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Category: Music Review

  • The Frank and Walters: Song For a Future Love

    Song For A Future LoveThe Franks are back with their fourth single of year, this one representing Winter. ‘Song for a Future Love’ is a slightly festive tune, as in, lyrically it talks about Christmastime. Looking at this as the fourth in the series of releases this year, it does represent Winter, it’s a little bit more downbeat than, let’s say ‘The Parson’, which represented Spring.

    Produced by Dave Couse, this is a subtle and understated track with nice guitar sound and subtle bells but it also features a wide string sound which combine for a festive tune without going over the top. It’s definitely a grower and the kind of track that should get play for Christmases to come.

    Check out The Frank & Walters website

    EDIT: Official Video now online below (more…)

  • Milk: Try EP Review

    MILK Try Ep CoverFormed in 2009, Milk are a band with definite blues rock undertones. Claiming influences from John Mayer to Rob Thomas, Milk are a bit different to a lot of bands around at the moment.

    They show their blues side throughout the EP and have it worked into a good contemporary sound. I wouldn’t describe it as pop though, there are hints but it’s probably verging more on an AOR, American radio sound,  if anything. Produced by John Henry, the EP is a good introduction to the band, starting off with the title track, ‘Try’. Nice hooks, good musician ship, good production make this EP quite a surprise.

    The EP flows together nicely, track two, ‘Weak At the Knees’ opens with some great guitar work, we can hear the Rob Thomas vocal influence here. ‘Why Do You Ask’ features some subtly smooth bass lines. The drumming throughout the EP must also be noted. The EP ends with ‘Up The Hill’, a more uptempo track than its predecessors, with a ‘live jam’ feel.

    Overall the EP is smooth, production and musicianship is good, the guys have a definite sound and this is a great debut release. What’s next for Milk? I’d love to see them develop their sound, adding a little more uniqueness to stand apart from other blues influenced acts.  This is top notch stuff for a debut.

    Check out their website

  • Jamie Lawson: The Pull Of The Moon Review

    This was originally written for Goldenplec.The Pull of the moon

    I’ve been trying not to listen to an album just a few times and then reviewing them. Instead I’ve been listening to albums to see how the whole thing gels after listening to it for a week or two.

    Jamie Lawson’s new album ‘The Pull of The Moon’ is a great reason why we should all give something more than one listen. I wouldn’t be a huge fan of guys with acoustic guitars and with many singer songwriter types in the musical realm it takes something special to rise to the top and with album Lawson proves to be a step above.

    The album opens with ‘The Last Time’, a song which starts off with a pure vocal and piano intro before getting more uptempo. There’s a great mainstream production on this track and it builds and falls beautifully, echoing James Morrison’s Broken Strings. Throughout the track Lawson’s vocals seem effortless, tender and emotional. ‘The Last Time’ Is the only track on the album not solely written by Lawson. Co-written by Adam Argyle, who has previously worked with artists such as Melanie C, ‘The Last Time’ is a great start to the album.

    ‘This is Love’ brings us back to a simple vocal and guitar. Lawson and his production team have it down, they know where to lift the track and where to let it fall. The subtle addition of simple backing vocals, double bass and violin make this track but they never overpower Lawson’s vocals. (more…)

  • Funzo: This Christmas Review

    Funzo This ChristmasWe’re at the time of year now where charity singles and being all Christmassy is compulsory.

    Funzo release their debut single ‘This Christmas’ on December 10th and all its proceeds are going to Barnardos. Strange I thought, they are releasing a Christmas tune as their debut? Well they won Christmas FM‘s ‘Search for a New Christmas Classic’ in 2009 and got on TV3 for their troubles.

    The six piece  have played over 160 gigs in the past year including spots at Oxegen and Electric Picnic. The band chose the Barnardos charity as songwriter Liam McDermott’s Mum has worked for the organisation since 1993.

    All good and charitable and stuff but is it any good? Well it’s not bad actually.  It has all the jingle bells and stuff and is pretty much like a little nursery rhyme. This not a bad thing, you’ll remember it. After a couple of listens you’ll be humming along. It basically tells of a love story at Christmas that’s better than last year. Nice lyrics, my favourite line ‘We didn’t have any mistletoe, you still let me kiss you though’ ah!.

    It’s well produced and even though this is the band’s debut, this won’t do them any harm at all. All they got to do is comeback in February or March with a killer track and they’ll be grand. Fair play. Go buy it for two reasons: One: it’s for charity, Two: it’s an Irish band that would appreciate a little bit of spotlight on their release, especially at this time of year when they are up against monster marketing machines. Do it!

    Check out the band on Facebook and MySpace

    [soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/6848408″]