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Spark of Life
Not yet signed up to Record Scout but we were sent their CD to
review. Indie Rock at its finest from Sheffield. Top production and
packaging is an example of how all CDs should be received. To take a
listen visit
www.sparkoflife.com |
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Sugarmonkey - debut single
We had the pleasure of being sent Sugarmonkey for review with the
release date set to be October 24th 05. Listening to their music you
can hear a little Radiohead in their vocals but not as an obvious
comparison. They do have that classic minor I can't guess the next cord or
vocal line in places. May not break the music scene
completely with this single but will definitely be noticed with
their music and bigger and better things are an almost certain.
www.sugarmonkeyonline.co.uk |
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Sticky Backs
I'm obviously a petty little man with petty, insubstantial grievances
so it is beyond me why I like this so much. I guess because it's so
inoffensive. To whit, Sticky Backs are a 7 piece ska-core (stop
sniggering) outfit and sound like that whole Mighty Might Bosstones,
NOFX kinda thing. It's melodic, proficient and so out of fashion,
which means I like it tenfold. -core they might be but at least they
ain't emo-core. Imagine if they sounded like Funeral for a Friend. Or
Thrice. Or Dashboard Confessional. Oh god no! So it's lucky they
don't. Judging by their relentless sound, I'm sure they rock live.
Catch Brett and the boys here:
http://stickback.iuma.com |
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The Stunts
The Stunts (another band with a The prefix. Inspired!) look like
smashing lads. Drinking lads. They hail from South Woodham Ferrers so
respect is due for one reason or another. The sounds on their demo
c.d. take in such breathtakingly diverse influences as the Beatles and
The Stones. Singer James Brown does a mean Roger Daltry and Robert
Plant impression whilst his mates work up a pedestrian but pleasant
brew of late 60s and early 70s drinking man's rock music.
More info: geoffrey.brown@rehab.co.uk |
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Sold: A Glimpse of Harmony
Merging the styles emo, metal and hardcore Sold perform 3 songs
with might and feel. Early Incubus comes to mind and fans of slipknot
should dig. As you might have guessed this is something for the more
metal inclined skaters to sink their angsty teeth into. If you like
your rock hard and heavy with growling vocals, rocky but melodic
crunchy guitars all tied together with a thread of youthful zeal then
Sold are the band for you. And rest assured; amidst the angry
discordant verses there always bursts a straighter vocal-line led
hooky chorus just to lift the music unto that commercial commodity
status. Definitely a band for keeping the dance floors of alternative
nights pumping. Don't stop the rock:
www.soldmusic.tk |
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Scarlet BLONDE
This I have started listening to and surprisingly actually enjoying it. I was expecting from the name to hear something half hearted and melodic, but this is more up-tempo and exciting with electrotica and dirty guitars mixed into the overall sounds. Got a massive pile of CDs to get through today so will come back to this CD when we launch our Podcast and review online for all to hear. For now, keep up the good work and be sure to send other material our way.
Shotgun Johnny
Either my ears are out or their guitars are slightly out of tune on the intro of their first track. Very simple production / musically but still exciting enough. I think a live sounding band in their early days with bigger potential than they may even realise themselves. Would like to hear down the line with better production. Turn up those vocals and you will be almost there.
sidney
Samples, computers, vocals mixed up will leave you with Sidney. Perhaps the most ‘un-hyped with their own packaging’ you can possibly get! I will forget about track 1 and jump to track 2. If these are your own vocals/ recording then you have found yourself a great vocalist and there is a lot of potential there.
Skitchy
SKITCHY – before putting in this CD based on their artwork I had no idea what to expect. This is why we have a category for artwork, so people with rubbish material can still score high I said. But… then the CD actually kicked in… And we like it!
In fact, this album may just get played in full, and then repeated several times. Kick off with a ‘big beat’ and you can’t go wrong. Nice Scratching, nice vocals, wicked production. OK Skitchy – you have won our vote. We want to hear more and we have a 16 track album.
We think there will be more to hear in the future. Our advice, keep doing what you’re doing, and do more of it!
Stylus
Stylus liquid graphics laid the foundation for their CD and at first I thought were equally balanced, but after a few seconds into their first track things really picked up. It was a nice surprise to hear the power guitar kicking in and the vocals are much further developed than your bog standard rock and to put the icing on the cake in comes the double bass drum work. There is definitely potential in the making here and I think a band that if they stick at whet they are doing will develop into a credible act.
Sunday Coming
Is there such thing as an introduction that is to long? Personally I think 1:20 is too long on a demo, especially when what kicks in is actually pretty good. Not only pretty good, but has a sound of today. What’s this mean? If you were a V Festival this year then all those rocking bands with dirty guitar, tight drums and a vocal line your mum’s scared of are ‘today’. Keep it up guys.
To be reviewed, click here.
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