The initial reaction on hearing this record is trying to work out who lead singer, Dan Michaelson, sounds like. At first, the lazy comparison is Johnny Cash, but after half a dozen tracks it becomes clear that he closely resembles Bill Callahan of Smog, with a little bit of Micah P. Hinson thrown in there as well. more… “Absentee”
Released on Cornish’s own record label, ‘Until the Traffic Stops’ is a beautiful record, bringing to mind Jeff Buckley, the Blue Nile and Elbow. A complex song, with different nuances revealed with every listen. With the opening lines stating “I’m not writing about love, I’m not writing about me, I’m not breaking new ground, I’m not creating a new sound”, and the song closing with the haunting refrain “I’m not coming back”, it touches upon traffic and trains amongst a host of other things in-between. This is one of the best songs that I have heard recently, and Alex Cornish is clearly an exceptional talent.
This is a four track 10” single released by Dead Young Records, to introduce four bands who are signed to the label. The first song is ‘Edward the Confessor’ by The Cubical, a blues/garage band who bring to mind Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart more… “Various Artists”
By now everyone is surely aware of the history of Bon Iver, whereby after the break up of a long term relationship, he went off to a cabin in Wisconsin to ‘get his head together’. more… “Bon Iver”
Parts of this album sound like Spiritualized. Unfortunately, not the good Spiritualized of ‘Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating In Space’, but the rubbish touring Spiritualized consisting of Jason Pierce and a number of session musicians creating 20 minute ‘jams’ of unbelievable dullness. more… “Aspen Woods”
Nozzle are a Devon based trio, who describe their sound as “a hard-edged blend of anthemic rock and melodic British pop”. Unfortunately more… “Nozzle”
This is the debut album from two East Midlands 18 year olds who describe their sound as
‘Pop/Alternative/Emo’. Unfortunately, their major problems are firstly that they sound like Keane, and secondly the album has been produced by Hugh Padgham more… “I Was A Cub Scout”
Critical Meat is a mini album from Derby/Nottingham four piece ‘You Slut!’. Things start brightly when looking at some of the track names; ‘On-the-spot Tina Turner Fine’ and ‘Pie To The Death-faced Indie Kid’ are works of genius: more… “You Slut!”
This is the second album from George Thomas and The Owls, and should appeal to anyone who likes James Yorkston, King Creosote or Martin Simpson. The album could be described as folk, but that wouldn’t do it justice. more… “George Thomas and the Owls”
Sadly, I was too young to fully appreciate the Smiths at their peak, however I have been a huge fan of Morrissey ever since I heard ‘Suedehead’ on an early Now collection more… “Morrissey”