Wakefield based The Research haven’t had it easy. ‘Unpleasantness’ with former label EMI cut short what was a promising escalation into widespread acclaim, and the three-piece on their Myspace page largely attribute their relative silence throughout 2007 to ‘politics’. So it was back to square one for the band, who now find themselves in the unenviable position of jostling for space in the wings of the indie stage, alongside a wealth of other, similarly promising, acts.
Album Review: The Stand Ins by Okkervil River
The Stand Ins is Okkervil River’s fifth album, a sister album to 2007’s The Stage Names. A week of relentless listening later, I’m struggling to describe it – possibly because I’m writing this as someone who has spent much of the last year listening to music that slips into easily definable genres. The Stand Ins has floored me slightly. If you’re a devoted Okkervil River fan, then you probably needn’t read this review, because you’ll have opinions enough of your own, but if you’re less familiar with their music, then read on.
EP Review: The Horse by Alessi’s Ark
One word that comes to mind when listening to Alessi’s Ark’s debut EP is ‘magical’. The Horse is four tracks of pure loveliness; perfect to brighten up these dreary winter days, her childlike vocal is reminiscent of early Joanna Newsom, but possesses an unusually haunting quality of its own.
Album Review: Cardinology by Ryan Adams
This album sounds like a soundtrack to an American teen drama, you know, the one’s where beautiful people in their twenties play teenagers with issues and there are lots of lingering moody close ups and sunset shots set to ‘atmospheric’ music.
EP Review: Jay Jay Pistolet – Happy Birthday You
Jay Jay Pistolet’s debut EP oozes with warmth, nostalgia and cuts to the very core with its haunting vocals.
Maryland
Maryland is Joe Innes from London or thereabouts. He is selling DIY presses of his first album through his myspace. They say: \\”Owing to the use of eventful passages in classic literature and the last song played by the house…