Reviews

Hurricane #1 - Find What You Love And Let It Kill You

Sixteen years after Hurricane #1 called it a day, Alex Lowe is back with a brand new album and a brand new line up.

Cheatahs - Mythologies

In its first incarnation, shoegazing scarcely existed as a scene outside its own bubble. Now it's undergoing a great renaissance, and Cheatahs are one of a clutch of new bands taking it, and you, to...

Ryan Adams - 1989

I wasn't even sure I was going to review **1989**. Having originally written my copy in the style of Paul Morley channeling Lester Bangs, I was on the verge of hitting the big red 'Publish'...

Various Artists - This is England '90 - Original Soundtrack

Snatches of dialogue from the series, along with variety, new tracks and thoughtful curation raise this above your average old skool compilation.

Static in Verona - Odd Anthem

Odd Anthem is, if you'll excuse the obvious album title callback, the sound of one man trying to out-anthem himself. And winning at it.

Arctic Monkeys - AM

'Five albums in, and The Arctic Monkeys are no longer the cheeky new scamps from their fastest ever selling debut British album. Clearly, many believed the hype: should that belief hold firm this far down...

Leon Bridges - Coming Home

A retro throwback to the 1960s with a Sam Cooke voice, the 25-year-old Bridges brings old-style soul to the modern world on his debut album Coming Home.

Mark Morriss - The Taste of Mark Morriss

The third solo album from the lead singer of The Bluetones and the tidiest man in rock (allegedly) is a collection of more than just your average, straight down the line covers of songs, full...

Thee Cee Cees - Solution Songs

You know what the music industry needs?  A political super-group. Yep, you heard me right. Well, in Thee Concerned Citizens we appear to have found exactly that. Formed in order to bring down the government using...

Modest Mouse - Strangers To Ourselves

Eight years on from We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, Modest Mouse return with Strangers to Ourselves. Was it worth the wait, or does it leave fans wanting more?

Big Data - 2.0

Big Data, an all-star collaborative electronic music project helmed by producer Alan Wilkis, uses flashy electronics with a dark thematic tone. Big Data portrays a world of paranoia, and 2.0 is its first full length...

The Bright Light Social Hour - Space Is Still The Place

The Bright Light Social Hour have been rocking Texas in some shape or form since 2002. The members met as college students at Southwestern University. They released a few EPs followed by a self-titled debut...

Will Butler - Policy

Will Butler’s debut LP, Policy, absolutely screams Arcade Fire. It’s no coincidence: Will is a founding member of the indie rock band and brother of frontman Win Butler. After playing synth, bass and percussion on...

Purity Ring - another eternity

Formed in 2010, Purity Ring are a Canadian duo that uses electronic beats and exceptional lyrics that fit right in with other synth pop acts such as Goldfrapp, Grimes and Blood Orange. After their outstanding...

Peter Levics - October

October is the third release in the 12 month suite cycle by instrumental duo Peter Levics. On the eight pieces that together make up October there are worlds without, worlds within. That so much could...

Teenage Fanclub - A Catholic Education

Two immediate yet contradictory impressions of Teenage Fanclub's debut album A Catholic Education: it doesn't really sound quite like the band they would later become; it does contain one of their defining moments in Everything...

Jack Adaptor - J'Accuse!

It's great to hear old voices doing new things, and doing them as well as Jack Adaptor do on J'Accuse! - with an impressive freshness and intelligence.

Crocodile - Crocodile Vs. The Mutant Alligators From Space

Crocodile Vs. The Mutant Alligators From Space is a five-track EP full of great melodies, often backed with equally great harmonies, played with energy and verve.

Foreign Shores - Alone in Time

Alone in Time is the second album from Chicago-based band Foreign Shores. Recorded, mixed and mastered by guitarist Nick Reuille, it's a beautiful mix of the best of the band's shoegazing and dream pop influences,...

Hold/Transfer - Hold/Transfer

Over the course of its 13 tracks, Hold/Transfer navigates a path through shoegaze, dream pop and a whole field of beautiful textures; if this is the noise Bono doesn't want to have to push through,...