Page 48 - Black Velvet Issue 88

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sons. Another top tune is stoner tune that packs a Jett & The Blackhearts, from King Zebra. And most
'Hillbilly Rocker', with its punch. The band experi- Acey is a convincing vocal- importantly this is a damn
upbeat presence. This ment with fuzzy lo-fi rock. ist and songwriter in his fine album, full to bursting
song is different but excel- Their musical research has own right. Songs such as with killer tracks, soaring
lent at the same time, due paid off well as they make ‘Radio’ have a pop-punk guitars, and the obligatory
to edgy vocals that blend us very happy! catchiness to them. ‘Trou- power ballad in ‘Purple
with the up beat guitar riffs. YYYYY ble, Trouble’ has a bit of a Roses’. It all sounds so
Another track that brings Mags Odonnell Murderdolls vibe to it. ‘The fresh and yet so familiar as
this brilliant album to life is How And The Why’ almost well, and the production is
'Straight To Hellfire'. This is RHYN opens like The Clash’s top-notch. The scene is set
SKUNK ANANSIE one hell of a great song ABSENCE ‘London Calling’ but bears with the jungle sound ef-
ANARCHYTECTURE due to its guitar riffs, impec- (RHYN) a darker, more gothic tone fects and drum beats of
(BOOGOOYAMA) cable drumming and out of This 6-track EP from until the sing-along chorus. short intro ‘The Roar’ be-
With an album title this world vocals. It does Buckinghamshire band The album keeps up the fore it swings into the open-
that’s a mix of anarchy and not disappoint. This album Rhyn demonstrates feisty punk rock n’ roll ing guitar riffs of ‘Wild
architecture, you particu- needs to be listened to oth- tremendous care in the power all the way to the Animals’. With short line
larly feel a lot of the latter erwise you’re missing out crafting of the songs. final track ‘Live To Destroy!’ verses interspersed with a
involved in this album. It is on a fantastic album. Opener ‘Elegy’ seamlessly ‘This is for the radicals, this guitar and drum flourish,
an album that builds artisti- YYYYY fuses harder alt-rock with is for the ones who dis- gang vocals for the chorus,
cally with a myriad of styles Mags Odonnell moments of tranquil reflec- obey,’ Acey sings. If there’s hard pounding drums and
and influences. There’s a tion, and an occasional someone you shouldn’t dis- even cowbell, it’s highly in-
sexy, sultry start to the THE GETAWAY DRIVERS hymn-like quality. The obey, it’s us, when we say, fectious. The slight distor-
album with dark electro BELLATOPIA piano adds to the more go get this album! It’s a tion on the rhythm guitar
club beats in the form of (THE GETAWAY DRIV- soulful elements, and the good un’. gives ‘Welcome To
‘Love Someone Else’. Love ERS) clarity of Chris Black’s vo- YYYY Longstreet’ a down and
plays a role on the album ‘Bellatopia’ is a 10- cals is a real strength. ‘Fall SBV dirty feel which suits Tom
as Skin went through a track album that is mellow, Away’ has a lighter touch Hoochy Coo’s rough-
break up which inspired unique and packed full of and its pop-rock feel SURF COWBOYS edged vocals down to the
songs such as the gentle talent. 'Wooden Box Heart' makes for an appealing CROSSROADS ground. On an album of
‘Death To The Lovers’ in is one song on the album track. Initial soft vocal har- (ROXCOM/DUDE) this quality it’s hard to sin-
which you can feel sad- that you can't overlook. It monies on ‘Finite Bodies’ Surf Cowboys conjure gle out specific tracks, but
ness and emotion, and has a strong jazzy feel are underpinned with a up the mood of lazy sum- the riotous ‘Whiskey’ just
‘Without You’, where Skin throughout as well as sweet piano melody and mer days with opening about has the edge. Break
sings ‘I can’t get by without smooth vocals and unique contrasted with the regular tracks ‘Breathless’ and out the eyeliner and give it
you’. But the album does lyrics that blend perfectly drum rhythm. As the song ‘Don’t Worry’. It’s the very a blast.
not stop there. There’s together with the guitar and progresses, it builds power chilled and relaxed sound YYYYY
‘Beauty Is Your Curse’, a piano work to make it a with the inclusion of classic that does it, smooth and Clare Huckett
view of the beautiful people song you’ll love without rock riffs. The vocal har- easy on the ear. Title track
in the world, which features even trying. 'Slippin’ Away' monies strengthen, cutting ‘Crossroads’ is a slow- STIFF STAFF
more prominent rock gui- starts with brilliant piano across each other, and de- tempo, contemplative ex- MEAN MACHINE
tars, and ‘Bullets’, a song work that hooks you in im- velop into a really effective ploration of having to (HAMMER STRIKE
looking at current-day ter- mediately. When the vocals climax. This is a work of decide on a direction. Start- SOUNDS)
rorism. ‘Bullets’ begins with kick in it just makes a good real class. ing out with acoustic guitar ‘Mean Machine’ is one
a fuzzy low-fi bass, it tune better as they’re very YYYY and vocal, the instrumenta- of those rare beasts that
climbs at the end with Skin catchy. This album is for Clare Huckett tion slowly builds, first with makes you sit up and take
repeating ‘won’t stop, won’t anyone that doesn't like piano, then vocal har- notice right from the
stop, won’t stop’ until a your typical everyday monies, before the drums album’s opening guitar
scream. ‘Victim’ has a music, but instead prefers pick up a gentle beat. By licks. The title track itself is
spooky, scary eeriness with mellow and unique music. contrast, ‘So Damned a high-octane rocker with a
wails from Skin over crawl- YYYY Crazy’ is upbeat with an in- decent pace driven by the
ing basslines, while album Mags Odonnell fectious rhythm, and the thumping drum line. Much
ender ‘I’ll Let You Down’ wry wisdom of hindsight of the time they stick to the
ends on a beautiful, yet FUZZGUN looking back on a failed re- heavier end of the rock
melancholy note. Skin HAPPINESS RESEARCH lationship. Things take a spectrum with the likes of
sings of fluttering – and like (FUZZGUN) turn for the sleazier from ‘Rock This City’ and the
a butterfly, Skunk Anansie ‘Happiness Research’ ‘Don’t Touch My Sister’, snarling guitar rhythm of ‘It
have transformed from lar- is the second album from ACEY SLADE which initially feels a little Ain’t Worth’, which also has
vae and morphed into Germany’s Fuzzgun. With VALENTINES FOR SICK jarring given what has a great dual guitar instru-
magnificent butterflies full heavy guitar riffs and pas- MINDS gone before. It has a great mental. Lyrically, ‘Scream
of colour and elegance. It’s sionate vocals, this album (ACEY SLADE) rhythm though, and it fits in My Name’ heads for pure
an album that won’t appeal is a job well done. 'As The ‘All the things that I’m well as the build-up to their sleaze, while maintaining
to everyone, but as a piece Days Go By' is a particular good at never seem to get cover of King’s X’s ‘Groove the heavier sound and pun-
of work, it’s a maze of artis- favourite, starting with a me paid’, Acey Slade sings Machine’. This is an album ishing rhythmic pace.
tic synergy. smash of great guitar riffs in ‘Set It Off’, the first song of two halves, one could ‘Downtown Love’ is upbeat
YYYY which get heavier once the on his new ‘Valentines For say, heading for the big, with a swaggering, bluesy
SBV edgy vocals kick in. It takes Sick Minds’ album. This bold and brash finish of rhythm, while ‘Pose Your
you on a grungy journey album is proof that he’s guitar-led instrumental ‘Su- Ass Off’ is a bit of a foot-
HANGOVER SUBJECT into the cosmic under- good at what he does – perman’. It’s good time, stomper, and ‘Down The
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE ground. Another stand-out and he definitely deserves easy-rolling rock, and well Highway’ is heading into
(HANGOVER SUBJECT) tune from the album is 'Like to be paid! It’s punchy, en- worth a listen. thrash territory. Closer
‘Before It’s Too Late’ by A Dog'. From the start of ergetic and feel-good. Over YYYY ‘Stayin’ Young’ is a phe-
French rock band, Hang- the song there are fuzzy the years, Acey Slade has Clare Huckett nomenal anthemic roof-
over Subject, is a 12-track (as their name suggests) gone from being the gui- raiser with more of a
album that is home to guitar riffs which are then tarist and bassist in other KING ZEBRA serious tone, rounding off
some fantastic guitar riffs met with fast-paced drum- bands to fronting his own. WILD! WILD! WILD! proceedings with panache.
and vocals. 'Brain Destruc- ming. When the vocals kick This new solo album is fur- (PRETTY GOOD- This is a rock solid debut
tion', with its heavy guitars, in, the tune continues to ther proof that fronting a LOOKIN’) with a lot to like.
gravelly vocals and perfect strengthen. The last track band is where he thrives. Glam/sleaze is alive YYYY
drumming is a stand out on the album is 'One Last Despite also currently and kicking with this slab of Clare Huckett
track for all the right rea- Time', an atmospheric being the bassist for Joan 80s-influenced hard rock
ALBUMS