THE KEROSENE BROTHERS - Choose Your Own Title*

The band otherwise known as Hayseed Dixie, this is the trio of John Wheeler and the Brothers Reno taking a (slightly) more serious slant on their brand of mountain music.

Mixing up originals with some classic trad arr (including a killer “Shady Grove”, the brothers have taken old stylee themes (life, booze, death and a cheatin' woman), and concoted a recipe that could have fallen out of any decade of classic country (pre rhinestone).

Combining the grit of rock & roll with the roots of mountain music isn't a new idea, but it's probably never been done as well. Their theory is AC/DC, Hank Williams, the Louvin Brothers, Eminem. One and the same. At present this is only available as a limited edition of 1,000 copie, only available through their website or at a live show. If I were you, I would.




* I chose Nothing Wrong With Her $100 Won't Fix


LIVING WITH EATING DISORDERS - demo

First off, no beating around the bush, this is quite possibly the finest demo CD I have heard in a long, long time. And remember, I am over 2000 years old.

This is dark edged, sometimes straying into trip hop Portishead areas, but never straying far from a black core. Unlike some LWED have taken the time to learn the art of songwriting, and using that core to develop a sound, rather than the other way round. You know who you are.

But goth is goth is goth and it takes something special to lift someone from the chains of genre, and this time round it is the voice. From whispers to screams, there is a raw emotion on display here that makes the words more than just sounds. Andrea has that rare ability to leave you unsettled and going back one more time, even though you really shouldn't.

This is so different from most of whats out there that it takes a while to adjust to the concept of change, but it's oh so worth it. If you're looking for parallels think of Siouxsie getting it on with Tricky offshoot Nearly God while Kate Bush and P J Harvey indulge themselves in the background. Dirty boy. Best of a fab bunch? "Horsemilk" and "Dark Nevada". They will never make it big, but they can rest easy at night, knowing they made a difference.





TERRI~B - Essential Incense Music Volume 1

Intended as an accompaniment for meditation or relaxation these seven compositions lasting 32 minutes are certainly easy on the mind and soothing on the spirit. The soundscapes were created in the Stone Studio in Alston, Cumbria with ‘ethnic instruments and Eastern sound collages’ with an authenticity that is a tribute to the considerable skill and deep appreciation of the music’s creators. Unfortunately the musicians are not identified (although one can guess!) but Terri~B’s ‘vocalisations’ are to be heard on most tracks. Titles such as ‘Dancing at the Bazaar’ and ‘The Snake Charmer’ tell you what to expect and ‘volume 1’ implies there is more incense music to come and this listener, for one, eagerly awaits the next instalment.
Strangely enough I was sitting in the open air at twilight in a forest on the hottest day of the year in Cumbria while listening, a setting that greatly enhanced an already relaxed mood. Proof if any were needed that ‘Essential Incense Music’ works!
Contact: info@archhouse9.fsnet.co.uk

(review by Phil Jackson)

WHEN’S THE FUTURE - “Now”

‘Now’ is a tantalising taster of what’s to come on a forthcoming album called ‘Then’ (Get it?!) from a Kromlek offshoot consisting of guitarist Dave Musgrove and bassist Bazz. Those familiar with the psychedelic/spacerock Hawkwind/ Gong/ Ozrics influenced Kromlek will immediately identify with the opener ‘Cop Out Dood’ with its ‘straight from the hip’ sardonic message- ‘You’re getting there- getting where now?’ ‘My Giddy Aunt’ is a close relation of Pink Floyd’s ‘On The Run’ from you know what while ‘Slow Motion’ with its appropriately persistent groove and scintillating interplay between guitar and synth is one I keep returning to. This segues into the final cut ‘Go East ‘n’ Feast’ which has a lot in common with the direction taken by Terri~B on her essential incense music. I look forward to hearing the complete work in the not too distant future I hope!
Contact: as Terri-B

(review by Phil Jackson)

Both Terri-B and When's The Future available through The Rocker