 3 quarters filled hall to a standstill.

One of the huge appeals of this tour was not just the headline act Enter shikari who themselves are incredible, but the quality of the bands supporting them. Most excitingly The King Blues who were returning for the first time on tour after 'splitting up' 4 years ago. Itch and the band had been tearing up political punk rock since about 2004 with numerous LP's reflecting Itch's objection to politics and also his personal struggles. When the band split in 2012 it sent shock waves through the world of punk rock and a lot of people were sad to see them go.

King Blues @ The Motorpoint Arena (photo by Ben Cowper)

Understandably the crowd were excited to see them back. Having released an EP 'Off With Their Heads' not much longer than a week before not only was it a chance to see a band which everyone thought had run their course but to hear some of their new material for the first time. Itch and the gang did not dissapoint, getting the crowd going with a set of old favourites, a call to protest against Cardiff Arms Fair and a brilliant rendition of their new single 'Off With Their Heads'. They were everything that was expected of them and more, so good in fact that they had the room calling for an encore.

The King Blues @ The Motorpoint Arena

However The King Blues had to give way for another incredible support act. All the way from the US the next support band were The Wonder Years, bring their brand of sad pop punk to Cardiff. Opening with 'Cardinals' and '& Brothers'; two songs that start off their latest album in an anthemic and hair raising fashion, they then led into a set filled with songs from every album. Fan favourite 'Passing Through A Screen Door' went down a treat with fans and new comers a like. Those unaware of The Wonder Years before the night soon became familiar with their tried and tested pop punk formula  and as the set went on more and more people in the hall were getting into the music, with mosh pits opening up left, right and centre.

The Wonder Years @ The Motorpoint Arena

As support acts go, Enter Shikari or whoever manages their tours did a fantastic job. With the crowd thoroughly warmed up and already sweating, The Wonder Years ended their set and the crowd waited in anticipation as behind a huge black curtain you could see lights flashing through, drum kits testing, the crowd knew there was something big was to be revealed. As the clock ticked round to 9pm there was a countdown in a deep synthesised voice.
"3 minute"
"2 minutes until show time"
"1 minute to go"
The lights dimmed.

The impressive thing about Shikari is their creativity. The genre which they fit into is a combination of electronic, metal, post hardcore and the remnants of rap metal, something not unheard of, but something they achieve with brilliance on record and in a live environment.

Enter Shikari @ The Motorpoint Arena

As if that wasn't enough Rou and the boys extend their creativity to live shows. As the band has progressed up the musical ladder its become easier for them to express themselves with extravagant shows with stunning lighting rigs and incredible sound and boy where the crowd at The Motorpoint Arena treated to a show.

Enter Shikari @The Motorpoint Arena (photo by Ben Cowder)

The curtain dropped revealing drummer Rob Rolfe's elevated stand and the band's logo suspended in metal from the rafters. Launching into the set with old favourite 'Enter Shikari' it took very little time for the crowd to rile up and become raucous, chanting back at the band "and still we will be here, standing like statues". Shikari created an atmosphere that made hairs stand on end, smashing through a set covering their entire discography, from studio albums new and old and one of singles, no one was left disappointed.

Enter Shikari @ The Motorpoint Arena (photo by James Aylward)

However, the most impressive thing about Enter Shikari was their inventiveness. With easy transitions mixing one track into the other, Rou's improvised vocals at the end of 'Radiate' and a spontaneous rendition of 'Angels' by Robbie Williams they had the crowd captivated and in the palm of their hand throughout the show. As a band they do so much more than perform songs, they create a show, a spectacle. A tactic that is slowly propelling them away from being an act on their way to the top to one that is already there.

Enter Shikari @ The Motorpoint Arena (photo by Robert Harris)

-Luke