The world has seen release of many tribute albums, many tossed off with casual indifference that miss the mark completely. Occasionally, one comes along that’s just so misguided you end up wondering how it came to be in the first place. The idea of thirteen different low-key French artists recreating Morrissey’s 1994 album ‘Vauxhall & I’ could easily sound like a bad one from the off, but somehow, through an array of reasonable talent – not to mention excellent source material and sheer balls – ‘Vauxhall & Us’ works. Without Morrissey’s distinctive croon adding to a many a black humour within his lyrics, these songs sound markedly different. Their charm is still often apparent, but in a wholly different way. The acoustic setting on some of the recordings allows Moz’s gift of words to remain the biggest draw of all, but the European slant evident from time to time also lends a certain charm.
Tag Archives: alternative
OF ALLIES – Tempers EP
Together for only a year at the time of its release, ‘Tempers’ by UK alt-rockers Of Allies shows a strong sense of focus and of self-belief. The material doesn’t always show a great range of styles, but essentially this is a good thing – a sign of a band that know exactly what works for them, resulting in five numbers that include no unnecessary padding. Bringing much heaviness, their crunch oft balanced with an accessibility , the EPs opening track ‘Ghosts’ really makes a play for catching the ear as quickly as possible– and very much succeeds. From a clean intro comprising a couple of clean guitar chords and a soft, heart-rending vocal, the band quickly branch out into a somewhat rhythmic piece, led which drummer Danny Barrick, rattling off his snares with speed. This is intercut with a heavier chorus riff, the guitars adopting a dirty approach. While clearly comprised of three distinct parts, the bands strong feeling for melody gives everything a natural feeling of togetherness. It’s a tune that should appeal to fans of bands in the Chevelle mould – heaviness with a very tuneful undercurrent.
New video from Perfect Beings
With their debut album attracting very positive responses from the online press, alternative rock band Perfect Beings unveil their new promo video for ‘Fictions’, a suitably moody visual to compliment the atmospheric track.
The full video can be seen below.
Warpaint – Live on KEXP
With an increasing internet presence and upcoming appearances at major UK festivals, dream pop outfit Warpaint have achieved a proper cult following. With songs that aren’t always instant, it seems the live setting works surprisingly well for the US quartet.
The Defiled unveil new Lego themed video
Ahead of their Sonisphere UK appearances this weekend, UK metal band The Defiled have unleashed a new Lego themed video clip for their song ‘Infected’, which can be streamed in full below.