Song reviews

Squeezing as much nihilism into two and a half minutes as a Glasgow band can, Natalie Pryce nonetheless aim their tormented quasi rock ‘n’ roll song “Derek Scott” at the moon and just about get it there. Dark but not bleak, if you know what I mean.

Beth Ford has a nice clear and cultured voice that seems unsullied by the rigours of life. Her song “If I Could Escape” is a wholesome one too and that gives her combined voice and song what might be best called “grandmother appeal”.

The somewhat understated voice of Olivia Hally gives “The Race” its ear appeal but the minimalist electro backing complements the wry lyrics of the song nicely. Oh Pep! are definitely, and probably defiantly, worth a listen.

“Arrive Alone Leave Alone” might be an unashamedly flagrant copy of that eighties synth pop sound but when you have the style to carry it off, as Manchester’s Girl Friend have, then all is forgiven. The neon lights are on and it will be hours before the last bus leaves.

“I Am” is the kind of gospel song that gives Sunday morning testifying a good name. The story might still be the same but no one can doubt the sincerity or power of the Jones Family Singers’ performance. It’s the real deal without a doubt.

Remarkably melodic for an indie rock band (although it should be noted that they are actually Australian), Timber Bones steal from the past for their sonic cues but have not forgotten the importance of melody. Their song “Walking Through the Fire” benefits accordingly.

Sye Elaine Spence has the kind of voice that suggests she can go deeper and darker than most and her song “Repeat”, accordingly, leads your thoughts, with minimal musical accompaniment, through the sunset of sadness and into the eternal guarantee of tomorrow’s sunrise. A moving song.

Good things can come out of Canada and Leslie Rohonczy is one of them. Her song “Creativity” exorcises the ghost of pretentious eighties American rock and then stomps all over it in the name of ironic parody. Make it so!

With a voice of near theatrical expressiveness, Stephanie O transcends the limitations of the sensitive singer songwriter with “Grind”. Maturity is sometimes all you need to make a song work and she has that and a whole lot more.

An endearingly quirky take on the electro pop genre, “Blow” shows that Eyes of Blue Dog have the courage to escape the tyranny of the eighties revisionism while Elisabeth Nygård’s ever pirouetting voice takes the song right into the windmills of your mind.

It isn’t hard to believe that music has become plastic and, in the process, has lost the true meaning that one made music important. Gurrumul, with his devotional song “Jesu”, tips the balance back towards the truth. A much overused phrase perhaps but Gurrumul is a voice in the darkness.

Just when you think that you will sink in a sea of cynicism, along comes a rescue boat powered by the kind of catchy indie pop with sugary sweet female vocals that always chases the sharks away. The name on the lifebelt is “Tiny Islands” and the band is called Tangerine. We are saved!