Live Review: Luls @Hoxton Bar and Grill

 The London based three piece open with ‘Never Let It Go’, Best Coast meets The Rapture ditty which comes alive when the guitarist/vocalist adds his deep Ian Curtis tones. Bassist, Adam, is a star in the making and carries the tune gloriously but when Shaun joins him the band become a force of nature. Their influences come at you like a flurry of Manny Pacquiao blows. One second your hearing Mars Volta the next its Joy Division and its joyous (all this in the first song, you really should have been there).

TT is really impressed with Luls’ ability to hook the crowd with catchy guitar riffs and epic choruses and yet sound off the beaten track at the same time. New single ‘Swing Low’ is the perfect example of this. It has a raw primal sound that Grouplove and Biffy Clyro can only dream off.

The highlight of their set is ‘Young’. It displays just how much ability this group has. Just when you think you have them pinned down as a brilliant new rock band they toss out this euphoric Arcade Fire meets Young Guns number. TT was at the 02 on Tuesday night to see Radiohead, where every song sounded like a poignant moment in a David Lynch film. Well, ‘Young’ sounds like the climax to a Ron Howard film (excluding the Da Vinci Code obviously). All edgy on the fringes like ‘Frost/Nixon’ or ‘Cinderella Man’ but at the heart is something very engaging and poignant for us ordinaries to grab hold of and sing in our bedrooms.

They end with ‘We’re Coming Again’ which is a classic in the making. It’s so beefed up it makes Tribes’ efforts look like haute cuisine. The baselines are fantastic on this, forget the toss your reading about Muse at the moment, Luls have the best bass player you will have heard in a long time. ‘We’re Coming Again’ will be closing sets for a long time to come.

New single ‘Swing Low’ is released on the 22^nd October.

"I Was Born A Fiery Child"

Josephine Foster – Blood Rushing

Many may not know that Foster trained as an opera singer, but when you hear the diverse and unique delivery on ‘Blood Rushing’, you will not be surprised. Foster manages to create a chaotic sound that always seems to make sense. How? We’re not quite sure, and therein lies the beauty of this record. At times it will leave your brain frazzled but her ability to master classical US folk rock traditions always manages to keep the melody leading the narrative and as a result, enjoyment levels remain high.

Album opener ‘Waterfall’ is some of the most distinctive pop music heard in a long time. The combination of the long lost hippy tones of Linda Thompson with a 1930’s broadcast voice is inspiring and will hook you immediately. The accompanying guitars are reminiscent of Real Estate’s ‘Municipality’ but far more immediate, which adds to Foster’s unique intensity and oddness.

‘Panorama Wilde’ and ‘Sacred Is Star’ are two contrasting songs but both show the vastness of Foster’s songwriting ambition. PW will cart you off to the American wilderness, help you set up camp and leave you with the optimistic feeling that you can conquer it alone. Meanwhile ‘Sacred Is Star’ offers up a more twisted side to the image of the wilderness Foster previously created. The acoustic guitar plucking will leave you unsettled and wondering what lies beyond the darkness, as if the attempted conquering has gone horribly wrong and left you desolate and without hope. The orchestration which kicks in half way through has the feel of an evil Pagan ceremony, merely serving to heighten the sense of dereliction and isolation created in the opening verse. If Nick Cave had a time machine there is every chance he will be returning to 2005 to add these songs to ‘The Proposition’ official score.

After discussing the vast and the grand, it would be rude to not to mention the genius simplicity on ‘Child Of God’. ‘Child Of God’is a spectacular homage to Joni Mitchell, circa ‘Blue’. It is impossible not to visualise yourself in the summer sunshine of the Eastern Plains of Foster’s home state, Colorado, drinking a cold beer and watching the world go by.

‘Geyser’ is arguably the most interesting track on the album. As an opening 10 seconds go to a song, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more insane 10. We’re not even sure what is making the noises but if Hitchcock or Kubrick were alive today, they would be using this intro to psychologically disturb audiences. When the guitars kick in, you’ll be forgiven for thinking Mark E Smith is about to sing. What you get instead is Foster mashing up her opera singing and love of Northern US folk rock to splendid effect.

Meanwhile the track ‘Blood Rushing’ is yet another slice of progressive yet loving folk music. The violin solo conjures up a wrath of morbidity in this tale of embarrassment. Foster retreats to her operatic past in the climax of the song and the lyrics become indistinguishable except the line “I begin to begin again”. If you read up on the history of Foster, this lyric sums her up perfectly. She struggled when training as an opera singer, often unsure what type she was. Well, she has begun again and with glorious results we hasten to add. Blood Rushing is one of 2012’s must listens without a shadow of a doubt.

Top 10 Creation Records Singles

With the exhilarating news that Alan McGhee is to start up Creation Records again TT has compiled a joyous top 10 singles from their last stint to see you through to 5pm on Friday.

 1. Oasis - Live Forever


2. Primal Scream - Come Together


3. Jesus and The Mary Chain - Upside Down


4. Super Furry Animals - Fuzzy Logic


5. Primal Scream - Kill All Hippies


6. My Bloody Valentine - Soon


7.  The House Of Love - Shine On


8. Hurricane #1 - Step Into My World


9. Boo Radleys - I Wish I Was Skinny


10. Ride - Twisterella

The Minx - No Friends

The single ‘No Friends’ is littered with punchy riffs and a kickass bassline which will have you sprinting for the dance floor. So far, everything you have ever wanted in a pop-punk band right? Well, there is more! Not content to be another replica in The Clash and Green Day legacy, keyboardist, Kieran McIntyre gives the tune some mod-flavoured soul and a hint of Subway Sect’s classic: ‘Ambition’.  Meanwhile, it is the guitarists Chris Haddon and Paul Robinson which give the band real identity. The manner in which he uses his riffs reminds TT of Steve Craddock’s work on ‘Mosely Shoals’ and ‘Marchin’ Already’. The guitar parts on both are often understated but always manage to drive the narrative of the song forward and on occasion that they are prominent they are as infectious as athletes foot in a swimming pool.

Like The Clash and Green Day however, The Minx have a social conscious. With the Coalition returning to Westminster this week and talk of yet more cuts, The Minx’s call to arms (“Too many public hiding heads under the covers, your looking after number one…”) could not come at a better time.

The first b-side ‘Cold Outside’ demonstrates The Minx’s ability to jump in and out of the genre pool and produce class pop music. We’re certain that if Bombay Bicycle Club had grown up loving The Ruts and Skids then this would be the end product.

The 3^rd and final track is ‘Scoops’, and is another 2 and half minute…….whaaaaaaaaaattt???? It’s actually 4 minutes 25 seconds!!!!!!! But don’t worry, they haven’t gone all Rick Wakemen on us yet. This is a prime example of the potential The Minx have. Sounding like a hybrid of Stiff Little Fingers and Secret Affair, it’s a good old fashioned “unite the crowd” anthem. Vocally, there is a smidge of early Alex Turner in there which should give burgeoning indie kids their way in but make no mistake Chris Haddon is his own man and will make his mark in a venue near you soon!

The combination of “Billie-Joe-with-and-English-accent” vocals and quintessential English rock n roll gives The Minx that ability to flirt with influences like Andy Gray and young female intern. The results are already proving dividends and the future of this band is going to be one to monitor very closely, folks.

'No Friends' is out now on Queen Street Records.

Live Able: Frank Turner, Billy Bragg, Mystery Jets, Miles Kane and Steve Craddock!

Steve Craddock

The OCS and Weller lead guitarist delivers a sublime slice of mod pop to get tonight’s proceedings off and running at the Roundhouse this evening. Craddock draws from his underrated solo albums The Kundailni Target and Peace City West and definitely wins new fans tonight with a polished performance. There is a guest appearance from his mate and collaborator James Buckley and then a fine rendition of OCS’ Riverboat Song to remind everyone how great he really is.

Craddock is a man of such talent and dignity surely the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Brits is not unthinkable. Just check the stats:

With Ocean Colour Scene:

      11 Top 20 singles. 6 of which were top 10.

    5 top 10 albums. 1 of which was a number one.

With Paul Weller

    20 top 20 singles. 4 of which were top 10.

    11 top 20 albums. 4 of which were number ones.

Not to mention his two solo albums and producing P.P Arnold’s comeback album in 1997. Just saying.

Miles Kane

Unhinged, untamed and uninhibited. The man is possessed by the rock n roll gods and its utterly fantastic to watch. He opens with Rearrange which eases the crowd in before he lets rip with astonishing version of King Crawler. It’s aggressive, sexy, and loud!  It is everything a young Pete Townshend personified.

The mood is lightened a little when he plays the infectious Quicksand. What a terrific pop song this really is. Catchy from start to finish, makes you want to dance and never fails to put smiles on faces.

It beggars belief Kane is not leading the charge of the alternative world at the moment but with his festival schedule jam packed TT imagines it won’t be long before he has converted the UK to his rock n roll charms.

Billy Bragg

To be an English patriot is to love Uncle Bill. Huw Stephens introduces him as a legend and that is exactly what he is. Tonight he is on fine anecdotal mocking the youngsters for not knowing who he or Morrissey are. Anyone who has seen billy before will know he likes a chat between songs about issues close to his heart and tonight is no different (we apologise for any misquotes but we only had a couple of pints so sure this accurate):

“What a great year to be British and wave the flag. The Olympics lots of flag waving there, the jubilee…..watching two pensioners go down the Thames in the pissing down rain. Well, you know what made me proud to be British, a British high court judge put Murdoch on trial and held him to account over his actions. AND THE PRIME MINISTER (he shouts), yeah the Prime Minister that’s right. Wave your flag at that.”

Bragg followed this with Scousers Never By The Sun. A song that probably sums Bragg’s musical career up perfectly. It is a witty and politically biting punk/folk song with lush choruses and venomous verses.

Bragg rattles through his brilliant back catalogue with I Keep Faith and Sexuality before ending on A New England. It was very visible many didn’t know who he was at the beginning but even more evident was the respect he had earned by the end. Plus, what audience doesn’t love to see a tea bag lobbed into a crowd of people as a farewell gesture. Smashing up guitars, PAH!

Mystery Jets

What a perfect booking by Able2Able. Everyone is aware of Blaine’s condition but no-one ever cares. The World loves the Mystery Jets and that is all that matters. Tonight however, his disability does matter top the adoring crowd. The talent and graft Blaine has utilised weigh heavy on the audiences consciousness. Not as burden, but as a clear reminder that all people are equal and with extra help having a disability can produce the brightest of stars.

TT was at their Brixton gig earlier this year and must confess thought it was a bit flat. However, tonight the Jets are firing on all cylinders. The new Crosby, Stills and Nash enthused tunes are given the stadium rock treatment to sound mega. ‘Someone Purer’ lyrics’ “Deliver me from sin / Give me rock ‘n’ roll” take on a life of their own in this benefit setting whilst ‘Greatest Hits’ sets the crowd of dancing perfectly before the classic ‘Young Love’ and ‘Two Doors Down’ have the crowd in raptures.

Frank Turner

Last time TT saw Frank, we ended up pissed and emotional not fully believing he had just played to a sold out Wembley Arena. Tonight is a different experience. We have been frothing at the mouth with the prospect of new FT material. There was only one new tune tonight sadly and bugger, we didn’t catch the name but it was full of Turner’s passion and melody which make him so loveable. Vintage Frank! 

 

The decibels are upped tenfold by the crowd the moment ‘I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous’ starts to the moment the barnstorming ‘Photosynthesis’ ends. No matter how many times Frank plays ‘Photosynthesis’ it always resonates powerfully with his audience. If you look closely enough you can see the goose bumps on everyone. Look too closely and you will be arrested mind.

We Must apologise to Zane Lowe and Friendly Fires as we had to leave and missed their sets but friends of Traveller’s Tunes assure us they were top notch as always.

Finally, we must say what a great cause Abel2Abel is. Music at its best is always bringing people together and tonight it does it for an excellent reason.

http://www.able2able.com/

Novella - Novella (ep)

1.       Eat Yourself

How do you announce yourself as an awesome guitar pop band? Try a thundering hum of guitars on the opening and one genius singer called Hollie Warren supplying other worldly vocals is a pretty good start. Plus any song which is a cross pollination of Sleeper and The Shangri-Las is alright by us.

2.       He's My Morning

Cobain would have loved the opening to this song. Full of great pop melodies and shrouded in muffled guitars. The subtle nods and winks to the Pixies with 60s girl group harmonies continue here with great gusto. Sit back with an ice cold beer and enjoy.

3.       Don’t believe Ayn Rand

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back to your lives intellectual pop music. Remember that great feeling when you first heard Meat Is Murder, well, Novella have tapped into that feeling brilliantly.  Ayn Rand was a mere name to us at start of this song. After research (embarrassingly beginning on Wikipedia) we came to realise and debate the work of one of Objectivism’s leading thinkers. Accompanying this with Graham Coxon-esque guitar riffs circa ‘No Distance Left To Run’ makes one hell of a combination.

4.       Strange Things

All their songs have an undercurrent of The Pixies and Pavement influence but Strange Things wears it them on its sleeve. So much so you can imagine Malkmus in the studio shouting “great guitar parts, love them, but will you please stop being so freakin’ cool with your vocals”.

5.       You’re not that cool.

Lord help whoever Warren is singing to when she says “you’re not cool / I never wanted you”. From Warren, this is the vocal equivalent of hangover induced by cider and white wine in 40 degree heat. The song itself is brilliantly moody and ethereal in the beginning before building to a My Bloody Valentine state of hypnotic guitars.

The EP is out now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two Wounded Birds - Two Wounded Birds

Pop music, take a bow. Two Wounded Birds return with their self-titled début album after releasing two singles (corkers we might add) via indie legends: Moshi Moshi. It brims in equal measure with poptastic singles and spell-binding morbidity.

The album opens with ‘Together Forever’, one of the finest opening tracks in the history of rock music. It’s The Shadows, The Ramones and The Beach Boys. It's no wonder The Drums released this album on their record label Holiday Friends Recording Company. The title kind of gives the song's content away but this doesn’t detract from Johnny Danger’s ability to profess his love. If this song had been written in 1993 you can bet your left arse cheek it would have been on the soundtrack to True Romance.

'Daddy's Junk' is in keeping with the up-tempo genius of the band, transporting you to world where Chuck Berry became Lonnie Donnegan's guitar player in a Ramones tribute band. Who said all fantasies had to start with a mullet-haired, washing machine repair man and a bored housewife?

 

Being on The Drums' record label, this album was never going to be just sweetness and light. On 'My Lonesome' they adopt Richard Hawley-esque guitars circa 'Coles Corner' to leave you feeling isolated during the wee hours in a deserted seaside town. Meanwhile, 'No Goodbye's' captures in 3minutes 38 seconds what Noah & The Whale took an album to do on 'First Day's Of Spring'. The darkness looms large like Voldermort in the clouds in the chorus:

'And yooooouuuuuuuuuuu / Don't live round here no more / And from you / And no goodbyes / No calls '. 

This really is a must buy for 2012. TWB caught everyone’s attention with Beach Boys and Dick Dale pop tunes in 2011 and have transgressed this already. The future for the Margate bunch appears to be very bright, despite the infinite sadness.


Two Wounded Birds - Two Wounded Birds is out now!