Reviews

Weekly Reviews For July 11, 2006

Review Index

I am Managing Editor at Metal4Life

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

I am also featured reviewer at spacerock.co.uk

I was Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

New Reviews

lo - demo

Although lo have only be on the go since last autumn they've already managed to put out two EPS - "Sunset Drunk" and "Midnight Fables" - so they're certainly not workshy layabouts like most musicians. this 3 track demo grabs songs from both, although finding out what comes from where would involve research, and as I don't want the small Filipino I keep for menial tasks to learn any English, you'll just have to do without.

It doesn't start out well as "Connotation / Underline" comes across as a Smiths / pavement hybrid (not necessarily in that order), albeit one with an easy hook to hang on to. "Hit Erase" is a step up with an Ennio Morricone / Mark E Smith-ah mash up vibe that is oddly alluring.

However, in finest three dance fashion*, they leave the best for last with "Santa Ponsa", a song that should have been snapped up fpr "Pirates Of The Carribean". It takes a step away from the world of scratchy guitars, enters the domain of the acoustic glockenspiel, then wibbles and wobbles and yo-ho-hos through an infectious melody, with a few aarrghs thrown in for good measure. Bonkers and brilliant.

Their indie alt rock sound is perfect for those just pretending to like the rawk cos' it makes them look hard and they'll take this to heart.

*stripper jargon from days of yore, when you had to wait for the 3rd dance before the top came off! Innocent times :(

Big Wolf Pappa - Shine


When they make the film of my life, as they inevitably will, then the closing scene will see old (but still devilishly handsome) me, white haired and bewhiskered, on my porch, in my rocking chair, shotgun on one side, dog on the other, bottle of whisky in my hand with "On The Side Of The Angels" by Big Wolf Pappa playing in the background.

A German based blues rock band with American, Swedish, Italian and German members, this, their second album, is a bit of all right. It's not trad blues rock, steering a course between slide blues, Americana and ben harper. At least when they're on fire, that is. There are a couple of tracks when they turn into Dire Straits but don't talk about them in polite company.

The band is at their best when they slow things down, getting almost southern rock on album highlights "Wasted Time" and "She's No Angel". Now hand me down my shooting iron.

The Burning Effigies - Pipe Dream

With the whole seventies soft rock revival thingy in full effect, there's plenty of room for the new 10cc, so we may as well give that job to Irish mob, The Burning Effigies. Oh, and we're talking clever, witty, big harmonied mid-period 10cc when Godley & creme were on board, not the latter day abomination.

They've got songs about hiding away, escapism, hopes, dreams and the ultimate geek anthem. Ever. And that's not to forget about revenge, my favourite subject.

It's all wrapped up in full melodic sensurround, dripping with memorable choruses and rubbed down with a wry view of the world. Splendid.

Trevor Ras - Let It Roll

One way to catch my attention is to use magic phrases like 'The Doobie Brothers' or 'Crosby, Stills, Nash and Yeuch'. Now you don't have to sound like them, but the fact that you have spent some time listening to them gets you some serious brownie points. Assuming its pre McDonald Doobies and mainly CSN, that is. I'm even willing to ignore the reference to Jack Johnson, a man so mediocre he has been dubbed the Hawaiian George Formby. A phrase that generated more hate mail for me than any other - so much for the laid back vibe, man.

Which has little to do with this rather splendid debit EP from singer / songwriter / saxophonist Trevor Ras. He also references Little Johnny Cougar and it's said Mellencamp that is closest in spirit and sound to the music created here.

Yes, there are a couple of lesser moments here with "Roller Coaster" going nowhere in particular but one listen to "Call Me Tonight", "Love Story" or "She Said" and you're hooked by the simple tales of living life.

Toni Anderson - You Are The One

It's summertime, so when better to kick back, relax and take in an album of reggae-lite and smooth soul, delivered by a truly excellent vocalist.

And Ms Anderson certainly can sing. Having had a grounding in gospel and musical theatre she is fully in control of her instrument and delivers constantly, regardless of the material, some of which doesn't do justice to her talent. A few do with "You Are The One", "Strength Of Love", and an excellent cover of Bill Withers "Just The Two Of Us" top of the bill. But make sure you skip over the dance version of "Respect"!

Given a proper framing, Toni has the ability to go far, so grab the chance to hear her first steps.

Rondi Marsh - Cache


I'm not entirely sure what contemporary folk-rock-pop is. It's what people say about Rondi Marsh but it sounds like they're not sure what rack to store the CD in. It's probably too much to expect a singer singing songs section anytime soon. To be fair, it's not that easy categorising albums like this. If it was the seventies it would sit snugly in the rock section alongside all the other singer songwriters usually to be found on the Asylum label - Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and their ilk.

What you need to know is that Rondi has a fabulous, rich voice, a remarkable grasp of melody and an ability to conjure a song that will linger in your head for days. It's a timeless sound and songs like "Painfully, Beautifully, Rich" could have existed for decades. Even the more contemporary rock edge of "Amber Sunset" and others are rooted in nothing and everything. An album to savour.