Muso’s Guide Singles Club: 29 August 2011

by Chenaii Madhoo

August, traditionally as arid as a sub-Saharan desert among the music folk of the UK recording industry has interestingly spewed out a few gems on release today; and it is by adopting the gung ho spirit of the intrepid explorer, that I decided to check out the following tunes. The artistes and bands are as varied, and miles apart as the distance between East and West, in style, content and delivery -which is a positive indication that the UK –music-wise at least- is still at the vanguard in the pursuit of all things eclectic, and sometimes unusual. So, plug in, tune in and enjoy the ride. … Continue Reading

The Future Shape of Sound, In Search Of – The Roadtrip, London

14 July, 2011

You know it was going to be a special one, because the venue was rammed; though to be honest, that wouldn’t have been difficult considering how miniscule the basement (The Workshop) at The RoadTrip is. Undeterred, devotees (yes, I use that word advisedly) of The Future Shape of Sound (TFSOS) pile into the tiny cavernous space and prepare to party, because that is essentially what you get when you go to see this band live. … Continue Reading

The Urban Voodoo Machine – In Black ‘N’ Red

The self-proclaimed ‘President of Rock ‘N’ Roll’ –Paul-Ronney Angel, his merry band of reprobates (The Urban Voodoo Machine) and various hangers on have done it again with this sophomore long player In Red ‘N’ Black. Recorded at Space Eko Studios by producer, and somewhat thirteenth member of the band Alex McGowan, the album is chock full of little gems that run the gamut of the genre-defying Urban Voodoo Machine sound which Paul-Ronney describes as “Bourbon-soaked, Gypsy Blues Bop ‘N’ Stroll”. Due to the assault of damn, fine music in my ears on listening to the CD, the description of, ‘dirty, skanking, rock ‘n’ roll, shanty- town Blues’, should be added to the litany of adjectives which attempt to define the amalgamation that is UVM and their sound. … Continue Reading

Poly Styrene, 1957-2011 – Original Indigo Girl

It should never have worked: a mixed-race, chubby, braces-wearing Brixton gal, fronting an edgy, hybrid punk band in the 70s? But Marian Joan Elliot-Said aka Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex went ahead and did it –bursting onto the British Punk scene with her battle cry, ‘Oh Bondage! Up Yours!’ For a little black gal growing up in the heart of the Shire county of Gloucester, Styrene spoke to the stirrings of rebellion in her little country soul – and said all the things I wasn’t allowed to, at the time. For me, she was the exotic peacock in a sea of commonplace birds that represented the general populace back then – there was no one like her in Gloucester!

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The Unthanks – Last

The Unthanks seem to be an anomaly; it seems that their brand of English folk music is uncommon –certainly not as ubiquitous as Irish or US folk. It has to be noted that the vocals of principal singers, Rachel and Becky Unthank, reflect the vernacular of their native Northumberland, setting them apart from their contemporaries. In the spirit of the storytelling tradition The Unthanks re-interpret the works of past songwriters/storytellers and have been severely criticised as a result. The band dismisses this by saying that it is an accusation akin to “criticising a hip hop artist for not doing more heavy metal” and that “actors don’t get criticised for not writing their own films” which makes sense when you take a step back and think about it. What you do however, end up with, is an album that is very individual because all the songs, though separate, make up a whole. … Continue Reading

Cocknbullkid, Sparkadia – Camden Barfly, London

March 8, 2011

Singles of the Week: 14th March 2011

A few days late, for which we apologise, but here is our look at this week’s best releases, including Ladytron and Braids.

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An Interview With Warehouse Republic

They came! They saw! They conquered, and are still creating mayhem wherever they land! Whom am I referring to? Why, it can only be Warehouse Republic: rock music’s latest, young upstarts of course! So, who are these four young lads who are setting the UK music industry alight and on edge by trading in the well–trodden path of Strokes-light guitars for the back to basics re-working of the Bourbon-soaked, three-bar Blues for an ennui-steeped generation of music-lovers? Well, the band consists of Charlie Flynn: guitarist and somewhat gifted pianist; Ben Woolford: bass; Callan Maloney (powerhaus) vocals, and Alex Howson: drummer and sometime guitarist; all of whom converged in ‘sunny’, equestrian Epsom from divergent parts of the UK –Scotland and Lincoln – and South Africa. … Continue Reading

Singles of the Week: 24th January 2011

This week, Hercules and Love Affair make a triumphant return with a sideways move into Chicago house music, whilst Jamiroquai finally put out something other than their best impression of themselves.

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Eliza Doolittle – Eliza Doolittle

Eliza Doolittle - Eliza Doolittle

Riding on the recent crest of wave of talented British female singer-songwriters, Eliza Doolittle has burst onto the UK music scene filling the gap vacated by the likes of the newly, surgically-enhanced  Amy Winehouse; the too-long absent Kate Nash and the ‘re-born as’ vintage boutique-owner and mum-to-be, Lily Allen. Still, Eliza graces us with her presence alongside Marina & (her) Diamonds, Ellie Goulding, the effervescent Florence & (her) Machine, and the equally exuberant Paloma Faith. … Continue Reading