At the point where the UK summer kicked in, Kelowna released an excellent single, ‘Insanity’. A track that introduced the Scottish rock band to many, it managed to mix different guitar driven styles, from melodic hard rock to stoner grooves, in such a way that it made this still new band sound rather grand, but without any feeling of grandiosity.
The Fall’s fanbase is notoriously obsessive, but there aren’t likely too many fans who would consider the band’s seventeenth full length studio release, 1995’s ‘Cerebral Caustic’, to be one of their very best. It lacks the sheen of 1994’s ‘Middle Class Revolt’, and kicks off a three album run of less essential offerings. The rougher production values call back to the band’s origins in some ways, but with less distinctive material in hand, the bulk of ‘Cerebral Caustic’ often sounds like Mark E. Smith and cohorts going through the motions with a selection of garage rockers given a post punk edge. If you approach it expecting not much more than that, it’s actually fine for what it is, but considering the band featured Karl Burns, Steve Hanley and Craig Scanlon at this point, and the album marked the brief return of Brix Smith, it should be better than it is.
This visit to the Singles Bar shares one of our most impressive track selections in a while. Among the eight picks, we’ve got some fine soul-jazz sounds, a brilliant piece of retro power pop, the return of a genuine British legend, along with a clutch of underground singer-songwriters who really deserve your attention. For those who still associate Real Gone with our hard rock and metal content, there’s something great for you here too. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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From the moment ‘Desolate’ crashes in, Asylum Road sound like a band that means business. The number’s earliest riffs borrow, in part, from Testament and Machine Head but toughen them up considerably, and even before allowing their signature groove to take a hold, it’s pretty much guaranteed they have their audience’s attention.
The third album from Bath’s Young Martyrs is easily their best release to date. Its ten tracks – straddling rootsy rock, melodic rock and a whole wave of Americana sounds with a pinch of UK influence – showcase a mature sounding band. More importantly, ‘Might Just Be Enough’ presents the work of musicians who have a natural gift for well crafted songs.