James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
Alas, the Singles Club is no more. But in its place comes something new. Having trouble devoting time to keeping up with the music world? Then The Yorker can help; every Monday just drop in here and you'll find a concise weekly guide to goings-on of the musical variety, both locally and nationally. Here you'll find previews of a selection of album and single releases from the week ahead, as well as a guide to the hottest tickets in town for live music.
On Monday 25th, singer/songwriter Jamie T graces the O2 Academy Leeds stage with his wit and lyricism, followed on Tuesday 26th by US ska-band Reel Big Fish. Also on Tuesday, closer to home, hotly tipped Californian five-piece Iglu & Hartley play Fibbers. Meanwhile Basement Bar hosts up-and-coming Sheffield band Standard Fare on Thursday 28th.
Finally, if the city centre is just too far to go at the end of a long day, then check out the University's own Concert Series at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. The University Chamber Choir perform Montiverdi's spectacular Vespers on Wednesday 27th, while on Friday 29th the hall welcomes two jazz legends, saxophonist Julian Argüelles and pianist John Taylor, both concerts promising stunning music.
Sweden: a mixed bag, musically speaking. But don't let that put you off giving teenage sisters Klara & Johanna Söderberg a try. This week, under their stage name First Aid Kit, they release their debut album The Big Black & The Blue; so far met with critical acclaim, it promises a healthy dose of knitted jumper-wearing, sofly-spoken folk balladry. And if, after that, you're still in a mellow frame of mind, then try the latest offering from indie dream-pop duo Beach House. Teen Dream is their third studio album and you should expect more of the ambient lyricism that has punctuated their previous work.
On an entirely different note, if gritty, hard-edged rock that offers an experience similar to 'having your womb scraped out' (as their PR brief once charmingly advertised) then Jackknifed & Slaughtered from The Tenebrous Liar should be right down your street. This is a band that confronts the truth of a situation in a visceral manner but with electrifying musical results.
However, the pick of the week goes to New York-based White Rabbits. Although they're hardly news across the water, the indie six-piece finally see their debut offering It's Frightening released over here this week. To leave you hungry, here's the thumping album-opener 'Percussion Gun'.
The Rifle Volunteer – End Season
The debut single from the London-based band, “End Season” shows some promising talent. This moody, melancholic song has a memorable hook and vocals that suit its tone perfectly. It’s just unfortunate that they become more annoying every time I listen to it. Sounds like a grey overcast Tuesday afternoon. One to watch out for in future, though. Lucie Vincer
Plastiscines - Bitch
Going for a world record of saying the same word in a song is Plastiscines with new release ‘Bitch’. Acting as the lead single to their album About Love, this group attempt to teach the listener how to spell the name of the song, apparently it is now spelt B-I-T-C-itch. Extremely repetitive, with the constant spelling of bitch acting as the hook, this single marks the probable course of the next Ting Tings release which isn’t really a good thing.
Peter Searle
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