Music Reviews
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The Old Romantic Killer Band The Swan With Two Necks
This Leeds duo aims to fuse blues-rock guitar with punk rhythms; sadly it winds up sounding like a stodgy mess.
David Coleman struggles through... -
Thousand & Bramier Go Typhoon!
In the last five years there have been a clutch of non-American artists serving up moody 'Americana' music. Parisian duo Thousand & Bramier might well be the very best.
David Coleman digs out his banjo and strums along... -
Kanye West 808s & Heartbreak
For an artist who once claimed he wanted to be the biggest pop star in the word, Kanye West has ridden on the success of the same winning formula for some time now. 808s & Heartbreak is set to change that - with a little help from Auto-Tune.
Cara Nash reviews... -
Viva Stereo Roar Lion Roar
Viva Stereo's stab at New Order-ish indie-dance falls short of all acceptable standards.
Angela Power yawns... -
No-Neck Blues Band Clomeim
Clomeim is a dense, multifaceted sound-work that captures the No-Neck Blues Band in prime, eclectic splendor, and is the most inviting collection yet from a group renowned for its willful obscurity.
Tom Whalen stands in awe...
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Women Women
Released on Chad VanGaalen's Flemish Eye imprint in Canada and Jagjaguwar in the US, Women's self-titled debut of clamour, lo-fi surges, mathematical precision and melodic haze is due to be released in the UK in January.
Tara Campbell reviews... -
Parts & Labor Receivers
The question: what do we do with hardcore, having exhausted its basic stylistic premises? Fugazi suggested: make it funky. With Receivers, Parts & Labor suggest: slow it down and cover it with sugar.
Tom Whalen reviews... -
Pale Young Gentlemen Black Forest (Tra La La)
PYG's second album retains the off-kilter indie sound of its debut, but the band's sound is much richer now; alongside the distinctive cello, we are treated to violins, violas, glockenspiels, harps and horns.
David Coleman reviews... -
The Cave Singers Invitation Songs
Another exercise in the ever-growing genre of indie-folk holds its own.
Brett Oronzio reviews... -
Je Suis Animal Self Taught Magic From A Book
Animal magic indeed - these Norwegian newcomers unleash their claws on a corker of a debut.
Ils sont magnifique, reckons Iain Moffat...
