You don’t get much solid funk soul sounds these days but The Bamboos tread that well established track to getting your heart and feet on the move with ”Rockets and Flowers” showcasing the importance of emotive vocals and a horn section.
Scottish stalwarts Dropkick keep on keeping on in their most harmonious way with their song “Side Note” demonstrating that, even on the downbeat, they can still spread smooth peanut butter over your ears.
Staying just this side of those alt-rock tropes are Calico with their song “Gotta Go” mixing in some reggae influences to keep them from falling into the pit of mediocrity. The energetic guitar work adds the energy to keep things going.
Pleasingly and noisily retro, Trash Sound Conglomerate throw some attitude into their power punk mix of acerbic words and energetic music as they riff their way through “Uncultured At The Best of Times” whilst remaining well inside that three minute limit.
“Ursula” is about as melodically fey as a song can be without actually falling into the pit of introspection but Plant save it from consequent death by melancholia with some pretty lyrics and beard scratcher type posturing.
Super cool electro pop from Girl Ultra with the dual female vocals exuding pure style over the rigidly sequenced backbeat. “Mentirasmentiras” is good enough to make anyone wish that they were one of the cool kids too.
If not quite pure northern soul, “Hold On” shows that The Gold Tips still have enough in the way of organic qualities to make their song sound real and I mean blue collar real at that. This one might make moves on the dancefloor too.
Librarians With Hickeys have a serious case of the retro janglies with their pleasingly melodic song “1972” sounding like it would have made radio playlists back in, say. 1972. The sentimental sound of yesterday is here once more.
One minute I am listening to death metal and the next The Infinity Chamber. Funnily enough, “The Rose And The Moon” has a spiritual connection to the metal lyric pit although styled in a rather more effective, if bleak, gothic folk style.
If you were to imagine what a hard rock band from Los Angeles would sound like then the sonic result would undoubtedly be Blacklist Union with their song “Madame Butterly” being duly composed of muscular riffs and leather machismo.
I’m not entirely sure if Bauhofer actually has the blues as “Just The Blues” seems so bouncy and lightweight that it could be the kind of energetic pop rock song that would enliven an afternoon radio show or, perhaps, an advert for cornflakes.
Classy accurately describes “Angélique” by Karen Myatt. She has a voice that burns with civilised emotion and behind her elegant presentation is an arrangement that would make Dave Grusin fans go all dewy eyed.