The Reads STORIES FROM THE BORDERS. Reads

This band recently wowed a sellout showcase audience in Chester, leaving many punters outside the venue due to the numbers… Listen to this album and you may understand why. We recently played the whole album on our Revelations show and for one very good reason: there’s twelve great songs from an unsigned North Wales band who have served a long apprenticeship in getting to where they are today.

This debut album marks an important signpost in the band’s career and if there’s any justice those that influence success via radio airplay and press should reward this effort with airplay and praise. Imagine something that sounds a mix of Radiohead and Snow Patrol with flashes of Pink Floyd and songs that are all here waiting to be discovered and exposed. ‘I2 Lines Of Life’ is the second track and is one of my favourites with its powerful melody, ghostly instrumental arrangement and steady, smooth vocal.

Electronics and programming are used cleverly and well as for example in the haunting ‘The Soil Life’. ‘Broken Backs’ is understandably favoured to release as a single with its hammond backdrop, and a jazzy ambience driven by the most powerful melody and choruses. One thing I always look for in a musical act is something that distinguishes them from everybody else. The band’s sound has that distinction which linked to consistent quality makes this album a unique treat. Hell, this could be my album of the year, it’s that good.

5/5

The Robot Heart THE ROBOT HEART. Bleeding Heart Recordings

“The Robot Heart; Tom Marsh, Astra Forward, Bob Dingle and Daniel Ladd, bring together beautiful multi-harmony vocals, acoustic guitars, piano, clattering drums, electronica and assorted gadgetry. After years of hard work, cutting their teeth hosting club nights in Brighton’s thriving indie / folk scene, the band have recently finished their debut album with Rik Simpson (The Cure, Portishead, Coldplay, Pj Harvey). Their initial release ‘Dust’ via the Brighton based Bleeding Heart Recordings label, is a mini-album comprising of three of the Rik Simpson produced tracks along with three acoustic songs.”

There’s little to complain about with this sometimes quite beautiful and often very moving record. Check out the resistance-melting melodies, emotional lyrics, glittering performances and earth-moving harmonies… Then add a welcome diversity and originality of instrumental sounds with good production and you have a folk/pop record of high distinction, and worthy of strong recommendation.

4/5