Song reviews

Moody and near theatrical in its execution, “I Feel Fine” gives Dominic Scott the opportunity to do a more than worthy impersonation of Chris Isaak whilst allowing the song to build up a very respectable head of steam on its way to Showtune Station. Beard scratching good.

The lightweight end of the indie pop musical spectrum has never been afraid of the sun and Lunchbox bask in the warmth of the California sunshine with “Give A Little Love” reminding these ears of no less than the pop perfection of early period Marshall Crenshaw. All that lo-fi candy floss may well rot your teeth but their emotional attachment to melody is to be commended.

The Ragamuffins never fail to disappoint as one of the last practitioners of right down the line pop music to survive in Englandshire and “Taped Off The Radio” decorates their song writing talents with a dash of funk just like they used to do back in the days when there was a music industry. Time, fellow believers, to sing along.

“Grow Down” is the kind of folk song that starts off sounding so fragile that it gains a near devotional quality but Kate in the Kettle quickly whips some passion into it before a delicate fade into the musical equivalent of a sunset finally puts the song in your pocket. I am charmed indeed.

A handy Welsh dictionary translated “Calon Peiriant” into “Robot Heart” so it is perhaps unsurprising that Gwenno has given us a song supported on a platform of minimalist electronics. This is a downbeat song but Gwenno’s voice is so full of wistful warmth that she will make you believe that you can actually find happiness in those few moments of freedom left amongst the urban oppression.

“Arrival” proves to be a rather restrained song that hides the musical talents of Glasgow alternative rock band Tetra under the proverbial bushel. That may, of course, have been the plan all along but I think it is time for someone to let them play with matches. Guitar abuse is, after all, not a crime as long as you turn up the heat while you do it.

A thoroughly polite piece of indie pop from London’s The Beautiful Game, “Drunken Blues” has prominent hints of The Smiths and Glasgow guitar pop from the good old days in its musical motivations. That, I would imagine, will put a smile on the face of many a trendy young man.

“Let It Die Away” is a fine example of mature melodic rock from Burntfield that sounds like it was conceived in the much larger space that is the USA rather than the more compact living space that is Finland. If you have classic rock in your underpants then this song will do it for you and, although the synths draw you into the song, it is the guitar that is, as always, the king.

Nikki J has, without a doubt, a voice but the lacklustre laptop style beats steer “The Way You Do” way too close to the competition to help her fly the flag for the glory of things urban and British.

With an oddly appealing mix of rawk chick vocals and uncommonly fluent guitar, Amazon Blonde keep their collective head above the water all the way through “Soldier of Love”. The song doesn’t quite realise the promise of this band but I’m certain they have bigger guns in their armoury.

Katie Raven takes the big ballad style to heart and duly gives “Chasing The Stars” enough drama and restrained emotion to carry the song into the mainstream. The mainstream is a busy place, however, but I like to think that there is always room for one more on top.

“Higher” allows Cajsa Siik to take us on a journey into a minimalist electronic wonderland and also shows her as a more than capable alternative to Lykke Li especially if poetry is your preference. She does what she does well.