Song reviews


  Blonde Greta by The Great Artiste


Blonde Greta cover art


French shoegazers

Intense and murky throwback to the shimmering light of shoegaze, “Blonde Greta” is nothing if not French in its casual yet stylish use of grind and drone sonics. The Great Artiste loses the words in the process of bending the strings and pounding the beat but it is all about the attitude in the end.


Review date:  September 28 2013
  thegreatartiste.bandcamp.com

  Will you Run? by No Egos


Will you Run? cover art


Dundee folk

“Will You Run?” is an energetic and bouncy song that moves Dundee’s No Egos a lot closer to folk rock which may be a surprise to those of you familiar with any of their previous output. Harmony and melody are present and correct with some relentless strumming providing the motive power to shuffle this song towards the radio.


Review date:  September 28 2013
  www.facebook.com/wearenoegos

  Me Luv You Long Time by Ira Losco


Me Luv You Long Time cover art


Malteser

“Me Luv U Long Time” is a smarter than average pop song from Malta’s Ira Losco with a lilting two thirds Eurobeat rhythm that suggests that being in the know is better than not. It’s the sort of song that skilfully reassembles a bunch of easily recognisable influences into something new that you can actually sing along with over breakfast.


Review date:  September 28 2013
  www.facebook.com/iraloscofanpage

  Nostalgia by No Fxd Abode


Nostalgia cover art


Indie rock royalty

No Fxd Abode once again impress with a fine example of literate sentimentality and “Nostalgia” elevates indie rock to a level that so many other bands in the genre will never ever reach. This band create songs that will one day, if there is any justice in the world, make them blue collar heroes.


Review date:  September 28 2013
  www.facebook.com/nofxdabode

  Alone With You by Phebe Starr


Alone With You cover art


Australian electro pop

I am having so much fun this week that “Alone With You” seemed nothing less than the most appropriate song to use as the soundtrack for the weekend. Ms Starr’s moody and yet wistful vocals sit atop that oh so popular nowadays retro synth pop sound to add both the human touch and a touch of quirkiness. Sweet.


Review date:  September 21 2013
  www.facebook.com/phebestarrmusic

  Lucky Dip by Blank Maps


Lucky Dip cover art


Indie pop pop

Throwing no caution to the wind whatsoever, Lucky Dip nonetheless demonstrate that they run a tight and melodic indie pop ship with “Lucky Dip” even if you, the listeners, will not struggle for long to list the bands that they sound exactly like.


Review date:  September 21 2013
  www.blankmaps.co.uk

  We Sink by Chvrches


We Sink cover art


Scottish electro pop

Scotland has never really been known for its electro pop bands – at least not ones that might qualify for a public declaration of  affection – but Chvrches are surely destined to be sweethearts of beard scratching west enders whose most secret desire would likely be a threesome with Depeche Mode and Kylie. “We Sink” is therefore cuter than a guinea pig and deserves no less than commercial success.


Review date:  September 21 2013
  www.facebook.com/CHVRCHES

  A Confession by Sabina Chantouria


A Confession cover art


Solid singer songwriter

She’s half Swedish and half Georgian it says here in the press release but there is something altogether more coffee shop New York City about Sabina Chantouria.  Whist never straying far from the middle of the singer songwriter road, “A Confession” is nicely sung with the undertow of emotions bringing an endearingly naturalistic feel to the song.


Review date:  September 21 2013
  www.sabinachantouria.com

  Hurricane by Katey Laurel


Hurricane cover art


Pop dreamer

A hint of the great Spector sound takes “Hurricane” off the starting blocks in a spirited fashion but then it is back to a solid and steady pace for a few laps of the AOR circuit before crossing the finish line in third place. Without a doubt Katey Laurel has the voice but she is let down this time by a rather dull song.


Review date:  September 15 2013
  www.kateylaurel.com

  Manic Baby by The Preatures


Manic Baby cover art


Funky pop

Given the proof presented in “Manic Baby”, Australia’s The Preatures would like to run sweet and low in the footsteps of Jamiroquai. They might need a better pair of retro trainers in order to pick up the pace but that retro funky sound is easy on the ear and should be good for a few placements in mainstream television drama.


Review date:  September 15 2013
  thepreatures.com

  Red Card by Long Long Showers


Red Card cover art


Swedish indie rock

Long Long Showers come from Sweden but sound like they come from a big American city such is the authenticity of their, no doubt affectionate, pastiche of that indie rock with melody sound. “Red Card” is therefore nicely done but hardly original.


Review date:  September 15 2013
  on.fb.me/166aygt

  Panic Button by Hercules Mandarin


Panic Button cover art


Glasgow smarts

Taking another step down the yellow brick road to success, Glasgow’s own Hercules Mandarin add a dry and laconic sugar coating to their rock with hints of white boy funk sound. Clearly smarter than the average band, “Panic Button” once again proves that Hercules Mandarin are worthy of your investigation.


Review date:  September 15 2013
  www.facebook.com/herculesmandarin


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