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Category: Music Review

  • Example: Won’t Go Quietly

    example wont go quietly

    Last November on the Culture Cafe I named Example as one of my tips for 2010. Glad I said that!

    His new album is fresh, clever and relevant. It starts off with the track ‘From Space’, a clever move not starting with the singles. It immediately grabs your attention and rattles your ears with his well thought lyrics and interesting arrangement. Half way through the track breaks into an uptempo danceable beat. Perfect introduction for the rest of the album.

    Hit singles, ‘Won’t Go Quietly’ and the holiday romanced ‘Watch the sun come up’ sit back to back on the disc, making this a perfect summer soundtrack. Could Example be taking a chance by putting the hits at the start of the album? No!

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  • Mike Got Spiked: Live and Acoustic Review

    mike got spiked acoustic album coverMike Got Spiked were a well loved Irish band who had made a dent in both the single and album charts here until they relocated to the U.S.A where they have been constantly touring since 2006.

    Recorded in The Cat Club in Hollywood CA, ‘Live and Acoustic’ sees the Monaghan natives show in acoustic mode, but yet they still manage to capture the frenzied passion of a full electric set.

    The Ska/Punk/Rock flavoured Mike Got Spiked show themselves as a kit well accomplished outfit and this stripped down set shows the band for their intrigued arrangements. New and previously released tracks sit side by sit comfortably.

    Speechless starts as a breakneck speed ska track cohesively held together by a slick rhythm section. Second track, Tit For Tat, features some catchy hooks. Dave Lodge’s lightning fast bass skills are on display on ‘Sleeping With the Enemy’. ‘Come Dancing’ is a funk track that Republic of Loose would be thrilled if they wrote.

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  • Daire O’Reilly: The Promised Land Sampler Review

    Daire O'Reilly

    The Promised Land by Daire O’Reilly is the debut album due for release in Autumn 2010. The Cavan born artist is currently based in NYC so I was happy to land a pre-release sampler.

    The sampler starts with ‘Sleeping in’ a mid tempo rock track with a laid back vibe reminiscent of the Stereophonics ‘Have a nice day’. Oh Darlin is an Americana/Country tinged track and proves that O’Reilly has a knack for writing singalong melodies. There’s a nice use of mandolin during a breakdown before the track builds up nicely before the climax .

    ‘To Believe’ shows this writer why O’Reilly is currently residing in the U.S., it’s a AOR radio friendly track, well produced with a slight flavour of Dawson’s Creek in there.

    ‘Star Gazing’, the final track of the sampler, is an acoustic based Cowboy-esque track, the lone ranger meeting his love match. The chorus of voices singing “Star Gazing’ bring an extra depth to the track. It’s quite a sit around the campfire singing song. My favourite on the sampler.

    All in all, its a good start, we’ll have to wait for the rest of the album

    5 out of 6

    reverbnation.com/daireoreilly
    daireoreilly.muxtape.com

    This was written for MusicReviewUnsigned

  • Mugger Dave: What’s She Doing Here Album Review

    Three piece Mugger Dave kick off their debut album with an brilliant intro that suggests this is an actual event. Keys, acoustic guitar and immaculate harmonies build up to a full rock explosion.

    It’s a good old guitar driven rock n roll album, mixed throughout with harmonies and decent melodies, add a little dash of punk and perhaps even a trickle of ELO in a modern setting and you’re sorted.

    Along with previous singles “Crawl Up’ and ‘Got a lot on my mind’, the band mix up tempo and slower tempo-ed tracks throughout the album. ‘End Meat’ deserves a mention, catchy hooks, memorable refrain.. contender for a next single perhaps.

    It’s a definite grower, sit down with headphones on for 48 minutes, its practically the same length as one half of a game in this boring World Cup… you’ll be entertained.

    5 out of 6

    http://www.myspace.com/muggerdave

    This was written for MusicReviewUnsigned