The Vex

There is a distinct maturity to the sound, yet a strange familiarity, far more Clash 2nd coming referencing and I feel the need the need to point out here –  in my head - The Clash Mark I was a far better band, but let me set aside my Parallel Lines . Oh we are pulling in the New Wave band wagon here…

It is difficult not to draw comparisons with what came before, but let me grab my head and think of The Vex as The Vex not Krakatoa Mark II.

The Vex offer a depth of instrumental reflective that snags the Ennio Morricone , without becoming subsumed by shoe-gaze. There is a powerful under-current of  anger which spills out of the speakers. The lyrics are reflective of the world around and the whole-output searches for an alternative, rather than a barrage of angst.

The guys hold  a mirror to the listener, seeking responses rather than answers and this is where The Vex add a distinctive layer to the world of music, it is the listener challenged with the questions, not the performers providing the solutions.

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Just pondering whether The Vex are becoming subsumed in their own PR, as the new websites are appended with ‘Official’. With an open mind, I look forward to having some more to tell you in future missives

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Stairs to Korea

I could waffle for hours about Will Vaughan, but I am unsure that it would add much to the jot of the experience of a solo artist who has a sound which explains it’s own roots.

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That said, I couldn’t leave it there. Stairs to Korea is a scintillating wrap of the cynical world of commercial pap and oh does Will Vaughan turn on the acid. This is a smart recapture of the world by an artist who has taken a joust with the mainstream and in my head this reverberates as the resounding winner.

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Grande

The hum of power-plugs come out of the speakers as Grande fuzz the laid-back indie rock which emerges in to the room. This is good solid music, not seeking to strain the leashes of the genre, rather taking an even more lo-fi approach which sits squarely within the out-put. There is plenty to entertain the ears, as the band ensure the distortion doesn’t crowd out the music, rather making it seem more oppressive and strangely, powerful.

There is no need for the serried ranks of strident guitar, as the compositions have a depth and resonance built in to the texture of the sound. It would be interesting to find out why they switched from English to native Hungarian and I must find out one day. For what-ever reason, the sincerity of  the vocal ensures it fits neatly in to the slot.

There is nothing demanding from Grande, rather a decent sound which ensures the audience are left with a wish to hear more.

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Rugosa Nevada

I have had the opportunity to listen to the new release, which finds the band has grown in composition and sound structure, this will be a great release which finds the band exploring bass and space to potentially take their profile a higher notch.

Whilst the development has found the band heading more mainstream, this transition has not been at the cost of originality. Listening to material of various ages, the progression of the band is evident, much like a taking a wine En primeur, there is ever the chance the investment would be pointless, with Rugosa Nevada it appears that investment has already reaped dividends and who knows how much better they will become.

The band play with assurance as they carefully till the land seeking out new nuggets, which they have carefully nurtured. They are not seeking to set new directions, rather add a layer of value to an existing genre and their distinctive vocal and guitar lends that added something.

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The EP – Until Bleeding is available on *

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Bronze Medallists

The self-effacing name just meant I had to take a listen and it made sense. The music is as understated as the band name, yet the lyrics are the ego for the material. This dichotomy can not fail but to intrigue, a fine balance Bronze Medallists teeter along, on the right side of the equation.

The electronics come spinning out in to the room like steel nails dropping from a pocket, swiftly followed by the magnetic hypnosis of the vocal which rapidly aligns the sonics. Do you remember iron filings and two horse shoe magnets? If not, that analogy will mean nothing.

There is a power to Bronze Medallists which relies  absolutely on the cohesion of the quartet, the vocal leads and the instrumentation flows in perfect rhythm, but remove either component and there is but chaos. This visceral balance creates the edge that makes for a superb combination and raises the band to a new space. Each section attempting to out-compete, yet matching point for point, most bands can’t make sense of this conflict and implode to dust, but the guys in the band have common bond which enables them to utilise the foils to sublime effect.

Mathematics from Bronze Medallists on Vimeo.

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 Headspace is available on *

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Haydons Place

Not quite sure why I am intrigued by these guys, which is a pretty weak opener to a review I hope you will read with intense concentration and enlightenment.

Having  been around for a while the band had that ‘Road to Damascus’ moment with a release which made sense to them. In addition they talk about climbing mountains and as someone, never happier than when battling the elements half-way up a mountain in the dark in mid-winter, I kind of get an empathy. So instead of listening with a half-open ear, I let the ear-drums and brain relax before hitting the play button and I found…. Confidence, calmness and direction.

No, I can’t say that this will sit on my must play next list, but my constraints are but a personal bondage, Haydon’s Place add some real value to the world of music as they wrest the maximum from a genre which has in-built expectations. The ingredients of whipped guitar, drum and bass in cohesion and a tenor timbre which hits the sweet spot are all there. But, more than this there is a self-confidence, the band are not trying to sound like someone else.

While I wont be returning every five minutes – though I highly recommend the band for those for whom Genesis and ELO are breakfast fare – I raise my hat to Haydons Place and long may you keep this individualism going.

Gears was the turning point.

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Gears is available on *

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Whitemoor

Please take a step forward Louise, the added value to Whitemoor lies here. Of course in a band without the whole sound the signature sound would be just ‘another noise’ in the breeze. Whilst perfectly acceptable without the addition, that is where we would lay, so thank you Louise and this is how music thrives, a twist and we have something special.

Very able songwriters met before they headed off for a first take. This doesn’t sound hugely rehearsed, yes there is a synthetic element, but surely that can be forgiven as the repertoire lends an evening of joy.

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The eponymous LP by Whitemoor is available on *

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Drag Your Heels

Delicious vocal comes bounding out of the speakers emblazoned in a wrap of guitar. You remember ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President with Marilyn Monroe’? Well this is where I sit, spellbound - memorized and intoxicated. Iterations of all that was good about alternative in the ’80s is leaping around the room, with a prowling cheetah to wrap up any stragglers.

Bouncing tempo that can not but fail to engage, with the smoky warm vocal that penetrates the ears are the hallmarks of Drag Your Heels. Disregarding the retrospective reminiscences, there is a sound that smears like a pillar-box red lipstick across the face, brash – confident and sultry. This is music to share with close friends.

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Larry Gus

Larry Gus is a pun based on the Larynx, with the Greek word for Larynx being larigas. I liked that immediately, before I heard the music – speaking of which.

Brevity I think is the watchword here, with the experimental and highly looped material, not to mentioned mixed at different speeds and in reverse, Larry Gus is unafraid to push the edges of playability. He superbly combines a meld of influences, from the Urban Ghettos of the USA to the wide open spaces of North Africa and not forgetting to hop around the Mediterranean including Greece. That sounds as though it may be a  drop too much spice in the mixture, not at all, as I mentioned brevity is the key, which enables a scintillating glimpse of a snapshot world tour, not the lengthy hours and hours looking at photographs of a friends holiday or New born Baby snaps, while desperately looking for an excuse to leave.

As with all experimental artists, the material can at times be challenging, but the humour and creative intelligence shines like a beacon.

The Written Word by Larry Gus

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Matt from Banter Media / Waaga Records dropped me the background, thanks guys.

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Like Lions

I am absolutely smitten by the ‘tinkling’ that is the signature sound of Like Lions, yes it hurts my ears as the cymbal keeps thrashing away as a signature instrument and chords at the short end of the guitar, not to mention that Northern English high pitch vocal, it must be something in the water ‘oop Naarth’.

There is so much ripping through my ears they will either bend behind my head, or snap off completely, too much loud bass I guess. To my absolute surprise the lug holes have settle down, are still attached to my head and I am finding myself drawn to this intriguing combination. There are fascinating references to reggae chords, but of course as a Post-Awesomecore outfit, there is no off-beat, merely a ratchet up by three octaves to explore new spaces, which work very well.

Likes Lions are with no doubt setting their own direction, tip barely a titfer and you know what – this is great music. Looking forward to the rest of the year with these guys.

Future Colour EP by Likes Lions

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