Marillion SOMEWHERE ELSE. Intact Records
Many years ago Marillion decided to take the independent route (via www.marillion.com) in selling its music and performances to a loyal fan base. In fact it was one of the first bands here in the UK to use the Internet and go fully independent. 23 years after the band was formed, and with a ‘new,’ well established lead man in Steve Hogarth, the band is about to release its fifteenth album, and arguably its best.
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The Kissaway Trail THE KISSAWAY TRAIL. Bella Union
Danish five-piece band The Kissaway Trail are one of the more interesting, diverse and refreshing bands I have seen in quite a while, and I will tell you for why. They embrace the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and play with their hearts, not their minds, on stage. However, on record they capture a totally different mood, that of control and a dreamy elegance. In short they have delivered a really powerful, engrossing piece of work and are an enthralling live experience - but both in completely different ways. You just feel like they get on stage and say, ‘These are our songs and we are going to have some fun with them. But if you want to listen to us in our purest form, go home and put the record on. Tonight though, we rock!’ Few young bands are brave enough or good enough to do this today.
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Laura Veirs & Your Heart Breaks 9 Pictures LiveLive
So here’s the thing. A week before this show I had heard an awful lot about Laura Veirs, but have never heard anything by her. I feel a bit like a fraud as I have a real interest in this singer/songwriter and couldn’t wait to see her, but own none of her records. My guilt defeated me and so I remedied the problem by popping to my local rip- off record store to buy her album, ‘CARBON GLACIER’ (a hugely raved about record), ‘YEARS OF METEORS’ (slipped under the radar a bit but well lauded), and the new and highly rated ‘SALTBREAKERS’. From what I can gather she has travelled the distance from alt country angel, to dark folk demon, and now into mellow, accessible sweetheart. Basically, she is a bit kooky and has the balls to try new things. The fact that she has travelled to safer grounds from rocky roads should not be seen as a bad thing, it’s just the journey she’s undertaken; Veirs seems to be honest and heartfelt which will do for me. Anyway, as this is a live review and not a record review I’ll just confirm that these 3 records are amazing; so much variety, so many tunes, so much heart, so much kookiness (but not too much kookiness); and she is still someone I’d love to know.
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Bright Eyes CASSADAGA. Universal
One of the most moving live shows I’ve seen was at the rather tatty and small Night & Day club in Manchester several years ago. It featured acts from a USA indie label, run by Conor Oberst and several other musicians performing that night. I was struck with Oberst’s musical maturity at such a young age, and the comradeship displayed by all the supporting musicians. Bright Eyes consists of Oberst (voice and guitar), Mike Mogis (bass, pedal steel, vibraphone, glockenspiel) and Nate Walcot (organ, piano). Several other musicians also feature on this lovely album including M Ward (guitar), Maria Taylor (voice), Jason Boesel (drums) and Anton Patzner (violin).
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Loney, Dear LONEY, NOIR. Regal
A few weeks ago a mournful looking black card sleeved CD arrived in the post (without the usual PR background info) and I paid it scant attention. Then yesterday I was attempting to play review catch-up and there it was. So I removed the CD from its funereal sleeve and slid it onto the CD tray, where it has taken up residence. The band is Loney, Dear a five-piece band from Sweden who I believe have created the finest pop album so far in 2007 (and probably for the rest of the year).
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Quentin Tarantino DEATH PROOF. Warner Bros
I had to go on the Internet to find out about this new Tarantino movie, which seems to be about a guy who chases people down with his 200mph Chevy. The skull and cross-bones on the car bonnet lid imply that those found meet a gory end, while the cast of characters includes a bunch of stuntmen and women.
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Stephanie Dosen A LILY FOR THE SPECTRE. Bella Union
It seems to me that the UK’s indie label Bella Union can do no wrong. Here is the label’s latest signing and arguably one of the most intriguing. Stephanie Dosen’s music and delivery straddles the pop/folk generic fence; one that can go horribly wrong and end up in abject failure. Dosen hurdles it with ease not least due to a heavenly, sincere voice, sedate pace and wonderful song writing.
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Shakenstir Photo Supplement |
DPK: Digital Press Kit |
Maccabees 2010 |
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