Theoretical Girl, who is, in fact, a living, breathing and rather nifty singer-songwriter from Southend on Sea, offers a hint of evolution on her new single, ‘Rivals’.
Album Review: Sad Day For Puppets – Unknown Colours
Sad Day For Puppets are Scandinavia’s latest contribution to the UK music scene. With thoughts of Aqua, Alphabeat and ABBA, I approached them with unnecessary caution, as on the strength of this album, Sad Day For Colours have cemented their place on my summer’s playlist.
Album review: The Dø – A Mouthful
A Mouthful is a master class in marvellous, unadulterated eclecticism. The record is a mad-sounding melange of all things beautiful – there are recorders, harmonicas, hand-claps, glockenspiels and swirling strings. There is ostentatious, borderline gypsy brass, playground chanting, mc-ing and piano. Melodies swing from sweet and bluesy on tracks like ‘Searching Gold’ to electro-tinged late 1970s nostalgia on ‘Aha’. Too much, you would think? Not for a minute. All of this put together works bloody brilliantly. This album is – my well-documented Francophile over-enthusiasm aside – a work of sprawling genius.
Single Review: Kill It Kid – Send Me An Angel Down
‘Send Me an Angel Down’ is a soaring, soulful debut from Kill It Kid. It is hard to ignore the fact lead singer Chris Turpin’s voice sounds almost exactly like Anthony Hegarty’s. Or that ‘Send Me an Angel Down’, is a brilliant and mature pop song, way beyond the band’s tender years.
Single Review: Alan Pownall – Clara
“Clara” is Alan Pownall’s debut single, and what a debut it is. The jangly guitars and cheeky bass note are instantly catchy features and ensure you’ll spend the next 3 minutes with a big smile on your face. And whilst the music is cheerful, the lyrics show this cheeriness may be something more deceptive. Clara herself seems to be a runaway renegade, something Pownall will sadly never catch up with. The song perseveres however, and becomes something so infectious you’ll find it hard to deny yourself this treat in the summer months.
Album Review: Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards – Saltwater
Saltwater is the debut solo album from Absentee frontman Dan Michaelson. The songs which he originally wrote after the release of the critically acclaimed Schmotime, were rejected by the band because they didn’t fit the Absentee sound. It has become one of those stories passed so freely between reviewers, you wonder if there isn’t some myth-making going on, accidental or otherwise. But there is every chance the decision may yet prove to be a defining moment in both of their careers.