Band of the Moment #4

With our reader count soaring (3 people even said they like it!), we’re pleased to present the fourth instalment of our ‘Band of the Moment’ section which see’s us landing in Essex for the wonderful ‘Dream in Colour’.

We came across this 4 piece when we saw their city session recording of debut single, ‘Strangest Place’ (which you can see below). Instantly, we were hooked with the incredible vocals of Richard Judge, which in turn led us to their website where we would discover that when combined with Peter Judge on drums, Michael Thackeray on guitar and Steve Daniels on bass we get a band that will sure to be making serious waves in 2012.

We’re struggling here to write something that’s not already been mentioned by the amazing reviews they’ve already had, (just check out their facebook page for proof). The collection of songs over on their official website shows a band with an incredibly diverse sound. From the Coral-esque ‘Fourteen’ to the minimal sounding but hauntingly stunning ‘Running to Pretend’ which demonstrates you don’t need mass production if you’ve got the talent.

This isn’t so much a review but an order for anyone who does happen to read this post to go and listen to this band.

Find out more at;

http://www.idreamincolourband.com
http://www.myspace.com/idreamincolourband
http://www.facebook.com/idreamincolourband
http://www.youtube.com/idreamincolourband
https://twitter.com/idreamincolour_x

The Cribs - Chi-Town Review

The Wakefield lads are back as a trio and today their first comeback single since Marr’s departure ‘Chi-Town’ was made public. It’s a record that signifies the third coming of the band and they’ve ditched the melodic rock that Marr brought to ‘City of Bugs’ and returned to their roots of distorted guitars and iconic riffs.
Stomping straight into the chorus the Jarman brothers are back with a vengeance. Yet perhaps it’s because I think that Johnny Marr is a God that this record just seems to be a little disappointing. Yes, it’s got the same formula as their first two albums which I loved but this just feels like it could have been a surplus record from either of them. A repetitive, catchy melody? Check. Ryan’s now traditional husky vocals? Check. Breakdown into an instantly recognisable riff? Check. All the ingredients are here for this to be another epic album but so far I feel a little let down with this comeback single.

For me The Cribs appear to have taken a step back, Johnny Marr’s influence has never been clearer, and rather than attempt a record that proves the trio are as great as we know they could be, they’ve slipped back into a time-proven routine. However it’s only been on my iPod for 10 minutes so it may yet grow on me, but at the moment when ‘In the Belly of the Brazen Bull’is released I’m not going to be rushing to but it.

Rating: 5/10

Listen here and let us know what you think! - http://soundcloud.com/wichita-recordings/the-cribs-chi-town/s-aMO89

So on a day when twitter became alight with musically uneducated youngsters who firstly started the day asking who Bon Iver were (or ‘Bonny Bear’ as they believed they were called), followed by quite frankly a disturbing development when ‘Who is Paul McCartney’ began trending. I felt it was time to stick up a review of living legend, Jack White’s new solo single ‘Love interruption’ from forthcoming album ‘Blunderbuss’ . It also happens to coincide with his newly announced tour dates in March.

Now I certainly fall into the side of the fence who believe pretty much everything he touches is amazing but I’ll admit I was apprehensive when it was announced he would be ditching the collaborations and releasing a solo album. Even on first listen of ‘Love Interruption’ I still wasn’t convinced this was a move that would work out. A slow melody of an acoustic guitar and bitter lyrics of love, “I want love to murder my own mother” isn’t a particular pleasant image or great start. Yet put it on repeat and it changes your mind, it’s typical Jack White awesomeness, I particularly welcome the return of country blues!

Of course there are negatives, firstly it’s not completely solo – there are the delicate vocals of Ruby Amanfu but I’ll forgive him. There are also parts I’m not so keen on, particularly around the 1 minute 12 seconds mark where they cut the instruments and Jack and Ruby sing in unison but ‘Love Interruption’ is a departure from the distorted riffs and fuzz of the White Stripes and Dead Weather and if the album is following this acoustic country blues style then Mr White’s done it again!

Rating 8/10  

Band of the Moment #3

So another week and another new band for you lot to check out. This time we’re heading out of the big smoke and heading into the countryside of Kent for ‘Gentlemen Duke’ and their irresistible country folk which will evidently lead to strong bouts of foot tapping and cider swigging (we think).

We first came across these guys last year during the ‘Glastonbury emerging talent contest’ and now sadly as with any band that sounds remotely folk they will face immediate comparisons to Mumford and Sons, but that’s unfair as Gentlemen Duke are from a copycat band. Their songs are far more punchy and energetic, and as the live recording of ‘Bad Man’ proves they can cut it out on the stage as well (particularly when it slips unnoticeably into an amazing cover of ‘Rolling in the Deep’, somehow Adele has never sounded better!). the collection of songs over on their facebook page represent the band at full steam, an irresistible compilation of punchy beats, melodies and storytelling that demonstrate exactly what is missing from chart music these days.

If we have to single one out as a favourite, then it would have to be the enticing beat and lyrics of ‘Calamity Jane’, Forfolksake.com commented that this one is reminiscent of the Coral at their best, and we would have to agree. However to choose a favourite is impossible as ‘Gentlemen Duke’ are a refreshing breath of air in an otherwise stale music scene. For sure, folk music isn’t a wildly celebrated genre but with bands such as ‘Gentlemen Duke’ forging the way then a full folk revival is just around the corner. They’re able to capture a sound that fits perfectly both in a tiny London pub venue or out in the middle of a festival field in the summer and if you can, catch them in both, you won’t be let down.

Check them out over at;

https://www.facebook.com/gentlemenduke

Or buy their EP - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/mild-mannered-madmen-ep/id481599451

French Crops debut single!

So before we move onto our next band of the week we’re revisiting the amazing ‘French Crops’ once more for their debut video and song, ‘The Avery’.

Filmed in a recording studio as the band play through the song, this is no elaborate video with a multi layered story line (we’re looking at you Ed Sheeran and your annoying debut video for ‘The A Team’) and you know why? Because the band don’t need to, they let their music do the talking and that’s all that matters. Starting with a bang, the drums and vocals create a chant that builds anticipation before the songs drops into a frenetic 3 minutes of pure rock and roll elegance that will leave you desperate for more. French Crops are coming out of the starting blocks with a blistering record and if they can keep up this level of energy in every record then we’re positive this is a band heading for success – Just remember, you heard them here first!

Band of the Moment #2

So next up on our band of the moment list is fellow south Londoners ‘French Crops’. We first came across these lads earlier this week and were instantly hooked with the riff’s and extremely catchy beat of single, ‘Know How’. Usually with up and coming bands your able to recognise immediately the well known bands that have influenced them, however ‘French Crops’ provide something that feels comfortably similar yet also something which is new and exciting, these aren’t your regular run of the mill band.

If you head over to their facebook or reverbnation pages (links at the end of this!) you’ll discover two singles, ‘Know How’ and ‘Jack in the Box’. Both represent a band with a distinct sound, there’s a sense of funk in their music which you can’t help absorbing and wanting to move to. ‘Know How’ starts with the catchy riff and simple beat which works so well and keeps the song progressing, there’s something very Stone Roses-esque about the song as it slows down around the 2 minute mark before lighting up into a crescendo that we’re positive will be a live favourite. ‘Jack in the Box’ has an amazing bassline and drum beat which then provides a basis for the guitars and vocals to explore a different feel to ‘Know How’ which is why this is our favourite song by the lads. The chorus is simple and catchy; ensuring this is a loud, definitive sing-a-long and one we feel will be a fan favourite.

All in all we’re very glad to have found ‘French Crops’, we come across many bands on the social networking sites ranging from the bad to the sublime and thankfully these fall into the latter category. We’re yet to see these lads live so we can’t comment on that side but with songs this good we’re positive they won’t disappoint and look forward to catching them on the London circuit soon.

Check them out for yourselves over at;

https://www.reverbnation.com/frenchcrops
https://www.facebook.com/thefrenchcrops
http://www.myspace.com/thefrenchcrops
http://www.twitter.com/frenchcrops
http://www.youtube.com/FrenchCropsuk

and while you’re there show your support to get them on the Graham Coxon tour!

http://toursupport.grahamcoxon.co.uk/share/entry/396