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The Yorker presents this week's succinct guide to goings-on of the musical variety, both locally and nationally. Here you'll find previews of a selection of single and album releases from the week ahead, as well as a guide to the hottest tickets in town for live music.
The week in music gets off to a suave start with the visit of American jazz guitarist Frank Vignola. Something of a veteran of the live circuit, he brings his celebrated trio to The Duchess this evening. On Tuesday evening there's plenty of action to be found next door at Fibbers courtesy of rising post-punik outfit Failsafe. Now with two albums under their belt, the quintet have also recently featured on Channel 4's hit comedy The Inbetweeners.
On Wednesday evening the University Concert series hosts the Endymion Ensemble, a chamber trio equally dedicated to music new and old. The programme they'll be presenting at teh Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall demonstrates their flexibility with works by Stavinsky, Khachaturian, Ravel, Milhaud and a UK premiere of a work by copmoser George Palmer.
The week is drawn to a an even more varied conclusion at Stereo on Sunday where 6 Day Riot present their unique brand of folk-tinged alt-rock; the London-based five-piece play instruments ranging from the ukelele and double bass to the violin and the melodica, so expect your cultural taste buds to be tickled without having to leave a feel-good pop soundworld. You can sample a 6 Day Riot live performance below:
Today sees the launch of what many are categorising as Brian Eno's first solo album in five years, Small Craft on a Milk Sea, the revered musician's first release with the equally legendary Warp Records. However, the polymathic powerhouse did in fact call on friends Jon Hopkins and Leo Abrahams to help out with the recording process that began last year. The album is said to have been produced with a film score in mind and interestingly some of the tracks came close to being used in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lovely Bones.
This week is also another landmark in the journey of the Cheryl Cole juggernaut with the release of Messy Little Raindrops. A follow up to 2009's phenomenally successful 3 Words, while the press will inevitably be leafing through the album sleeve in the hope of finding any lyrical references to the recent episodes in her private life, the X Factor judge's real challenge will be to further prove her musical validity as a solo artist while the Girls Aloud haitus is further prolonged; fellow band-member Nadine Coyle sets sail with her own solo effort next Monday. See and hear Cheryl's taster single below:
We Are Scientists - 'I Don't Bite'
The New York-based quartet’s latest offering is a rather infectious indie-rock crossover that proves the band are going from strength to strength. Hitting out opening chords somewhat reminiscent of The Arctic Monkeys, the song plays on Keith Murray’s powerful yet almost fragile vocals, to make impact. Although it’s lyrically simplistic, the song seems to discuss the difficulties of trust within a relationship: ‘I don’t bite, but you can’t believe it’ sings Murray in enticingly mellow tones in the chorus. The chorus itself is at odds with the dark verse beats – soaring guitar riffs finally releasing the built-up tension. Despite a slightly uninspired bridge, the heavy drum beats pound out the song at a passionately headlong pace. Overall, ‘I Don’t Bite’ is a taut single that showcases the band’s vocal and musical talents that first brought them their deserved recognition. A must for any WAS fan; a must for any music fan.
Alex Jackson
Officer Kicks – 'Hold the Magic'
Simple, classic rock’n’roll, this is easy and appealing listening of the Stereophonics variety. Radio-friendly rocksteady grooves and a decent enough hook, this London based band is definitely showing potential. ‘Hold the Magic’ is a solid single but it lacks an individual quality that would set this band apart from the masses. If they can find their signature sound, these guys could do very well. Promising.
Lucie Vincer
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