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Category: Music Review

  • Reader’s Wives: Rachel’s Apartment Review

    Reader’s Wives: Rachel’s Apartment Review

    When your band is named after a soft core porn mag, you’re probably not going to mince your words. Reader’s Wives‘ sophomore album, ‘Rachel’s Apartment’, kicks off in style with an ode to comedian ‘Lenny Fucking Bruce’. Even with a driving rhythm section and clever guitar hooks, Niall Nolohan’s effected vocals are given enough room so this becomes a great album opener.

    One of the things I’ve always like about Reader’s Wives are their lyrics, matter of fact, slightly quirky but straight up and honest. On ‘Rachel’s Apartment’ we see that Niall Holohan & Co. have grown into a musically adept indie band. The lead single ‘Light Up’, doesn’t waste much time and introduces you to the main hook within seconds, catchy radio friendly and polished. (more…)

  • Rachel Austin: Age of Love E.P. Review

    Rachel Austin Rachel Austin‘s E.P. ‘Age of Love’ truly is a thing of beauty. The three track opens with ‘Babydoll’. Think, smoky laid back jazz club and you’re on the right side of town. Simple brushed drums and understated guitar accompany Austin’s vocals until a delightful brass arrangement is added to the mix.  Maybe it’s Austin’s Virginia, USA, upbringing that instilled some sort of magic potion in her. She has managed to here to conjure a timeless piece of music.

    ‘Close’ sees Austin still retain a slight jazz feel but has almost grunged it up, making it dark and dirty, in a good way. Hammond organ, tremelo-ed guitar and ghostly backing vocals add to the feel, making this sound like something from the underworld.  There’s clever production, check out how the double bass is mixed. The track builds up beautifully, using Austin’s vocals for the rise and fall of the track. I like this a lot. (more…)

  • Lorraine Maher: Inspire Me Review

    lorrainemaherLorraine Maher‘s name maybe known to many on these shores as a finalist of ‘You’re A Star’. Fast forward a couple of years and the now Los Angeles based singer has released her second E.P. entitled ‘Inspire Me’.

    The title track opens proceedings and immediately captures your attention.  It builds up beautifully and twin guitar tracks keep the production interesting. While the production may be minimalist, just these guitars and percussion, this gives Maher’s voice it’s place in the spotlight.

    Throughout the E.P., Maher shows great songwriting skills and has lovely structure to her songs. ‘For You’ shows this and as the song builds up, Maher’s voice rises to show the intensity of the lyrics. (more…)

  • A Plastic Rose: The Promise Notes Review

    A Plastic Rose - The Promise NotesNorthern Ireland’s A Plastic Rose have come up trumps with their seven track release ‘The Promise Notes’. With a sound rooted in nineties alt-rock, the band have managed to come up with a solid radio friendly sound that’s sure to get them noticed.

    The Di Di Mau release starts off with ‘Oceans’ which opens in dramatic anthemic fashion before a double time tempo adds to the intensity of the track. Little flourishes of strings and extra vocal lines fill the track and it becomes a hell of a lot more than just a standard rock track. One thing noticeable the throughout is the passion with which the band play and sing.

    Slightly moody, edgy and comfortable in their skins, A Plastic Rose like to change the tempo of their tracks, as featured again in ‘The Stuttering’. It works and should work remarkably well live, building up to fist clenching finishes. ‘Tiger Tail’ starts off with a tender guitar and bass and they make the most of dual vocalists.

    This is a solid release which should pave the way for the band to play to better audiences and to get a full length album out. When they do, you’d better be first in line for the tickets. Total Rockdom beckons. (more…)