Culturedeluxe Single Reviews

One Day As A Lion - One Day As A Lion EP

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:54:00 GMT

Released worldwide on the 22nd July, the new EP from Rage Against the Machine's Zack and The Mars Volta's Jon is white hot, from the column inches it has already generated to the content of the finished article - heavy, as always, in point of view and fucking heavy in implementation.

While the vocals and lyrics are unmistakably De La Rocha, albeit up to date (check 'Wild International' with its chorus of 'For Mohammed and Christ you lay your body down'), the sound that backs this target-vitriol is quite different. The relatively-polished metal sound of Rage Against the Machine has been traded for a neo-hardcore scuzz fuzz backing topped off with an impossible arsenal of effects.

The way Zack shouts 'We'll show you what war is good for!' like a possessed Edwin Starr over the end of the title track should re-convince anyone who has recently pointed the finger at De La Rocha and his other band for accepting top dollar to play corporate festival headline slots. This is a welcome return for undiluted anger to an over-apathetic music world.

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Anomalies - Kid Riot

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:50:00 GMT

OK ... I wasn't expecting this. For all Casablanca's pretensions to go hip-hop with his recent Converse sponsored runarounds, it sounds like The Anomalies may have had the draw on him. Obviously a band that don't take themselves too seriously (witness the bike bells on the chorus), but when the beat goes hip hop and the sound of unashamedly British MCs take over, you suddenly realise that this is a band to watch out for, bringing a unique new mashup of sounds altogether in around three glorious minutes....

Thee Earls - Bombs to Fall

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:25:00 GMT

Oddly I've been only provided the remixes to review here, which is a shame as the original (which you can hear on www.myspace.com/theeearls) is really rather good - reminiscent of Joy Division in places (hammered home by the fact the first word sung is "transmission"). Good stuff in a refreshingly unpretensious production, which I'm sure is very deliberate. Check out 'Let It Rain' at the myspace page also if you get a chance.

Anyway.. the remixes come in various shapes and sizes. In the "rather large" box we have Tom Middleton's mix, in the "DFA" box there's the Diverted Mix, in the "Old School Acid" box (should that be Jackin' Box ?) there's Justin Robertson's mix (as you would perhaps expect, this is his new band after all), and in the "hey-we're-trendy-tracky-electro-house" box there's the New Kid Kraze mix. All boxes ticked then, but y'know it's really rather odd to listen to a cd single all the way through these days. Now, tick the box marked "most excellent".

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Voluntary Butler Scheme - Trading Things In

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:17:00 GMT

Although it sounds like possibly the worst scheme in the world, the reality is that The Voluntary Butler Scheme (aka Stourbridge's Rob Jones) is a very exciting new addition to modern tweecore. 'Trading Things In' boasts a surprisingly heavy buzzsaw bassline, a great lyric in 'Just like coffee and tea / I need you regularly' and provides a worthy showcase for Rob's Marc Bolan-esque vocals.

'The Eiffel Tower and the BT Tower' sounds like 80's heroes Jamie Wednesday treated with sandpaper while 'Hot Air Balloon Heart' is a tropical ballad, lost on a remote Hawaiian Island with nary a care in the world.

This is genial songwriting at its best and a welcome change from the four skinny blokes with guitars blueprint that has been squeezed to within an inch of its life.

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Marvin - That One Time

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:34:00 GMT

Where Marv the Marsh relates being the new kid in school, having a pencil case full to the brim and getting into a fight with Christopher Turner - the local lad who thinks he's MIke Tyson. The joke is, of course, on both the bullies and the teachers who remark that he'll never amount to anything as Martin gleefully and mockingly sings the line 'People like me are destined for greateness / So you don't have to worry about my lateness'.

Whether that be true, of course, depends on the nation's appetite for this particular brand of UK hip hop. With the main mix relating more to the now largely forgotten sound of The Streets than the seriously de rigeur recent Wiley and Dizzee Rascal singles, prospective fans may need to check out the Lillica Libertine Remix to get their fix of grimy electro, or 'grelectro' as it's probably been dubbed by now.

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Psychedelic Horseshit - New Wave Hippies

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:18:00 GMT

Psychedelic Horseshit are part of Columbus, Ohio's growing 'shitgaze' scene and have made considerable fans and enemies by supporting Yeasayer on tour but fact doesn't save them from essentially being as good as their name suggests. Amongst five tracks of ramshackle, unstructured songs with often random bursts of white noise, only 'Portals' and 'Magick Defends Itself Pt 3' come away with any genuine credibility. The rest are an unsettling listen at best...which probably means this band are the future of rock 'n' roll....

John & Jehn - Fear Fear Fear

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:04:00 GMT

The title and the horror drone of a foreboding introduction alone should be enough to convince you that 'Fear Fear Fear' shouldn't be listened to by anyone but agoraphobic black-clad kids with inferiority complexes. But, give it time, just under a minute in fact, and a most uplifting chorus and, dare I say it, jolly piano riff shine through for the briefest of seconds. Not completely hopeless then in either sense of the word. This is a genuinely original, layered piece where elements of atonal, Velvet Underground-esque shoegaze rock sits, squabble-free, with the happy, twee indie pop....

Black Ghosts - Repetition Kills You

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:38:00 GMT

Whoever decided that adding Beach Boys 'ba ba' harmonies to a song one part Primal Scream Stonesrock and another Simian Mobile Disco-style electro (hardly surprising when Black Ghost Simon Lord was the other half of Simian) was a masterstroke. Without it this would be another barely-considered run through the 'new rave' handbook with a half-arsed chorus, but with it, and the array of sundry bleeps and noises on here, it's quite pleasurable. Word of warning though - repetition probably would kill it...so play it just the few times....

Nomad Jones - The TV Light EP

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:06:00 GMT

It isn't hard to hear why those quick off the mark have been throwing names such as Damien Rice, Fionn Regan, David Gray and Elliot Smith at Mancunian singer / songwriter Nomad Jones. As writer and co-producer of 'The TV Light EP' he leaves us in no doubt that in the heart of Mr Jones beats great talent. Taking the lead on the EP is the shimmering, waltzing balladry of 'Slow Down', a powerful entrance which any of his influences would be proud of. Perhaps the best comes later though with the cut-down strum of 'Stairways & Corridors' - later aggrandized by perfectly timed strings. As long as the fashion for quiet, understated, acoustic songwriting such as this persists, Nomad Jones is a name you should be hearing a lot more of. ...

CSS - Left Behind

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:04:00 GMT

One may argue that the comparatively long time between CSS first receiving UK airplay with their debut album (around the end of 2005) and releasing their second album (out next week and titled, erm, 'Donkey') has seen them well and truly 'left behind' by a whole generation of those who have taken the rock / electro crossover sound they helped popularise to much greater heights. They may very well be right as the new single is a highly diluted version of their first album sound, albeit one still sparkling with a fruity, mid-britpop cocktail of fuzzy guitars and pop synths....

Brute Chorus - Grow Fins

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:24:00 GMT

The follow up to one of the year's most exciting debuts (February's 'Chateau') further demonstrates the Brute Chorus' knack for timeless songwriting and story-telling together with a masterful use of peripheral noises and an appreciation of the joys of the shout-a-long chorus. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of their masterful debut, this neat package with flipside 'Nebuchadnezzar' (a sonic sandstorm seeped in mythological imagery and which features a nagging chorus that holes up in your brain forever) will help consolidate them as the band most likely to shake festival audiences to their core next summer....

Primal Scream - Can't Go Back

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:22:00 GMT

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ..well Gloucester to be exact ..a friend of mine was propping up the bar at a disco (ask your grandparents) when another slightly older friend approached him with the suggestion that maybe they should "show these kids how it's done" gesturing toward the dancefloor.My friend politely refused allowing the older man to make a complete and utter tit of himself dancing amoungst the "kids" with a display that my friend could only describe as the most out of time dad/teacher dancing that he had ever witnessed which also included thigh and leg slapping.

And my point is ..that it's a funny story ..but also that if said older man was Bobby Gillespie and co and the "kids" were "insert young indie band here" then the result would be the complete polar opposite to what happened that fateful night in Gloucester, for Primal Scream once again are showing the kids "how it's done" with this superb, slab of inyourface sonic rock. Reminiscent of Cans "Yoo Doo Right" with its relentless, hynotic pounding beat and minimalistic structure, it's another feather in the cap for Primal Scream and a definite one up for age concern as the oldsters prove, once again, that musical experience far outweighs youthful exuberance!

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Neon Neon - I Told Her On Alderaan / Trick For Treat

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:10:00 GMT

A double single from one of the albums of the year from Gruff & Boom Bip. 'I Told Her On Alderaan' is a 'Time'-era ELO workout that makes you feel embarrassed for not owning any records by Huey Lewis & The News, and that's no mean feat, whilst 'Trick For Treat' is one of the two hip-hop inflected tracks on the album, which, a lot like it's counterpart 'Sweat Shop', only serves to highlight the strength of the song writing elsewhere on the record. All in all, a combination of 'Yeah' and 'Meh', so save your money and buy 'Stainless Style' instead....

Last Shadow Puppets - Standing Next To Me

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:06:00 GMT

What I love about The Last Shadow Puppets is not only do they unashamedly emulate a golden era of music and songwriting without feeling the need to put a modern spin on it but they also manage to pull of such feats of retro thievery by the very fact that the songs are so damn good.

This could sit next to any song on my 'Remember the Sixties Classics You Old Trout' twelve disc compilation (mail order only) and not sound a jot out of place.

And considering some of the artists on said (made up) album, that can only be a complement

Excellent

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Born Ruffians - Hummingbird (Re-issue)

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:48:00 GMT

It's amazing what difference a few months, the chance to check out an exciting live show and the sheer novelty of having something good accompanying corporate advertising can make on one's opinion. On its original release I dismissed Canada's greatest set of upstarts and this, their flagship song, as Johnny-come-lately indie chancers. But good lady ubiquity has shown me the way and consider the original verdict overturned. Unfortunately this has resulted in my also securing an unnecessarily high-tariff mobile phone contract into the bargain but, hey...that's life....

Ting Tings - Shut Up and Let Me Go

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:30:00 GMT

Or...where The Ting Tings began to worry as they finally release a single which is not 'Great DJ' or 'That's Not My Name'. Thankfully they have the help of an international iPod commerical behind them, not to mention a riff purloined from Ian Dury and the Blockheads' 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick' and a vocal line reminiscent for some reason of Sir Mix-a-lot's 'Baby Got Back'. Having already experienced some chart action through early bird downloaders, this is unlikely to take the band back to the top of the charts, catchy though it may be....

WETDOG - Alibi

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:20:00 GMT

It's a fine line between stupendously good and good for nothing stupid and it's a real risk to ever find yourself compared to The Slits, The Raincoats or The Mo-dettes, seminal post-punk female acts and definitely in the former camp. On the strength of 'Alibi', Wetdog are treading that line and a mere gust of wind may seal their fate either way. With another twenty tracks on their debut LP 'Enterprise Reversal' to bear, only then will we know if those comparisons were earned....

Dodos - Red and Purple

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:07:00 GMT

The first taster for San Francisco's The Dodo's debut UK album 'Visiter' suggests great things are to come and they will if the tracks contained there are anything like this tasty infusion of afrobeat with frenetic acoustic rock.

The definite McCartney lilt to singer Meric Long's voice adds a calming edge to the otherwise mania particularly in a decidedly rabid middle eight.

So, yet another act to add to an every growing list of exciting American acts about to wrest the baton back from the oily grip of tired Britpop.

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Wild Beasts - The Devil's Crayon

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:54:00 GMT

With a name like 'Wild Beasts' you would expect a band with big riffs and Gillan type howls being all very metal.So it comes as a bit of a disappointment that 'The Devils Crayon' turns out to be a funky art pop tune and although a very good one at that it's no 'Back In Black' or even 'Wheels of Steel' which considering their name is a bit of a missed opportunity.C'mon guy's are you to scared to rock.

Wild Beasts, more like ....wait for it .... Mild Beasts!!

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Operator Please - Just a Song about Ping Pong / Whip It

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:30:00 GMT

'Just a Song about Ping Pong' is fast, frantic and a lot of fun whilst 'Whip It' is a competent cover of the Devo classic. Not bad at all....

Royal Treatment Plant - Undercurrent

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:31:00 GMT

'Undercurrent' is a great song recorded by a pretty good band and produced by someone who needs to try harder. It's simple yet infectious shouty punk-pop which, if they could just get the levels on the record to sit together better, could really take them somewhere. With the correct remix this could be huge....

Tricky - Council Estate

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:25:00 GMT

'Council Estate' and the forthcoming album 'Knowle West Boy' both offer hope that Tricky is finally refinding the form which made 'Maxinquaye' and singles such as 'Black Steel' (which this is closest to) such essential listening over a decade ago.

Buzz-saw guitar, glitched-up drum production and vocals straight out of the Keith Flint school of 'angry punk' combine on a track that bleeds energy and will almost certainly sound best live and deadly.

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Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:42:00 GMT

'I Woke Up Today' clatters into the consciousness with a drum intro reminiscent of either Sly Stone's 'Dance To The Music' or The Stone Roses' 'I Am The Resurrection', depending on your generation. However, within thirty seconds it reveals itself to be an Arcade Fire / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah hybrid sung at the top of their collective voices. With a sound like that of a fully-grown Born Ruffians or a Pavement with a new lease of life, Port O'Brien are a band I'd very much like to hear blasting out from a festival stage this summer....

Liam Finn - Second Chance

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:38:00 GMT

It�s testament to Liam Finn�s songwriting ability that we�re not constantly reminded that his dad is that bloke in Crowded House. Except I just have, oh well� Nevertheless, the 24 year old singer-songwriter from New Zealand has more than enough talent to stand on his own two feet, and set him apart from the legions of acoustic singer-songwriters around.

Sharing more in common with Sufjan Stevens and Bright Eyes� experimental-tinged folk than the James Morrison�s of this world, Finn�s latest single Second Chance is a lucid slice of dream-like indie pop that winds unsuspectingly towards a surprisingly raucous crescendo, before descending into what sounds like a muted homage of Battles� Atlas. But for all the musical twists and innovation, the lyrics � although musing on the nature of growing old, are disappointingly dull in their aesthetic: �Remember me? / honestly I don�t / remember who with you are�, is not the most inspiring chorus of all time, and sounds vaguely like a conversation between pensioners.

That said, Liam Finn�s an interesting little talent to look out for, and one that well-suited to this summer�s sodden festivals.

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Eine Kleine Nacht Musik - La Serenissima

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:02:00 GMT

Riton's brand new alter ego may lay claim to all things Germanic and Krautrock, but for his first single he's plundering the distinctly Italian sound of 'La Serenissima' - a Renaissance tribute to Venice by Reverberi Gian Piero Giordano Laura...a trick tried once before by DNA who took the track to number 34 in the UK charts in 1990 albeit with considerably weaker beats.

The strength of beats cannot be questioned in this new version, however, with clear, crisp bass and claps reminiscent of, of all things, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'. The likelihood of 'La Serenissima' creating a huge dancefloor buzz is uncertain - how well would a string quartet go down in a techno club? But what it has done is made home listening to dance music an enjoyable and rich experience once again.

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Portishead - The Rip

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:35:00 GMT

The latest offering from the new Portishead LP starts off sounding like a Nick Drake cover, acoustic, gentle until a slow beat kicks in midway, augmented with a throbbing analogue synth bass line while Beth Gibbons continues to overlay her haunting vocal melody. It is a thing of beauty, that there is no doubt, as is the video that accompanies it....

Elle Milano - Laughing All The Way To The Plank

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:57:00 GMT

Wacky tunage from young Brighton trio which comes on like a cross between The Hoosiers and The Pigeon Detectives whilst not managing to be quite as bad as that sounds.

Ahh the kids'll love it!

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Corrections - OCD

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:39:00 GMT

Following up their first single 'Barcode' are one of the new hopes for a tattered and bloody EMI roster, The Corrections. 'OCD' trades very well on a chorus as big as the underlying bassline and the end result sounds like Kasabian with talent and, crucially, more than one song. With five band members each trying to outdo the others in decibels one must also tip the proverbial hat to the producer. Expect more when they release their debut album later this summer....

Glasvegas - Geraldine

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:35:00 GMT

And it's 1986 all over again (which in this case is a good thing). The greatest thing about the Mary Chain was the way they took the magic of Spector, making their own wall of sound from screeching feedback, but also had superb Beach Boys melodies hidden just low enough under the mix that you really had to listen hard to make out how great they were.

Glasvegas manage to create a similar big sound which forces you to listen to hear the utter brilliance within. Without doubt one of the best songs I've heard this year. Absolutely essential.

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MGMT - Electric Feel

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:58:00 GMT

On Electric Feel Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser show off their Prince influence whilst still managing to sound like the most original thing out at the moment.

Tight funk bass meets electro hooks and high pitched vocals, in a lot of hands a recipe for disco disaster, MGMT however make it work beautifully.

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