Jonathan Whitelaw writes about music because he isn't good at playing it. For his musings and book plugs follow him on twitter: @JDWhitelaw13

Rock N Roar

Andy Reilly
CreateSpace Independent Publishing

If there was ever a year to be Scottish, it was 2014. From the Ryder Cup to the Commonwealth Games, it felt like the eyes of the whole universe were on the biggest little country on the earth. more… “Rock N Roar”

The Primitives

Petals
self-released

Brit Pop was a golden era for, well, British music. The hazy days of the early to mid 1990s will always go down in history where the world thought it was from this sceptred isle more… “The Primitives”

Colin’s Godson

at the Speed of Sound – EP
Puzzled Aardvark

What’s in a name? The title of a song, album and even band can go a long way to describing just exactly what the musicians are all about.
Of course, you should never judge a book by its cover. The same goes for a new release from a band. But when it comes to Colin’s Godson, it’s strangely apt and fitting.
Straight out of the “what were they thinking?” drawer, this brand new album from a Glasgow band brimming with their own self confidence is an enjoyable if slightly perplexing listen. If Ziggy Stardust and the Beautiful South spent a weekend together in a caravan in Saltcoats, you’d probably come vaguely close to what CG have achieved with this new work.
It’s happy and it’s fun, two factors sadly missing from modern releases. With tongue firmly in cheek and a view on the world that takes some unscrambling, this new EP is a friendly voice in the background.
Delivering what is normally seen as something out of the ordinary can fall into two, very distinct categories. High art or comedy record, the line between success and failure is only measured by success. Thankfully, this EP falls into the latter.
Opening with tracks “Negative Space” and “Greater Expectations,” it’s easy to hear and see that this group are thinking on a different wavelength. Indeed, “Greater Expectations,” wouldn’t seem at all out of place on the track listings of a 1990s British comedy movie that storms the world with its feckless charm. Hugh Grant would spin in his grave if he ever used it.
“Ghosthunting,” and “Lovestung,” continue this slightly odd but ultimately enjoyable romp. Being able to make the music that you love and would listen to yourself shouldn’t be discouraged and, thankfully, with examples like CG about proving it can be done, EPs like this should be celebrated.
Certainly not one for the mainstream listener or for any fans of one particular genre. This EP is more a pleasant goodbye to the summer months that can happily tick along of its own accord on an iPod somewhere in the background. And what’s wrong with that?

Triverse Massacre

With Bared Teeth And Truths
Triverse Massacre

Critics often say that artists should write and create what they know about. If that was the case, music fans should be a lot more worried about death metal than they have been all these years more… “Triverse Massacre”