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Category: Music Review

  • The Capitals: Take Everything review

    thecapitals

    When I was in secondary school I spent my summers working in a local shop and babysitting the local brats. With the combined age of 47, The Capitals are not only releasing their debut single ‘Take Everything’ but are also on the bill for this year’s Oxegen Festival. So not a bad summer holiday for them.

    ‘Take Everything’ is a upbeat rock-punk-esque track with a Strokes/Hives influence. For a trio of 15/16 year olds, The Capitals show they are competent musicians. The tracks structure of verse refrain (x2) breakdown, refrain make it just a tad predictable. I’m not sure the effect on the lead vocal needed to be so prominent throughout the whole track but again, this is a first release for a group so young and its by no means a misfire.

    Track 2 on the single, ‘Save it Til The Morning’, is a slightly slower tempo track. Here, thankfully, the vocals are given their own room and this track shows the band in a slightly more mature light. The great thing is that these guys have resisted going the pop-punk route and are sticking to their roots. The CD single closes with ‘I Met A Woman’, which has a really catchy refrain and at times these guys remind me of Irish band ‘The Spikes’.

    Its a good three track debut which should open a few doors for The Capitals, another year or two, with a few more life stories to tell and a little more experience and these guys should be on top of the Irish scene.

    http://www.myspace.com/thecapitalsmusic

    This was written for MusicReviewUnsigned

  • Nigel Connell: Nothing Left To Say Review

    Nigel ConnellThis isn’t the type of stuff I would normally listen to. Nigel Connell’s album could be classed as classical almost Theatre – esque, big voice, big arrangements.

    Connell is no stranger to the music business and has an impressive CV of supports and accolades with acts such as the legendary Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash amongst others and currently a touring musician with Mummy’s favourite, Daniel O’Donnell.

    This is no D. O’D though, title track ‘Nothing Left to Say’, has an opening atmospheric arrangement of one and a half minutes of pure bliss that could easily be heard on a Ministry of Sound chillout album and quite reminds me of the Evanescence production on ‘Bring Me to Life’.

    The production and arrangement on the album by Navan Man Mark Cahill are spot on, and always sure that Nigel’s voice is still the centre of attention.

    Connell is clever enough know that he’s looking at a slightly more mature audience. The inclusion of covers of ‘Carrickfergus’ and Colin Raye’s country classic ‘Love Me’ not only do them justice but give them a new lease of life. His version of Colm Wilkinson’s ‘Bring Him Home’ could easily give the man himself a run for his money.

    The lead single from the album “Belief’ is probably a more mainstream radio track and in style nods at Train and Shaun Mullins.

    When I first heard the album, I wasn’t quite sure if this would be my cuppa but I gave it a few listens and each time I heard something different. After three days of listening at different times, I’ve been converted. Actually, I think I’ve been more than converted, this is amazing.

    www.nigelconnell.com

    This was written for MusicReviewUnsigned

  • I Am Not Lefthanded: Time To Leave Review

    I am Not Lefthanded - Time To Leave‘Time to Leave’ is the second EP from London based, two third Irish one third UK act, I am not Lefthanded.

    Understated, delicate vocals harmonies from the Irish two thirds add to the honesty of their lyrics. The folk indie trio start the EP with ‘Boats (Swept Away)’, a track that combines these with beautifully arranged bass, drums and guitar, each instrument having room to breathe.

    The piano led “Lifelines’ just seems so simple to these guys. Add what I think is a subtle cello to the mix and it’s perfect.

    I Am Not Lefthanded have a definite sound, they know what they want to sound like and each track including ‘The Place Wont Take Me Back’, have elements that combine to give them their ‘sound’ while still allowing each song to have its own life.

    Love these guys

    6 out of 6

    http://www.iamnotlefthanded.com

    This was written for MusicReviewUnsigned

  • Morning Hush: Romance Single Review

    Morning Hush

    There seems to be a new breed of Irish band emerging with a more uptempo rock feel that want to take you by the shoulders and give you a good shake. Count Morning Hush in that.

    The Dublin based band have been around for a couple of years and are about the release their single ‘Romance’. The track kicks in immediately and the guitar/synth/bass rift get in your head and stay there. There’s nice vocal interaction between the male and female leads.

    The Goldilocks-esque refrain ‘Who’s been sleeping in my bed’ and chorus with memorable lyrics could easily make this track a live favourite as well as having a home on radio.

    The nice surprise about this two track single is the remix of ‘Romance’. While the first track is obviously a rock track, the Eberhart remix gives the track a life in a completely different genre. The remix is a complete reworking of the track and it seems to this listener that the only original music tracks used are the vocals. This has pumping bass and phat beats (always wanted to use that). Clubbers Delight.

    ‘Romance’ is released on June 4th with a gig in The Village

    5 out of 6

    http://www.morninghush.com

    This was written for MusicReviewUnsigned.com