Song reviews

Indie rock Canadian style from Montreal band Das Blankout with their song “King Of The World” being tilted more towards the retro style than we would get on this side of the big pond. Nonetheless, on the evidence of this song, Das Blankout are the kind of band that knows just when to take a step backwards.

Whilst atmosphere is given precedence over melody in this downbeat example of Glasgow synth pop, “Sixfour” nonetheless demonstrates that The Claramassa have more musical maturity than most of their robotic competition. It’s the kind of song that grows on you.

“State of Low” is another eloquent slice of modern pop music from Sweden’s Cajsa Siik. Her rather wistful outlook on life shines through the song and makes you think of summer love and other such sentimental things. A nicely understated song.

Just when you think that you’ll never hear another protest song, along comes “Taliban Man” from Cambodia’s Krom. A rough edged male voice preaches the righteous words on the killing of the innocent whilst making you wonder why so few musicians on this side of the planet bother to make comment on what is happening in the world. Maybe they just don’t have the right app on their iPhone?

“Temples” shows that London band Panic Island can generate more than enough energy to charge up the average venue with indie rock energy. The committed vocals are plugged into the mains and thus help the song transcend the limited production values.

Kind of ethereal in their outlook, Taxi Taxi take “Floating Forever” out on the town for a metaphysical drink or two. This might well be yet more Swedish electro pop but, this time, the sound of the shadows is there for all to hear.

Downright downbeat, Irish singer songwriter Roberta Howett injects heartfelt sentiments into “Broken Wings” to pump up all that piano powered emotion. If Girls Aloud were still in the charts, this would be their ballad of choice but, in the here and now, Ms. Howett still has a song likely to trouble the top 40.

Subtle and sensitive, the supportive balance between the male and female vocals that make up The Paper Shades drift “Strong” out into the pond of folk and Americana influences. Not so much blown by the wind of change as under the control of a gentle breeze, this song is nicely executed conventionality.

Once more into those retro synth grooves as Modern Family Unit entice us to do the resurrection shuffle to their curiously hypnotic exercise in finger snapping to the click of the robotic beat. “Mm mm mm ah” might well be made of plastic but it’s dirty plastic and that makes it special.

Edgy and oblique, Kaleigh Mason wanders far from the comfort zone of the average singer songwriter with “Mental Illness” suggesting that it was reality rather than supposition that brought forth her words. The song ticks the boxes while making you look over your shoulder.

It is good to hear a real talent maturing and Lisa Crawley does just that with the subtlety of “Stranger” adding to her connoisseur appeal. All you need is love, said the Beatles, but the truth is all that you need is Lisa Crawley. An antipodean Lynsey De Paul? Perhaps, perhaps, yes!

“No Surprise” shows that Kadooge - from Illinois - can fly straight as an arrow towards their musical target. Make no mistake, it’s still a mid-west rock song underneath the metal encased riffs, mystical lyrics and macho vocals but the intention here is clearly to make some proper stadium style noise.