Singleton

A scintillating vocal highlights the band which has the classic construct of guitar led rock. The music doesn’t lend itself to new streets, yet the band sound like something special. I guess the pipeline gas problems which sit as a political maelstrom yet to burst in to flames – no let’s not go to my political angsts here – has restrained the band from further exposure, though there is now a growing interest in Germany.  I welcome bands from all over the world, yet it seems that somewhere there is a blockage for the very newest bands from outside the UK and USA from taking a chance in  sending me a note, not sure why, you can translate this site to most languages via the plug-in to the side of the articles, it is a shame.

Anyway enough of me, Singleton, follow the lines to be anticipated of an indie rock band - drums leading the rolling tide with a bass closely in-line and a guitar which provides preambles and excursion and a vocal which sits above it all. Yet, the combination here makes for an entertaining a stretching listening experience. They are comfortable introducing new structures to the out-put and the powerful vocal has the ability to chorale the diversity to a higher level and it is when Singleton explore this diversity that the majestic sweeps of the compositions come to light and the head becomes absorbed in a highly capable band, who have much to add.

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Jack Jeffery

Sunday seems to be the day I alight upon an ambience of calmness, so here again I arrive, snow has fallen on the ground, it is Sunday as I write and Jack Jeffrey suits the mood to perfection.

The influences of the psychedelic rock bands from the ’60s and ’70′s are plain to the ears, but that is not to detract from what Jack is producing. There is a newness which brings the music forward 40 years and strikes a chord in the second decade of the 21st Century. Don’t be in a hurry when listening to the music, tracks have been known to extend for 7 over minutes, but it doesn’t become a repetitive monologue, in fact, as the music extends so the rich flavour of the compositions matures and the extended play nestles sweetly in the head, engrossing and sweeping the mind to a space of relaxation.

I was tempted to write a review of the LP, but somehow a taste of Jack Jeffery seemed a smarter move, as a full review would have resulted in you having many thousands of words to read as the nuances and reflective of individual tracks demand close attention and highlighting.

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Lamont James

Heading back to the late ’60s and British rock, I find myself scurrying around the roots of Punk Rock, simple clean guitar and a driving uncomplicated bass-line, here the success or failure lies absolutely on strength and energy. As a retro-’60s perspective this doesn’t have the screaming anger of Punk, but does contain that essential ingredient of a simple drive.

Lamont learnt well from his training as although the lines are as clear as a Flawless – D – Diamond, there is a subtle under-current of texture which raises this to a new plateau. The pin-point sharpness of the material is a pleasure to the ears and that added depth of composition adds the real value to the music.

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Audiogold

I recall first meeting the guys from Audiogold (at that time known as Audigold) a couple of years ago while they were hunting for food pre-gig while the opening support for The Steepwater Band at Bush Hall. They have grown in musical ability and confidence over the time and it is of little surprise they have taken the band of the week slot, having been selected by the readers of the indie bands blog as the Number One on the New Year Ninety.  For more on Audiogold.

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Vaganza Trailerpark

The Five track EP opens with classic guitar but none of the clichéd feedback. Punk is a raucous opener, with burning energy which sears through the speakers. Volume of drum is permitted to rise above the barrage of guitar until the guttural vocal interjects and the instrumentation becomes the supporting act.

Dhaka Girl provides a glimpse in to the real strengths of the band, as a a raging tempo finds the band working together in a far more harmonious format as they make full use of the instruments and the overall effect is captivating. The vocal is permitted to soar like a hunting eagle far above the ground as the instrumentation adds an ever present menace.

I know that Radio, continues to showcase the abilities of the band, with the sound pared back further, almost creating the sense of music through a tunnel as the vocal leads the direction of travel. This is a well written track, it retains all the essential ingredients of a thumping rock song, yet manages to do it with subtlety.

Vaganza Dynamite, is as you would expect from the title – rapid, explosive and to the point. Opening with a screaming vocal, this doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is, crunching rock music.

The EP finishing with the appropriately named Final Round – finds the band in classic American Blues Rock territory and once again the quintet raise the bar.

… and you will know us by the trail of pink feathers is an entertaining EP, which affords Vaganza Trailerpark the space to demonstrate their skills, without it ever becoming self-indulgent.

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Delica-m

Perhaps it is because I was just reading a press release about a Metal Festival, but the vocal is a touch of magic with Delica-m, taking the band away from an arty electro-band to something far darker as the transfixing vocal fills the room.

Interestingly the tracks are fairly lengthy, normally running at well over 4 minutes and regularly stretching to a full 5, but my sparrow mind remains completely locked in to the sound floating around the room. For sure the band can and do wander in to the spaces of Human League, but their real strength lies in the juxtaposition of directed vocal and wandering synths, more akin to Tubeway Army, if for some reason I need to narrow this down further and yes, I feel that need.

The keyboards are set free to explore a myriad of spaces, whilst a deep burgundy velvet gloved tempo massages the music forwards and a guitar frames the output. You can’t help but get the feeling you have stumbled in to an invitation only goth party as Delica-m stand nearby proffering  VIP tickets. Do you take the invitation, or run a mile, I suggest far better to accept and wallow in the resonating sounds that will bounce inside your head.

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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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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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Roosevelt Radio

San Francisco? I would have sworn not North of the Watford Gap – yes that is a London joke. Grab a search of the M1 in the UK and you will find just here - West boundary: 1W35′ East boundary 0W33′ – North Boundary 52N67′ South Boundary 51N94′ (approximately) which delineates ’passport country’, yet Roosevelt Radio, which even purloins a President of the USA as the first part of the name sound like natives of Wandsworth.

I found myself rebounding with joy off the walls as the band entered the room. We find superbly crafted and understated compositions which envelop the body in pink bubble wrap. The band welcome listeners with opening arms to a delightful evening of vocal driven synths. An engaging energy flows from the out-put which envelopes the listener in layers of connected wisps of loosely interconnected instrumentation, lifting the spirit and soul.

The louder the volume turns, the better the sound, thank you Roosevelt Radio for a kick in the shins to a cynic. Or to put in another way – delicious tempos and well crafted song-writing ability are a platinum stamp on a refreshing and engaging band.

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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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