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Category: Music Review

  • Jerome’s Law: Knives at Concrete E.P. review

    JeromesLawJerome’s Law have been on the scene for a while now, figuring out their sound and gaining a decent reputation. Knives at Concrete is their first proper release though and shows a lot of promise from the Dublin based band.

    Jerome’s Law are an alternative band, not totally psychedelic, not 100% indie.  Throwing Stones starts the E.P. with a long guitar and vocal build up. At about two minutes into the track the force of the full band can be heard. Keyboard whirls, gritty guitars and drums combine to maximum effect. The song dips down again to vocals and guitar. Probably not the kind of thing you’re going to hear on your radio but well worth a listen for the song structure and musicianship.

    ‘Adding and Subtracting’ is more of an indie tune than its predecessor. The drum and bass led track builds up with layers of instruments. Just when you think it can’t build anymore the subtle addition of harmonies raises this again. Definitely indie with a sprinkle of psychedelic.  (more…)

  • Nova Static: Nova Static EP Review

    Nova StaticLaois band Nova Static have been knocking around the Irish music scene for a couple of years but recently seem to have a growth spurt supporting a couple of UK touring bands. Their self titled EP is a good introduction.

    The E.P. starts with ‘Seven’ a moderate tempo rock track. The band show good musicianship throughout. With a nod to contemporary indie the band have produced some great  double tracked vocals. This though is one of those songs that you think is over and starts up again. Not entirely sure that’s needed here as the ending is all instrumentation. 

    I would have put ‘Saving The World At The Weekend’ as the first track, it’s an uptempo pop rock track. It  features a shouty refrain which would go down well in a live setting.  It clocks in at just over 4 minutes, a radio edit, making this closer to three minutes might be an idea. This is as good as anything currently on the XFM playlist. (more…)

  • Dinosaur Pile-Up Live at The Academy 2 Review

    Dinosaur pile up academyLeeds grunge kings, Dinosaur Pile-Up made their way to The Academy in Dublin on June 17th for a rescheduled gig. It was to be a night to leave your Granny at home, she wouldn’t be able to rock that hard.

    Nova Static started off the proceedings and have had a chance to open for a couple of UK acts lately. It shows. The band are coming on in leaps and bounds and lead singer, Daniel Heffernan is growing in confidence. They can be clearly placed at the heavier end of indie and the audience show their appreciation for the Laois four piece.

    There’s no airs and graces with Dinosaur Pile-Up. Matt Bigland, Harry Johns and Mike Shiels come to the stage themselves and get their gear ready for their set. Once they’re ready, there’s no leaving the stage again and no set list. They just get stuck in.

    From the opening first notes, it quickly becomes apparent that even with ear plugs, this is LOUD! Face meltingly so. This is the only gig ever where I moved back down the venue a bit, standing near the speaker, I could feel every drumbeat and bass go straight through me, so much so I thought I was going to be sick. (more…)

  • Patrick Wolf: Lupercalia Review

    PatrickWolf LupercaliaThere are times when one, ok I, can be aware of artists, but never really sit down to listen to them. It’s one of the things I love about music, being surprised, getting the buzz. It reminds us all why we fell in love with music to start with.

    Patrick Wolf is a clever fellow, the Londoner has taken all the things I love about music and put them in a little package called ‘Lupercalia’. Wolf cleverly uses classical instruments alongside electro beats and samples to produce catchy poptastic treats.

    Starting with the lead single ‘The City’, your lugholes are taken and given a good wake up call. The track builds up to a memorable choral refrain. When other artists would be happy to include just string section, Wolf doesn’t, he uses a brass section instead, giving a eighties feel but totally contemporary. Add this to a dance beat and you’re on a winner.

    The mood is upbeat on Lupercalia, if it was so named after a pagan purification, then Wolf is in a good place and isn’t afraid to show it. ‘House’ is a  modern love song and when Wolf does use strings on the track, the arrangements are interesting and not there just as an added decoration but an integral part of his sound. (more…)