Indi Forde - Crystal Green (South West Recordings) 29/01/2007

T: Very clean production and a tune that sounds like it's come straight off James Morrison's "Undiscovered" album until it goes off one one for a surprisingly exciting guitar break. Hell, just do a song with ONLY the guitar break next time. The rest of the tune is like having jam sandwiches for lunch. Neither exciting nor inspiring, but not totally unappealing either.

N: James Morrison was exactly the route I was going to take, or any number of artists of that ilk currently in vogue. Time will be our judge, but starting from that clean production, I found the other elements the artist had used tended to give a far too cluttered sound, although the single provided 3 tracks with which to judge, and these again provided far too little in the way of inspiration. 5/10

web site - myspace

Listen With Sarah - My Little Hula Girl / Animal Boum (Cherryade) 29/01/2007

N: To describe the sound found here as Niche be truly fitting. Samping taken to its extreme, where a host of soundbites rub shoulders with farmyard animals and pre hip-hop beats to build a picture of sheer lunacy. Delightful whilst at the same time prompting the question of mental stability for both artis and listeners alike.

T: I actually find some of it to be rather like a fucked up version of early Saint Etienne, in particular "Wilson" from "Foxbase Alpha". That said, this is a highly original set of tunes; after all it's not often you hear chamber music layered with breakbeats and helped along the way with our furry four legged friends. All in all, utterly ridiculous but impossible not to love.

N: That's what I said. 8/10 [check out the awesome MySpace. Marlon has never grooved so well]

web site - myspace

Beangrowers - I Like You (Series 8) 29/01/2007

N: Being not the most lucrative of industries to be involved in these days, the Beangrowers have diversified, and are now producing music rather than soya mash, Heinz Baked Beans or Runners, as was their former speciality.

T: Riiiight. Moving swiftly on, there's something extremely erotic about a female vocalist yelling at you to "take your clothes off" at the start of this song. Hell, I wish more women would shout that at me...

N: Not a chance!

T: You're just jealous. Anyway, this is a reasonable take on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs with a Maltese slant.

N: It's a quietly confident take on the music of punk (Blondie) and the birth of indie (Bleach) and soon draws you into their sound. I can't wait to hear the album. 7/10

web site - myspace

Lior - Autumn Flow (Red Ink) 22/01/2007

T: It doesn't bode well that the guy looks like Mick Hucknall on the cover, to be honest...

N: So you're blind as well as deaf then are you?!

T: Ah come on, he has the Hucknall glare. Thankfully though, his music is nothing like the sleazemeister. In a word, I could review this single just by saying "Sweet". Elliott Smith on a more cheery day perhaps. And hey, at least he's not got ginger hair.

N: (blows raspberry) I haven't got ginger hair! It's auburn! You could even say this is reminiscent of the Buckley clan. Certainly their spirit can be heard walking through this music. 8/10

web site - myspace

Saxon - If I Was You (SPV) 20/01/2007

T: I used to LOVE Saxon in my early teens. Many a car journey was spent listening to "Princess of the Night", "747 (Strangers In The Night)" or "Denim and Leather" before my parents turned the "racket" down. And to be fair, the band don't actually sound like the middle aged fiftysomethings they obviously are. Perhaps Nick can shed some light on why this is so?

N: A tardis might be the first assumption, as these guys sound almost like we have slipped through a fisher in time, but knowing that even Professor Hawking dismisses this as pure fantasy, I'll have to settle for the fact that the band have been working with renowned producers Mark Wallis and David Ruffy (Razorlight, U2, The Stranglers) and as such, have found a reinvigorated sound, refreshed and recharged. Is that enough of an explanation for you?

T: It'll do. 7/10

web site

Fall Out Boy - This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race (Mercury) 29/01/2007

T: Ooooh great! A new Fall Out Boy single. Yes I am joking. To be fair it starts off quite interestingly and it sounds kind of Indian, so I was fooled into believing it was going in a completely different direction, instead of the tried and tested path that all other bands of the same ilk seem to follow. If you get excited by this, however, you must either be A) Thirteen or B) Shot.

N: I could hate this pretty, alternative boy band, but as long as they don't come with a dance routine, this hard driven rock might just wake the slumbering reviewer. Yeah, Fall Out Boy - a band where "fall out" has not even been considered. 4/10

web site - myspace

Dan Sartain - The Flight Of The Finch (One Little Indian) 29/01/2007

T: Dan Sartain's album was one of the more innovative releases of 2006, and I notice here that ID magazine have been credited with calling him "the punk Elvis". HEY! I said it first! This particular track is rather more reminiscent of Andy Williams anyway and I thought it was one of the best tracks on the album. Nick, you look like you're chewing a lemon, so I'm guessing you're not quite as keen as I am...

N: Either a "love it or hate it sound". A single that possesses a quirky tequila feel. 7/10

web site - myspace

Klaxons - Golden Skans (Rinse/Polydor) 22/01/2007

T: I loved the last single this band released, "Magick", and I distinctly remember that you didn't. It'll be interesting to see what the situation is this time around, because to my ears this is a confident but far less driven track. I'm quite partial to it but it doesn't quite hit the heady heights of its predecessor. It's a very early nineties feel on this occasion.

N: Certainly fast paced and with a full sound. Just nothing to get excited about. 6/10

web site - myspace

The Hours - Back When You Were Good (A&M) 22/01/2007

T: A string led ballad that, for me at least, is short of excitement and passion and seems rather too heavy handed in construction. Reminds me of a less musically adept version of Ben Folds Five and while it has its moments and sounds likely to dent the charts, it leaves me wanting.

N: Epic sounds and the second single from the band's as yet unreleased album, "Narcissus Road". Signed to major label A&M, this band are certainly striving for the fast lane, but lack the excitement of more independent releases. 6/10

web site - myspace

Sky Larkin - One Of Two (Dance To The Radio) 22/01/2007

N: Seeing this band's moniker, I can't help thinking of Pa Larkin and those Darling Buds, not that the music reflects in any way the television series, but just to think of Catherine from around that time certainly "oils those mental cogs", well better that than Sky Mangle ('Neighbours' for those uninitiated). But back to the single and a jingley jangley indie pop/rock composition, with the quite unexpected female vocals of Katie, responsible for guitar/vox and korggg.

T: Doesn't do much for me, to be honest. In fact, I find The Lighthouse Family more exciting than this single. The second track, "Young Lungs" is far more appealing, but really, "One Of Two" sounds like it was recorded on the bog, and they didn't strain half enough to make it worthwhile.

N: I think you're gonna have to give to give this one a number of plays, as it certainly sounded great in my sunday morning stupor. Do as I did and give their MySpace a visit. 5/10

web site - myspace

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Lay & Love (Domino) 22/01/2007

T: "The Letting Go" was a beautiful album which only improved with further listens, and eventually made it into my "Top 20 Albums of the Year" list. This gorgeous, haunting track is another highlight from it, and while I doubt William will ever break through into the mainstream, his brand of folk is right at the top of its game at present and I hope he's around for a long time to come.

N: A single with what may be considered a "long shelf life". One where it may not come bursting from the stereo, but may certainly be appreciated for years to come. 7/10

web site - myspace

Malcolm Middleton - A Brighter Beat (Full Time Hobby) 22/01/2007

T: Arab Strap's former frontman returns with the title track from his forthcoming second album. I would imagine, given that you overheard me saying that I'm interviewing Malcolm tomorrow, it's pretty easy to guess whether I like this or not, so I'll just say it's kind of darkly poppy with some quintessentially Scottish vocals that make such fascinating observations that it's probably the best single of January thus far, albeit being only two days into the year at the time of writing.

N: An artist with a pedigree and a talent to boot. This is a riproaring slice of Celtic rock where Malcolm's softly sung vocals accompany well. Just love it. 9/10

Note; technical problems would appear to be affecting Malcolm's official link at the time of publication, I have included this in the hope that it will be sorted. In the meantime why not visit his 'MySpace'.

web site - myspace

The Ordinary Boys - I Luv U (B-Unique) 15/01/2007

T: I'm not sure why, but somehow I find The Ordinary Boys a little irritating. They're not even a bad band, and neither is this a bad single, being in essence like something off "Phil Spectre's Christmas Album" but bizarrely being released a month too late to my ears.

N: We've gone all Peter Andre and Katie Price all over again...

T: You'll like it then...

N: [Blows raspberry] A single I'm afraid to say with little substance. Yeah, well recorded and nice, but if you want to hail a bus, that driver's gonna drive on by. 6/10

web site - myspace

Bromheads Jacket - Lesley Parlafitt (Pure Groove) 15/01/2007

T: It's 1977 all over again, with a short, snappy old school style punk tune reminiscent of Alternative TV, which is not a bad band to base your sound on.

N: A class line in lyric also accompanies this set of tracks from Sheffield's Bromheads Jacket. Social commentary a la Alex Peterson and an entertaining single. 8/10

web site - myspace

Voltage Union - On Your Marks (Dance To The Radio) 15/01/2007

T: When did Jarvis Cocker move to Leeds? To be fair, the further we get into this tune, vocalist Dave sounds less like the fortysomething Pulpster and the band is more akin to an updated version of Wire. One thing's for sure - Leeds is becoming dangerously close to becoming the new "Madchester", with so many decent bands coming through. What nickname can we give it?

N: Hold on a moment, that was MY line! Leeds certainly appears to be developing a sound of its own, like Liverpool and Manchester before them. The bands hailing from the fair city are producing exciting music that wears the tag "Made In Leeds" with pride. 7/10

web site - myspace

The Automatic - Raoul (B-Unique) 08/01/2007

web site - myspace

Good Shoes - The Photos On My Wall (Brille Records) 25/12/2006

T: Like an insanely cheerful version of Robert Smith. This is a punchy pop single that follows on from the enjoyable "All In My Head" and marvellous "We Are Not The Same". I can hear some similarities with The Nightingales too, which makes the whole thing even more appealing. A damn good single to end 2006 with.

N: It may already have been said, but The Cure - and especially Robert Smith - come dancing at you from the speakers as you play this, maybe even a nod and a wink to Joy Division, but most certainly possessing a lighter air. A beautiful single in its entirety, raw and dancing in its element. The band should certainly be considered one to watch for 2007. 9/10

web site - myspace

The Answer – Come Follow Me (Albert Productions) 18/12/2006

As we all suffer the latest x-factor drivel it is nice to get a slice of real music. Released last Monday Come follow me is the third single by the Answer from their debut album ‘Rise’. You know I don’t want to get all sentimental with you but being old and decrepit but sometimes it is nice to get a single land on your door mat that takes you back to when men had permed mullets, played a proper six string axe, wore tight genes and if you were lucky your drummer had two arms, well this single does all this and more.

The track come follow me immediately reminds you of 1987 when Whitesnake, Def Leppard and Alice Copper were ruling the charts, were as the press release says that the band are hoping for 50,000 sales worldwide by Christmas. In the eighties even Saxon wouldn’t get out of bed for that – well alas that is how the music business has changed.
The Answer don’t promise to be anything other than a good metal band and with its David Coverdale esque vocals and excellent guitar solo this is a good outing to rock island. The Answer will be successful in 2007, not in a Darkness way (a flash in the pan and then gone) but a hard working band who will keep metal live with continual touring. I hope that they get some recognition which keeps driving them on rather than crashing by the roadside as so many have done before.

If you like your singles heavier than average then I suspect this one is for you. 7/10

Colonel Frasier digby chicken Caesar

web site - myspace