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Tuesday 31 May 2011

The Travelling Band - Screaming is Something

Review of the new Travelling Band album and undoubtedly already an album of the year. Brilliant amalgamation of folk and subtle rock tones played by one of, if not, Manchester's finest bands.  This album is a must have.



http://www.mudkiss.com/mayalbumofthemonth.htm

Friday 27 May 2011

Stylusboy

Yo might not expect it from the name, however if you are partial to singer songwriter folk, this is just for you. Free download of a six track EP by Stylusboy who has produced a collection of gorgeous acoustic tracks enhanced by a beautifully controlled vocal.

Genuinely special and moving.


http://stylusboy.bandcamp.com/album/blue-whale-session

Thursday 26 May 2011

Mudkiss just get's busier and busier.

At some stage I will look to write my own individual blog, honest.  At the moment however, things are just mad busy down at Mudkiss Towers.  Here's another bunch of reviews and interviews new to the site.

New boy Josh get's it on with the enigmatic Barbara Panther.

http://www.mudkiss.com/barbarapantherinterview.htm











Mudkiss's own enigma, Lorraine, grabs ex Transvision Vamp star Wendy James.


http://www.mudkiss.com/wendyjamesinterview.htm








The Peter Pan of Mudkiss, Phil King wanders the streets of Manchester once again searching for gigs, coming across Abigail Washburn and a trio of acts at Islington Mill,  Scout Niblet / EMA and Suuns.



http://www.mudkiss.com/abigailwashburnlive.htm


http://www.mudkiss.com/emalive.htm









Nigel and Mel meet the man behind some of the greatest album covers, Brian Cannon


http://www.mudkiss.com/briancannoninterview.htm











And last but not least, Mel undertakes a deliciously risque shoot and interview with model Lily Stark.


http://www.mudkiss.com/lilystarkinterview.htm

Wednesday 25 May 2011

May Singles Round

Some really strong singles out this month, well worth checking out.  In particular, The Phoenix Experiment, with a startling, dark piece of psychedelic blues. An audio / visual experience you need in your life. YouTube link below.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWAwWPWgsZ8

http://www.mudkiss.com/andysmaysinglesreview.htm











Cosmo Jarvis - Sure as Hell not Jesus EP 
The Good Natured - Wolves 
The Savage Nomads - The Magic Eye 
The Lucid Dream - Love in My Veins 
The Phoenix Experiment - Cut You Down
Y Love - See Me EP 
City Reign - Daybreak 
The Tapestry - Rode Your Luck 
David J Roch - This is for You, Whether I've Met You or Not EP
Sweetheart The Avenue 
Abigail Washburn - Chains 
Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Box of Stones 
Brasstronaut - Hearts Trompet

Monday 23 May 2011

Glasvegas in Stockholm

Pure coincidence finds me located in Stockholm the same night Glasvegas play Globens Annexe. Intrigued how their regional brand of Indie rock translates further North, a short train journey to the ice hockey stadium on the outskirts of the city reveals the Annexe (as the name suggests) to be a smaller room off the main hall, although still incorporating a capacity of approximately 2,700.  Highlighting the Swedish Capitols commitment to Glasvegas, I’m surrounded in a packed arena by a relatively wide age range of locals for the Glaswegians second visit to the city this year.  Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, the debut album reaching gold status in this part of Scandinavia.

Check out my views on the gig through the Mudkiss link below.



http://www.mudkiss.com/glasvegaslivestockholm.htm

Sunday 22 May 2011

The reviews and interviews just go on.

I may have been away in Sweden for a few days, but life at Mudkiss continues unabated.

On the live side, Den Browne reviews Transmitter, Shay checks out Sarabeth Trucek and Phil spends an evening with The Dum Dum Girls.

Interview wise, Lorraine meet's Alex Johnson AKA Wonk Unit, Mel has in depth conversation with local lad Chris Fox from Kindest of Thieves and Nige grabs Twin Atlantic in Manchester.



http://www.mudkiss.com/transmittersreview.htm







http://www.mudkiss.com/sarabethtuceklive.htm














http://www.mudkiss.com/dumdumgirlslivereview.htm
















http://www.mudkiss.com/wonkunitinterview.htm








http://www.mudkiss.com/kindestofthievesinterview.htm







http://www.mudkiss.com/twinatlanticinterview.htm

Sunday 15 May 2011

Mudkiss - May album round -up

My Mudkiss album round up for May

http://www.mudkiss.com/andysmayalbums.htm





Classic Rock Presents - New wave of British heavy metal











Deceased - Surreal Overdose










A Clean Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen - A Clean Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen








Oxygen Thief - Destroy it Yourself













We Are The Ocean - Go Now and Live











The Routes - Alligator

Dirty Water Records

If, like me, you enjoy your music, raw and uncompromising, the idea of over produced dross for the masses makes you gag, Dirty Water Records are for you.


I've been lucky over the last few months to be introduced to a number of artists on their roster through Mudkiss.






The Routes with their fuzzed up, classic sixties R n B sound, The Hollywood Sinners straight up, heavy rock n roll with a Spanish twist, the latest to head my way, Melbourne's The Kits. Deep, dark and broody, with flashes of filthy psychedelic guitar, even elements of The Clash appear on their "Lead Us Into Temptation" album.



Dirty Water Are all about "Real" music, kids picking up guitars, playing with passion and  intensity, from the heart without an eye on pure commercialism.  Quite simply, we need these guys, without them, the musical world would be a much less interesting place.






Head to the link below and sign up, it might just be one of the most worthwhile two minutes you've ever spent in your life.

http://www.dirtywaterrecords.co.uk/

Friday 13 May 2011

Mudkiss just can't stop interviewing

Mudkiss interviews are coming thick and fast at the moment.  New kid on the block, Nigel Cartner catches up with Radio 1 favourites Twin Atlantic and Phil King grabs DJ / Producer Fritz Von Runte who has taken on the unenviable task of reconstructing some of Bowie's finest moments.

Catch both below.







http://www.mudkiss.com/twinatlanticinterview.htm










http://www.mudkiss.com/fritzvonrunteinterview.htm

Saturday 7 May 2011

Josh T Pearson

While the lure of folk is beginning to wane slightly, one album in particular has recently attracted my attention. "Last of the Country Gentleman" by Texan Josh T. Pearson is a work of stark although affecting beauty. Particularly unusual for the genre, the majority of songs are seven minutes plus and while potentially the thought of listening to a man, in the main, with just an acoustic guitar for this length of time sounds daunting, let me assure you, Pearson holds the attention throughout with a haunting vocal, skilful fret work creating pieces of melancholic magnificence.



Containing song titles "Sweetheart I Ain't Your Christ" or "Drive Her Out" LOTCG is hardly likely to provide your anthems for the Summer, however if your bag is intense, passionate yearnings by a man prepared to address difficult, potentially distressing personal themes "Honeymoons Great! Wish You Were Here," for example, this album is written for you.

www.myspace.com/joshtpearson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg_kWAD9A8k



Tuesday 3 May 2011

The Miserable Rich

I still remember the first time I heard The Miserable Rich, a live session on Marc Riley's show during which they played "The Boat Song" the sheer beauty of which, I'm not afraid to admit, brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. Subsequently I purchased the first album "Twelve Ways to Count" catching the band live for the first time at Dulcimer in Chorlton just outside Manchester.   Their gorgeously melodic, string based arrangements and the wonderfully controlled vocals of James De Malplaquet continued to stimulate through the darker, more lyrically intense second album "Of Flight and Fury" culminating for me with a performance at Manchester's Deaf Institute which is quite simply one of the most impressive and wonderfully understated gigs I've ever attended.


With baited breath I've awaited album number three, a close eye kept on the social network sites, noting recordings taking place in a palace within Norfolk, regarded as one of the most haunted houses in England. On that theme, being inspired by all things ghostly the new record is due for release on October 31st, Halloween, although thankfully with five months still to wait, a new John Barry influenced single "Anythings Possible" is available to stream and buy via the link below. 

http://themiserablerich.bandcamp.com/



It's immediately apparent the new song reveals a change in direction, electric guitar tones replace the more accustomed acoustic and what's that I hear..... drums!!  The artwork highlights a sixth member to the band, one David "Badlace" Schlectriemen, who along with performing recording engineer duties, played drums on this track and the new album.  Much lighter in tone than "Of Flight and Fury," "Anythings Possible" confirms the melodious nature of The Miserable Rich, perhaps hinting towards more pop awareness for album number three?  


If I know the nature of one of my favourite bands of the last few years however, it's distinctly feasible the single could prove a smokescreen for a completely different facet to the new material only to be discovered come October.  With a band as talented as The Miserable Rich, as the man says "Anythings Possible."  

www.themiserablerich.co.uk


www.soundcloud.com/themiserablerich






Monday 2 May 2011

Black Lights

Having only been together since November 2010, Black Lights exhibit an incredibly mature sound, particularly taking into account Jamie McCool, Howard Eastwood and Jack O'Connor are still in their teenage years.  The Manchester bands sound, while drawing heavily from folk influence incorporate piano and pop sensibilities to great effect, in McCool they also reveal an extremely distinctive vocal.
While their live shows are currently confined to the Manchester area, surely it won't be long before their wings are spread further afield.



http://www.facebook.com/blacklightsmusic?sk=app_2405167945

http://www.reverbnation.com/blacklightsoffical

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/in-the-dark-ep/id430497798

Sunday 1 May 2011

The Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

I'm possibly leaping in a touch prematurely, having only partaken in two full listens of the new Fleet Foxes album. Fantastic start admittedly with "Montezuma" highlighting Robin Pecknold's wonderfully controlled tones with the trademark harmonies creating goosebumps.  "Bedouin Dress"along with the title track an album highlight, finger picking intro, a touch of piano before Pecknold's vocal intervenes prior to a quirky piece of violin which precedes the track building beautifully into a chest swelling.  For fans of Blanche, listen carefully and you may just pick out an albeit short, slightly familiar piece of guitar work.


"Helplessness Blues" the track again The Foxes at their best, the surge early within the song raises the hairs on the back of the neck, the change in tempo later also providing variety.  At this stage however, I'm slightly disappointed with the album overall.  The debut constantly held the attention with flowing melodies, providing an incredible backing to the gorgeous vocals, which doesn't appear the case within this collection. A number of the songs sounding more disjointed and less accessible. "The Shrine/An Argument" a case in point, at over eight minutes an epic taking many twists and turns including a virtual free form jazz wig out towards the end. At least the band are showing sings of experiment rather than following the simple tried and tested formula.  Hopefully long term an attribute, the albums which grow rather than initially grab tending to provide true musical longevity within a collection.    


I will persevere with "Helplessness Blues" and wouldn't discourage any Fleet Foxes fans from purchasing the album, I have a feeling it's delights will only truly uncovered with persistence.

Helplessness Blues is released on May 2nd.


www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes