previous review pages

LITTLANS (PETE DOHERTY) - THEIR WAY new single 17 October (Posted 13 Sept)
Pete's messed up! Pete's out of tune, Pete's been to the moon ... so what! Pete Doherty has the x-factor. The only thing you can predict about him - he'll be unpredictable. Whisked to studioland by Andrew Aveling for another outing this time as Littl'ans??? An accoustic sortee, a rather understated retort to his knockers (not Kate's) "I can't win, I could lose", accoustic guitar, a lovely wandering bass and a haunting song with a great feel. I loved the Wolfman single he did and this is great also, mainly because it is so different to anything else of a contemporary nature, and not least becase of Pete's songwriting.. XXXX www.littlans.com

LADY SOVEREIGN - HOODIE
new single early November from forthcoming album 'Public Warning'
FLady Sov's got it, small and perfectly formed rhymes that kick Brit stylee. It's hardly surprising there's tales of The Neptunes interest, anyone who can make Tweenies sound like a cool word to slip in must have some kind of magic about them. Four tracks on this sampler feature the excellent 9 To 5, the forthcoming single Hoodie plus Blah Blah and the title track. A little more frenetic than you might expect, but this girl is just barging that door open. See her at Cardiff Barfly on Sunday 6 November. Rather brilliant! XXXXx www.ladysovereign.com (Posted 14 Sept)

PAUL WELLER - COME ON
new single 26 September, album 'As Is Now' out on 10 October
Paul's got a new aggressive accoustic sound and it works really well. A storming instrumental track, just like Floor Boards Up out on CD and two 7" vinyls. Paul's on an 18 date UK tour in November and December taking in Cardiff International Arena on Saturday 26th November. XXXx
www.paulweller.com (Posted 12 Sept)

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND -
MONSTERS new single out now
Producer Jagz Kooner of Primal Scream and Kasabian fame must be the workaholic of 05. So many fantastic remixes coming through with his name on and Funeral For A Friend sound awesome here. Monsters, the second single from FFAF's second album Hours features a rolling groove in place of their trademark riffing, it's impossible not to nod your head and tap your feet. Brilliant! XXXXx www.funeralforafriend.com (Posted 12 Sept)

THE RAKES - 22 GRAND JOB
new single 17 October
Very amusing, "22K job in the city that sounds nice". Except my mates on 28! The album track runs to around 1min 45secs, now remixed three times I'm not sure this is an improvement, it's such a funny idea I have a feeling the original short track is the best. That said, the song is such a barmy idea these extended remixes are fine by Filthy Jukes, Elliot James Lunch Hour Re-Edit and Same E Danger. See The Rakes on The NME On The Road Club Tour and supporting Franz Ferdinand (Cardiff Arena Mon 14th November) - these are Splodgenessabounds revisited. XXXX www.therakes.co.uk (Posted 14 Sept)

STEPHEN FRETWELL - NEW YORK
new single 10 October
New York, as in "Please can we get away from The BIg Apple? On a holiday, a dream holiday?? This is thoughtful well written material as you'd expect from one of the new wave of singer songwriters. His last single Emily received it's due and got plenty of airplay and NY should do the same. On tour throughout September - Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Brum, Wrexham, Leicester, Manchester, Bristol Fiddlers and London Kings Colege. A kind of mournful pleading, pleasant and chilled .. Top 40 maybe? XXXx www.stephenfretwell.com (Posted 14 Sept)

ILL NINO - WHAT YOU DESERVE
new single out 26 September
Il Nino are back with a bang, mixing Hispanic flavas and it works really well. Their third album One Nation Underground released 26 September, the follow up to 'Revolution Revolucion' big tour and big hits scheduled for 06. 'This Is War' features a rather soft accoustic style break which has all the more effect being surrounded by the choking vocals that trademark Ill Nino. I like their use of a variety of vocal style, it works well and makes it more accessible. Nice XXXx www.illnino.com (Posted 14 Sept)

U2 - ALL BECAUSE OF YOU
new single 10 October
Following Prime Minister Bono's latest foray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans comes the fourth single from Atomic Bomb. It has to be said that U2 fully deserve their status at the top of rock's pile. Full of interesting ideas, musicians who really get to grips with creating great new songs, All Because Of You should easily go Top 10 - can't wait for the vid! XXXx
www.u2.com (Posted 12 Sept)

RED ORGAN SERPENT SOUND -
IN SEARCH OF ORGASMUZ
new single 3 October
From Derry, Northern Ireland, singer Rory Moore and his Serpent Sound buddies demonstate a sense of humour with this fun, and pacey single 'Orgasmuz'. New Wave meets 70's rock, with psychadelia and glam thrown in, see them for yourself in Brum, Notts, London Islington, Liverpool, Bristol, Pompey, Sheffield York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Shepherds Bush. Good catchy, fun single. XXXx
www.redorganserpentsound.com (Posted 12 Sept)

ELBOW -
LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD
new album out 12 September
Elbow have spent the last year writing and recording Leaders in their own Manchester Blueprint Studio, remixing and final polish by LA based Tom Rothrock. Launcing this release live at Reading and Leeds, you can get a special DVD production by The Soup Collective, charting the writing, production and photography and even paintings of Le Elbow. A solemn, moody and sometimes challenging album, a solid listen. XXXX www.elbow.co.uk (Posted 12 Sept)

KUBB - MOTHER new album out 7 November
WICKED SOUL new single out 31 October
Kubb aka Harry Collier - Remain - one of the best records of the year. A song about bereavement "I still remain". Almost unique, David Gates 'Everything I Own' comes to mindbut not too many others have tackled this subject, and certainly not for a near debut. It all points to a thoughtful talented songwriter and some superb musicianship. Things started happening for Harry when he as an aspiring Waiter happened to sing Happy Birthday to Dido's Bro' Rollo. An invite to studio land and an introduction to super cool Producer Youth gives you an idea of the musical quality on show here. XXXXx www.kubbmusic.co.uk (Posted 12 Sept)

NO HOPE IN NEW JERSEY -
STEADY DIET OF DECLINE
new album out now
Right from the first chords you can hear where Mancunian No Hope In New Jersey are coming from, strong rock riffs in a traditional style. Production by Chris Sheldon of Therapy, Biffy Clyro and Foo Fighters fame, 'Steady Diet Of Decline' features the MTV featured singles Narcolepsy and Invaders. No Hope pride themselves on being a hard working gigging band, and that punches through loud and clear throughout this hard rocking album. At 2' 20" Wasted would make a fine single. They've got Big Balls! XXXx www.nohopeinnewjersey.com (Posted 12 Sept)

MONO TAXI - KIND OF BETTER
new single out 8 October
Hotly tipped Anglo / Franco Mono Taxi played recently at our Newport Meze Mad4it! and have received rave reviews. There's an interesting approach to the harmonies, kind of subtle bassy with a little female treble. I've grown to like 'Must Be The Weather', it's got a kind of lazy unassuming feel and kind of worms it's way into the subconcious, good stuff. XXXx
www.myspace.com/monotaxi (Updated 15 Sept)

WITHIN TEMPTATION - (Posted 12 Sept)
THE SILENT FORCE new album out now
And now ... from de Nederlands ... The Silent Force is quite an awesome collection of Goth Rock material in the Evanescance vein. The set is opened with a stunning intro collage into which we land in See Who I Am. There are some spine tingling moments on this album and Within Temptation will deserve a number of hit singles from this album. It could be Enya singing the beautiful ballad 'Pale', Forsaken, It's The Fear ... try the excellent e-card for this release @ www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/withintemptation and check their website @ www.within-temptation.com XXXX

MERCURY RECORDS - SAMPLER
sampler not on general release
It's a shame this isn't on sale in your local, there are some quite simply stunning offering's here. This eclectic showcase of Mercury signings kicks off with the melancholic Robert Post, Kubb's brilliant 'Remain' and surprisingly Kanye West's excellent 'Gold Digger' set the tone. From Paris To Berlin by Infernal is a sexy slab of almost 70's disco 05 style. Then you've got The Paddingtons, Billy Valentine, The Black Velvets and did I mention Bon Jovi's new tune. Some fine srtistes and a great listen XXXXx www.mercuryrecords.co.uk (Posted 12 Sept)

PROTOCOL - SHE WAITS FOR ME
new single 10 October
This band release their debut album in 2006, 'The Rules Of Engagement' promises some good catchy pop tunes in the truest indie style. You can see them support Fischerspooner at London Astoria on the 14th Sept. Koko for Club NME on the 16th, Vanity at Hoxton Square on 21st Sept and 19th Oct, at Cardiff Barfly on Monday 3rd October and the 100 Club with Boy Kill Boy on the 5th Oct. XXXx www.protocolofficial.com (Posted 12 Sept)

GRANDADDY -
PULL THE CURTAIN
new mini album 'Excerpts From The Diary Of Todd Zilla' out 3 October
Grandaddy Jason Lytle has made a departure from big studio style to go back to his bedroom with a seven track mini album. Dreaming of skate parks, bike trails and sunshine Pull The Curtains trails 'Todd Zilla' and a new full album to be released in 2006. Todd Zilla? - A giant pick up truck which inspired Jase to enter things to do in one of his songwriters note books - nice. XXX
www.grandaddylandscape.com (Posted 12 Sept)

MEW -
AND THE GLASS HANDED KITES new album 26 September
Whatever way you hear Denmark's biggest musical export ... it's nice. Probably too sophisticated for Radio 2, perhaps reminiscent of Yes rather more than Genesis, the supreme single Apocalypso is featured in this set. You may have seen them supporting REM earlier this Summer, worthy but relevant? The jury's out. XXXx www.mewsite.com (Posted 12 Sept)

DRIVE BY ARGUMENT - SEX LINES ARE EXPENSIVE COMEDY
new single 6 September
This Glaswegian outfit stormed T in the Park and have received high acclaim from Zane Lowe at Radio One. This amusingly titled indie rock belter runs at 3 mins, some interesting guitar riffing intros before a distinctive and plaintive vocal hooks you in, "and I hope you know that dreams unspoken are never fulfilled, and I hope know that my last stand maybe a step too far!". See them on the circuit Sept 18th in Preston 53 Degrees, 19th Manchester Union, 1st Oct Manchester In The City, 26th Oct London Kings College. XXX (Posted 12 Sept)