Archive for March, 2010
Album Review: Airbourne – No Guts. No Glory.
Mar 17th
Australia’s next in line to the Hard Rock throne are back to Rock Your Socks.
Airbourne – No Guts. No Glory.
RockOSaurus Says:
No Guts No Glory, is a triumphantly big return from the Aussie rockers Airbourne. Yes they trade on Ac/Dc thrills and produce some pretty indebted homages to the holy Young brothers, but in their own right they really know how to rock!
Raise The Flag is a barnstorming romp of huge power chords, No Way But The Hard Way proves thier mid tempo rockers are up to scratch and Born To Kill kicks off the album in true barroom brawl, beer drenched, rawkus style. This is a great album packed with mammoth sized tunes from beginning to end.
With Ac/Dc ungracefully fading into their pension plans Airbourne alook set to fill this huge void in the hard rock world…the highest accolade they could possibly receive!
Mr Flowers Says:
An album covering all of classic rock’s mainstays: sex (Blonde, Bad and Beautiful), drugs (White Line Fever) and rock and roll (the whole album).
For some reason especially keen to remind the listener that rock and roll isn’t dead, Airbourne treats us to a by-the-book hard rock album; from the excellent hard rock singer to the crunching riffs on Born To Kill and phenomenal soloing on No Way, Raise The Flag and Overdrive.
It’s not breaking any new ground but it’s a near faultless display of the genre, chock full of fist-pumping classic rock. It loses a point for having the cheesiest album cover this year.
RockOSaurus: 9/10
MrFlowers: 7/10
DoesItRock Overall Score: 8
Listen to Airbourne – No Guts. No Glory. now on We7!
Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck @ The O2 Arena
Mar 12th
Saturday 13th February 2010
Settling down in my seat, bursting with excitement at the prospect of the evening ahead I could not wait for the show to get underway. Not being in the seats which come with warnings for those who suffer from Vertigo was a pleasant surprise and also showcased just how much money there is to be made from playing the O2 arena.
After what felt like ice ages (actually 45 minutes) of eager anticipation. Jeff Beck, the 60’s Legend and guitar virtuoso strode confidently to centre stage to the rapture of the sell out crowd. He proceeded to mesmerize and shine with what can only be described as totally bonkers guitar playing technique.
Using only his thumb and his whammy bar he casts a spell of absolutely beautiful melodies, unknown to most but still incredibly melodic and impressive. In fact the only songs easily recognisable from his entire set was the soul classic I Put A Spell on You, with guest vocalist Joss Stone and a magnificant cover of The Beatles A Day In The Life with his guitar singing the pitch perfect vocal harmonies.
Beck has always been a master at warping the guitar sound into new and exciting directions. His mastery of the whammy bar is unparalleled producing the most emotionally resonating melodies I’ve heard outside of a full orchestral swell (he also had his own small string section backing for most of the set).
This was a tough act to follow but who better to take the task than another 60’s legend, blues guitar virtuoso and songwriter of some of the 20th century’s finest songs…old slow hand himself, Eric Clapton. Taking stage suited and booted he lookedalmost exactly the same as 30 years previous only with greyer hair.
Taking a seat he made a lot of fans happy by starting out on his trusty acoustic guitar. His skills are still impeccable as he played though classic tunes including the mellow tones of Nobody Knows When You’re Down And Out and a poignant Runnin’ On Faith. An early show stopping tune arrived in the shape of Layla, played with such fragile beauty and an awesome bluesy swagger. Standing up he switched to his signature Fender Stratocaster, ready to amp up proceedings.
Upping the stakes as well as the sound, the plugged set was just as impressive as the unplugged with highlights coming thick and fast, most notably in the shape of the reggae cover of I Shot The Sherriff and the uber-ballad Wonderful Tonight But the pinnacle of the set was when he really turned back the clock to reprise some of his Cream days. Absolute classic guitar tracks Cocaine and Crossroads captured the spirit of 60’s rock and roll with plenty of blues aura, psychadelic pianos and nifty guitar runs to boot. With these tunes he exited on a high…not for long though.
With the apart section of the show done, Eric & Jeff banded together for the last segment of the show. This can only be described as awe inspiring! Seeing 2 of the globe’s finest guitar exponents, innovators and genre defining artists on the same stage is impressive in itself. The only measure of age visible was the creases in Becks precious hands and Clapton’s slowly greying mane. They traded guitar lines and jammed over some true old school bluesy numbers including Shake Your Money Maker and a stunning cover of Sinatra’s Moon River. Beck despite his departure from the blues scene can still mix it with Clapton and the combo was breathtaking.
For a brief encore both Eric & Jeff returned to perform Jeff’s most famous tune! For which he apologised to the crowd by saying “Eric made me do this!” before launching the O2 into song with Hi Ho Silver Lining. A cheesy by fun ending to a staggering show
The Features @ Monto Water Rats
Mar 7th
Wednesday 10th February 2010,
An overflowing bill was eager to get started this evening resulting in us arriving with the time ticking down for the nights first band Stereo Decade. It’s hard to judge on the merits of the last few songs of their set, but seemed like fairly competent indie pop rockers with a grasp of a decent melody.
The Gresham Flyers were next to take to the Monto Stage. These guys played with an off-killter pop sound which was jangly and had plenty of happy go lucky melodies. Image-wise they looked like they advertised for members on the pinboard of the local a English countryside village community club I liked them at the time, but as soon as the next group took the stage I had already forgotten them……Next!
Patch William had the next shot at impressing the swelling crowd who started the let the increasingly stifling temperature bother them. Gratefully this was a good junction at which to get some fresh air at the bar as a rather mundane set of serious indie pop was broadcast. Their melodies were as pleasant as they were uninspiring. Vocally they cast a air of teetering emotion and musically they could also tug the heartstrings. It was hard to fully appreciate them here this evening, Their breed of pop needs to be savoured individually as opposed to wedged into a pub backroom with 200 others each secretly wishing everyone else would leave.
The Features (sporting beards of epic proportions) began transmitting their version of optimistically upbeat indie rock. After recently being re-signed after a long time in the indie scrapheap they were eager to perform (an aweful lot of) their latest material from last year’s Some Kind Of Salvation. Standout tunes from their latest LP played this evening were the delightfully odd and ever rocking GMF (Genetically Modified Fable), the catchy pop shuffle of Wooden Heart and Gates Of Hell complete with an emotional fragility, a meandering melody and a whistling solo.
What I was awaiting was late in arriving but worth the wait. Occassional trips down memory lane resulted in outstanding performances of the finest tunes from their debut album Exhibit A. Exorcising Demons was a fun filled organ driven fragile pop classic and the lyrically quirky, piano pummelling melodies of Me & The Skirts was ace.
Exiting for the obligatory encore break, I reflected on how rare it is to catch a band of such great pop musicianship and already proven greatness in one of Londons tiniest venues. Their show was bright as well as fun filled, with their crazed style and siublime if simplistic song writing talents. If karma takes it true course this will be the last venue of this size they will be playing!
Returning The Features final fling included two outstanding tunes. The Idea Of Growing Old their heartfelt ballad of meeting “the one” was laced with their charachteristic charm and swelling poignancy. Finishing with a raw outpouring of blues energy on Exhibit A, showing they can also throw in a catchy guitar lick or two to compliment their spontaneous pop.
The absence of the happiest song ever recorded, Blow It Out was a gaping hole in thie show alongside their new album heavy setlist but they did enough to warrant my unwavering support for many more years to come!
Album Review: Swanton Bombs – Mumbo Jumbo And Murder
Mar 7th
The debut LP from the blues twosome.
Swanton Bombs – Mumbo Jumbo And Murder
RockOSaurus Says:
One thing is for certain, Swanton Bombs are adept at capturing the spirit of slapdash melody making and ramshackle live performances. Their unrefined approach to their off-kilter blues riffing garage rock is raw and powerful. Vocally they are not going to win awards but for enthusiasm they get a gold star.
This album is packed with cracking fuzz filled tunes with the blues energy of Who’s Asking? the bombastic opening instrumental Swanton Bombs, Crowbar, a Blues Brothers-esque shuffle and the unpredictable tempo of album closer Tanks.
They manage a rare thing on Mumbo Jumbo and Murder and that is bringing an aura of a sweat soaked electrifying live show to the CD with their distinctly under produced DIY ethos. MJAM is a great album which bursts at the seams with an unhinged frenetically charged sound, drenched in rock and roll passion. Watch out for their live shows, on this form they will be epic!
Mr Flowers Says:
Mumbo Jumbo starts with a flurry of drumming and fuzzed up guitar riffs, the instrumental opener acting like a statement of intent for Swanton Bombs’ deconstructed blues rock sound.
The production on the album makes it sound like it was recorded in a shed on a 5W amp – it gives it a raw quality, which suits their minimalistic sound and anarchic vocals to a tee. Indeed, it makes the already lo-fi production on a White Stripes album sound like the WWE to Swanton Bombs’ Giant Haystacks.
Of course, it’s all about the songs, and there are plenty of good ones on this record: with “Viktoria” probably being the album’s the most instantaneous track, Swanton are equally adept at slowing the pace down, with “Doom” and “Night Night” being beautifully shambolic ballads of sorts.
While this indie band are unlikely to ever make it on to Radio 1, I’m sure they’ll pick up many fans with this ability to pen a decent chorus and satisfying guitar riff.
RockOSaurus: 8.5/10
MrFlowers: 8/10
DoesItRock Overall Score: 8.25
Listen to Swanton Bombs – Mumbo Jumbo And Murder now on Spotify!
Album Review: The Courteeners – Falcon
Mar 7th
Album number two from indie rocker The Courteeners hits the stores this week.
The Courteeners – Falcon
RockOSaurus Says:
It is extremely hard to shake the image of The Courteeners as little more than another band with a big mouthed lead singer from manchester (where have i heard that before). Liam Fray’s huge altercations with he press immediatly shed a shadow of contempt for Falcon before even listening to it.
With prejudice rampaging i can safely say The Courteeners are not going to set the world alight. There are bright sparks like on the solid You Overdid It Doll and the mellow acoustic melodies of The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home. But these are sparsely arranged over the course of the bloated 17 tracks. Frays lyrics have some nice social commentary but without the Arctic Monkeys cheeky wit they just sound like good ol’ british moaning.
The brit-rock revolution of the mid noughties is subsiding and without significant reinvention bands such has The Courteeners have a limited time in the spotlight.
Mr Flowers Says:
Falcon is an album of mostly unremarkable indie songs. Sure there’s a smattering of decent *bits* of songs like in the opener, The Opener, and Cross My Heart, but neither lift this LP (and it really feels like a Looong Player) beyond it’s general sense of mediocrity.
The release on Spotify does however come with tracks from the bonus CD, which actually sports a quartet of decent songs: Revolver, Bojangles, You’re The Man and Back At The Ranch are songs that actually have some balls – but after listening to some 50 minutes of the uninspiring main album, it’s hardly enough to dilute the agony endured. To be honest, if it wasn’t for the extra tracks I probably would have given the album 4/10, but as it is (that is with the extra bonus tracks) it gets…
RockOSaurus: 5.5/10
MrFlowers: 6/10
DoesItRock Overall Score: 5.75
Listen to The Courteeners – Falcon now on Spotify!
Heavens Basement @ Camden Underworld
Mar 3rd
December 18th 2009
Heavens Basement, Dear Superstar, New Device @ Underworld, Camden
Note: I wrote this before the news of Richies Hevanz departure from the band and thought it should be published as it was intended!
Heaven’s Basement are finally on the road to success. In the space of 3 months since their show at Bridgehouse2 they have recruited a new bassist and been out on tour supporting Papa Roach. Word has clearly got out of their amazing live shows (of which they have performed 125 already this year). The result? A queue for tickets stretching out on the frozen streets of Camden Town.
Descending in the decedent Camden Underworld venue which was filling up nicely at this early hour, we headed for the stage in order to catch the first band who have recently signed to Classic Rock magazines own Powerage record label. With the record deal already in the bag and debut album on they shelves, they have come a long way in a short time, but now having seen them play I understand why.
New Device
New Device are a band steeped in 80’s stadium rock influences with elements of Bon Jovi’s insanely catchy melodies (In The Fading Light ) and Motley Crue’s harder edged riffing (Make My Day). Each tune was great start to finish with a hefty classic rock Les Paul/Gibson sound and a lead guitarist to do the combo proud. Other songs to watch out for include Until The End (which sounds an awful lot like Bon Jovi’s Raise Your Hands), the drum stomping On Fire and the guitar wailing Takin’ Over. lead singer Daniel Leigh (who was seriously suffering from illness tonight, but still giving it his all despite rasping vocal torture) sings, “We Are The New Device, Were Takin’ Over”. With performances like this I’m inclined to believe them on both counts!
Dear Superstar
Next up were the boys of Dear Superstar who took the trip underground to strut the Camden stage. This is where they belong, in a dark and enclosed space where nobody will bother them, as tonight they failed to make any impression other than distaste. Noisy metal riffing was good in parts like on poppier number Brothers In Blood but sadly the lead guitar lines failed to ignite that elusive spark. The vocalists attempts at being a sleaze rock and roller succeeded only in being incredibly annoying, if he put as much effort into his singing ability as he does into pulling faces, Dear superstar would be better for it. The icing on their cake was a cover version of the kinks classic Lola, rehashed as a sleazy gutter thrash-metal outpouring of plunderous noise. It sounded just as bad as you imagine, trust me!
The full complement of Heaven’s Basement band members lined up to the crowd tonight and wasted no time in ploughing out their classic rock influenced rock and roll. New bassist Rob fit straight into the line-up nicely as their performance of their first track Tear Your Heart Out displayed a much heftier sounding band, brimming with confidence. This confidence flowed throughout the whole performance with a titan sized stage presence and outstanding vocals from front man Richie Hevanz.
HB were back doing what they love to do, laying down cracking melodies intertwined with soaring guitar riffs backed with infectious sing-a-long chorus’. Terrific songs aplenty such as Graduation and Reign On My Parade with their immensely catchy rousing chorus, Can’t Let Go’s outstanding vocal harmonies complete with plenty of woo-oh-oh-oh-oh’s.
Richie Hevanz
They shook things up a little tonight testing out some new material which was promising, but yet I feel have a little bit of polishing to do before they can count them as the finished article. This included a song sung by rhythm guitarist Johnny Rocker who you can tell is not the most confident, neither the greatest vocalist but he managed to pull off an entertaining tune admirably.
Johnny Rocker on Vocals
Where they excelled themselves this evening was the reworked version of their early demo song Mirrors. They managed to turn this potent rocker into an slow burning introspective ballad, with honest lyrics addressing image consciousness. “No they’re never gonna stop, Trying to make you someone that you’re not, They will make you question your reflection, Take it or leave it…..Don’t ever believe in the mirrors” swoons Heavanz pouring an emotionally charged heart into each word. This outstanding song was a great surprise, one which was greeted with much admiration from this onlooker.
The band at their brilliant best arrived on farewell track Executioner’s Day rapid fire lyrics, a racing bass line and a fiery guitar lick reaches its bursting point at the chorus where Heavenz unleashes his vocal talent leading a leading a mass of crowd voices singing it right back at him. The extended laid back atmospheric interlude is brought back from lulling subtlety into an epic building riff crescendo complete with fiery guitar solo.
Sid and Johnny
It’s this superb song craft which stands Heavens Basement out from the crowd and it’s what will propel them forwards in years to come. They are out on tour again in February so get your tickets now, you will not regret it!
