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.

… and you will know us by the trail of pink feathers is available on *

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Mono Stereo | Girl, I Love You

Girl, I Love You the A side, is immediately recognizable as Mono Stereo, with the signature, Ennio Morricone, guitar duo. Their time in the studio has been well spent as the track has a sharper lining, while retaining the effervescent enthusiasm of the band. Having had the pleasure of meeting the guys and spending time talking, it comes as no surprise the release has taken a while to meet their exacting standards. In just under four minutes of output, Mono Stereo succesfully transition 5 decades of music, without stretching any credibility. Girl, I Love you is a melange of sounds, which is crafted in to the finest Claret, somehow familiar yet with a refreshing and new flavour.

Darkside, takes Mono Stereo more towards their psychedelic Hawkwind atmospherics, as the track draws images of a low budget Sci-Fi film, before gathering the mists together and the band delivers 6 minutes of music which chases Silver Machine. As I have remarked in previous reviews of the band, their creqtivity, permits them to explore the edges of their sounds, with out wandering in to aimless pits of self-indulgence.

As regular readers of the blog will know, when I see a track of 6 minutes in length, I expect the worst, as I know bands who could fit an album in to that space of time, but Mono Stereo have the knack of turning that 6 minutes in to an all to brief experience.

Mono Stereo – Girl, I Love You by Two Tap Digital

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In the mean time they are busy laying down tracks for their forthcoming Album

Gaoler's Daughter

The four track EP Rhyme and Treason finds Gaoler’s Daughter developing greater resonance to their sound.

While I was listening to Shark in a Sink, I found myself floating off in to the world of psychedelia, before a reverberation of tempo change slanted the track towards a more reggae beat, prior to heading off to some classic Rock, before depositing me back to the 21st Century. In just under four minutes of music, the band manage to interpret a huge range of musical styles to great effect, avoiding the pitfall of music by committee.

Angry Eyes, has the band back in the more familiar territory of The only way to travel, with reggae influences to the fore. An arena in which Gaoler’s Daughter excel.

Gaoler’s Daughter | Angry Eyes

Famous Green Dress, is with-out doubt my favourite track on the EP. Heavy syncopated bass, high pitched vibrato guitar and superb vocal has the band in superb form. The 4:20 of the track are over all too quickly for me.

Anyone is the lightest track on the EP, I don’t mean light as in lacking value, but light as in up-tempo. It still holds the signature guitar and drum sound of the band, but seems to take a more light hearted approach. I enjoy the depth of Gaoler’s Daughter and whilst this is a well crafted and delivered piece of music, it doesn’t sit on my radar as ‘core’ material,

You may have noticed the image above references a new album. Gaoler’s Daughter are currently looking for fan support to help with the funding of their new album and as of writing there are only 45 days left to help with the funding.

Be great if you could take a moment to look at the project and even if you don’t pledge yourself, perhaps you know of a friend who can help these guys.

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The See See | Mary Soul

I wrote about the band a while ago,since when their plans and direction has changed, so I will be getting a new band review up pretty soon, I am also planning on getting along to see them this month while they are on their tour.

The single opens with Mary Soul, Opening with the swirl of echoed guitar which harks backs to ’60s psychedelia, The See See merge their guitars to great effect as their psychedelic influences wash around the ears. They control the output superbly as the track continues in a recognizable direction, avoiding the dead end spokes which could so easily be followed.

Big Wheels whilst in no way sounding like her, made me think of Janis Joplin, with the narrative and musicality pitched on a fine balance. This is an atmospheric piece which is a real credit to both their song writing and composition skills.

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Roses Kings Castles | One Born Every Minute

One Born Every Minute, I was immediately transported back to Twin Peaks and David Lynch, an under-current that all is not as it seems. This is a great track with an atmosphere of superb depth, the opening lyric encapsulates the Lynch theme of power games. Musically this is a song that naturally resonates, with reverb that makes my heart smile, the lyric calls me to arms. What makes it stand out from the crowd is the underlying abuse – unspoken and unseen. Great track.

Sit Down, finds an acoustic challenge. While there is a nod to The Beatles commercial hip, far more importanly Roses Kings Castles, raise a new avenue to explpore. Acoustics are not, as you all know something that makes me leap in to action, but dome well, they deserve space and with a powerful lyric they deserve acceptance. Sit Down, I could imagine Tom Robinson Band crashing in to.

One Born Every Minute by Roses Kings Castles by 360degreemusic

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OfeliaDorme | Sometimes it's better to wait

to wait, which opens the release has all the essential elements that make OfeliaDorme such an interesting band. The velvet smooth music, darker than a bar of Lindt 85% cocoa, forms the backdrop to the vocal which glows like deep red nail gloss.

new pieces of science, opens with imagery of footsteps walking of gravel, a growling bass line and a superbly played acoustic guitar, which set the mood for a track. Before leading the listener in to a world with unsettling indistinct noises of a child’s chuckles, laughter from a crowd, a clacking manual typewriter, while the vocal tonality from Francesca adds more to the air of menace. The 7 minutes this track fills is a great testament to the ability of the band to create a complete play out of a composition.

6:17 pm is framed by a metronomic beat, which is the power-base of the track. I was taken to Animal Farm and an empathy with Boxer, as he ends up in the back of Alfred Simmonds van.

bells finds OfeliaDorme experimenting with mixed tempos and pauses, this is not only a challenging piece for the band to play, but one which demands attention from the listener. The bells, an allegory for finding the shinier places in life as the intense lyrics describe the strength of an individual to withstand pressure.

this world takes a tour in to the conflict between desire and rejection. The band generating a sense of pent-up energy. The urgency of the instrumentation reminds me of a moth flapping it’s wings, desperate to find out more about the bright light that attracts it yet simultaneously rejects it, until finally the rejection and attraction cause absolute submission and entrapment.

the ballad of the bitter end concludes the EP with an opening which encapsulates the optimism of young children playing and a triangle stridently rising above the vocal reflecting an adult looking back on their life and what could have been.

I left Sometimes it’s better to wait, not feeling saddened, but somehow as though I had been through a cathartic experience. Despite the sadness and forlorn lives, there is a chance, a space to take control and make for a better life. This is an EP which provides a powerful backdrop and challenges the listener to take control.

to wait – Ofelia Dorme

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The Supernovas

This is a single you can pick up on *, or perhaps if you get along to one of their gigs very soon and go and chat to the guys, who are absolutely approachable, you may be able to catch a free CD of the single which, with a bit of cajoling, I am sure they will sign for you.

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Paul Liddell | Help Yourself Float

The Ghost Car (The Caffeine Kicks) opens up the EP with a superb track, the high tempo of the drum and guitar playing well to the lyric, I drive up and down the country regularly and I completely empathise with the piece. I found myself on one of those late night drives, absolutely enjoying the freedom on the road, but fighting off a hazy sleeplessness. The desire to reach a target while fighting an inner battle. This is a track far more powerful than the caffeine kick.

Dialling Tone sees Paul open the track with yet another great construction. He delves in to some heartfelt anxieties as he explores the paranoia of distant communication. Delivered with the isolation of a Northern English accent, this takes on a whole new perspective in itself drawing a band of cohesion across a far wider landscape.

Trouble in Hell takes me to a completely different space as a Piano and violin comes to the fore, here I was taken to catastrophe at sea, as waves crash against a trawler fighting for survival. This track shows the complete versatility of Paul Liddell, as a violin implores from the background to the powerful lighthouse beacon of the vocal. I was left with an unanswered question as I saw that trawler sink to the depths.

Boots finds somehow a rock anthem, though this is an acoustic guitar leading the charge. Liddell even manages to evoke memories of Woodstock, with a superbly built break, complete with reverb.

Monsoon Rain Has resonances of 60′s beat and 90′s anthems as it triumphantly strides out to a superb anthem, I even caught some of The Ramones in there. I can’t sit still while I listen, great stuff.

I am looking forward to catching up with Paul in live performance as soon as.

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The Steepwater Band | The Stars Look Good Tonight

There are a couple of surprises with this release: Firstly that they actually manage to find the time, their never ending tour schedule, which sees them heading over to Europe this month (the updated tour dates are delivered through our newsletter); The second being this is their first ever single, despite having released LPs over the 12 years of their existence.

The Stars Look Good Tonight, sees the band as fresh and relevant as they always are. The 5 minute title track, seems to last but a few bars, as the band generate their signature controlled, yet dynamic sound.  Twanging guitars set the scene for a superb ride in to the single, joined by the smoky lyric. This is a release by a band who are confident of the path they are treading, with a crystal clear production, this is a no-nonsense showcase of The Steepwater Band, as they continue to re-energize and entertain audiences across both sides of the Atlantic.

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Stuart Newman

After a long day, the music of Stuart Newman, is great for winding down with. Containing interest and some clever arrangements, this is music which can be listened to in a darkened room while reflecting on life around. It demands listening without distraction as Stuart draws his influences in to carefully balanced output. In addition to having great songwriting skills, he has a great voice, which adds a real strength to the output.

I could spend hours listening to the output, which I have done and still find myself catching different glimmers of new sounds in the multi-faceted talent that is Stuart Newman.

His debut LP, Single But Defective, is available as a free download and the indie bands blog is pleased to be able you the opportunity to listen to the album here, just dim the lights and take some time out…

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