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.
Tuesday 16th February looks to have firmly cemented itself as the key day in this week’s gig diary with bands from the past, present and future leaving their mark on the region. The Duchess plays host to punk-rock legends The Buzzcocks, who bring a repertoire spanning over three decades to York with support from The Federals. Meanwhile, just half an hour away in Leeds, Hot Chip bring their quirky brand of pop to the O2 Academy stage, hot on the heels of the release of their latest album One Life Stand. Finally, if you prefer to set your gaze (and more importantly your ears) towards the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow, then hop over to Fibbers as it plays host to the NME Awards Tour, featuring Little Comets, Frankie & The Heartstrings and The Chapman Family.
If you fancy something just a little bit different but not if it leaves you with a long walk home or a noticeably lighter wallet, then head over to the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall on Wednesday 17th to hear the University of York Chamber Orchestra conducted by Dr John Stringer; the concert includes songs by Varèse and Wagner, Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and the premiere of a work by the music department’s very own Stef Conner.
As the week draws to a close, Fibbers showcases two bands that have been drawing attention in the region: alternative rock band Surprise Fire visit on Friday 19th, followed by the eclectic synth sounds of I Call Shotgun on Saturday 20th.
This week sees a flurry of album activity, but one to watch out for is Dead Flowers, the debut release from 22-year-old country songstress Caitlin Rose. Hailing from Nashville (often a good start in the country music world), this seven track mini-album has been picking up plaudits left, right and centre, with the Independent declaring that ‘here, at last, is a country singer relevant and tuned in to the 21st century’.
Sticking with the acoustic front, today also sees the debut full-length release from Joe Steer in the shape of his project Broadcast 2000. Joined on the record by an additional eight musicians, including multiple strings and percussionists, the sessions have been given a layer of gloss thanks to the brushwork of Kaiser Chiefs producer Eliot James.
For perhaps the most intriguing release of the week, however, we head back across the pond to Texas, domain of the indie three-piece Shearwater; The Golden Archipelago marks their sixth formal studio outing. Take a listen to this album preview. If you like what you hear, you may be interested to learn that they take to the stage of the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on Monday 22nd February, ahead of a gruelling three-month tour of Europe and their native US.
The Courteeners – You Over Did it Doll
Solid backing (listen out for the piano), lyrics that are easy to sing along to, it’s poppy and likeable if not exactly ground-breaking. It does get a little bit monotonous. Nevertheless expect to be dancing to it in The Duchess very soon.
Jedward feat. Vanilla Ice – Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby)
Do not subject yourself to this. In fact, no, do – it’s worth it just to laugh at how much these people love themselves. An unoriginal cover with a backing that sounds an awful lot like one man and a casio keyboard. As it stands I would rather eat my own eyeballs than listen to this ever again.
Lucie Vincer
Muse - Resistance
‘Resistance’ marks the third single from Muse’s fifth album The Resistance. Here they have chosen to release the musical sibling of Absolution’s ‘Time Is Running Out’ in its angst-ridden glory whose strive to reach it’s towering crescendo make for a truly powerful single (which is also achieved by much of its subject being derived from Orwell’s classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four).
Peter Searle
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