Unkle Bob

Songs For Others EP
Just Me

Less a band, more singer-songwriter Rick Webster, Unkle Bob have (has?) been making dreamy slightly lovelorn pop for the past decade, to critical acclaim and some small measure of commercial success.
Following a brief spell working with the Gang of Four’s Andy Gill (plus Eddi Reader) under the Tom Fool moniker, Webster has gone ‘solo’ again and while he’s not quite returned to the semi-acoustic sound that characterised the ‘band’ previously, this is a shift towards more chart-friendly music. Not that this is a problem of course – it’s easy to throw in references like Coldplay, but these multi-layered, slicky-produced tunes has more nods to the likes of REM and Morrissey. When ‘Brother’ builds to a crescendo and muttered vocals flit in and out of the mix it’s a glorious moment.
‘Home’, the other standout on this EP, similarly builds to an epic conclusion, and while 10 years is a long time to be beavering away on the margins of the mainstream, you only need to look at the likes of Elbow to realise that for the truly talented, recognition and wider acclaim can eventually arrive.

Kill the Captains

Sounds Mean
Armellodie

The fact that this album opens with ‘Umami’ – the ‘5th taste’ in oriental terms, vaguely savory but not really recognised by anyone in the west – may be significant.
Kill the Captains are a undefinable and possibly acquired taste. Sounds Mean’s opening salvo is in fact a jerky indie-friendly tune, possibly one that could make girls dance. It contrasts with what follows, in particular ‘Refutenic’, a slab of retro proto-funk. In the main it’s palatable indie-pop, and accomplished at that – ‘Share The Load’ boasts a spidery guitar line, although it’s maybe a bit too commercial for these ears. Although not as much as ‘The Taking Of’, dreamy shoegaze that’s pretty lightweight given what’s gone before.
‘Disco Nazi’ shows the best of the band – late 80s no-wave/funk a la Shriekback or Dub Sex, with a line in sardonic wit – “Who the hell do you think you are, John Travolta? It’s not the movies”. Indeed. Shake your ass to this.

The Thermals

Desperate Ground
Saddle Creek



They may have moved to Saddle Creek Records, but this flurry of high-paced, grimy pop tunes recalls the Portland trio’s time with what must be their spiritual home, Sub Pop more… “The Thermals”

Book Group

Homeward Sound
bandcamp

There are bands who wear their influences on their sleeves. Edinburgh act Book Group however, have their inked solidly and permanently beneath their epidermis. more… “Book Group”

Ewansimpson

The Spin
ewansimpson.bandcamp.com

Derek McInnes may have come home to Scotland (sorry, football reference) but Bristol seems to be a more fertile ground for some other ex-patriot musicians. more… “Ewansimpson”

Flutes

Flutes
uptheflutes.com

There’s an old gag about a Scottish boomerang – it doesn’t come back, it just sings about it. more… “Flutes”