New Choons: Savages - 'She Will'

As anybody who watches 'Later... With Jools Holland' (a UK live music performance TV show for the unknowing) knows, the show is known for giving certain lesser known bands their 'big break'. Yuck, Ellie Goulding, Villagers and UK indie champions Arctic Monkeys are all groups that owe the programme their first TV appearance. Sadly these days, the moments of mind expanding representation of understated artists seem few and far between as the show has taken more of a commercially pleasing line up of artists and the last series in particular had me slightly disenchanted. It was in October last year that I was enduring an especially mind numbing episode (featuring yawn-inducing scarecrows Mumford & Sons) in which Savages decided to slap the barnyard folk loving moms and blow Marcus Mumford's pathetic moustache off with their minacious and captivating first single "Husbands" featured on the double A side with the equally enthralling "Flying To Berlin".

Now we're in March and the female quartet from London have announced their forthcoming, May released album "Silence Yourself" and with it decided to stream a song taken from the much anticipated LP, "She Will". We're greeted with a reverberating and spacious guitar riff joined with disjointed drums and a gritty driven bassline that will get any Joy Division fans slobbering, a feat imitators like White Lies and Editors failed to achieve. "She will forget her name, she will come back again, get hooked on loving hard, forcing the slut out!" vocalist and all round badass, Jehnny Beth proclaims with intent. Whether its from personal experience or just casual observations that the frontwoman speaks it is delivered with such passion and intensity that really sells this band as a believable force rather than just an entertaining one (and believe me they entertain). Definitely more than the Siouxsie & The Banshees cover band they've been made out to be, "She Will" proves that Savages are a force to be reckoned with and an album less than two months away should be music to your ears. "She Will" will be available on the upcoming LP "Silence Yourself", available May 6th on Matador Records.

savagesband.com

New Choons: Loom - 'I Get A Taste'

Punk. Its almost a dirty word nowadays isn't it? With its constant rebrandings and sincerity often commercially raped, its difficult to truly call a band punk when to some people the word brings to mind Green Day, Blink 182 and Fall Out Boy (no disrespect to said bands) rather than Husker Du, Fugazi or even Sonic Youth. Loom however are a band that the word can unashamedly be plastered to without any uncertainty or disgrace. Bringing heaps of fuzz, energy and bombastic brutality that scream another word important to the genre (and all others theoretically), integrity.

"I Get A Taste", the bands most recent single, is a snarling beast of a track biting at the ankles of your inner Henry Rollins. It slips and slides managing the impressive feat of sounding edgy and smooth simultaneously with thundering drum rolls and scuzzy guitars galore. Singer Tarik Badwin (baby brother of The Horrors' Faris Badwin) is known for his onstage ferociousness and menacing death stare but is just as exciting a presence in audio alone. "When I see you around, when I see your face, I get a taste of what I'm missing" he growls threateningly in a manner akin to Mudhoney's Mark Arm. Its influences are obvious sure, take a pinch of The Jesus Lizard, and mix with a dash of Nirvana/Mudhoney and you're sitting at the band's dinner table. However, Loom are refreshing despite their bootlegging, bringing a unique modern twist to their music whilst sticking to their guns and staying integral and authentic by being the way they want to be. "I Get A Taste" is out March 25 (today!) on Hate Hate Hate Records with an EP expected to drop in Spring.

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Video: The Virgins - 'One Week Of Danger'

Ok, ok this is not a new video at all. I've just reviewed "Strike Gently" the new album from New York quartet The Virgins and it got me all nostalgic for this pre-loved dance punk track from the band's much different 2008 self-titled LP. I distinctly remember first acknowledging The Virgins in my living room on the once grand music channel MTV TWO (now the very lame MTV ROCKS) as "One Week Of Danger" caught my ear and eye. Being a moneyless 17 year old I'd most often go to youtube to hear the song. The video is a bit self indulgent with the band performing in the midst of full length mirrors. To be honest its all about the song for me, I just wanted an excuse to put it on the blog. The groovy garage rock track is one of those songs that brings back memories of drunken escapades with old friends basking in the much missed luxury of a life of no responsibility. If you haven't found yourself bopping around like a loser by the end of this song I'd check your pulse. Enjoy!

Review: The Virgins - 'Strike Gently'

As The Strokes gear to release their recently streamable fifth studio album "Comedown Machine" this coming monday (expect a review SOON), there's a lesser known group of snotty New York rich kids aching for your attention. The Virgins' self-titled debut, released in 2008, sprouted four sexily stomping singles including the band's 'hit' "Rich Girls", featured in Zac Efron's only good film "17 Again" (oh come on, its good! Shut up!), and my personal favourite, the funk fuckery of UK only release "One Week Of Danger". Despite these exemplary examples of disco garage/dance punk, the album fell a little short as a whole and the band received some unfair criticism relating to their privileged upbringing which in this writer's opinion should never get in the way of good music.

5 years on from "The Virgins" and the band have finally broken their silence. A departure from their major label Atlantic Records sees them signing to, the king of New York cool himself, Julian Casablancas' indie label Cult Records and the release of their long awaited second outing, "Strike Gently". A change in production is probably the immediately noticeable aspect of the record as the spick n span sound is replaced by an obvious lower fidelity recording. This however turns out to be a charm as the crackle and fizz works incredibly well to the band's favour. "Strike Gently" sounds like a dusty old LP from the record chest of your Dire Straits loving Dad. First track "Prima Materia" opens the door to a sound of yesteryear with delicate scuzzy guitar complementing wonderfully with singer Donald Cumming's (Yes, him with the antlers from that Fall Out Boy video) throatily delivered melodies. "Oh don't touch the radio, don't touch the radio, not while they're playing it" he howls within the reminiscing story of deep emotional attachment to an unnamed song. 

Cummings' seems to have matured both lyrically and musically on this record teaming some romantically poetic imagery to the versatile array of musicianship. Single "Flashbacks, Memories & Dreams" is a frenzy of funk rhythms whilst next track "Figure On The Ice" drifts softly along as sweetly as it's nostalgia ridden lyrics. Derision is perhaps slightly apparent on the record, as to be expected with a band with such deliberate aims to sound like they could have supported the likes of The Cars or Television. "Travel Express (From Me)", as well as following tracks "The Begger" and post punk ballad "Amelia", all have a bit of a Tom Petty vibe about them from groovy rock 'n' roll rhythms to the wondering guitar solos. Even Cumming's voice almost takes a sudden Southern tint. As well as this, the chorus of "Figure On The Ice" ends eerily similarly to that of Petty's wonder hit "American Girl", though they're not the first New York band to take influence from that song *cough* "Last Nite" *cough cough*.

Comparisons aside, "Strike Gently" hits the spot for those looking for a modern record that simultaneously feels like a blast from the past. Its familiarity is intentional and part of its charm. Had it been released within the time frame it replicates so accurately, theres nothing to say it couldn't have been a classic record of the post punk era. Fans of the band's first LP and its incredibly inviting disco punk may confuse the songwriting on this album for a more lackluster approach but don't be fooled. Once you look past the lower production and stop looking for pop hooks, the songs on here are just as vital and if anything, twice as inspired. If not, just give it to your folks. They'll really dig it.

"Strike Gently" is out NOW on Cult Records. Alternatively, you can listen to it here as it streams on soundcloud.

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Review: Peace - 'In Love'

Peace & love, rad.

The West Midlands is a funny place. Having lived in Wolverhampton all my life I can tell you excitement is few and far between. If a colour described it best it'd probably be grey. Not silver or chrome, grey. Recently however the grey skies have opened and a glorious rainbow has emerged in the shape of four fellas in leather jackets. Peace are a band bursting with colour, not just in their charity shop leopard print clothing but in their lusciously crafted baggy grunge pop songs and awesomely hectic live shows. The band herald from Digbeth in Birmingham and have been labelled as ringleaders of the recently hyped up scene (NME's new play thing) 'B-Town'.  They, along with groups like Swim Deep, JAWS, Troumaca and Wide Eyed (to name but a few), have managed to put the Birmingham and the surrounding areas back on the music map and have themselves become one of the UK's most promising indie stars. After last year's euphoric and widely adored EP "Delicious", the boys from Brum entered 2013 with single "Wraith" and a rerecording of the band's first single "Follow Baby", both tracks taken from their soon to be released debut album "In Love" that is now streaming via Peace adorers NME.

If "In Love" can be credited for one thing its most definitely catchy songs. The album in its entirety is an explosively melodic record that melts your heart like an ice cream on a summer day. Opening track "Higher Than The Sun" is as expansive as it is charming with youthful singer Harrison Koisser crooning "I'll take the jump, all I wanna know is how high?" as the band dives into a rhythmically spectacular collection of groovy drums, hypnotic bass and a particularly delicious riff from the band's long haired guitarist Doug Castle. This and follow-up "Follow Baby" start the album with an energetic and optimistic bang as Koisser furthers the band's brit-pop influenced hopefulness with the familiar phrase "we're gonna live forever (baby)".

Though excitingly refreshing, Peace have their brit-pop and grunge influences firmly planted on their sleeves it would seem. "Follow Baby" has hooks stolen straight from Nirvana's "Drain You" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" whilst "Sugarstone" sways along to an early Oasis feel and "Waste Of Paint" lends funky rhythms of The Stone Roses. Surprisingly however its not really an issue as it always feels like Peace, there are no carbon copies, only borrowed parts to make an all new model. The band's title comes into play as we are given detail of the mega highs and crushing lows of Koisser's experiences in love. These tones are reproduced efficiently and fittingly in the music with buzzing distortion and cutting major to minor chord changes conveying the cruel sting and bitter hurt in "Toxic" while the volatile chorus of "Wraith" matches the subject matter of hopeless longing. "Float Forever" and "California Daze" capture the band at their most gentle with soft melodies and carefully plucked arpeggios creating a heartbreaking atmosphere. 

For me the album's most deplorable trait is its somewhat underwhelming length. With only 10 tracks I find myself slightly unsatisfied as the final notes of closing track "California Daze" finish the album. The annoying thing is as well, this could be so easily solved. "Bloodshake" from the "Delicious" EP is a furiously stompy affair that could have added a further sparkle somewhere within the album. Or the superb "1998" could have been a more remarkable ending as it definitely was on the same EP clocking in at 10 minutes and 8 seconds on its own. Saying that, this album is far from disappointing. The songs are all incredibly well written and gorgeously intertwine with one another in a fashion that leaves you with an overall level of cheer. Perhaps the band were frightened to include too many already released songs on the album but I feel another could have pushed this album to a far more perfect experience. Regardless, I can honestly say the songs on this album and beyond leave me proud of Peace, a real honest hardworking band that make "B-Town" and the rest of the Midlands' music lovers forever grateful. Peace out... (CRINGE).

"In Love" is out on March 25th on Columbia Records. In the meantime, click here to stream it via NME.

www.peaceforeverever.co.uk

New Choons: Iggy & The Stooges - 'Burn'

Oh Iggy, just look at yourself. Apparently those cringeworthy car insurance commercials weren't a lasting cash-in as the 65 year old, in need of a t shirt, sagging 'original punk' returns. 6 years since 2007's painfully underwhelming reunion album "The Weirdness" for The Stooges, which featured original guitarist Ron Asheton who sadly passed away from a heart attack in 2009, Iggy Pop reappears to resurrect the Stooges under their second moniker Iggy & The Stooges, only before used on the bands 3rd and last original run album, 1973's "Raw Power". 

Raw or powerful however new single "Burn" is not. It's not even that its a bad song as such. The riff, written by returning guitarist James Williamson (last seen on the amazing Raw Power), is a monstrously catchy affair that drives the song to an almost enjoyable state. But then comes Iggy and for me, its dead. Gone are the once vigorous screams and yelps, replaced by a repetitive drone completely devoid of energy and most importantly melody. "The goddess of beauty is beckoning to me, I've got a lesson to learn" Pop strains. You do indeed Iggy, namely when to retire. The album "Ready To Die" will be out April 30th on Fat Possum Records.



www.iggyandthestoogesmusic.com

New Choons: Surfer Blood - 'Demon Dance'

"Oh is it gonna snow? Great!" said an idiot 3 months ago (moi). Yup, the skies opened again tonight, if only slightly. I am so ready for some sun and summer and when it comes Florida feel good beach punks Surfer Blood will no doubt soundtrack the sun soaked days with upcoming sophomore album, their first on a major label, "Pythons". Their 2010 debut "Astro Coast", with its tunes so beachy you could hear the waves (and probably smell some green stuff), was a fun fuzz pop record and if new single "Demon Dance" is anything to go by, we can expect more of the same.

With a Blue Album era Weezer vibe lingering, singer J P Pitts promises "I can suck the venom out of your bones" as the band riff their way through a edgily pleasant track that Rivers Cuomo himself would have been chuffed to pen. This and the former free single "Weird Shapes" would suggest that "Pythons" will be a slight departure from their lo-fi debut with some definite cleaner production and poppier fuzz but if these two tracks are anything to go by, it won't be an unwelcome change in direction. "Pythons" will be released on June 11th on Warner Bros Records.

www.surferblood.com

Preview: Reading + Leeds Festivals 2013

The Line-up

I thought I'd write a feature on the recent extended line up announcements of Reading + Leeds Festivals that were revealed on Monday as this year *drumroll* I"M ACTUALLY GOING!!! Yes, good news, as part of my 21st birthday present my parents loaned me the money for 2 tickets to Reading Festival this year. I've always wanted to go to a festival same as any other music lover but Reading or Leeds held a sort of special place in my heart. Mainly due to past headliners like Radiohead, The Cure, Arctic Monkeys, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against The Machine and Arcade Fire all wetting my imagination and desire to join the 30,000 strong main stage crowd.

So first order of business, headliners. When Eminem was announced first in November last year I was somewhat disillusioned. I can imagine the majority of Reading and Leeds regulars might also feel that way as it seems a bit of a scheme to attract a more obvious mainstream selection of artists along with recent additions Azealia Banks and Skrillex. While its definitely not a bad thing to supply a diverse range of artists at festivals, it does slightly betray the festival's reputation as the 'Alternative' festival. Still as a fan in my teens I'm sure dancing around drunk in a field to "Without Me" could be a great laugh, that is as long as he sticks away from more recent depressathon tunes of recent years. Biffy Clyro and Green Day will please a more rock-friendly audience but even still, its another two VERY popular rock bands. No doubt similarly with Eminem, these guys after a few drinks with their chart topping pop rock will be good fun. However, within the headliners, theres no relevant modern recent success in the headliners, nor a really critically acclaimed under-appreciated legend.

Not that the alternative side hasn't been covered elsewhere. The news of Perth's psych rockers Tame Impala playing the tent was greeted with gallons of metaphorical wee in my pants. 2012's Lonerism was an outstanding album and the band's reputation for amazing festival appearances only adds to the anticipation of a potentially special moment. Similarly news of B-Town favourites Peace promises for a spectacular showing, something I'm especially thankful for having always missed the chances to attend their sold-out local shows. Main stage performances from Nine Inch Nails, Deftones and System Of A Down are the three I personally look forward to most and I imagine I'm not alone within the slightly older (God... I'm only 21!) attendees. Foals also promise for a great performance after their critically acclaimed third album "Holy Fire", however if they are on at the same time as Tame Impala I'm afraid the Oxford drop-outs are getting missed! Swim Deep, Haim, Deap  Vally, Phoenix, Temples, Johnny Marr and Palma Violets (minus annoying on-stage shenanigans from the latter) are also acts I'd like to catch if possible though there will no doubt be some give and take.

It is clear to see with the festivals recent crowd expansion from 70,000 to 80,000 with further plans to reach a 6 figure crowd in years to come has meant the festival may have felt the need to cater for a wider range of music fans. This is understandable and of course a great thing for any festival, the more genres supplied on multiple stages the better. However I feel this is a year where the less mainstream bands are being slightly misrepresented. Fall Out Boy and New Found Glory along with Green Day and Biffy Clyro are pretty much all Kerrang legends aimed predominately at teens while Alt J, Bastille and Jake Bugg have been enjoying a lot of UK chart attention leaving only really a handful of real hard-working upcoming artists on the bill. Despite this I'm still shitting myself at the following things: When NIN play (or better play!) "March Of The Pigs", Peace and Swim Deep repping the West Midlands with some propper summer choons and of course TAAAMMMEEE IMPAALLAAAAA!!! Somebody slap me.

Live Review: My Bloody Valentine - Manchester Apollo - March 10th

My Bloody Valentine

WARNING: I love this band. I am going to ramble on about every single song played. I apologise in advance.

The room is buzzing with a loud and constant hum before anybody even touches a fuzz pedal. Theres barely a foot of sticky floor to be had in the mass of audience members, young and old, on the sloped floorboards of the Manchester Apollo. The converted cinema is packed to the brim, impressive when you consider the headlining band's most recent album saw fans waiting 22 years since its predecessor. Yes, a whole 30 years into the band's lifetime and My Bloody Valentine have only 3 studio albums to their name. The simply titled "m b v", released by surprise on the evening of February 2nd, has received generally positive reviews though many were disappointed to find the record was not a huge departure from the band's previous 1991 album "Loveless". The buzz comes in the form of the same conversations and questions bouncing around the archaic venue. "Will they play 'Slow'?", "I wonder how long the set will be", "They best play some of 'Isn't Anything'", "Do you think I'll need these earplugs?". The tickets came to me to my delight as a 21st birthday present from my girlfriend. The band ironically later announced a much nearer O2 academy in Birmingham but we decided we'd keep the tickets and have a Northern holiday for the weekend. In retrospect this was a great decision as not only was the city itself a surprisingly fun destination to explore, but the O2 Apollo itself made a nice venue for a band like MBV. The stage was visible from most parts of the room thanks to the sloping floor and the acoustics were far more theatre-esque than your average venue, perfect for some shoegaze to spring off the walls.

But before any fuzz laden guitar riffs can reverberate around the room, lights dim and applauding yelps of delight fill every corner as the audience welcome the band taking the stage. 'Hi' whispers a coy Bilinda Butcher with a giggle (one of the evenings only verbal exchanges from the band) as they all pick up their instruments. The room falls silent for around 10 seconds waiting for the band to finish setting up with only a few coughs breaking it as band 'leader' and renowned guitar god Kevin Shields fiddles with his Fender Jazzmaster. Finally the eery quiet is interrupted by 4 clicks of drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig's sticks and the room is silent no more filled with the breathtaking sound of the classic "I Only Said". Ó Cíosóig duel wields his sticks like a mass murderer does knives, flailing his arms and beating his drums with savage intent, a necessity in one of the world's most notoriously loud bands. Debbie Googe, easily the most energetic of the 3 members in front of the drums, straddles her bass standing wide legged centre stage, attacking the strings with fantastically harsh and rather understated counter melodies. Bilinda Butcher strums her guitar with her trademark distant expression as if daydreaming within the sleepy sounds she is producing from her collection of amps pointed in all directions perhaps only rivalled by the band's frontman. Shields stands still, strumming away as his hand movements and guitar sound don't seem to correlate. Thus is the way with the guitarist's characteristic playing, with his unending pedalboard creating the most thick and complex sounds of his genre. As he sings in the microphone the words are completely lost as the melodies seem more like extremely distant nuances from where we initially were stood. 

The crowd erupts as the final chord strikes given only a moment for ears to recover as the foursome burst into the euphorically lazy synth riff of "When You Sleep". The sound is immensely thick as we are treated to melodies swimming through a muddy swamp of distortion. Butcher joins Shields on vocals, though once again they tend to disappear into the background of the overall mix. At first its unclear if this is intentional or not, though it seems to improve as the concert progresses. Butcher's vocals are at least much clearer as Shields who is so far lost in the mix at times he may as well be miming, though intentionally or not, it does add a very cool vibe. In one of only 3 songs from 2013's "m b v", "New You" however, clarity is achieved as Bilinda takes over lead vocals on what can be called a 'calm' song for My Bloody Valentine. Steady beat and tremolo guitar are joined by a fantastically almost funky bassline from Debbie Googe who also supplies backing vocals that harmonise gorgeously with Butcher's ensnaring the audience and no doubt breaking a few fan boys' (or mens') hearts. 

Older 'pre-Loveless' songs are greeted enthusiastically with the spiralling rhythms of "You Never Should" pleasing fans of the groups first album "Isn't Anything", whilst adorers of the band's variously spectacular (can you tell I'm a fan?) EPs are suitably catered for with the mesmerising guitar line of "Honey Power" with Shield's familiar yet always impressive trick of bending the notes and chords with his tremolo bar. The bands possibly most coveted of non-album releases "You Made Me Realise EP" is well covered with 4 of its 5 songs appearing tonight, first of which "Cigarette In Your Bed" showing a more delicate (though not quite!) side to the group with Shields strumming away at an acoustic guitar as Ó Cíosóig supplies impressively rhythmic tom rolls. Another newer song "Only Tomorrow" is greeted with head nods a plenty with an ending riff not dissimilar to David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" era axeman Mick Ronson's solos.

Popular territory comes with two tracks from holy grail album "Loveless". It's two of the album's most explosive songs "Come In Alone" and "Only Shallow" that seem to melt the heart and soul of every shoegaze fan in the world on record and the same can be said live as every eye is pointed to the front with even the most intoxicated fans taking a break from flailing around to stand still, mesmerised in the expansive guitar lines, intense drum fills, pounding bass melodies and serene vocals of Bilinda Butcher. If you're not impressed with the band's enigmatic presence witnessing these two songs live you never will be... and you're a moron (I kid, I kid). "Thorn", the band at their poppiest sees the mosh pit liven up slightly as I bop my head to the jangly Cure-esque song that had me fall in love with the group when I found it by mistake on youtube a good 6 years ago. "Nothing Much To Lose" has Ó Cíosóig and Googe drumming and strumming furiously at their instruments with such force that you can see a few people nervously holding their hands to their ears while "To Here Knows When" swamps the room with a delicate yet intensely loud and constant buzz. "Slow", possibly the sweetest song dedicated to oral sex with strangers, has the same effect with a sleepy haze showered over the audience.

We are promptly woken up with baggy-esque and fan favourite "Soon", introduced with a drum beat that could have come straight from "Fools Gold". The dancefloor filler of a tune has even the older fans bopping their heads to the funky rhythm and as soon as the song finishes the loudest applause of the night ensues. The clatter of aggression on fan favourite "Feed Me With Your Kiss" is impressive to behold as Ó Cíosóig and Googe move around enthusiastically as Butcher and Shields thrash at their guitars. Similar passion is demonstrating on "You Made Me Realise", the usually 3:44 minute track stretched as the white noise "apocalypse" section is extended to a good additional 8 to 10 minutes. The noise rises and rises to the point of uncomfortable volumes. I push my way to the back of the crowd to find my girlfriend who disappeared during "Soon" to get some water after feeling faint. I find her with a slightly bemused face as the wailing guitars, pounding bass and thunderous crashing of cymbals attack the crowd. The floor rumbles to the point that the walls appear to shake (plus everyone's bowels are sufficiently loosened!) before out of nowhere the band play the last chorus, its here that I annoyingly discover the vocals sound far clearer at the back of the room as the final chord is struck. Just in time for the last song, better late than never I suppose.

Googe puts down her bass guitar and Ó Cíosóig comes down from behind the drum kit as the band stand in a straight line all wielding Fender Jazzmasters. The jittery drum 'n' bass beat of "m b v"s closing track "Wonder 2" sees four layers of guitar fuzz hit the audience as Shield's murmurs into his microphone. And then its over, a barely understandable thank you from Shields and a shy wave from the band is given to us as the band depart the stage and hopes of an encore are promptly shattered asthe lights are turned back on. Doors open as we are ushered out into the bitter Mancunian cold. Painfully hilarious fake merch is layed out on the ground with chavvy middle aged men shouting "10 quid for a hoodie". Everyone's ears are left a little damaged but the general consensus is very positive. The only gripes I could think of was the sometime inaudible vocals and only 3 songs from both albums "Isn't Anything" and "m b v" included on the set list. Despite this however I find myself reliving this gig in ways unlike previous concerts I've attended. The guitar lines of songs I was less familiar with still whirl around my head and for an 'acquired taste' band who deafen, confuse and ignore their audience that is mighty impressive.

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Review: Kate Nash - 'Girl Talk'

2007 was the year, Lily Allen was fast becoming old news and the music industry was after another 'rootsy' cute girl pop star to milk money out of. Low and behold a ginger square fringed 19 year old BRIT school girl sprung out of the ground with a pretty catchy single called "Caroline's a Victim". With her 'homegrown' brand of bubblegum pop naturally she gathered a lot of interest online from teenage fans via myspace (you know, the old myspace, the good one). Another boyfriend bashing cockney knees up with "Foundations" and voila the UK press took her under their wing and gave her a number 2 single. And later a number 1 album with Made Of Bricks. Perfect, right? Maybe not. After a 3 year gap, with only a budding relationship with Cribs' guitarist Ryan Jarman to note, Nash returned a little different. Gone were the frilly dresses and modest makeup and in came a poncho wearing, crimson haired, red lipped... well... woman. Nash 2.0. As well as this a voice came with the face 'covered in freckles'. The nations favourite teenage girl had grown up and formed opinions she couldn't help but air and regularly talked to the press about feminism and 90s American sub-culture Riot Grrrl. 2010's "My Best Friend Is You" alienated certain fans with its rougher style though it was still predominantly poppy with co-songwriting duties coming from Suede's guitar hero Bernard Butler.

Another 3 years have passed and once again things have changed. Dropping her former major label for self set up indie Have 10p Records. The label and album was funded by her fans. Also the seemingly ever-lasting relationship with Jarman fell apart in early 2012 leaving many to wonder what went wrong. Not to say Nash has come back weak however, she returned with a snarl last year with comeback single "Underestimate The Girl" and the "Death Proof EP". Now we find ourselves with 3rd album "Girl Talk" and there's no jaunty piano pop to be heard. Instead Nash wields a fuzz laden bass guitar as her new all female band provide sharp guitars and rumbling drums.

The album opens with the quiet waltzing rhythm of Part Heart displaying that romantic turmoil has not left the grrrl unaffected. The lyrics "A part of me is living/ A part of me is dead" convey a gap left in Nash's life (presumably by Jarman) whilst "Fri-end" almost rings as a sort of good riddance track. These two themes are present in other moments of the album with Nash shifting between lonesome disparaging songs like lead single "3am" and "Omygod!" to the bitter reflections of a former love "Are You There Sweetheart?" and "Oh". Its clear to see that whoever the culprit of Nash's despair it has left her confused in a lovelorn state.

However "Girl Talk" also see's Nash at her most empowered especially in regards to the subject closest to her heart, gender politics. On "All Talk" she rasps “You have a problem with me ‘cause I'm a girl, I'm a feminist/ And if that offends you, then fuck you,” at a misogynistic enemy. Again on "Rap For Rejection" (yes ladies and gentleman, rap!) she spits the words “You’re trying to tell me sexism doesn’t exist/ If it doesn’t exist, then what the fuck is this?" whilst going on to verbally batter "lad" magazines and the assumptions of homosexuality given to feminist women. It's on these songs that Nash impresses me the most having moved on leaps and bounds from the less mature "dickhead" insults of "Made Of Bricks". Its clear that the singer is passionate about the perceptions of women in modern society and won't allow for these never ending matters to be brushed under the carpet. 

Its a shame that Kate Nash's platform to broadcast her music is only shrinking due to the departure from her former pop chart fame. "Girl Talk" is a very ambitious album that you can tell has had blood, sweat and tears poured into it. Musically the songs haven't lost any of Nash's pop sensibilities but are improved with a real band dynamic. And in terms of subject matter it deserves far more than a pat on the back or a patronising "good for her". In a world where we are in desperate need of relevant artists Kate Nash, or at least Kate Nash 2.0 is a refreshing change from the ever circulating lad rock love songs. Start giving a shit world.

Video: Swim Deep - 'The Sea'

Joys a plenty in the video from B-Town favourites Swim Deep and their most recent single 'The Sea'. Filmed in The Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre in South London, the boys stalk about as a preppy dance troupe and karate kicking fella dance and er... kick, with plenty of fans, band logo scrawled on their face with their best biro. Pointless as it may seem you can't help but smile. Swim Deep are talented lads, if not for their great songs for their unrivalled ability to make it feel like summer all year round.

New Choons: Smith Westerns - 'Varsity'

Two years on from Chicago based trio Smith Westerns' 2011 sophomore album Dye It Blonde and the riff of lead single Weekend still loops over and over in my head. In fact the entire album was a very impressive LP especially when you consider the band hadn't even reached their 21st birthdays at that point. Naturally the summer announcement of their third album Soft Will sees a sort of 'come of age' tag following them wherever they go and lead single Varsity carries on their reputation for 'beyond their years' sophisticated songwriting.


The band's 70s-80s influenced reverberated guitars are still present with the characteristic chorus sound we came to love on Dye It Blonde. With retro futuristic string synths added to the mix the overall sound is pleasing to the ear as frontman Cullen Omari's strained yet delicate vocals drift over the track. Opening words "I thought I was a loner until I went out on my own" sets the mood detailing the struggle of being unrequitedly infatuated continuing with the line "Safety came in numbers but all I needed was just one" portraying the singers head over heels fall. Soft Will is released June 11th on Mom + Pop Music.

New Choons: JAWS - 'Friend Like You'

Straight off the back of supporting Swim Deep on their first headline tour in February, JAWS, B-Town's underdog band, are back with a new single, the sweetly titled Friend Like You. The opening riff glistens before the band kick in swimming deep (ha ha) in a pool of reverb. It's a very familiar song even on first listen, imagine U2's With Or Without You re-written in the hands of The Cure with the vocals of Bernard Sumner. 

A contemplative and rather optimistic song as frontman Connor Schofield asks in his signature drone "do you want to look back and say you did it well?". The single is taken from the band's soon to come EP Milkshake out on April 22nd which also features past singles Toucan Surf and Surround You but will be available individually on April 1st. The band have this week announced their first UK headline tour to be starting later this month so be sure to catch them before they do a Peace and blow up! 



Tour Dates:March/April 2013
28th - Birthdays - London
30th - Joiners - Southampton
1st - Zephyr Lounge - Leamington Spa
4th - Bungalows & Bears - Sheffield
5th - MelloMello - Liverpool
6th - Cockpit - Leeds
8th - Hare & Hounds - Birmingham

Intro: Hey! Ho! Lets go!

I know right? What a cringeworthy title. I imagine Joey Ramone is spinning in his hilariously tall coffin. But anyway...

This is my blog. Welcome. If all goes well this will serve as the first of many posts on this page and by the time anybody is reading this I am sure I will be an infamously ruthless yet respected music journo. I kid, I don't really have many expectations about this blog other than it will give me a platform to write about  one of my deepest interests and passions. You guessed it, music.
I figured I could use this post as an introduction to this blog detailing the kind of things I plan to feature on this page. Firstly though its probably best to give you a brief bio of the man child you're reading the mind vomit of.

So here goes. Hello! I'm Huw. I'm a 21 year old Music Production student and a proud fool. I am a pretty able musician having played drums for 9 years and guitar for about 7. I play guitar and sing in a band (I wont mention the name as I don't really want to use this blog as a promotional tool, this is separate). While of course I love to play and write my own material my real passion for music lies with wearing a pair of headphones and losing myself in a great album. 
Over the year I've become pretty encyclopaedic with music to a few peoples annoyance. I feed off books, tv, articles, websites, videos and people in my life to add to the ever growing collection of pointless facts about bands that I tend to share with an uninterested audience of friends.
Other than that I'm interested in all the typical things; books, film, telly, food and so on. I have some cool family, pretty fun friends and a great girlfriend all of whom make my life much more interesting and enjoyable. 

Now, this blog. I've decided to title it 'The Go-Slow'. 3 reasons! Firstly its definition, the term go-slow means deliberate and careful, being a serial procrastinator I felt this fit the bill! Secondly its the title of one of my favourite Biffy Clyro songs. Lastly... well... it sounds pretty cool doesn't it? I've separated the blog into the following sections:

REVIEWS: Albums and EPs in particular I aim to review whatever new albums I listen to

MP3S & STREAMS: New songs and brief single reviews with an MP3 or Audio/video stream

VIDEOS: New promotional music videos or notable live performances

FEATURES: Music related articles e.g. Classic Albums, New Bands, Important Issues or Music News

FILM-TV-BOOKS: Films, tv and books... ahem

MIND VOMIT: A post that doesn't fit into any other category... like this one

These sections may change as time goes by but I will make sure its all organised. Thats pretty much all I can say at this stage. Hopefully I don't just neglect this and there is plenty to read soon! I will say however, if you do read any of my posts and have an opinion, please do share it! Even if you're telling me how my opinion is completely wrong I will be glad to hear your opinions. So yeah, wish me luck. Read on and enjoy!