Reviews

Weekly Reviews For November 8, 2004

Review Index

I am also Assistant Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

Recent reviews include
Rush - Chronicles (The Video Collection)
Deep Purple - The Early Years
Damageplan - New Found Power
Whitesnake - The Early Years

You will also find some reviews at spacerock.co.uk

The Rocker
New releases from;
Superczar - Pop Art
Various - Further Adventures of the Telepathic Explorers
When's The Future - Then
And many more....

 

New Reviews

Liam Macdonald - Verge

And this is a very intersting release, a melange of folk, world, jazz and rock with no easy hook to hang your coat on. But its' diversity is what makes it so pleasurable.

Unusually, I'm going to hit you with the highlights first. "Man Woman Child" is an absolute gem, which you really need to hear, world without being weary. And "Should Have Known" is a bona fide pop classic that should be all over the radio.

There are moments when things go a bit electro on the background, but overall the band and backing create a very sympathetic environment for Liams voice and songs. He was once dubbed "a male Joni Mitchell", and that's not too far off the mark. There's a little bit of everything and for once eclectic is not a dirty word.

Keven Brennan - God is a Mighty Gourd

After my initial encounter with Keven I said " I always wondered what it would be like to hear Funkadelic having sex with Frank Zappa, and now I know. Very messy, but wonderfully entertaining and inspirational."

I was right then and I'm right now. Mr Brennan is a major, if bizarre talent, and we should be clutching his output tightly to us muttering "mine, all mine". This time around we're being regaled with stories of Ironsides The Wheelchair Queen, a lava eating Martian, so why are you still reading this instead of heading off to his website to find out more?

Serious reviews would be saying Beefheart, Waits, off kilter sense of humour underlying a skewed view of the world. Me, I say it's bloody good fun and to hell with the end of the world as we know it.

Genie - Wildflowers

Where to begin? Genie's website says her CD's are "the most peaceful, comforting, relaxing song collections in the world."

A big claim and possibly not quite justified, but I certainly felt the pains of life drifting away as I listened to this CD, so would accept that it has healing properties, albeit short term ones. But something that eases the pain, even briefly, is a remarkable achievment.

Inspirational in places, "Wildflowers" is a remarkable piece of mood music. The more cynical amongst you should probably avoid, but if you're looking for a sanctuary, then this is as good as it gets. A sweet voice and soothing melodies can sometimes take you to a good place. Highlights? "Ariel", "I Love You More Than Life", "Trees".

There are also some remarkable and poetic lyrics that tell you tales you want to hear over and over. You also get an instrumental version of each song for when you need even an even cooler hand on your brow.

Freeview – 2/10/04 - THE BARFLY – GLASGOW

A great choice of opening act – people were singing and the cheers were loud and well deserved. Everyone was definitely put in the right frame of mind for the evening of delights ahead. Think grungy punky rock with hints of Nirvana with a twist of Pearl Jam and BANG!! You have Freeview. They performed a variety of new and old tracks, from the more laid back ‘pass it on’ to the catchy EP title track ‘what’s my pill?’ Freeview are tight, precise and intense, wicked guitars a strong singer and a rather fantastic drummer. It cost the rather princely sum of five whole pounds to go and see them, bargain!!!

Reviewed by Katey J

Freeview are:
Dave - Vocals
Cammie - Bass
Paul - Guitar
Colesy - Drums

Cathy-Ann - Honey Wagon

A little bit anti-folk, al ittle bit pop, a little bit punk, all with a sense of humour, Cathy-Ann caertainly knows her way around a good song and a good hook.

Another singer songwriter hard to pigeonhole, coming on like a mix between Alanis Morrisette, Elvis Costello and the Undertones, it's all left of centre and all the better for it. Staying far away from the horrors of Avril Lavigne, Cathy-Ann has got the edgy post punk pop thing down pat.

If the music is straightforward, the lyrics go for the explicit, controversial and heartworn route. Among the highlights are the obviously targetted "Musical Prostitute" and "Hollywood" lambaste the entertainment industries with clever lyrics that are fairly the blues tinged "Nothing", although those of a nervous disposition should stay away from "Duraselove", a love song to all things mechanically pleasured.

Jo McCafferty - Papercuts and Lime

In a previous life we said "a voice to die for, an aura of greatness, and songs to match." And, as usual, we were right. And here the songs have, somehow, got even better.

The highlights start hitting early on with the cathartic, "Confession", an early contender for "song of the CD". The Romanian track, "Chiar Daca Ma Duareh", is an interesting experiment, but is the only musical weak link on an exceptional release.

If possible, Jo is singing better than ever, and dipping into the melancholy "All This Time" or the piano based "Cave" is a truly rewarding experience. A CD that gets better and better with time, and one you should be listening to now.